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:
The challenges of raising children through various stages: birth, “terrible two's”, teens, young adulthood, etc.
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:
What assurance do you have that your sin has been paid for completely?
What comfort do you have in knowing your sins are forgiven?
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
The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation.
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:
How is your life a reflection of God's glory?
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:
How have you been resisting God as a shepherd?
How well does your life reflect a genuine trust in God vs. a trust in self or “man”?
How important is God's word to you and how does your life reflect that importance?
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