A Theocentric Perspective (Isaiah 40:12-31)

Introduction

At various stages in life, a person's perspectives tend to change. When a baby is born, it takes considerable time growing before he realizes that he is not the center of the universe. In out teen years, often we think we know more than we really do (and our parents don't know much at all). When we get older, we realize that wasn't true. Then when we have kids of our own, we think we know less than we really do because our kids keep telling us so.

Teaching the concept of personal pronouns to a 2 year old is not an easy concept. It is difficult to convey the various ways of referring to self from different perspectives.

For instance, my wife (Mary) was showing Darby (our 2 year old granddaughter) a picture that she had of Mary, her Sister, and her Mom (G.G.). She pointed to each of them and said their name: “That's GG, that's Jackie, and that's me”. Now when Darby sees that picture she says, “That's GG, that's Jackie, and that's me”.

Another example is of a picture of Darby and me. She says, “That's Papa and you”.

And when she wants me to go up to my office with her she says, “Papa, let's go to my office”.

How do you explain such things to the 2 year old mind?

Mary and I have tried to verbalize how that might go:

In the case of calling herself “you” in the picture, we could tell her, “when I refer to you I say you but when you refer to you you say me.” To her, I may as well be saying, “Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do”.

Technological innovations abound in our day. We are able to see farther out into our solar system, our galaxy and to galaxies beyond our own. And as our technology improves, we are face with a greater awareness of the things that we don't yet understand.

We have seen into the details of biological systems to the degree that we understand (to a degree) DNA and RNA. We've begun to unlock the complexities of the machinery within the human body that manufactures cells and customizes them to suite a specific purpose.

But the more we see of the vastness of the universe or the intricate design of the human body, often our focus is on the thing that amazes us without regard for the source of that which amazes us. We fixate on the created rather than the creator.

And Isaiah wants to break us of the problem that has plagued humanity ever since sin entered this world.

This passage is going to place us in a right perspective by starting with God himself. I've called this the theocentric perspective. With God at the center.

And by taking this perspective, we are going to begin to feel very small, and rightly so. But eventually that right perspective will lay the groundwork for a life of meaning and purpose and hope in the Creator who is all excellence in all He does.

Disclaimer: This passage is not written to build up man's pride, ego, and self-esteem. It is meant to drive us to reality. The way things are. The truth about the world and the relationship of the Creator to the created and vice versa. To find a true sense of worth in the Creator himself rather than in his creation.

No Contribution (Isaiah 40:12-17)

Hand of God (40:12)

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?

This verse is not attempting to give us a sense of the enormity of God's hand – He is Spirit. These questions use anthropomorphic language describing the things that humans are often in awe of (oceans, the heavens, mountains, etc.). In relation to God, they are insignificant.

Volume & Distance (12a)

Quantity & Mass (12b)

Note: Rather than a vast number of freak chance happenings, things are the way they are because that is the way God created them. The right amount of soil, water, right mix of hydrogen and oxygen, etc. There is purpose and design because there is a Grand designer.

The Mind of God (40:13-14)

13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD,
or instructed him as his counselor?
14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding?

The things that we observe and experience with our senses are one thing, we can't comprehend the vastness, but what about the mind that conceived these things. The idea that man could ever comprehend the mind of God is inconceivable. If we can't fathom what He has created, there is no way we could understand His mind.

The way we think and arrive at comprehension is constrained by and dependent on events sequenced in time. Our thought processes are linear.

Some knowledge we are born with. Some things we are taught. Some understanding we gain through experience sensory learning – empirical methods. Some learning is extrapolation – inferential methods. The study of epistemology applies to methods of knowledge acquisition.

Not Understood or Instructed (13a)

Not Given Him Direction (14a)

God has never consulted with anyone to discover what is the right course of action. It would be impossible for God to be indecisive in any way. He is complete and lacking nothing.

Not Taught How To Learn (14b)

You can't teach God anything. He cannot learn.

You might say, I have that problem. Well, you and I might, and that is a problem of stubbornness or perhaps a symptom of old age.

But how can you inform the informed? How can you give to One who has everything?

The Nations (40:15-17)

15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

The superpowers of the day (720BC or 586BC) would have seemed immense. Especially to a remnant of a small nation who have not experienced independence in 70 years.

But that is true even today. As you look at the nations, the superpowers, both economically and militarily, they seem pretty daunting.

We have the potential to destroy most life on earth several times over through nuclear armaments.

Wow! You might say. But the important thing is, what does God say?

Drop in the bucket; dust on the scales.

Drop In The Bucket

Have you ever dropped a bit of water into a larger bit of water. I think we all have experienced that.

But then, have you ever tried to distinguish the drop that you just dropped in from all the rest of the water.

No. It is indistinguishable.

Besides that, it also is insignificant. The drop in comparison to the overall volume of water is miniscule.

That's what the nation, mighty or not, really are. Insignificant in the grant scheme of things.

Not something that warrants our awe, that's for sure.

Dust On The Scales

When we lived in Turkey, there were scales everywhere. Big, small, old, new, dirty, all sorts.

In the market, you would buy produce, or olives, or cheese and they would place the product on one side of the scale and then apply weights to the other side.

I never was concerned about the dust that may have accumulated on one side or the other. It made no difference to the price I would pay for the product. It was insignificant.

That's what the nations, mighty or not, really are. They are insignificant.

Land and Natural Resources (16)

16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.

A nation may be deemed important because of what it has to offer. It may have a great coast, beautiful mountains, lots of natural beauty and resources that we consider valuable.

They even may have things that are important for worship such as wood for alter fires and animals for sacrifices.

Are not these nations deemed more important for what they have to offer. Are not these types of things good and necessary for what God requires.

Here Isaiah uses this picture of Lebanon. All throughout Scripture the “Cedars of Lebanon” are spoken of.

Cedars was the primary wood used in lining the inside of the temple that Solomon built. And what a large quantity they used.

Cedar also could be used on the fires of the alter.

But even if all the trees in Lebanon were used to build fires for burnt offerings, even if all their cattle were slaughtered in order to make burnt offerings to YHWH, it would not be enough.

God does not look at the resources of a nation and deem them important because they somehow provide something necessary for Him.

All the wood in the world along with all the animals in creation would not be enough.

Nothing and < Nothing

Verse 17 pretty much sums things up regarding nations.

Before God, all nations are nothing.

Principle: Creation contributes nothing to God/Creation owes everything to God.

Applications:

1. What 'nothings' dominate your attention?

2. What 'less than nothings' do you need to put in proper perspective?

3. How are you taking advantage of your access to the all-wise, all-powerful God?

No Comparison (Isaiah 40:18-26)

When you want to see differences and similarities between two objects, you make a comparison by observing the objects along side one another. By listing their attributes and comparing those attributes. There are many ways of comparing two things in order to discover what they are and are not like.

When it comes to God, what can you compare Him to? Man's perception of God? Man's understanding of God? Perhaps you compare Him to objects man uses as substitutes for God.

No Images (18-20)

Why No Images?

Talk about why God prohibited images.

Talk about the bronze serpent on a pole that God had commanded Moses to make.

Why Does Man Want Images?

We are created for worship and we WILL worship something or someone.

We want something tangible, but there is nothing tangible that can adequately represent God and in fact it will always detract from our worship of God.

Fallen man wants the convenience of a god that he controls. One that he can go to when he needs him but doesn't cramp his style. Doesn't make demands that are uncomfortable.

You can carry an image in a box and put constraints around it.

Image Making 101

Verses 19-20 are ironic in the sense that they depict the care in selecting and constructing a proper god.

If you can afford it, you used cast metals, gold overlays, and fine ornamentation.

[Indian friend who showed me the god he worships and how rich that god was]

Skilled Craftsmen

Notice that all these idols required the skill of man to make them what they ought to be.

Where did that skill come from. Some was probably skills that individuals were bent toward. Some artistic types have what we call a “gift”. They are endowed by their Creator to do creative work.

Here they are taking the creative abilities God has given them in order to make a god that repulses God.

God-given talents used to make a god that denies the true God.

A god For All Socio-Economic Levels

Notice the irony here when Isaiah transitions from the gold overlay with chains to the bare-bone model.

Nobody wants a god with wood-rot. So if you can't afford the high grade idol, just pick a good log – maybe Cypress – and give it to a craftsman.

You still want the skilled craftsman.

And you also want to use some of the latest in idol-stabilization technologies.

[Philistine god Dagon, when the Philistines had captured the Ark from Judah]

How Are We The Same?

Are we, in the west, any better. We worship at the shrine of the rich and famous.

We are in awe of eloquent political leaders.

Celebrity is a god that many worship by flocking to every potential hit movie our favorite actor or actress might be performing in.

Pursuit of career, of intellect, of wealth, of things.

All modern-day replacements for the satisfaction we all desire in life.

Four Yeses (21)

...not know? I Know.

...not heard? I've Heard.

...not been told? I've been told from the beginning.

...not understood? I've understood since the earth's founding.

The four questions are posited in the negative. As if to say, you should know, have heard, been told, understood.

The information was available so if you don't know, why is that? What are you lacking, certainly nothing from God?

If you don't know, you can't blame God.

It's similar to the argument Paul uses in the beginning of the book of Romans. Nobody has an excuse for their denial of God. Their own sinful bent is to blame for suppressing the truth.

God's Transcendence and Man's Creatureliness (22-24)

Transcendent:

1. Very excellent; superior or supreme in excellence; surpassing others

2. reaching beyond, the limits of human knowledge

3. beyond and outside the ordinary range of human experience or understanding

40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.

This concept of sits enthroned above is an anthropomorphic way of saying that He is the ultimate Sovereign over all of creation. God is outside of the created order. He is in no way part of creation.

The grasshopper-nature of people is used to give a perspective. As a man looks at a grasshopper in relation to himself, so we are to God.

He is so far above us, even the grasshopper analogy falls apart because we are closer to grasshoppers than we are to God in comparison.

Then Isaiah uses some examples to show how God superintends over all creation.

Two examples are given: the heavens above and the nations below.

The Heavens (22b)

The account of creation goes into greater detail, but this passage points out that as a man stretches out a tent to sleep under, that's the way God stretched out the heavens.

To God, He was laying out a canopy under which man resides.

And each time you and I have the opportunity to look out on a clear starry night, we have the ability to be overcome with the immensity of the heavens. But then to turn that awe of the vastness of space to an awe of the marvelous work of Almighty God.

Whenever we are confronted with something in creation that captures our senses: the Grand Canyon, high mountain ranges, vast oceans, microscopic life, etc. We can stop there or we can choose to acknowledge God as the architect and creator of all things.

We can turn our awe of God's creation into awe of the Creator.

The Nations (23-24)

Once again Isaiah puts the power of nations and human leaders in perspective.

Just like we saw last week as we looked at the description of man as grass, here national leaders are viewed in the same way.

They come to power, serve their purpose, but then are gone. There is nothing lasting in their tenure and they are not the source of their power.

Certainly wicked rulers come to power through a multitude of means.

Sometimes our wickedness as individuals chooses to put a king on the throne (Saul for example).

Or perhaps just as a consequence of fallen humanity, one who starts out as a good leader allows the power to go to his head and becomes a wicked leader.

Or perhaps God raises up an individual or nation in order to serve His divine purpose.

Any way you look at it, the power of man is fleeting and subject to the Sovereign of the universe. He determines the tenure of a leader and He has the ability to crumble an empire.

So Who Was Comparable Again? (25-26)

We wrap up this section repeating the earlier question from verse 18.

Who am I comparable to? What equation can you formulate with God on one side and another (or even multiple others) on the other side?

There is no equation, mathematical or otherwise.

He is the Holy One. The separate and otherly One. He is not in the same category with anyone.

Anyone who is someone but is not this One is no one in comparison to the Eternal One.

Call it obfuscation if you will, but it captures the essence of what Isaiah (God's words) are putting across to us.

Don't even try to compare me to anyone or anything because I am the source of everyone and everything.

And so He ends with a call to look up, fess up, and contemplate:

Who created this? God did!

Not only did He create it, but the hosts of heaven are all accounted for by Him.

We cannot even fathom the number of the stars. The greater our ability to look into space, the more aware we are of the vastness of the universe.

Yet the stars, to God, are like a coin collection to a collector who has each identified and accounted for. Making sure that none are missing.

As one person mention on Saturday morning, we have to number the stars whereas God names them. We are running out of numbers but each is named in God's understanding.

Again, this is an anthropomorphic way of dealing with the fact that to God there are a handful of stars.

No comparison!

Principle: Human understanding, skill, and power cannot compare with God.

Applications:

1. What knowledge do you have that has become a barrier between you and God?

2. What skill has God given you that has become a barrier between you and your Creator?

3. What authority do you have that is keeping you from submitting to God's authority?

No Problem (Isaiah 40:27-31)

After reading through verses 12-26, one might get the idea that God is so far above all that is created, that we as His creatures go unnoticed. He has far greater things to capture His attention. Why should anything that I am experiencing and going through in life be of any significance to God? Creation is insignificant in comparison to Him so of what value am I?

But the first verses of this past section were not attempting to place value on God's creatures. What these verses do is put the source of the value in the Creator himself. Our value is found in our Creator.

Not Unnoticed (27-28)

With the perspective Isaiah has given – the broad ranging comparisons, the infinite significance, wisdom, and power of God – now he is able to deal with the remnant's dilemma.

Sometimes its easy to think that my situation and circumstances are too small for a God who deals with such grandiose things.

On the contrary. Our Lord has infinite ability to know all things, perceive all things, address all things, and to do it all within a single context. Not context switching necessary for God.

And so Israel and Judah, who have a history with YHWH, feel that their alienation from Him has caused Him to be unaware of or unconcerned with their cause.

Same Questions (28a)

Isaiah uses the same questions as he had posed to them previously.

In other word, he is teaching them something that they are already aware of.

The LORD (YHWH) is the everlasting (Infinite and eternal) God. And as if that were not enough, let me expound on that:

1. Creator of the ends (from one end to the other) of earth (universe)

2. Inexhaustible (His power has no end), He doesn't tire, He doesn't change

3. Infinite understanding – even the small issues of your life are in view, He is aware

This is your God, Israel. This is your God, men in this Isaiah study.

He is all-sufficient for all things.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? If not, now you have.

Strength In Hope (29-31)

The last 3 verses may be familiar to many of you. Here he is talking about the frailty of the human condition.

Not only are we physically weak and frail and eventually die, but more importantly, we are spiritually weak. We are tainted by sin. We are easily led astray. We often lose focus on what our mission is on earth.

Strength to The Weary Power to The Weak (29)

Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28-29:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

This was Jesus talking about the condition of the human soul. The one who is burdened down with the weigh of bearing sin. The fact that this burden is replaced with rest that is found only in him.

And so in faith a person comes to Jesus, and figuratively, lays that burden of sin at the cross where Jesus bore sin for mankind.

The second part of that verse deals with a life where the believer whose burden has been taken is now yoked with Jesus in a life of work in his strength.

So weariness can be the weight of sin, but is also can be a life that has gotten off track from the course that is set out by God for a believer.

Hebrews 12:3:

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In case you forget, and think that the Christian life is difficult (you are correct), don't lose sight of Jesus who is the perfecter of our faith. What did he endure for you? What should be your response? Where will you get the strength for such endurance?

God will and does provide the strength.

You know, weariness and weakness is not a bad thing. It is a reminder to refocus my perspective back into reality.

That reality that God is God and I am weak. He is capable and I am not. Only by faith in Him do I have the strength to carry on.

He uses the young men and youths to illustrate that he is not talking about physical abilities here (not that He can't also provide that when needed however). See, in the grand scheme of things, youth and young men only have a slight advantage – eventually they too grow tired.

But God never tires, never becomes discouraged, never becomes weary and He has the infinite ability to dole out what is needed to accomplish what He requires of His people.

I don't know why it is so hard for me to figure that out. I continue to find myself striving and becoming weary and then it dawns on me (or we read a passage like this) that its not about me.

I have nothing to give in myself. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

And if I am doing something for God in my own strength, where is faith? It isn't in the thing I am doing. It is not involved in the task at all. And even if God does use my efforts, they are not pleasing to Him – I gain no reward except for stress, strain, and weariness.

He points out to these Hebrews that they must hope in the LORD. Hope is not a wishful thinking I hope so type of attitude.

It is not positive thinking and thus bringing it about (which is impossible and superstitious anyway).

Hope is akin to faith in that my reliance is upon God completely. I am taking him at his word. Trusting in His character and His promises.

Finding my strength in what God has revealed about himself through His word.

Note: Sometimes we want full comprehension before we will have faith. Full comprehension is not possible. We need to look at the evidence we have been given and respond to that. There is nothing more needed than to look at the heavens to see the handiwork of an all wise, all powerful God.

It is faith that pleases God – faith in action through a life live out for Him.

Then whether I plod along through life, following the path that God leads me on, or soar on wings of eagles – either way, I am serving with the right perspective of God with my hope fully set on Him alone.

Principle: God provides the only strength we need for the road ahead.

Applications:

1. What burden are you carrying that needs to be left at the cross?

2. When will you become too tired of striving in your own strength and finally put your hope in God's infinite strength?

3. Circumstances: those nasty things you see when you get your eyes off of God (Warren W. Wiersbe quoting unknown author) Where are your eyes focused? Will you commit yourself to return to this passage again and again to receive the right focus and perspective?

Conclusion

Every once in a while, I need to get a realignment on my car because of all the bumps in the road. The wheels get out of whack and the car wants to go in a direction contrary to where I am steering it.

A change of perspective is like that. Over time it is easy to hit a few bumps and begin to steer out of the direction God has called you and I into.

We need a God like the one described in chapter 40! This is a God who is able to provide the hope necessary for the road ahead.

Grief, Glory, and God

I was reading some online articles this morning and came across one on grief and glory. This article touches on so many of the concepts we studied (in Isaiah 40:1-11) in regard to God's comfort. It is definitely worth reading for anyone who ever has or will face loss in life.

From Grief to Glory by Dr Jim Coffield

Voices of Truth (Isaiah 40:1-11)

Introduction

Have you ever read or heard someone speak and believed the words, knew that they were true, and then experienced them first hand and were given a deeper understanding and appreciation of what those words meant. Not to say that the words became true because you experienced them, but now the meaning of those words resonated with a life experience. The truth of the words didn't change, but your deep convictions about the truth were cemented.

Examples:

1. The challenges of raising children through various stages: birth, “terrible two's”, teens, young adulthood, etc.

2. In jump school, one of the warnings they drilled into us was to pay attention to those who are below you. We were told that the parachute of below could produce an air draft that would cause the upper jumper's chute to descend at a more rapid rate which produced the danger of the two jumpers becoming entangled. On my first of second jump two jumpers became entangled for that very reason, one of them not surviving. This occurrence didn't make the warning true, it just made me more convinced of that truth in my own mind – I became much more aware of those below me while jumping.

Isaiah 1:1-11 presents to us several proclamations – voices speaking, crying out, utterances from the mind and mouth of God. I want to look at each of these proclamations from the perspective of what they say about the character of God.

The three character traits of God that we will be exploring are: Grace, Providence, and Trustworthiness.

The Grace of God (Isaiah 40:1-2)

Hermeneutics: the study of interpretation theory.

Who To?

The Exiles in Babylon

Although this prophecy was most likely written toward the end of Hezekiah's reign, the target audience consisted of those who would come out of the Babylonian captivity some 150 years hence.

Those hearing the prophecy for the first time, would have found that this message resonated with their own experience. An experience of feeling the extreme consequences of their own sin after the near-miss incident with Assyria.

They also would have been comforted in the fact that, although their was another coming disaster (howbeit greater than the Assyrian invasion), it would not be the end. God still was calling his people back to himself.

A remnant would be returning to Jerusalem after receiving a just reward for their own rebellion against God.

Sometimes it takes exile before we see what we really need.

Sometimes the grace of God shows up best against a dark background.

All People

But even the Babylonian exile and return was only a shadow of the coming salvation God had in mind.

Just as God's rescue of Israel from captivity in Egypt was a type and shadow of a greater bondage. A universal captivity that all of humanity experiences.

So the near-term message of the remaining 27 chapters, though it points to a physical restoration, is actually dealing with a spiritual reality that is only found in the coming Servant/King, Messiah, whom Isaiah will be announcing in chapters 40-66.

Comfort

The comfort being spoken of in verse 1 has nothing to do with easy living.

It's not dealing with life's circumstances so that there will be no pain and discomfort.

Dictionary: To give strength and hope.

Many of you in here tonight are dealing with things in your life that are difficult and you just don't see any way out of it.

Perhaps you are dealing with relationship struggles. Perhaps between yourself and a wayward child. Or maybe a struggle in your marriage.

God is the only one who can bring strength and true hope to these struggles.

Maybe you are out of work and you don't see how, in this economy, you will find a job. Strength and hope is found in God alone.

Certainly we must continue to pursue leads for employment, but God must be the source of strength for the days ahead.

Sometimes the illness or death of a loved one leaves us in a state of worry or grief. There are no words that you and I can give that will change the situation. In fact, there are often no words of comfort we can give. We do not have the resources to comfort apart from offering what only God can give. He is the sole source of comfort in such a time of loss.

How do we know that God will be able to comfort?

This passage talks to us about the greatest need of all humanity.

It tells us that this wayward people, Israel, had their sins paid for. They had nothing to do with it. The impossible work of redemption was accomplished by God. Hope of any sort must begin with the only One who is able to provide and fulfill the prerequisites for hope.

My People/Your God

These words of comfort from God were to a people who were where they were due to sin. Or at least due to the sin of their forefathers.

And yet God calls them “my people” and refers to himself as “their God”.

Their relationship with God was not based upon their performance (their relationship as His people) but upon His faithfulness.

By the grace of God they were not completely destroyed. But He continued to reach out His hand in love and compassion for a people prone to wander.

Listen to what Jeremiah has to say just prior to the exile: (Jeremiah 31:3-6)

3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
4 I will build you up again
and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.
Again you will take up your tambourines
and go out to dance with the joyful.
5 Again you will plant vineyards
on the hills of Samaria;
the farmers will plant them
and enjoy their fruit.
6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out
on the hills of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Zion,
to the LORD our God.’”

Jerusalem

Not only is God speaking comfort to his people, but he speaks tenderly to Jerusalem.

This was the city of peace. The location where God's glory dwelt with His covenant people. That is until that glory departed from the temple and from Jerusalem.

The city of Jerusalem had been under siege and had in fact been completely destroyed – walls, gates burned, houses destroyed, temple burned.

What he's saying is that this hope of the returning exiles includes the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. A place where the covenant people of God can experience His blessing and forgiveness once again.

All the time they were in exile, there were no sacrifices to YHWH. There was no provision for atonement offerings that were prescribed by the Law of Moses.

So this inclusion of the mention of Jerusalem would evoke considerable excitement in the mind of those Jews whose heart was set on returning to the Lord.

This was the grace and loving care of God that was making these words of comfort possible.

Grace

Her Hard Service Complete (Her Warfare is Ended)

Mentioned in the previous section. Basically the whole land of Israel experienced the ravages of the invading hordes – Assyria and Babylon. The land had been desolate and not experienced the blessing that God had graced the land with during the “glory years” of Israel's past.

Sin Has Been Paid For

The people had not paid for their sin. This cannot be the meaning of this text. We always interpret Scripture with Scripture.

Although, at first glance, this may appear as though Isaiah is advocating the idea of working off evil with good in order to appease God, this is not what is going on here.

Rather, this text is pointing out the this is God who has done the paying. He had pardoned their sin and it was not based upon their suffering or any good thing they had done.

There is nothing man can ever do to undo the damage of sin. Only God has the ability to pay the price for sin.

This passage is prefiguring the coming of God's Servant. The one who would bear sin for many.

NOTE: we must remember that even under the Old Covenant, there was nothing intrinsically special about the blood of bulls and goats. They served as a substitute for sin. God did require these sacrifices. But it never was his intention that these become a permanent way of approaching Him. He always had in mind the final sacrifice to which all other sacrifices pointed.

Received Double For All Her Sins

Received double for all her sin does not indicate that God was overbearing on these people. On the contrary, God is always more lenient than our sin deserve.

This may be a poetic term to depict the severity of this exile and the devastation that accompanied it.

Other commentators see this as potentially pointing to the idea that there were double exiles – Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon.

Others believe this may be a way of showing the gracious hand of God providing recompense to his people. That what He offers in return for their rebellion is mercy, forgiveness, comfort, etc.

Whatever the exact meaning, who would expect to return. There was no deserving this reception back into the graces of God. But then again, there never is deserving on our part. That's why grace is defined as “undeserved favor”.

Principle: Forgiveness of sin brings strength and hope.

Applications:

1. What assurance do you have that your sin has been paid for completely?

2. What comfort do you have in knowing your sins are forgiven?

3. Where do you need God's comfort tonight? How are you seeking His comfort?

The Providence of God (Isaiah 40:3-5)

Verses 3-5 may have sounded familiar to you when you read them. That is because of the fact that all four Gospels quote from this passage. And they are all referring to John the Baptist as the “voice” crying in the wilderness.

Providence

1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation.

2. Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself, regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience.

Both of these definitions are applicable to our text since there is preparation but there is also the divine hand of God at work in the details.

Fulfilled After Exile

This passage, again, has a fulfillment in regard to the Babylonian exiles as well as a fulfillment in Christ. But this makes sense. What God was doing in the Old Covenant was, in many cases, types and shadows of what was fulfilled in Christ.

Many of the metaphors had uses had a near-term fulfillment in the people of Israel and the land. But their ultimate fulfillment was in the person of Christ for Jew and Gentile alike.

The Usage of This Language

Isaiah was using a metaphor that would have been familiar to his audience. In desert areas such as the desert between Israel and Babylon, before a king would embark on a sojourn, he would send a group of subjects before him.

They would be responsible for making sure that his passage was clear. That obstacles were removed. That the roads were passable and would not result in delays or an rough transport.

This language is being employed here to describe what God is doing in providing His exiles a passage back home.

Let me point us back to a passage from Jeremiah once again: (Jeremiah 31:8-9):

8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north
and gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the lame,
expectant mothers and women in labor;
a great throng will return.
9 They will come with weeping;
they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water
on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,
and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

It was God who was graciously providing this smooth passage back to Jerusalem. In fact as we will see later on in Isaiah, God will mention the specific name of a king, Cyrus the Mede, who will make the edict that allows Judah's return.

And those who journeyed back, first to rebuild the temple and then to rebuild the wall, were provided for by their captors. Those who were holding them in Babylon were instrumental in bringing about safe passage and provisions for the journey and the task at hand.

This was not due to the benevolence of the kings that ruled however. But it was the providential had of Almighty God who is Sovereign over all nations. He was responsible for bringing back the exiles.

Fulfilled In Jesus

Probably, as I mentioned before, the more familiar fulfillment of this passage is found in the gospel accounts.

At that time, the work God had called and empowered John the Baptist to do was the work of making smooth roads and filling in the valleys.

Although he was in the desert, the desert that was being spoken of in the gospels was the desert landscape of the hearts and minds of the people.

Many were not prepared for what was to come. And so he called men, women, and children to acknowledge and repent of their sin. And to enter the water to be baptized, acknowledging their need of forgiveness.

Many came who were not sincere as well as those who were. The insincere were met with scathing words. John told them that this was not some sort of outward display, but that this was only for true repentance. If the repentance didn't result in changed lives, then it was not true.

The Pharisees and Saducees were used to all the outward religious practices. They were very good at religion and self-righteousness (I am talking in general here, there were no doubt sincere and honorable religious leaders) acts that they thought made them right with God.

They were appalled at the idea that “sons of Abraham” were in need of repentance and baptism. They thought that being from Israel and practicing the mechanics of the Old Covenant made them acceptable to God.

They totally missed the mark in regard to the purpose of the Law. They thought the law made them righteous but what it really did was point out how unrighteous man really is.

The Old Covenant people had been promised that one day, God would send His servant to take away their sins. Those who should have recognized the hand of God in the coming of John, actually missed it because they were looking for a royal arrival.

Instead, God sent the promised humble Servant and his forerunner to announce the way.

So the deeper meaning of this leveling of the road and making straight paths has nothing to do with construction projects at all. It has to do with a desert landscape in the heart of every sinner. That the road of preparation to see God's glory requires a heart of repentance.

The Glory of the Lord Will Be Revealed

When we studied John, we saw in John 1:14:

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The writer of Hebrews tells us, in 1:1-3:

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Paul writes, in Colossians 1:15-20:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

The fullness of the glory of God was in Jesus Christ bodily.

In addition to that, God manifests His glory to the world through His own people. The people who belong to God are indwelt by God through the Holy Spirit. And this is what Paul says is a truth about God's people:

18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

He's using this description of a veil as a reference to Moses after he descended the mountain or spent an extended period of time in the tabernacle with God. When Moses would come back to the camp, he would put on a veil because his face would be so bright – it was reflecting the glory of God. He would wear the veil until the glory faded.

Likewise, the person who is indwelt by God, reflects that glory to the world by being “conformed to the image of Christ.” Literally by the work of Sanctification, the holy life of a believer who is living in the power of the Spirit, God is seen manifest in that person.

All Mankind Will See It

This passage points out that all flesh will see it – this revealed glory of God. You might have wondered what was meant by all, as was I.

But Scripture is clear that all humanity will live on past this temporal existence here on earth. One day, and it won't be long, all eyes will see him. Paul gives a glimpse of that day in Philippians chapter 2:9-11:

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

His glory was witnessed by all who came in contact with him at his first advent. Many were not prepared and therefore didn't recognize his glory. But a day is coming when every knee will bow, even those whose knee didn't willfully bow in this life.

Principle: All of humanity will see God's glory.

Applications:

1. How is your life a reflection of God's glory?

2. How important is God's glory to you? If it's not too important, why not? If it is important to you, how is your life glorifying Him?

The Trustworthiness of God. (Isaiah 40:6-11)

Throughout this book, Isaiah has been calling Judah away from the notion of relying upon man. He has been calling men to look to God for answers rather than relying on frail humanity. Even when that humanity doesn't look to frail (e.g., Egypt, Assyria).

But just like all the nations that had come before, nations rise and they fall. Human greatness is fleeting and leaves nothing behind to hold onto for those who are left.

Trustworthiness

Trait of deserving trust and confidence.

Grass and Flowers (6-8)

I love a green lawn and I really like a beautiful flower garden. I think we all can appreciate the beauty they bring.

But they don't last, do they? It seems that either the heat of summer or the cold of fall/winter eventually bring then to naught.

My lawn, if left to itself, would not fair to well.

No matter how hard my grass strives to look green and hold its head up, eventually it will succumb to the destiny of all my grass. It will eventually make its way to my composter in the garden.

God makes a plain distinction here between things that are and things that will not be.

The Contrast

Man

Man speaks but is not always trustworthy.

Even when man means what he says, he often is not able (due to circumstances outside his control) to fulfill what he promises.

Man's plans may be well thought out, but he may find that he has the inability to carry out those plans.

Man is often out for his own gain and those who depend on him find themselves being used for his self-centered purposes.

Many other examples could be put forth but when it comes right down to it, man is not in complete control of his own destiny. He didn't bring himself into existence and he has no control when his temporal existence will end.

God and His Word

In contrast, everything about God is trustworthy.

He has every ability to carry out anything that he desires and wills to do.

He is completely truthful in all He declares because it is impossible for him to be otherwise.

He is complete and lacks nothing and no means to fulfill all He sets out to fulfill.

And besides, He is perfectly Good and knows what you and I need.

He loves His own and would never steer us in the wrong direction.

And in fact desires that we follow His word for our own protection and good.

Take a look at the description found in verses 9-11.

Power (verse 10a)

God not only has power, He is power.

He defines what power is and His abilities are not limited.

He is powerful and able to accomplish whatever His people need as well as empower them to do whatever He calls them to do.

That is the amazing thing about serving God. He never calls you to something that He won't do through you.

He doesn't call us to a work for Him because He needs us and it won't get done otherwise. And He doesn't call us to do something for Him because we have the ability to do it already. He's not checking resumes and going on leads to find the right fit.

He is the equipper of the saints. His power accomplishes His will through us for His glory.

But we are not just puppets either. He desires us to submit our will to His in the process. And He gives us joy as we willfully work for Him.

But that's not all. (Act now and...)

He is a Rewarder (verse 10b)

He rewards us for doing what we can't do in our own strength.

He rewards us for obediently, willingly, living out the life that only He makes possible.

What a deal! Is this not better than trusting in grass and flowers.

What does compost yield anyway?

The Shepherd (verse 11)

And finally, not only is He omnipotent and omnibenevolent, but He is all-loving.

One of our leaders contrasted how you deal with steers vs sheep.

Steers you push along and just get them moving.

Sheep need tender care. They need guidance.

And that is what people need. God is all powerful yet tender to us as a shepherd is with his sheep.

This tenderness is seen as he expounds on this metaphor. Gathering the lambs. Separating them from things that might be dangerous.

Drawing them to himself. And then this tenderness shown as he depicts the idea that He carries them close to his heart.

This is an intimate scene. Those that belong to the Lord find that when necessary, He will carry you through a situation you are facing.

He doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. Nor does He lead us to where we will become a victim, but instead, He is always there.

He is always with those who are His, even when it seems He is silent.

Psalm 23 depicts our Lord in such a light. That even in the valley of the shadow of death, God is there (his rod and staff comfort me). The idea that something would have to get past the Shepherd before it could touch the sheep.

And this shepherd is Almighty, all Good, all compassionate. And He desires what is best for His own, even if it is unpleasant.

Principle:God's people must have complete trust in God.

Applications:

1. How have you been resisting God as a shepherd?

2. How well does your life reflect a genuine trust in God vs. a trust in self or “man”?

3. How important is God's word to you and how does your life reflect that importance?

Divine Sustenance (Isaiah 36-39)

Prepared to Stand (Isaiah 36:1-22)

Hezekiah's Reforms (2 Chronicles 29-32)

Hezekiah's first 14 years were very productive/fruitful.

Not many 25 year old men take life as seriously as Hezekiah did. This was not because he was a career minded young man.

Instead, he was a man consumed with reforming a nation that had gone a long way down a path that led away from and dishonored God.

High places had been in the land since the days of Solomon. Hezekiah's own father was instrumental in bringing all sorts of idols and alters into the temple.

His first command as a king was to the priest: Consecrate yourselves and then the temple.

The temple had been so defiled, it took 16 days to remove all the items that were not supposed to be their.

He reinstated the daily sacrifices. He invited all Israel to celebrate the Passover – something that hadn't been done since the time of Solomon.

His reforms resulted in reinstating the music that God had prescribed through Nathan and David.

And the high places all over the land were removed so that sacrifices were only made to God by Aaron's descendants at the temple in Jerusalem.

Hezekiah was instrumental in preparing the people of Jerusalem and Judah to return YHWH, the covenant God of Israel.

As Christians, there are times when we need to stop and reassess the things that we have allowed to interfere with true devotion to God.

Clearing out the things that hinder a close relationship with God is essential for a victorious (1 John 1:1-5) Christian life.

Sennacherib's Taunt, Part 1 (36:4-12)

Somehow the Assyrian's sensed or were aware of some degree of confidence among the remnant in Jerusalem.

And based upon several prophecies we've seen this year, Judah had heard that Assyria would get as far as the outer walls but that they would not enter the city.

But also, this people had a very faithless track record (Judah did). That is, up until the reforms that God brought through Hezekiah.

He uses a 3-fold approach to point out Jerusalem's helplessness to combat Assyria:

1. Verse 5 – strategy and military strength – empty words. They didn't have the military to defeat Assyria.

2. Verse 6 – depending on Egypt was futile – they probably want to take you themselves.

3. Verse 7 – depending on the LORD your God. He addresses the high places that Hezekiah tore down.

These were some pretty compelling arguments by this field commander. And to make things worse, he adds to the taunt to emphasis his point.

1. Verse 8 – I will give 2000 horse if you have that many men. There is not army.

2. Verse 9 – you are depending on Egypt for chariots and horses but even the least of our commanders could take you on.

3. Verse 10 – I am on a mission from God. He has given me this task.

To make matters worse, this commander was not being discrete about his comments. The intent here was to cause fear and dissent among the people and soldiers.

He chose to speak in Hebrew and refused to use Aramaic. He was using psychological warfare and loving it.

His final words call for a mutiny on the part of the people of Jerusalem:

In verses 13-20, he basically pits Sennacherib against Hezekiah. He promises food, shelter, and your own land if they would only surrender to him.

He claims that they are being misled by Hezekiah who is claiming the Lord will deliver.

He points out all the nations around whose gods were unable to save them.

Note: A close walk with God is no guarantee of smooth sailing in life. In fact, opposition is often an indication of being in God's will.

The Response From Jerusalem (36:21-22)

Sometimes the best response to a taunt is silence.

Silence

This guy had spoken a lot of compelling things, many of them true.

From a purely human perspective, it was futile to believe that Jerusalem would not fall to Assyria. All the other fortified cities of Judah had fallen. It was just a matter of time before Jerusalem fell as well.

They had nothing to repel the onslaught. And Assyria had all the time in the world. They could siege the city for years and starve them out (eluded to in verse 12).

So there really were no word that could do justice in this situation. And so they remained silent.

This was an unprecedented thing. As one of our leaders brought up on Saturday, there was hardly ever a time throughout Scripture where we don't see moaning and complaining by someone during a difficult situation.

And many times when the situation isn't as seemingly hopeless as this one.

But these people had been through 14 years of returning to God.

They had been spending this time repenting of sin. Prayer and worship. Returning to the covenant God had made with them.

And they were more willing to take God's promises seriously.

They had heard the prophecies of the coming invasion and they knew the reason it was coming. It was because they had rebelled against God.

It was not undeserved. But they also saw that God was faithful to His word – his promise not to bring down Jerusalem, despite appearances, was going to come true because God said it would.

Humility

These representatives of the king, verse 22, returned to the king with their clothes torn.

This tearing of clothing was a way of showing grief. They were not too high or dignified to rend their garments and humble themselves at this time.

And rather than talk among themselves or even entertain their own ideas and doubts, they obediently brought word back to Hezekiah.

Principle: God equips the righteous to withstand the assaults of the wicked.

Had Hezekiah's reforms not taken place, what might the results of this interchange been?

→ Fight against Assyria and go out in a blaze of glory

→ Surrender and take the 'good' land promised by Sennacherib

→ Certainly would not have discerned the false claims of Assyria's commander

→ Certainly would not have remained silent and rested in the assurance that God was with them

Applications:

1. What circumstance is God allowing in your life to test your faith? How are you responding to that test?

2. How has your relationship with God and His word prepared you for the challenges you face today?

3. How are you being equipped for the challenges that will inevitably come?

Persistent in Prayer (Isaiah 37:1-38))

Sometimes the most difficult thing to do is not to do but to depend. When faced with a challenging situation, as men, we like to address the problem head on. Waiting is not our strong suit. Especially when we feel as though we might be able to arrive at some type of solution.

But sometimes, there are just no solutions to arrive at. Sometimes God brings us to that place where we have nothing to contribute to the solution. Where we are faced with the need to turn to the only one who has any way of addressing the issue at hand.

What often is the last resort, prayer, is actually the most active and effective action you and I can ever take. Too often I have found myself at the end of myself finally getting serious about prayer.

As we will see in chapter 37, that is the first thing Hezekiah does – prays.

Hezekiah Prays (37:1-4)

The first thing he does is goes into the temple.

Interestingly, had he not had brought about all the reforms, he would not be able to do this.

His father Ahaz was never seen going to the temple to seek the Lord.

At the same time, he sends his officials to have Isaiah pray for the remnant. He doesn't just see this as between himself and God, but this is something in which he employs the prayers of others.

And notice how he brings his request. Verses 3-4 show that Hezekiah sees beyond his present dilemma and sees this issue being about the glory of God and His reputation.

He knows what God has said regarding His protection, but He also doesn't just sit idly by.

He doesn't presume on the grace of God. He doesn't somehow think that he's earned God's favor therefore God must do what I need him to do.

There is a balance of faith leading to action in prayer and ultimately prayer that aligns with the will of God and for the glory of God. There is an expectancy that God will answer but always according to His will and His timing.

God's Answer (37:5-7)

God had an answer before the messengers even asked Isaiah to pray.

God's answer was to affirm that He in fact had heard the blaspheme and that He was going to bring judgment (and justice) on Sennacherib.

The Letter (37:9-13)

Sennacherib receives word that Egypt is on the move.

It seems that he would like to gain a quick surrender so he presses his point, now addressing Hezekiah in a letter.

In verse 10, it seems that Sennacherib had heard about God's prophecy that Jerusalem would not be taken.

So he hits that point first. Don't let your god deceive you. As if he can really save you.

And to back up his statement, he puts forth the many examples of nations just like Judah who thought their gods would save them.

But none did. All fell. And he knew that Hezekiah was aware of that fact.

He completely misunderstands the nature of the God Hezekiah is depending upon. He believes Hezekiah's god is made by man rather than being the God who has made man.

The enemy always wants us to doubt God – to doubt His goodness, His faithfulness – to question His perfect character.

Hezekiah Prays, Again (37:14-20)

Hezekiah enters the temple one more time, carrying the letter this time.

Notice the way he approaches God.

1. Lays out the letter before him – symbolic of laying out what is concerning him

2. But rather than beginning with the problem at hand, he starts with the solution – God. He begins by praising God for who He is, acknowledging the Almighty God. The true God. Israel's God. The One between the Cherubim. The Sovereign Lord over all nations. (Verse 16)

3. His petition is for God to hear what Sennacherib has said against God. It is God's honor that is at the forefront of his petition. (Verse 17)

4. Then finally he addresses the evidence sited by Sennacherib: other kingdoms and other gods. But now, after acknowledging God for who He is, he is in a position to rightly identify the fallacious arguments Sennacherib made and ask God, according to His will, for deliverance. (Verses 18-20)

What an amazing pray and what a great model to follow.

I can't tell you how many times I have gone straight to God with a problem and neglected recognition of His attributes.

Attributes that often put the problem at hand in a correct perspective.

How does God answer this prayer?

God's Answer (37:21-38)

We don't have time to read this entire passage, but a brief look at the details and how they address the prayer of Hezekiah:

Addressing Sennacherib (22-29)

1. 37:22-25 – God points out that it is YHWH, the Holy One of Israel that Sennacherib is blaspheming. And He goes on to point out the pride of this king in thinking that it was his own power and might that brought about all the victories he had experience.

2. 37:26-27 – God points out Sennacherib's incomplete understanding and God's omniscience and omnipotence. Long ago God had ordained and planned and then brought to pass the very thing that Assyria was accomplishing. Sennacherib thought he was serving his own purposes but neglected to recognize that he is an instrument in the hand of Sovereign God.

A Sign for Hezekiah (30-32)

God graciously provides a sign to Hezekiah which includes provision of food.

Since Assyria is occupying the land, food was scarce. But God was going to take care of that at the same time he was taking care of justice.

God Will Defend Jerusalem (33-35)

Not enter the city.

Not shoot an arrow into it.

Go back the way he came.

God was doing this for the sake of David his servant.

This too would include his promise to David regarding his coming descendant who would reign forever.

God Executes Justice (37:36-38)

God carries out justice against Assyria which will serve to fulfill His promise to Hezekiah as well as His own word through the prophet Isaiah.

186K soldier die in the night.

Sennacherib withdraws back to Nineveh.

Sennacherib is executed by two of his sons.

Principle: God works through the prayers of His people to accomplish His divine purpose.

Applications:

1. What are your prayers more centered on, your circumstances or God's ability to answer them?

2. How have you seen God work through prayer in your life, even when the answer was not what you expected?

Guard Against Pride (Isaiah 38:1-39:8)

This last division deals with a disease or boil that Hezekiah has. And it is a life-threatening ailment. This is still the 14^th year of his reign and what a year it was!

Ill To the Point of Death (38:1-3)

Hezekiah is 39 years old and now he discovers he is going to die.

That's pretty young, especially for a guy who had been such a radical reformer. You can understand God taking out a wicked king early, but one that is so devoted to pursuing God?

It kind of seems that may have been Hezekiah's attitude too.

He cries bitterly, (2 Chronicles), and prayer to God recounting his faithful walk and obedience.

15 More Years (38:4-8)

Once again, God sends word through Isaiah to Hezekiah.

His message is that he has 15 more years to live.

And that God would deliver him and the city from Assyria.

So this event must have occurred before 37:21 and following.

If you want a bit more detail on the events surrounding this healing, see 2 Chronicles.

And so the Lord gives him another sign. Actually, the Lord gave him an option of how the sign would unfold.

Either the shadow moves forward or backward ten steps. And Hezekiah selected the backwards option.

He got his sign and his healing and 15 more years.

A Song of Praise (38:9-22)

The remainder of the chapter is pretty much a song of praise highlighting the way God brought him from the verge death back to life.

The song is filled with a humble attitude and a grateful heart.

Again, 2 Chronicles give detail that shows he wasn't so humble immediately after his healing but was instead proud. But God humbled him.

An Unwise Choice (39:1-8)

Chapter 39 details the visit of some envoys from Babylon. They came bearing gifts to show their concern for his illness and recovery.

Probably a diplomatic move to establish alliances, especially since they had a common enemy in Assyria.

Hezekiah was so delighted to see them that he gave them the grant tour of everything he owned.

Almost as if he was proud of all his possessions to the point of bragging.

Whatever the motive was, however, it was not a wise move. Because Isaiah comes and is not too pleased with him.

He points out that there is a day coming when all these treasures will be carried off to Babylon.

And even some of your descendants with be servants and eunuchs in the Babylonian king's palace.

His response is less than remorseful – “He said that the word of the Lord is good.” But he was thinking, at least it won't happen when I'm around.

I don't want to knock Hezekiah, but it is easy to fall prey to such thinking.

Many have run a good race (so to speak) and then later in life become lax. Rest on past victories. And become complacent about things they used to be passionate about.

That is a danger that you and I must guard against. We must persevere to the end. Remain faithful followers of our Lord even (and especially) when we think we've contributed our fair share.

That kind of thinking can lead to pride and a certain fall.

Principle: Past performance is no protection against future folly.

One of the best safeguards against pride is a grateful heart to God. Everything I have and am able to do comes from and belongs to God.

Applications:

1. What answered prayers have you yet to thank God for?

2. Who have you shared an answered prayer with lately?

The Three Rs (Isaiah 34:1-35:10)

Introduction

In our society, it's pretty typical to live beyond one's means – to be overextended on credit. To purchase things now and rationalize that I will always be able to pay back what I owe eventually.

Our advertising reinforces the idea that you can get it now and pay for it later.

We are taught that credit is a good thing to have and we need to use our cards in order to keep a good credit line.

But we often forget that one day that dept will come due. We will be held accountable for the amount we racked up.

It seems that many live their lives in the same way. Thinking that I will live for the here and now and worry about the future when it comes. I will always have time to change before this life is over.

And if I do a little good along the way, at least my credit record will be good with God (if there is a God) once I leave this life.

Fallacy, fallacy, fallacy! Or as the writer of Ecclesiastes would say, “Vanity, vanity, vanity”. All is vanity outside of a pursuit of God.

Ecclesiastes 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.

There is a price to be paid for all sin.

You've probably heard of the three Rs in education:

The three Rs (as in the letter R) are[1] the foundations of a basic skills oriented education program within schools: Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_three_Rs)

Even though teaching these things has become a lost aRt in our day, I thought I would borrow from this theme for the title of this talk. The three Rs we are interested in are wRath, Retribution, and Redemption.

Tribute is a sum of money paid by one who is in submission to another. It is the idea that one nation in submission to another is forced to remit a sum of money on an annual basis either for protection or by virtue of a treaty.

Retribution is a payment of another sort. It is punitive in nature.

Retribution:

1. The act of retributing; repayment.

2. That which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to the merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment for evil or wrong.

Wrath and Retribution (Isaiah 34:1-17)

All Of Creation Is Addressed (vs 1)

All animate and inanimate objects are called to witness what God is going to say.

After all, all of creation is subject to the decay brought on by sin.

Like in 1:2 where He called the heavens and earth to bear witness against faithless Israel and Judah.

Here he speaks of all nations.

He is speaking here to all peoples but more specifically to all those who are outside of the covenant community.

Those who have despised God's covenant and His covenant people.

Come near, listen, pay attention! God is calling out all people to sit up, listen, be forewarned.

So what is the issue? What does God want all nations to hear?

God is Angry With All Nations (2-4)

God is warning all nations that they are objects of His wrath.

To take note and consider why that may be.

In Ephesian, Paul tells us that we are by nature objects of wrath.

Ephesians 2:1-4 :

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

What is it that's so hideous about sin? Why is God so repulsed by sin?

It's rebellion against God and His righteous moral character.

The sinner is asserting himself as his own authority and usurping the only true Authority.

The sinner is denying his responsibility as a moral being.

Sin Corrupted All of Creation

Consider this: there is no such thing as sin in a vacuum – sin that only affects the sinner.

Our sin nature is the result of our first parents.

We were born sinners and that is why we sin. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners.

Since the fall of man, God has dealt with sin and its effect upon all that He created.

Romans 5:12-21 :

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

And He is familiar with the continual progression of the depraved sinful nature.

There is a Day of Retribution coming. Time is running out.

And so God's moral character naturally is repulsed by sin and its pervasive nature over all of His good creation.

Graphic Language

Isaiah, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, paints a graphic picture of the devastation that accompanies God's wrath.

The idea here is that this judgment of God will be complete and final – all will be affected by it.

Given over to slaughter – this shows the complete nature of what God will do.

Slain thrown out, stench of dead bodies, mountains soaked with blood.

This is a repulsive scene, one that shows the devastation of those who face God's judgment.

Even the stars are rolled up like a scroll, and the hosts fall from the sky.

The Illustration of Edom (5-15)

As is common, Isaiah uses a contemporary nation to illustrate God's justice in action.

And what a better example than Edom.

Edom is descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel).

They were twin brothers, born to Isaac and Rebecca.

In fact, Esau was older (by a very short margin) and legal heir to the inheritance and blessing of his father Isaac.

But unlike Jacob, Esau didn't care so much about the inheritance as he did about his immediate needs.

At least not until late in life, when it was too late.

Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew.

He chose to fill his stomach over considering the consequences and what he was paying.

He rejected the blessing of God for temporal things.

Isn't that the condition of most of humanity.

Man is more interested in the here and now and what seems to be satisfying the immediate need but misses out on the real need until it is too late.

Esau and his descendants were at odds with God's people.

And the same is true today. The Church of God – those who are redeemed by Jesus Christ – are despised by the world.

And so God uses Edom as the prototype of all those who reject God and his covenant for a life of their own.

A life apart from God and His promises.

The Sacrifice Metaphor (5-7)

The language used in 5-7 depict what appears to be a sacrifice.

Interestingly, those who have despised and rejected God's only sacrifice and provision for sin find themselves slain by God for their own sin.

They are given over to slaughter and destruction.

A Depiction of Hell (8-10)

The Lord's day of vengeance will uphold Zion's cause.

Those who are enemies of God's people are enemies of God.

God will deal with them, that is not our job.

My Vengeance: I know my motives in vengeance are impure and self-serving and result in sin.

God's Vengeance: God's motives are pure, out of perfect knowledge, and result in His glory.

Verses 9 through the end of the chapter use language to depict the desolation of the people who are enemies of God.

Whatever this life had to offer, that they gloried in, will be gone and nothing will be left to show for it.

It's all going to be burned up, consumed by fire, totally destroyed.

Note: there are some that view this and other passages of Scripture as evidence of annihilation. In other words, God will destroy the wicked to the point that they have no further conscious existence. But that is not what the Bible teaches at all. It teaches that man is a living soul and that his soul will live on forever.

But this passage does give a glimpse of the abode of the unregenerate.

In verse 10: the fire will not be quenched day and night and its smoke will rise forever.

The wrath of God is complete, permanent, and final.

And it is what every sinner deserves. It is justice from the hand of the Righteous judge.

Unclean Animals (11-15)

Verses 11-15 go into detail regarding the inhabitants of Edom.

He uses this to show the desolation. These are the creatures that are generally driven out of populous areas. But when there are few inhabitants, these creatures begin to show up.

And also, most of the creatures mentioned are unclean animals from the perspective of the Old Covenant.

Owls, ravens, eagles, jackals, etc.

Just a further illustration of the futility of rebellion against God – there is nothing left to show for it and even your place of residence will not remember you.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (16-17)

God began this chapter calling the nations to come and listen and pay attention. He concludes with the evidence written in a scroll. There is no excuse for forgetting or claiming you never knew.

The warning is clear. The sentence is predetermined. The Judge of the universe has spoken.

Principle: God's warning of coming wrath, if unheeded, will result in eternal consequences.

Applications:

1. What attitudes and actions of vengeance do you need to leave in the hands of God?

2. Who do you know that is subject to God's wrath and destruction? What are you going to do to warn him?

3. How does your life reflect an attitude of gratitude toward God for redeeming you from the consequences of sin that you deserve?

Redemption (Isaiah 35:1-10)

When reading through the poetry in the book of Isaiah, there might be a tendency to fixate on the physical descriptions being used and miss out on the spiritual implications. The Jews of Jesus day, by and large, missed Messiah because He didn't fit their more literal view of the prophecies. They were looking for a Messiah who would conquer their oppressors and usher Israel into a physical kingdom. They were under the impression that their greatest need was a land to live in and no oppressing nations to conquer them. But their greatest need was the same as all of humanity – freedom from bondage, not to a nation, but bondage to sin.

Luke 2:29-35 :

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss[a] your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

The Desert Blooms (From Dead to Life) (1-2)

When a desert goes long periods of time without water, it seems as though their isn't too much alive as far as plants are concerned.

It gets pretty dusty. Pretty dirty. Pretty ugly.

Pretty dead and pretty desolate.

Just as Isaiah was using graphic and descriptive language in chapter 34, along with illustrations of Edom in order to depict the eventual demise of the godless, here he is using language to depict not only the re-creation God will perform at Christ's return, but the new creation Christ brought about in the lives of the redeemed.

In contrast to the drying up and burning up in the previous chapter, here he talks about the dry and thirsty land being rejuvenated.

What used to be dead and desolate will come alive – will bloom.

This chapter is more than just a chapter about land restoration. And certainly the heavens and earth will be re-created at Christ's return.

He will restore creation to the state it was in when He first created it.

But there are also spiritual applications here that we should see.

Consider man's natural state at birth (or at conception).

At the point of our being human, we inherit a nature that is fallen.

We are dead in trespasses and sin. We are effectively like a desert, no fruit of growth, or life.

You might be saying, “Speak for yourself Mike”. I am. I know what I was before Christ changed me.

I know what my sin nature is capable of – every evil imaginable.

I know that their was no life in me and nothing in me that made me redeemable.

I know that I, like all men, was a slave to sin and I did my master's bidding willingly and without question.

And I know I was an object of wrath, just like all humanity outside of God's redemption.

But just like a desert land that is a waste but God regenerates it, so is the lost soul who is regenerated by God.

There is life where previously there was only death and despair.

Where life had no meaning and purpose, there is meaning and purpose.

The very essence of what life is becomes evident because with that life comes an ability to relate to the only One who can bring purpose and meaning to life.

And like the desert land that greatly rejoices and shouts for joy, when God redeems a person He fills that person with His joy, even if that person is living in a desert.

God Will Avenge His Redeemed (3-4)

In verses 3 & 4, Isaiah points out that life's circumstances may seem hopeless at times but for God's people they never are actually hopeless.

The appearance of hopelessness is deceptive.

Just as sometimes the appearance of hope is deceptive. Misplaced hope is blind hope.

But God's redeemed have every reason to Hope in Him. He is our advocate.

If we are his, then our ultimate enemy has been vanquished. Death and judgment and satan.

Our sin is paid for by our redeemer. He bore all the judgment and wrath on our behalf.

There is no more payment for sin for the redeemed.

And even if we go through the remainder of our days in this life oppressed by our enemies, Christ is returning.

And when he does, the days of toil will seem like a blink of the eye.

The sorrows of this life will seem like a flash compared to the glory when Jesus returns.

You see, justice is always served in a just universe.

We are part of a created universe whose Creator holds absolute authority. He is in complete control. And nothing goes unnoticed. And no infraction will be overlooked by His perfect justice.

Note: these verses are not meant to cause us to wish God's soon justice on our enemies and God's enemies. We can get caught up in the “You'll Get Yours” syndrome and wind up sinning. But we should note that our trials here are short in comparison to the life to come.

Take heart! Bear each others' burdens! Pray for one another! Love your enemies and do good to those who abuse you.

The Redeemer's Work (Then and Now) (5-7)

When John the Baptist was in prison, nearing his death, he was interested in knowing if Jesus was the One prophesied about or if another was to come.

And Jesus quoted using Isaiah as well as siting what was evident to all who were around him: the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and blessed are those who do not turn away on account of me.

Note: if you have been with us from the beginning of this study this year, don't give up, finish this year out. We are going to see some amazing detailed prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus' first coming as well as those yet to be fulfilled in His second coming. Stay tuned!

But here we see again some physical descriptions of miracles which also have spiritual applications.

As we said before, Jesus didn't come to earth to heal and fix all the physical maladies of the day. These miracles proved who He was and were used to illustrate spiritual truths.

Back in chapter 6:9,10 of Isaiah, when God gives his commission, he talks about blinding the eyes, closing the ears, and hardening the hearts of the people.

This was not literal, but figurative of a people who ignore the truth of God's word over and over again until there is sight, sound, and tenderness of the heart diminish.

When Jesus came, he used the man born blind to open his eyes to the truth of the Savior but also to show how blind the Pharisees actually were in spite of their familiarity with Scripture.

Think of yourself prior to your salvation. Had you ever heard the Gospel before – maybe. But without any spiritual ability to see your need of a savior and that there is only one Savior, you and I were as good as blind.

Our physical sight, our physical hearing, and our ability to walk yields nothing of spiritual value.

In fact, they can be an indictment of our unwillingness to acknowledge our Creator.

Romans 1:18-22:

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

But when the Holy Spirit of God works in a person to reveal what can only be spiritually discerned, then the eyes of the blind are opened, the ears of the deaf hear, and the lame are able to leap like a dear.

Only then is the mouth of the dumb unstopped and the ability to speak God's truth is made possible.

Ephesians 1:3-8 :

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[a] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 2:11-18 :

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men) — 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Colossians 1:13-14:

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption,[a] the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 5:12-21

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 3:1-9

1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

6 Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

The Way of Holiness (8-10)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:11)

This passage talks about a road that has some interesting characteristics:

• It it the way of Holiness – the travelers on this road practice a life of holy living

• The unclean will not journey on it – there is no place for those were are unclean (technical term for tainted by sin)

• No wicked fools – those who deny God and practice ungodliness

• Absence of ferocious beasts – (Satan is a roaring lion) Unable to touch God's redeemed

• The redeemed will walk their, the ransomed return – redemption is a term used in the slave market to describe the price and payment to buy a slave. Ransomed is to pay a price for someone.

This way of holiness is not a way that you can enter any way you like.

[Illustration from Pilgrim's Progress]

There is one gate, one point of entry.

Without entering through the Gate – Jesus Christ – we meet none of the qualifications for travel on this highway.

Without him:

• I can't live holy because I am sinful

• I am unclean

• I am wicked and effectively a fool by denying his provision for redemption.

• I am not protected from the Devil and his schemes but am in fact a child of the devil.

• And without Christ, I am not redeemed and I am not ransomed

Psalm 49:7-9 puts it this way:

7 No man can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for him—
8 the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough—
9 that he should live on forever
and not see decay.

That includes my ability to pay for my own sin. If man relies upon his own ability to pay for his sin, he will bear that payment for all eternity just like chapter 34 depicts.

You see, Jesus put it this way in the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 7:13,14:

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Not only is this highway unique in its occupants, but it is also unique in its destination.

The destiny is a place of everlasting joy and gladness, free of sorrow and sighing.

Joy is happiness of the heart despite circumstances. Imagine what happiness of the heart will be when circumstances are absolute perfection!

Joy will be unbounded, unfettered, unending.

Gladness will be overwhelming.

Sorrow will be a thing of the past, remembered no more.

And sighing, which comes from stress, strain, disappointment, anxiety, etc. will no longer be extant.

This highway leads to the presence of the Redeemer, the One who purchase slaves from the slave-market of sin and made us slaves to a Righteous Master.

What highway are you on? How well do you meet the qualifications listed in chapter 35?

Where and when did you enter that highway?

Matthew 7:21,22:

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

Acknowledging Jesus is Lord is not the same as submitting to His Lordship in your life. True servants of Christ are no longer slaves to sin but instead are slaves to a new Master, a righteous master who both makes him righteous and able to live righteous life.

Principle: Only the redeemed have reason to rejoice today and an eternity to rejoice tomorrow.

Conclusion

Maybe you're here tonight and you know all the words.

You're familiar with Scripture and would concur with all that Isaiah has been saying.

But deep down inside, you're not sure where you truly stand with God. You're not sure if you are on the highway of holiness or on the broad way that leads to destruction.

God would not have us living in doubt, wondering where we stand. He desires that we come to the knowledge of the truth.

Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 3:1-21
John 14:1-14