Words of Warning - Words of Wisdom (Isaiah 28-33)

Introduction

We all are quite used to listening to and heeding warnings. We listen to traffic reports to make sure we avoid accidents or traffic jams. We read product reviews to ensure we are paying for something worthwhile. If a tornado siren sounds in the late afternoon or evening in the summer, we pay attention. If the smoke detectors goesoff in the middle of the night, we jump up and evacuate.

Stop signs, traffic lights, sharp curves ahead...

“Test your breaks” before heading down a steep hill.

Humanity is fairly quick to seek out and heed warnings in things of lesser importance, why not in things of ultimate importance?

It's wise to heed words of warning, especially when they come from a reliable source.

13 Principles (Isaiah 28-33)

There is a pattern that emerges in these six chapters of Isaiah. There are five (some would say six) woes, but each is accompanied by one or more promises. You probably recognized this pattern as you studied this week.

I have chosen not to specifically look at each of the woes and promises individually. Instead, I approached this passage looking for principles that emerged.

This lecture is comprised of a single division containing thirteen principles. Most likely, there are 113 principles. But we don't have time to cover that many.

Those whose life (or joy) is in the fading (or fleeting) things of this material world will miss the beauty of the Lord and benefits of His kingdom. (28:1-6)

Matthew 16:24-26:

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Those in the northern kingdom, Ephraim, had all this world could offer. They enjoyed this life to the fullest in terms of worldly pleasures.

But they lost it all. There was nothing to show for it.

Nothing but judgment in this life and enteral separation from God in the next.

The exchange: death for life; temporal for eternal; a fading wreath for the Glorious Crown.

The scoffer's words will one day come back to haunt him. (28:7-13)

Scoff: derision; ridicule; mockery; scorn

“You think what you have to say is better than what I already know?”

Psalm 1:1 – Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffers.

Proverbs 1:22 – How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 19:29 – Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 21:24 - “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

The scoffer is not necessarily interested in the truth since they believe they either know all that they need to know or they know where to find the answers.

They don't think the one they scoff at has anything worthwhile to teach.

That's pretty arrogant, especially when the One trying to teach is the All Wise God.

Modern day Skeptics are often this sort of person. They have a set of questions that they like to pose in order to undermine the gospel message.

Many are not seriously interested in finding the truth, they believe that they have it. They are more interested in pointing out what they say are reasons to disbelieve – reasons to justify their own beliefs.

Those who mock God by ignoring His discipline, embrace a lie and miss the blessing of His sovereign plan. (28:14-22)

Egypt was their covenant with death.

Egypt would provide the strength they needed in order to overcome the invading horde (or so they though).

But God had sent the invading horde and they were not going to overcome Jerusalem.

By thinking they were cheating death, they were believing a lie and a falsehood.

God had the truth and His purpose was to show Himself strong in the middle of a desperate situation – the invaders.

Jerusalem would have a firm foundation. This was God's plan. He was not going to allow the invaders inside the walls – there would be security because God was their Rock.

And we know that this firm foundation and precious cornerstone is a reference to Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ. In Peter's first epistle he writes:

1 Peter 2:4-8:

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,”

8 and,

“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, refers to Jesus as the chief (of ultimate importance) cornerstone. He is the anchor upon which His church is built.

Ephesians 2:19-22:

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

In the Gospel of Luke he records the words of Jesus in referring to the cornerstone. Jesus had just finished a parable of the vineyard, the tenants, and the owner and how the tenants had tried to seize the vineyard for themselves by killing all that the owner sent to them. Jesus concludes in Luke 20:17-19:

17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone’?

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Since basic understanding in life comes from God, He must be our primary source of counsel and wisdom in all things. (28:23-29)

Agricultural metaphor.

God gives the basic understanding in all tasks needed to survive.

To the farmer, when to plow, how long to plow, what to plant, when to harvest, and how to process the harvest.

This comes from God – man didn't come up with all this on his own.

Wisdom comes from God as verses 28:26 & 29 tell us.

Psalm 111:10

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

It's foolish to despise God's wisdom. He is the source and giver of wisdom.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

All of us have areas where we could use a bit more wisdom. If we deny it, isn't that a bit proud?

God is all wise. There is no life situation that is a challenge to Him.

In what areas of life do you need to ask God for wisdom?

Those whose religion is merely rituals and words will eventually lose their understanding and vision of God. (29:1-14)

They weren't missing any festivals.

They performed the correct sacrifices at the correct times.

They were by the Book, I am sure. So what's the problem?

“By the Book” is necessary but not if one forgets the source and intent of the Book.

Psalm 51:16,17 --

16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

David, in this Psalm, was in the middle of confessing and repenting of murder and adultery. He was guilty and was acknowledging that before God. But as he points out, to merely follow the letter of the law in return is to ignore the intent of the law. The intent of the law was to point out my total inadequacy in atoning for my own sin and that an innocent had to die in my place. Sacrifices were never meant as a ritual covering for sin but a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice for sin that God himself would provide for those whose hearts are broken and contrite before Him.

God has never desired robots that just follow through with His commands.

He could have created such creatures if that is what He desires.

He created humans to have fellowship with Him.

And those who love Him desire to obey Him out of love and gratitude for who He is and what He has done.

He desires for us to follow through with what He commands, yes, but only out of love and submission to His perfect will.

Here is what Amos wrote in chapter 8:

9 “In that day,” declares the Sovereign LORD,

“I will make the sun go down at noon
and darken the earth in broad daylight.
10 I will turn your religious feasts into mourning
and all your singing into weeping.
I will make all of you wear sackcloth
and shave your heads.
I will make that time like mourning for an only son
and the end of it like a bitter day.

11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
“when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
12 Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the LORD,
but they will not find it.

How would you rate your religion? Is it from the heart or is it primarily outward only?

This Christmas, as you find yourself caught up in traditions, preparations, busyness, stress, etc., stop, slow down, consider, what is this season all about?

Our world would like us to consider it as the holiday economic infusion into retail centers. Or they would like us to consider it a time of family gatherings. A time to celebrate and get into the “Christmas (or Xmas) spirit”.

They would like us to look at a baby and think of peace and joy in the sense that our future is wrapped up in our children.

But the celebration of this season for the Christian is all about the fulfillment of God's promise of Messiah:

• He came as a baby

• lived as a man

• died as a criminal

• rose from the dead

He came...

• ...not to give an example of how to live – though he did

• ...not to bring wise teaching – though he did

• ...not to heal the sick – though he did

He came, lived, died, rose, and ascended...

• ...so that his people might have life

• ...so that his people might receives the promised Holy Spirit

  • who gives life

  • who opens eyes and ears

  • who enables his people to live a life that looks like their Master – Jesus

Those who seek their own plans without including God miss the blessing of being used by God as part of His redemption plan. (29:15-24)

Look at God's divine plan that He will bring about in 17-24.

He is the all Wise One, the potter.

When I sneak my own plans into the works, I am telling God that my plans are more important than His.

And that He doesn't have the right to use me as He wills.

But I also miss out on being the instrument that God uses. I miss a privilege to serve His purposes.

How are your plans interfering with God's plans and what are you going to do about it?

Those who walk in their own wisdom and not by God's Spirit bring disgrace on themselves and miss out on God's grace and direction. (30:1-33)

What Judah was trying to avoid, by going to Egypt, was God's doing because of their sin.

He was disciplining the nation.

And so in verse 1 he tells them that what they are doing is multiplying their sin. God had a purpose in disciplining them.

Let's read what God's purpose in His discipline was:

30:15

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

30:18

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Despite their rebellion, look at what the Lord will do:

[read 30:19-21]

And the end result would be turning away from idols to the living God. This is what God desires.

Repentance and dependence on Him.

Proverbs 3:5,6:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight [direct your paths].

How have you experienced missing God's direction in the past?

What are you doing today to ensure you are following God's direction and not your own?

Those who seek human solutions rather than seeking the Lord practice idolatry and invite disaster. (31:1-9)

Look how strong the gods they have trust in really are:

31:3

But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble (Egypt), he who is helped will fall (Judah); both will perish together.

They are elevating Egypt to the status of a god by relying on them for protection.

But they have a history with YHWH and it's not pretty.

The true God is the LORD Almighty who will shield Jerusalem:

31:5

Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will 'pass over' it and will rescue it.

The ESV says, “he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it.”

Egypt has no power against YHWH and Israel is revolting against him by seeking their help.

In verses 6 & 7, God calls them to repent and return to him and when they do, they will leave behind their idols of silver and gold.

Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

Psalm 40:4

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Where Christ reigns there is righteousness, justice, and understanding where there once was foolishness, ungodliness, and self-centeredness. (32:1-8)

Look at the contrast between the descriptions in verse 3 & 4 vs 5-7.

What once was the norm, fools called noble, scoundrels respected evil seeming acceptable. This is the way things were before Christ.

Don't some of these things seem like the norm in our day.

What is evil is called good.

The man who claims there is no God is consider the noble and wise one.

Scoundrels and criminals are respected and looked up to.

But with Christ their is opened eyes to see the truths. Opened ears to hear and understand.

And a mind that was once rash is now rational and able to gain knowledge.

[Consider the framework up which science was formalized – those who believed in a Creator God who designed the universe]

[they believed in a rational Creator and that he put order and purpose into what he created]

[that it was not eternal and infinite but that it had a beginning and first cause]

The Holy Spirit transforms a repentant heart into a place of justice, righteousness, and fruitfulness. (32:9-20)

God calls those who feel secure in themselves to repent, receive the Holy Spirit and the righteous, fruitful life that only He can give. (32:9-20)

The land is described as overgrown with thorns and briers. This is supposed to be God's vineyard.

And the women are complacent. They are indifferent to the condition of the vineyard.

Verse 12 & 13 are a call to repent and cry out to God.

Verses 15-20 describe the renewal that will come when the Spirit is poured out from heaven.

Fertile field, forest. Justice & righteousness.

Peace, quietness and confidence.

A place of rest.

What is the human condition without Christ, without the renewing work of the Holy Spirit dwelling within?

Paul gives a pretty good idea in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:

9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

What thorns and briers are you allowing to grow where there should be spiritual fruit?

Those who fear the Lord experience His grace in trouble but the wicked will be destroyed. (33:1-9)

Assyria and the other nations that were ruthless did not fear the LORD. They were instruments of his justice, but they had no fear of him.

They had ample opportunity to acknowledge him, but their pride would not allow it.

And their doom is seen in the first verse.

But the Lord's own are described in verses 5 & 6:

Again, righteousness and justice are mentioned – that is who God is.

Here's how Solomon finishes the book of Ecclesiastes in 12:13,14:

13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

With a fear of the Lord comes humility. Because to truly fear him, one must acknowledge him as sovereign over them. Their is no room for pride in such a relationship.

Proverbs 3:33,34

33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

When the Lord returns, the wicked will experience everlasting judgment but the righteous will see the King and dwell in His perfect presence forever. (33:10-24)

In Matthew 25:46, Jesus says:

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Conclusion

Heeding a warning is wise, especially when the warning comes from One who is all-wise!