投稿者: otawara-1

Let’s pray for the abundant blessing of the Lord upon this year. The passage that has been given to us for this morning of the new year is Isaiah 33:17 to 24. Today I would like to talk from this passage about “the one who will save us.

I. The King in his beauty (Vs. 17-19)
First let’s read verses 17 to 19.
Vs. 17-19
“The king in his beauty” (17) refers to the Messiah who will come in the course of time, Jesus Christ. “Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.” (17) Isaiah is speaking about Jesus Christ’s second coming and when he will establish the Millennium in the course of time. At that time “Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches” (17) to the ends of the earth, a kingdom that rules all over to all the corners of the world.
“In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror” (18) is the event of being surrounded by Assyria. “That chief officer” (18) and “the one who took the revenue” (18) and also “the officer in charge of the towers” (18) are of course, Assyria. They invaded Judah and counted the money, silver, and treasures and the number of captives. Also they surveyed the land they plundered. “Towers” (18) are the towers that were defensive look out towers. However, when Assyria came and took over the towers and put them under strict Assyrian control. Assyria was really an “arrogant people”. (19) However, “You will see those arrogant people no more.” (19) When the Lord comes he will destroy them, and Judah will return to their own country. One night “the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp.” (II Kings 19:35) so they fled for their lives. “The king in his beauty” (17) came and beat them so they ran for their lives.
When “the king in his beauty” (17) comes, the huge enemy that surrounds us goes somewhere. Those who stood right in front of your eyes in your way will be removed and you will be able to see far in the distance. “The king in beauty” (17) will come and destroy them. Even if you are surrounded by a huge enemy like Assyria and you are in a condition like being surrounded by enemies on all sides, if “your eyes will see the king in his beauty”, (17) if you will look up at Jesus Christ, you will be set free from them. You will “view a land that stretches afar.” (17) The problem that is in front of your eyes will fly away somewhere. Up until now like being nearsighted you could see only things directly in front of you. However, suddenly you won’t be able to see what is in front of you, but you will be able to look out far. The people that threatened you and fearful events too will go away somewhere. If you look at Jesus Christ, the problems that are before your eyes will fly away somewhere. The problem is what your eyes are looking at. If your eyes are looking at “the king in his beauty”, (17) you will “view a land that stretches afar.” (17)
I watched the movie “Soul Surfer”. 13 year old Bethany Hamilton lived in a warm home in Hawaii on the island of Kauai. She loved surfing and just as her future as a pro-surfer seemed promising during a practice she was attacked by a shark and lost her left arm. In the midst of uncertainties not knowing what the future held, she went with her church youth group to Thailand as an emergency support volunteer after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. This was the turning point. By helping out and working hard in the disaster area that was greatly damaged by the Tsunami, she thought that she could pass on courage and hope to all the children of the world. Until then she could only see being a surfer, but by losing her arm when she put her eyes on “the king in his beauty”, (17) she received a future and hope.
If you put your eyes on “the king in his beauty” (17), you will “view a land that stretches afar.” (17) May this New Year be such a year.

II. The city of our festivals (Vs. 20,21)
Next please look at verses 20 and 21.
Vs. 20, 21
“The city of our festivals” (20) is “Zion”, (20) Jerusalem. In Jerusalem a lot of festivals are held to worship the Lord. Especially at the 3 great festivals: the Passover, the festival of weeks (another name is Pentecost), and the festival of Tabernacles if you were an adult male no matter where you are in the world, you must come to Jerusalem and worship. Therefore, Jerusalem was called “the city of our festivals.” (20) It was “a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken.” (20) No matter how powerful the enemy, it will definitely never be able to completely destroy Jerusalem and ruin it. Today it seems like there is no place more dangerous than Jerusalem. In the news there is terrorism day after day or fighting with the Palestinians. It is a place that it wouldn’t be strange if it was destroyed. However, this city will definitely not be destroyed. That is because it will be “a peaceful abode”. (20)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared that he is going to wipe Israel off the map. No matter how much he shouts this, Jerusalem, Israel will never be removed. People say that he goes all out to wipe Israel off the map because he himself was a Jew. His family for 500 years has continued to be of Jewish descent. It is said that those ancestors even date even further back to 2600 years ago. They were the Jews of the Babylon captivity which dates back to 593 B.C. who were set free. At that time they moved to Persia. Persia is present day Iran. Mahmoud’s parents were converted to Islam and thus Mahmoud became a Moslem too. Families who have experienced conversion it is said that generally they become critical of the doctrine that they believed in before they were converted. His intense anti-Israel, anti-Jewish behavior is to finally wash his hands of the Jewish faith. It is said that his thoughts of erasing the fact he was a Jew is at work in his behavior. However no matter how much he shouts, Israel, Jerusalem will not be wiped off. Just as it is “the city of our festivals”, (20) it is the place where the Lord God is worshiped so it definitely won’t fall. When the world ends Jesus Christ, “the king in his beauty”, will come down here and rule the world.
Please look at verse 21. Here it says, “There the LORD will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them.” “The LORD will be our Mighty One” (21) is Jesus Christ. In the course of time when Jesus Christ comes down from heaven, He will also bring us Christians from heaven and we will rule the earth.
How mysterious it is that here it says, “It will be a place of broad rivers and streams.” (21) That is because there aren’t broad rivers and streams in Jerusalem.
Please open your Bibles to Zechariah 14:4.
Zechariah 14:4
This is what it will be like at the Lord’s second coming. The Lord “will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.” (Zechariah 14:4) This means that a huge diastrophism will occur. Then the result of the diastrophism is recorded in Zechariah 14:8. “On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea.” “Living water will flow out from Jerusalem”! (Zechariah 14:8) Half will flow “to the eastern sea”, (Zechariah 14:8) the Dead Sea and “half to the western sea”, (Zechariah 14:8) the Mediterranean Sea. They will flow both “in summer and in winter.” (Zechariah 14:8) They are not trickling rivers or creeks. They are big rivers that flow “in summer and in winter.” (Zechariah 14:8) “No galley with oars…no mighty ship will sail them.” (21) These refer to enemy ships. The enemy will be dispersed so they won’t be able to sail on it. At the end of the world it will be like this.
What this means spiritually is recorded in John 7:37 to 39.
John 7:37-39
This “feast” (John 7:37) is the Feast of Tabernacles. “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’” (John 7:37&38) “Streams” (John 7:38) is written in the plural form. It will be overflowing into more than one stream. This is about the Holy Spirit. It is about the Spirit, the Holy Spirit “whom those who believed in him (Jesus) were later to receive.” (John 7:39) The people who believe in Jesus will have the Holy Spirit flowing from within them like a river. If you believe in Jesus, if you “see the king in his beauty” (17) from your heart too these streams will flow. The enemy’s ships won’t be able to sail on it. Such ships will be removed. They are “streams of living water”. (John 7:38) Your heart too will be overflowing with the Holy Spirit. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You will have such an experience.
However, here it says, “Since Jesus had not yet been glorified”. (John 7:39) At this time “Jesus had not yet been glorified” (John 7:39) so the Holy Spirit had not been poured out yet. This glorification first of all refers to the cross and resurrection. Jesus was put on the cross and died and then 3 days later rose again and for 40 days he appeared to the disciples and preached about the Kingdom of God. Then he ascended into heaven. At this time “Jesus had not yet been glorified” (John 7:39) so the Holy Spirit had not been poured out yet. The Holy Spirit will be poured out when Jesus is glorified. Jesus has already ascended into heaven. Therefore, the moment that you believe in Jesus Christ then you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not only that, but whenever you glorify Jesus Christ, you are filled with the Holy Spirit. When you give your life to Jesus, you are filled with the Holy Spirit. When you humble yourself and leave things in God’s hands, you are filled with the Holy Spirit. When you realize that you have been living for yourself doing what you wanted to do and you make a decision to live for God’s glory, then you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Your heart will be overflowing with the Holy Spirit. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you must decide to live glorifying the Lord. If you are looking only at yourself, then you can’t be filled with the Holy Spirit. When you desire to life for the Lord’s glory, then the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon you.
To do that it is necessary to respond to the Lord’s invitation. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” (John 7:37) “If anyone is thirsty,” (John 7:37) he must come to Jesus and drink. Please decide to believe in Jesus Christ and to give your whole life to Jesus. At the beginning of this year the most proper response of faith is to pray a prayer of decision: Lord, I believe in you. I will follow you. I give my all to you. Then the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon you. Then everything will begin to change.
There are times when we are ashamed of ourselves, or we don’t feel any strength, or things aren’t going well. However, in each situation and thought if we look to Jesus and if we seek Jesus’ glory in prayer, the Holy Spirit will flow like a stream.

III. He will save us (Vs. 22-24)
The third point is that Jesus will save us. Please look at verses 22 to 24. Verse 22 says, “For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
it is he who will save us.”
What this means is the Lord judiciously, legislatively, and executively rules righteously. As a general rule democracy is divided into three branches. It is the principle of the separation of powers. Even the Japanese constitution prescribes three independent branches: the diet, the cabinet, and judicature which mutually check each other. The principle of the separation of power is that by keeping a balance prevents the abuse of authority, and protects the citizen’s rights and freedom. However, people cannot judge correctly. That is because people look at the outward appearance. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7) Only the Lord can judge correctly. In Japan sovereignty rest with the people who have various needs, but if you look at the diet and the cabinet to decide what is good is very difficult. To decide correctly how the country should be, even if at times that is not profitable for its citizens, and to persuade and obtain understanding and obtain cooperation is an impossible task. In the midst of that they can’t run the country. Then where is salvation? It is here in Jesus Christ. “It is he who will save us.” (22) It is not King Hezekiah. He who can save us is the real king who can’t be seen with eyes, but even today is alive and ruling all, Jesus Christ. “It is he who will save us.” (22)
Please look at verses 23 and 24.
Vs. 23 & 24
Here this tells us what the country that the Lord rules is like. “Your rigging hangs loose; the mast is not held secure, the sail is not spread.” (23) This is the army that Assyria has left. By God’s judgment Assyria received a devastating blow. It was completely destroyed. “Then an abundance of spoils will be divided and even the lame will carry off plunder.” (23) This is really the appearance of conquerors. People came and take the spoils and plunder. In this way God will sweep away the enemy. All evil will be destroyed.
“No one living in Zion will say, ‘I am ill’; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.” (24) “No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill’” (24) When “the king in his beauty” comes, everything will become normal. Now we are lame, have physical handicaps, are forced to live a life with many needs, have high cholesterol, or high blood pressure etc. However, in that day no one “will say, ‘I am ill’” (24) There will be no need for hospitals. Vitamins won’t be necessary. That’s because no one “will say, ‘I am ill’” (24) Also “the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.” (24) No one will struggle with guilt and sense of remorse. That is because all sin “will be forgiven.” (24) A world full of peace will come. Everyone will become spiritually and physically whole.

This will come by “the king in his beauty”, (17) Jesus Christ coming. Jesus will as king rule this country so it will be a beautiful country. That is in the Millennium on this earth. This is different than heaven. Heaven is a perfect country that will come after this. God planned before to have this at the end of mankind’s history a happy age extending over a thousand years. Then man’s history will end. In the Millennium those who were Christians before Christ’s second coming and also those who were not, everyone will receive an age of abundant grace. After that all the people of the entire world will be judged at what is called the final judgment. Creation will be renewed and the new earth and the new heaven will be welcomed in. Before that we will experience a time of hearty blessings. Jesus’ coming will bring this. That’s the reason that we can just hardly wait for his coming. When Jesus Christ, “the king in his beauty” (17) comes, everything will change. Therefore, let’s wait expectantly for the Lord and walk only praising the Lord.
Hymn number 427 “Only Jesus” in the Japanese hymnal was written by the founder of the Christian Missionary Alliance, A. B. Simpson. When he was 37 years old, he got very sick. As a result he had to be freed of all of his work as a pastor. For one year he was under medical treatment first in the hospital and later at home. His heart was very heavy. You see his physician told him that he wouldn’t last long.
For him his last source of strength was the Word of God, the Bible. While earnestly wrestling with the Word, he met a wonderful truth. He found that for him Jesus was all in all. Jesus is our Savior, Sanctifier, and Healer, Glorious Lord and coming king. Jesus is our all in all.
One Friday afternoon he went outside. Because of his physical sickness and weaknesses, he was slow walking, and he lost his breath, but he went inside the pine woods. Then he kneeled on the pine needle carpet, and prayed. When he sought the Lord’s face、suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon him. Then not only his spirit, but his body was completely changed.
From then on he did many works for the kingdom of God. Then he wrote the hymn, “Only Jesus”.
Christ is our all in all. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” (Col. 2:9,20) This year let’s wait expectantly for Christ, and may we walk this year with our eyes on Christ. “The Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.” (22)

Today let’s look at Isaiah chapter 33. Today’s message title is “Now will I arise” which is taken from verse 10. When we are in the midst of suffering, or in the midst of difficulties, if we pray and seek the mercy of the Lord, then the Lord will arise. He will arise up to save. Therefore, when we are in the midst of suffering, we must wait upon the Lord. Today I would like to talk about 3 aspects of this.

I. Fear the Lord (Vs. 1-6)
First please look at verses one to six. I will read verse 1. “Woe to you, O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.”
Here too the word, “Woe” appears. This too is a warning of God’s judgment. God is angry at Assyria who is trying to destroy Judah. “O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed!” (1) “You” (1) is Assyria and refers to the Assyrian King Sennacherib. He destroyed, but he himself had not been destroyed. He also betrayed, but he wasn’t betrayed. This means that Sennacherib had not been attacked, but he tried to destroy Judah. In other words, they had surrounded Jerusalem to invade it. Also “Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed!” (1) is saying that even though King Sennacherib made a peace treaty; he had no compunction about his actions of breaking it. Please open your Bibles to II Kings 18:13 to 17. This event is the background for this verse.
II Kings 18:13-17
To the Assyrian King Sennacherib who attacked Judah Hezekiah who surrendered with a white flag brought up paying a tribute as a solution. The Assyrian King asked for “three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the temple of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace.” (II Kings 18:15) That was the only thing the king could do to keep Jerusalem safe, to watch over the lives of its people. He thought that if he could make a promise of peace then doing that was o.k. Even so the Assyrian King Sennacherib “sent his supreme commander, his chief officer and his field commander with a large army,” (II Kings 18; 17) to King Hezekiah telling him “To give in to them”. They had no compunction about breaking the agreement. They were a “traitor”. (1)
The Lord will not be silent about such deception. He will certainly repay. Here it says, “When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.” (1) It is just the same as “whoever curses you I will curse.” (Genesis 12:3) Those who betray Israel “will be betrayed”. (1) Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to revenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” God repays. We must not take revenge. Please leave it to God’s wrath. That’s because God judges righteously. Only God has correct knowledge and perfect judgment. Man is different. Man jumps to conclusions and makes decisions. However, God doesn’t do such things. God makes no mistakes. He can judge correctly. Therefore, let’s leave everything in his hands.
Please look at verse 2. It says, “O LORD be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
We need to leave revenge to God. What we must do is seek the Lord’s graciousness. The Lord is gracious to us. This is written in 30:18 too.
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.”
Towards Israel who didn’t depend on the Lord and ran about this way and that, the Lord said, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.” (30:18) 　This is unthinkable. This is amazing grace. Normally Israel would deserve to be punished, but even so “the LORD longs to be gracious to” (30:18) Israel. “He rises to show” (30:18) them compassion. Therefore, we can boldly pray and seek this graciousness. There is no need to hesitate or be reserved.
In the first place Assyria is bad, but Judah is also bad. Looking objectively they couldn’t complain about being destroyed. They were the same sinners. They had no compunction about failing to live up to the Word of the Lord. They turned their backs on the Lord and took their lives into their own hands. They turned to idol worship. Assyria too was terrible people: destroying others, and feeling no compunction about breaking their promises. However, Judah also is not much different. They are no different, sinners. Even though they are like this, if they pray and seek the Lord’s graciousness, the Lord will rise up. You too can pray. You too can boldly pray to the Lord and seek his graciousness.
Here it says, “Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” (2) This is grace that is given “every morning”. (2) God’s grace is not something that you pray for one time and are finished. It is grace that is poured out “every morning”. Every day, day after day, we can seek in prayer new grace and it will be given to us. We can pray, “Be our strength.” (2) We are extremely wrong if we think we can do everything by ourselves. We must pray for the Lord’s help, and throw ourselves on the mercy of the Lord’s strength. “Be…our salvation in time of distress.” (2) Of course not just in time of distress, but at times of prosperity too it is necessary to depend upon God. However, at times of distress all the more we must pray, “LORD, be gracious to me.” (2)
Please look at verses 3 to 5.
Verses 3-5
The Lord will soon answer such a prayer. The Lord will rise up and work. “Thunder” (3) is the sound that expresses that the Lord is working. When the Lord works, “the peoples flee”. (3) The people of nations will run about this way and that and will be “scattered”. (3) The nations will be plundered like locusts eating (harvesting) the harvest. They will be thoroughly judged. No longer will anyone be able to stop it. That is because the Lord repays. It is because “the LORD is exalted.” (5) He transcends all. No matter how mighty Assyria is, The Lord transcends it. He is more powerful. No matter how mighty your enemy is, he can’t do anything against the exalted Lord. In fact, the Lord made the heavens and the earth. He is omnipotent. If you are following Him, then you have nothing to fear. “He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.” (5) No matter how much you are destroyed, no matter how much you are betrayed, the Lord is filled “with justice and righteousness”. (5) He will judge. How blessed we are to be able to throw ourselves on such a God! You will not be destroyed forever. You will not be betrayed forever. The Lord will judge righteously. When we meet difficulties and when we feel those difficulties for a long time, our faith in God becomes weak. However, especially at those times, we must seek the Lord’s graciousness and seek and pray for grace. We must get rid of unbelief and feelings of disbelief which causes us to depend on other things and wait for God’s help.
Please look at verse 6. It says, “He will be the sure foundation of your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” This is after receiving the Words of verse 5 while explaining what the Lord is like, is telling us the key to blessings. In other words, the Lord indeed is “the sure foundation of your times.” (6) The Lord indeed is “a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge.” (6) Even in times of uncertainties and upheaval, the only one you can depend on is the Lord. “The fear of the LORD is the key to” (6) the solution to various problems. It is the source of abundance. The key to victory is not to fear the powers of the world, but to fear the Lord. It is interesting, but the word “salvation” is written in the plural form. It is various salvations. It is not just being saved from Assyria. Our life in reality has many troubles, but this promises salvation for all the various troubles. There are little salvations and huge salvations. The Lord who saves you from eternal doom in hell, offers various kinds of salvation in your daily life. “The fear of the LORD is the key.” (6) “The fear of the LORD is” (6) to recognize that the Lord is here, to worship Him, honor Him, and bow in worship to Him. In one word, it is to make God God. That will be your “treasure”. (6) It will be your wealth.
Please open your Bibles to Proverbs 3:5 to 8
Proverbs 3:5-8
You must “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5,6) Here it also says, “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7) Your mind and body will become wholesome. That is because the Lord “will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6) The Lord is the source of your health, and the source of your blessings. It is not health drinks.
Let’s open your Bibles to Col. 2:3 and see who this Lord is. It says, “Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” This “LORD” (Proverbs 3:5) is “Christ”. (Col. 2:2) In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3) In other words, to know Jesus Christ is the secret of overcoming troubles, the key to abundance. When we are in trouble, when we have lost the way, when we don’t know what to do, when it is like the enemy is surrounding us, when we are in the condition of being at a standstill at a dead end, we should fear the Lord. We need to know Jesus Christ. That is everything. Jesus Christ is all in all. To know Him is the beginning “of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3) and in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3) We must not depend upon ourselves. Our wisdom, strength, abilities, experiences, thinking and things like that are completely useless. Rather, they will hinder your way. The real solution is to humble yourself and seek Jesus Christ.

II. The Lord will arise (Vs. 7-12)
Next let’s look at verses 7 to 12. First let’s read verses 7 to 9.
Verses 7-9
“Their brave men” of verse 7 are the great men of the Southern kingdom of Judah. “The envoys of peace” are the officials who talked with Assyria and made a peace treaty. They are crying “aloud in the streets.” (7) They are weeping bitterly. This is because they thought they were secure because they had made a peace treaty, but Assyria broke the peace treaty. In the end, depending on money didn’t do any good. It doesn’t work to by the world’s strength, by your own strength to try to do something. Therefore they are wailing. They are just about completely destroyed. The towns are ruined, and “the land mourns and wastes away.” (9) What it was like is expressed like this in verse 9, “Lebanon is ashamed and withers; Sharon is like the Arabah, and Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.”
“Lebanon” (9) is renowned for Lebanon cedars. Green is plentiful and it is a place abundant with life. Such a “Lebanon is ashamed and withers.” (9) “Sharon”(9) is a plain along the Mediterranean coast north of Joppa, known for its beautiful foliage and especially for roses which are a symbol of righteousness. Such a “Sharon is like the Arabah.” (9) “The Arabah” (9) is a desert land. “Bashan” (9) had fertilized land which produced oaks and grazing lands for animals for which it was famous. Also “Carmel” was famous for its orchards and produced many fruit. “Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.” (9) That is because Assyria broke its agreement and unilaterally betrayed Judah. However, at that time Judah sought the mercy of the Lord and desperately prayed. He sought help from the Lord, and humbly prayed. The result is written in verses 10 to 12.
Verses 10-12
When Judah couldn’t do anything by its own strength and sought the help of the Lord, the Lord answered. “Now I will arise,” says the LORD. “Now will I be exalted; now will I be lifted up.” (10) Here the Lord repeats 3 times the word “Now”. (10) This expresses that “now” Judah repented and turned to the Lord. Like I said earlier, when we repent and seek the Lord’s mercy in prayer, the Lord will wise up. He will be “our salvation in time of distress.” (2) God concretely answered Hezekiah’s prayer and “that night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp.” (II Kings 19:35) Then the Assyrian King Sennacherib returned to his county and “one day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer cut him down with the sword.” (II Kings 19:37) As a result of God’s judgment, Assyria’s King Sennacherib life ended in an unspeakable tragedy. As it is recorded here they conceived chaff that has no life in it. They give birth to straw that is used to light a fire. They only produce what results in their destruction so if they attack Jerusalem, the more they attack, in reverse it will result in their own destruction. “The peoples will be burned as if to lime; like cut thornbushes they will be set ablaze.” (12)
The Lord who up until now was thought to be silent will now arise for Jerusalem. He will answer King Hezekiah’s desperate prayer and the Lord will perform his acts. He is not silent forever. He will answer your prayers. Let’s remember that when you long for and pray for the Lord’s graciousness, the Lord will certainly arise.

III. Honor God (Vs. 13-16)
Lastly, let’s look at verses 13 to 16. Verse 13 says, “You who are far away, hear what I have done; you who are near, acknowledge my power!” Next he is speaking not only to those “who are far away,” (13) but also to those “who are near.” (13) The people “who are near” are the people who are in Zion. In other words, they are the people of Judah. The Lord is going to rise and by an amazing way solve the situation, but among the people of Judah there were people that ignored Isaiah’s message.

Please look at verse 14. “The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless; ‘Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?” There were some people who when they heard Isaiah’s message more than throwing themselves on God, they persistently by their own power tried to get out of the bad situation they were in. They refused to repent. Such people are called “sinners” (14) or “godless” (14) here. In other words, just because you are in Zion (Jerusalem) does not mean that you are automatically saved. Even though you are a Jew by race, if you don’t have faith you will perish. Such people will “dwell with the consuming fire”. Jerusalem will be saved as a whole, but individuals who refuse to repent will perish.
“Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?” (14)
In 30:33 the word “Topheth” appears. “Topheth” is “a place of burning”, “Gehenna”, or “Hell”. It is dug deeply and widely so the fire burns eternally. Like flowing sulfur it burns easily. Those who don’t believe in God, who don’t repent are thrown into this eternal fire.
However, those who believe in God, those who honor God, they will definitely not perish by the fire. Jesus Christ died on the cross as a substitute for such people. Christ took upon him the judgment of God as a substitute for such people. Jesus Christ will definitely not condemn you. Therefore, those that believe in God, that honor God, have no fear of the eternal fire.
Before there were three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were captured and taken to Babylon. They did not fear the fire at all. That was because they believed in God. One day Nebuchadnezzar told them to worship his golden image. If they didn’t worship it they would be thrown into a blazing furnace. However, they didn’t worship the idol. They believed that even if they were thrown into the furnace that God would save. When Nebuchadnezzar heard that, he was furious and made the furnace seven times hotter and threw them into the furnace “wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothing.” (Daniel 3:21) The fire was so hot that it killed the soldiers that threw them into the furnace. The fire burned the rope that they were bound with and they walked around freely in the furnace. They weren’t hurt at all. A fourth man that looked like “like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25) joined them and took care of them. That was Jesus Christ. Christ was with them and completely took care of them.
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thess. 5:9)

“God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29) However, for those who believe in God, for those who honor God, they are not an object of such fear, but are covered by salvation and a certain promise of security and safety.
Please look at verses 15 and 16.
Vs. 15 & 16
“He who walks righteously”(15) is a righteous person. He who “speaks what is right” (15) is someone who doesn’t twist the truth or tell lies. He doesn’t tell half the truth and then tell the other half in a way to make himself look good. He “who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes” (15) is a person who doesn’t take bribes and is honest with his money. He “who stops his ears against plots of murder and shut his eyes against contemplating evil” (15) is an expression for a person how has nothing to do with evil. “This is the man who will dwell of the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.” (16) This is symbolic of the security found in God. This means they will live in a safe, secure place so they will not be attacked by the enemy. Also “his bread will be supplied and water will not fail him.” (16) His daily bread of bread and water will be continuously supplied. This is what those who believe in God, Christians, are like. It is what those who have been made righteous by Jesus Christ are like. Those who by the grace of God have received salvation through Jesus Christ are people who honor God, “who walks righteously.” (15) In other words, they are changed into the image of God. This is by the work of the Lord’s Spirit. It is only by the grace of God, by faith believing in Jesus Christ. “To the man who…trusts God…his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5) Therefore, we as a person who responds to this grace, as “he who walks righteously … who speaks what is right…and keeps his hand from accepting bribes…who stops his ears against plots of murder. “ (15,16) He doesn’t gossip about other people. He doesn’t join into gossip that ruins another person’s reputation. He doesn’t look at or listen to bad things. There are a lot of things around us that poison us. We close our ears and eyes to such things. If not, your scaffolding will become dangerous. You won’t be able to be safe and secure. Only just those who believe in the only son, Jesus Christ and “who walks righteously” (15) can enjoy the care and help of God in the new Jerusalem.
Now matter what situation you are in or how bad an age you live in, let’s put our eyes on the Lord and long for and pray for the Lord’s graciousness. Let’s seek the help of the Lord and pray every morning. At the time the Lord will arise.

Today let’s look at Isaiah 32. In chapter 31 Judah who was threatened by Assyria did not depend upon God, but upon Egypt. God punished Judah for that, but in the end like a parent bird opens its wings and protects its babies, God will protect Judah and Assyria will be judged. This is not only in the age of Isaiah, but it is also a prophecy about the end of the world. In that day “Assyria will fall by no human sword; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them.” (31:8) The Lord who will reappear will have victory over those who oppose God and will bring peace to the people of God. He will bring the Millennium. That prophecy is written in chapter 32. Today let’s look at that kingdom.

I. The noble do noble things (vs. 1-8)
First of all please look at verses 1 to 8. Let’s read verses 1 and 2. “See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.”
“A king” in verse 1 in Isaiah’s age refers to King Hezekiah. Ultimately it refers to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In that day, in other words, in the Millennium Christ will by righteousness rule this world. He like “a refuge from the storm” (2) will take care of the people. “Like streams of water in the desert” (2) He will give them life. Like “the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land” (2) He will give rest. Therefore, that time will bring perfect peace, and perfect rest. Even now those who believe in Jesus Christ are given spiritual peace, but at the time of the Millennium, just as it says literally it will bring peace.
Also in the kingdom that is ruled by “a king” (1) not only will the external environmental change be made new, but even the hearts of the people will be new. Please look at verses 3 and 4. “Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.” This means that the hearts of those whose were spiritually numb will be changed, and they will clearly “know and understand”. (4) Those that read or hear the word of God will no longer have a veil over their hearts, but will see things clearly. “The fearful heart” (4) are “those who are wayward in spirit” (Isaiah 29:24) Verse 4 is the same prophecy as we find in 29:24. “Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.” (29:24) “The fearful heart will know and understand” (4) for the Spirit of God will open their understanding. That is because Christ the King reigns.

This has been spoken about many times before in the book of Isaiah. For example Isaiah 9:6 and 7 it says,
☆For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
There will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
And over his kingdom,
Establishing and upholding it
With justice and righteousness
From that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
Will accomplish this. ☆☆☆
“For to us a child is born” (Isaiah 9:6) means that the Messiah will come as a baby. This was fulfilled by Jesus Christ who was born as a person. “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)　He is a “mighty God”. (Isaiah 9:6) “He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness.” (Isaiah 9:7)
Also it says in chapter 11 verses 1 to 5,
☆”A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
From his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-
The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and of might,
The Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD-
And he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
Or decide by what he hears with his ears;
But with righteousness he will judge the needy,
With justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
With the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
And faithfulness the sash around his waist.
“Jesse“ was David’s father. The Messiah that will come in the course of time will come from David’s descendants. Not only that but here it says, “from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”(11:1) The word for “branch” (11:1) is “Netzer” in Hebrew. It is the root word for the word Nazareth. This Messiah will come from Nazareth of Galilee and bear fruit. Just as this prophecy says Jesus Christ was the son of Joseph, a descendant of David.　He came from Nazareth and he bore fruit. Also Jesus by the wisdom of God spoke the Word of God. That was because “the Spirit of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1) rested on him. In the course of time, at the end of the world, He will come again and by the Spirit of God rule the world righteously.
By the way, if you look at verse 1, you will see that it says, “Rulers will rule with justice”. The “rulers” (1) are us Christians. At that time Christians will rule with Christ on earth. If you look at Romans 8:17, it says, “We are heirs-heirs of God co-heir with Christ.” At that time we will be resurrected into a spiritual body and will rule the earth with the risen Lord. (See Matt. 19:28; Rev. 1:6; 5:10)　
Also in verse five it says, “No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.” What a fool is like is described in the following verse. “Fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.” (6) Also in verse 5 the word “scoundrel” appears. The word means a person that cares for nothing but himself, does no good with what he has, and is an unprofitable burden for society. He acts contrary to the will of God. “Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.” (7) In the Millennium such people will not “be called noble nor…highly respected.” (5) Now sometimes fools are called noble and scoundrels are highly respected, but in the coming Millennium that definitely will not be. That is because the Messiah, “a king will reign in righteousness.” (1) Therefore, we must not be pained in our hearts each time we experience such things. We must not be boiling over in anger wanting to take revenge. It is not necessary to try with all your might to get the person out of the position he is in. When the time comes, the Lord will turn things upside down. It is meaningless to try to turn things upside down by politics or by everyone’s strength to turn things upside down. Even if you make some progress, there are limits to what you can do. What we should do is written in verse 8.
“But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” (8)
Here the word, “noble” (8) appears. The word “the noble” also appears in Exodus 35:5 and 22. There the word is translated as “willing”. It is a person who willfully gives from his heart. In other words, it is a person whose heart is directed towards God. From his free-will from his heart he worships the Lord. A “fool” (5) is not like this. Neither is a “scoundrel”. (5) “They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD.” (6) However, “the noble” praise the Lord. They willfully worship the Lord. They don’t use wicked methods, but show the love of God to the hungry and the thirsty. That is what the noble are like. That is what Christians are like. That is what believers, those who are called real worshippers, are like. We must be noble.
Martin Luther King who stood up for the rights of the Blacks, on April 3rd, 1968 gave his last sermon at the Bishop Charles Mason Temple in Memphis Tennessee. In the message he said,
“We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming Lord.
Martin Luther King was a really noble man. His heart was always directed at God and only sought to follow the will of God. “The noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” (8) What are you looking at? What are you planning? “The noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” (8) May you honor God, sing praises to the Lord, and walk in the Lord’s will. May you heart always be directed to God, and may you live looking to God.

II. The complacent women (Vs. 9-14)
Next I’d like to look at verses 9 to 14. I’ll read verse 9.
Vs. 9
Here all at once women appear. They are “women who are so complacent”(9) or “daughters who feel secure”. (9) In a positive meaning, “complacent” is being pleased with a situation so that you stop complaining and trying to improve things. However, here this is used in the negative sense that the women feel secure and happy about their situation and so they were making no changes in their lives. This is a warning to Israel, Southern Judah. They depended upon human strength, Egypt and did “not look to the Holy One of Israel” (31:1) Even though they were warned many times of disaster, they didn’t repent of their shameful actions and life so they were “complacent”. (9) They were spiritually numb showing no signs of repenting and were in the condition of being indifferent about it. Also these women felt “secure”. (9) This “secure” is also being used in a negative sense. They weren’t secure because they were trusting in God, but because they believed in themselves. Even though judgment was close at hand,

they put too much confidence in themselves and thought everything was o.k. They were secure thinking that they didn’t need God, and lived in self-complacency. This was a warning to this type of women.
This isn’t a problem just for women. Men are the same. Mankind, men and women have the same nature. Therefore, this isn’t limited to just women, but men also have this tendency. They feel secure. However, even so here is speaking to “women” (9) because in reality women are the moral standard of society. If you look at the women, you will know what kind of society it is. When women ethically and morally fall, that society is a clear picture of the fallen condition. That is a fact. I don’t despise women. If you look at women, you will know right away what kind of society it is. That’s why the word “women” (9) is used. The men are the same. Even though judgment was close at hand, they put too much confidence in themselves and thought everything was o.k. They thought there was no problem. They thought that now was peaceful. They thought they lacked nothing. They had confidence and as they lived luxuriously they had a wrong sense of security and in the course of time it invited a tragic result.
Please open your Bibles to I Thess. 5:1-3. Here too “complacent” (9) and “secure” (9) people appear.
I Thess. 5:1-3
The Lord will come like a thief. When he will come, no one knows. At a time when people are complacently saying, “’Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly.” (I Thess. 5:3)
Please look at verses 10 to 14. Here it talks about the judgment that will come upon the “women who are so complacent…you daughters who feel secure.” (9)
Vs. 10-14
The women who expected an abundant harvest and are drunk with joy will beat their breasts and “mourn”. (13) Therefore, we must not be “complacent.” (9) We must not “feel secure”. (13) We must wake up and be modest. When the Lord comes, it’s too late. Such idleness becomes spiritual numbness. Is there a possibility that you haven’t realized that you are separated far from the Lord?

III. The fruit of righteousness will be peace (17)
Lastly, let’s look at verses 15 to 20. First let’s read verses 15 to 18.
Vs. 15-18
Punishment will continue “till the Spirit is poured upon us.” (15) God’s Spirit is the Spirit that created the heavens and the earth and it is the Spirit that gives man life. God’s Spirit is also the Spirit that gives the man of God the power to perform great works. When that “Spirit is poured upon us” (15) everything is changed. “The desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.” (15) The entire world that God made will be changed. The world that is soiled with sin will be restored to a lovely world like “a fertile field…like a forest.” (15) It will be like the Garden of Eden before the first man, Adam and Eve sinned.
That’s not all. After such natural change, moral and spiritual principles will be established. As it says in verse 16, “Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field,” and in the same way sound principles and customs full of justice and righteousness will dwell in the desert and in fertile field.
That’s not all. Please look at verse 17.
Vs. 17
“Righteousness” (17) is in our relationship with God. Having a right relationship with God makes peace. “The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17) “Quietness and confidence” (17) is eternal peace and security.
Everyone is searching for this eternal peace and security. We want quietness. We want peace. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17) That means eternal peace and security are obtained by having a relationship with God. We must be tied to God. “There is no peace…for the wicked.” (48:22) If our relationship with God is not right, there is no peace. When there is a gap in our relationship with God, when it is distorted, when there are obstacles in our way, then there is no peace. We have uncertainties. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace.” (17)Therefore, if you want peace, if you want to have “quietness” (17), then you must seek a relationship with God.
Romans 5:1
To have a correct relationship with God you must believe in Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for your sins. All men are completely separated from God and sin so they are unable to received God’s glory. “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”(Romans 3:11) By man’s power there is no one who is made righteous before God. Therefore, God showed us righteousness that was different from the righteousness of the law. That was Jesus Christ. Christ who was God’s son took on the same form as us, mankind, and was born in this world. God became man. That is Christmas. It is unthinkable that God would become man. Some people say, “Who could believe in such a silly story!” However, God did such an unbelievable thing. This was such a huge event that human history is divided into two parts, B.C. and A.D. It’s a fact that God gave us a boy through the womb of Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. He had a life of 33 years, and in the end he took upon himself all of our sin and died on the cross. That was so “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) By Him God’s wrath was appeased. By him the wrath of God against mankind, God’s hostility was taken away by

Christ. Therefore, anyone who believes in him can have their sins forgiven and can be reconciled with God. We can have peace with God. Then “the fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17)
Do you have righteousness? “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) People whose sins are forgiven, Christians are called “my people”. (18) “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) How is your home? Is it a peaceful dwelling place? A secure home? An undisturbed place of rest? “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) If you believe and become reconciled to God, if you have peace with God, you will become like this promise.
That day is coming close. 2000 years ago just like this passage says, the Spirit was “poured upon us from on high,” (15) and by the powerful work of God the Christian church was born. At the end of the world in the same way the pouring of the Holy Spirit will occur. At that time we will receive perfect peace. The promise of a “peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” (18) will be fulfilled. Therefore, before that please believe in this promise of peace. In that day may we together “live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) Please believe in Jesus Christ, the coming prince of peace so that the promise will be yours. Jesus Christ was born for that purpose. He was born so that you could have peace with God and so that in the course of time you “will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (18) Please realize that “the fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (17)

Today let’s look at chapter 31. What Assyria was coming to attack and Israel was in a very tense situation, God calls Israel, Southern Judah, “obstinate children” (30:1) because the Israelites made plans that were not from God. They didn’t ask for God’s direction, but went “down to Egypt” (30:2) looking for “Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.” (30:2) However, the result was “shame and disgrace.” (30:5) It was “hardship and distress”. (30:6) It was accompanied by a lot of danger and risk. There was only one solution. That was to depend upon the Lord. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (30:15) Even so they didn’t want to have anything to do with it. In today’s passage the Lord is once again talking about how foolish Israel was for depending upon Israel.

I. Seek the Lord with all your heart (vs. 1-3)
First please look at verses 1 to 3.
Vs. 1-3
“Woe” is a word God uses when he prophesies disaster. This repeatedly appears many times in the book of Isaiah. It appeared in 29:2, 15 and 30:1 too. However, it is not just a prophecy of disaster. First of all it is a warning, and advice. God who does “not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance, (II Peter 3:9) to be saved, has already prepared a way for salvation. Therefore, when there is a prophecy of disaster, we must not miss seeing that God always prepares a promise of God’s salvation.
God is lamenting because they “do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.” (1) However, they sought help from Egypt. When Assyria attacked from the North, they sought an alliance with Egypt. They went “down to Egypt for help.” (1) They sought the military strength of Egypt. They tried to overcome their predicament by seeking the military strength of Egypt. They tried to depend on the strength that you can see with your eyes.
When we have some problem, we quickly seek strength that we can see with our eyes. We try to depend upon human strength that we can see, things like human ability, human skillfulness, people that we can depend upon, someone who is a specialist, an expert in the field, a person with qualifications, and famous people. That is our tendency. Judah was also the same and depended upon Egypt. They trusted “in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen.” (1) They trusted in their military strength. They thought they were safe if something happened. In the Bible Egypt is an expression of the world. Egypt symbolizes the world. Even though Israel had been set free from Egypt when Israel fell into a predicament they quickly returned to Egypt. In the same was there is the danger that Christians too when they are in a predicament, they will back slide into this world. We must not do that.
Please open you Bibles to Phil. 3:3.
Phil. 3:3
Here it tells us what Christians are like. Christians are people “who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-. “ This time Israel depended on fleshly things. They trusted in horses, “in the multitude of their (Egypt’s) chariots and in the great strength of their (Egypt’s) horsemen.”(1) They trusted in human strength and military strength. It was the plans of man. Their eyes were on such things. However, Christians aren’t to depend upon such things. Christians must depend upon Jesus Christ. They “serve God by his Spirit”（Phil. 3:3）This is the way of believers.
Please open your Bibles to Proverbs 3:5. This is a famous Bible passage.
Proverbs 3:5
We must “trust in the LORD with all your heart.” (Prov. 3:5) We must not depend upon our “own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5) Israel depended on her “own understanding”. (Prov. 3:5) They thought if they made an alliance with Egypt, then they would be taken care of. However, that brought “shame and disgrace,” (30:5) “hardship and distress”, (30:6) and danger and risk. We must not depend upon our “own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5) We must “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:6)
David who was well trained, didn’t depend on his war potential or his military strength, but rather depended upon the Lord. In Psalms 20:7 he sings, “Some trusts in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” David trusted “in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalms 20:7) He trusted in the Lord with all his heart. As a result the Lord made his “paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5) He was able as Israel’s king to firmly build up the kingdom.
300 years after that in the age of Isaiah, Israel was not like this. They did “not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.” (1) They put their eyes upon horses and chariots. They should have learned from David. They were in such a condition that they really should have looked “to the Holy one of Israel.” (1)
The age that we live in is such that the true value of our faith is determined. When there are hard times, where the person is looking, what is important for him can be seen. That means it can be said that the trials are a test of faith. If in times of trial, the person goes directly to God, then it can be said that person’s faith is genuine. However, in times of trial if that person doesn’t seek the Lord, but other things, then those are the things that he really believes in. When trials come by where a person is looking, and what he is depending on you can know what he really believes in. Therefore, God deliberately sent Assyria to them. It was to see where they would look and what they would depend upon. Trials are sent to test our faith. Trials are deliberately sent to make clear what we a really believing in, what we are depending on and where we are looking. When we are surrounded by Assyria is the time we need to “look to the Holy One of Israel” (1) and “seek help from the LORD.” (1)
Pleas look at verse 2.
Verse 2
The reason we need to “look to the Holy One of Israel” (1) and “seek help from the LORD” (1) is the Lord “is wise and…he does not take back his word.” (2) we humans can’t even predict are limited future, but the Lord is an eternal being, and is not constrained by time, foresees all things, and instantly, accurately, and precisely makes judgments. The Lord “is wise”. (2)
Also here it says, “He does not take back his word.” (2) What he says, he actually does. Therefore, it is strong. People’s words are not so. Even if they say something, they don’t put it into action. Even in the political world, no matter how much they say they are going to do in the manifest, they don’t put it into action. No matter how wonderful a policy they display, part way through they come to a deadlock. It’s because they have no power. Man’s words are irresponsible, and powerless. Egypt too was only a spoken promise, and in reality whenever it was even a little of a disadvantage to themselves, they completely changed their attitude. They take back their words and abandon them. However, the Lord is not like this. The Lord will definitely “not take back his word.” (2) What He says he will do, he definitely does. This is real strength. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active.” It will be 100% fulfilled. Therefore, there is no greater security and relief than to fix our eyes on the Lord who “is wise,” (2) listen to him, and depend upon him. There is no greater reliable security
Please look at I Cor. 1:18 to 25.
I Cor. 1:18-25
“The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (I Cor. 1:25) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (I Cor. 1:18) There is nothing more certain that this. Depending on Egypt is foolish. That is because we have someone even greater than Egypt who is backing us up. Even if we are surrounded by enemies of the whole world, we have someone who is even stronger than that with us. Therefore, we must depend on Him.
Verse 3 is explaining this by comparison. “The Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit.” This is something that everyone knows. However, through this comparison God wants us to realize that man is nothing more than flesh. Flesh will certainly rot and perish. However, the spirit is different. The spirit does not perish. God is spirit. Therefore God will not rot or perish. Also flesh changes. You thought someone could be depended upon, but all at once he says that he can’t. At times you are deceived. Someone you thought was your friend all at once abandons you. However, God is not like this. He never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb. 13:8) Jesus Christ is the same forever. “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (II Tim. 2:23) Even “if we are faithless,” (II Tim. 2:23), Jesus Christ, God, “will remain faithful”. (II Tim. 2:23) He will always do what he promised. He is who we need to fear, not Assyria, not Egypt. Jesus said in Matt. 10:28. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” We must “not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.” (Matt. 10:28) More than that we must fear “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)
What do you fear? What is your Assyria? No matter how great a thing it is, you mustn’t fear it. And you mustn’t depend upon flesh like Egypt. “The Egyptians are men and not God.” (3) They are flesh, not spirit. What you must fear is God.
When Aram tried to capture　Elisha, the king “sent horses and chariots and a strong force” (II Kings 6:14) to Dorath where Elisha was and “surrounded the city”. (II Kings6:14) When Elisha’s servant saw that he became very fearful, but Elisha said to him, “Don’t be afraid…Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (II Kings 6:16) Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” (II Kings 6:17) Then the servant’s eyes were opened and he could see “the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (II Kings6:17) God was protecting them with the might of the heavenly host. The servant hadn’t seen that, but when his eyes were opened he could see it well.
Therefore, we must not fear. We shouldn’t look at the situations we are facing and fluctuate between hope and despair, or be fearful of each voice of news that we hear, but fear “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28) We must depend upon Him with all our heart.
II. The Lord who watches over Jerusalem (Vs. 4,5)
Next, please look at verses 4 and 5.
Verses 4, 5
The “lion” (4) or “great lion” (4) is Assyria. Therefore, “As a lion growls, a great lion over his prey-“(4) means when Assyria is heading toward Southern Judah to attack, the “shepherds” (4) are Egypt. Here Egypt is a similitude to shepherds. When a shepherd is taking care of his sheep and wild animals like a lion attacks, he shouts and drives them away. It is the same condition as when Assyria attacked Southern Judah. Then Judah’s shepherd, Egypt, tried to help by shouting and driving them away. However, the “lion” (4) or “great lion,” (4) Assyria, was “not frighten by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor-“(4)
However, the next it says, “so the LORD Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on it heights. Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (4, 5) Even though Assyria attacked Mount Zion, Jerusalem, here “the LORD Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion.” (4)
It is said that the “lion” (4) or “great lion” (4) refers to Assyria. However, in the back God maneuvered Assyria. The Lord used Assyria as a tool to punish Judah. However, Assyria became proud and tried to destroy Judah. They didn’t understand what position they had been given and went above it and tried to completely destroy them. However, this was not God’s will. It must be remembered that the Lord was only using them to punish Judah. Even though the purpose was so that Judah would repent and return to the Lord, they strayed from the Lord’s will and they were as proud as if they were kings. Therefore, the Lord will judge Assyria, and will punish their great pride. That is written in verse 5.
“Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (5)
When Assyria surrounded Jerusalem to destroy it, in the morning when they woke up and looked outside 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were lying dead. God answered the prayers of the Judah king at that time, Hezekiah, who had humbled himself and prayed. In the night the Lord’s angel went to the Assyrian army and in one night killed that many soldiers. Here it says, “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem.” (5) The Lord came “like birds hovering overhead” (5) and shielded Jerusalem.
Here it says, “He will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it”. (5) The same words, “pass over” (5) are used in Exodus 12:13, 23, and 27. Exodus 12:13 says, “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Here it is written how Israel was protected from God’s judgment on Egypt. By slaughtering a lamb without any defects, and taking its blood and “put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses.” (Exodus 12:7) the Lord will see it and pass over their houses. By doing this God’s judgment didn’t come upon Israel. This is the Passover. Here the same word is used. This means Southern Judah who was making an alliance with Egypt remembered this event. It was an assurance that the Lord who “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty” (5) shielded Jerusalem. He passed over it and rescued it then. Therefore, this time too, “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (5) Like this the Lord in 701 B.C. shielded it and delivered it from the hands of Assyria.
In reality, this is not only that the Lord in 701 B.C. shielded it and delivered it from the hands of Assyria. At the end of the world, the same thing will occur. At the end of the world the last war of mankind will occur. That is called the war of Armageddon. All the armies of the world will gather at the mountain of Megiddo, Har-Magedon and for battle with God. At that time “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (5) Christ will reappear, coming down from heaven and will reign in Jerusalem. He will slay His enemies with the sword of His mouth and destroy them. It will be exactly “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (5)
Also not only in 701 B.C. did the Lord like this “shield it and deliver it”(5) and also at the end of the world will the Lord come again and “shield it and deliver it”(5) from those that are enemies of the Lord, but in all ages this happens repeatedly over and over again. In every age “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (5)
For example in 1917 this actually occurred. In 1917 was in the middle of World War I. At the Jerusalem (Israel) was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was an Islamic country. Israel was part of it. At the time of World War I England was fighting with the Ottoman Empire. By England having victory over the Ottoman Empire England gained control of Israel. A that time the General

Today let’s look at the last part of chapter 30. Today is the conclusion of the whole 30th chapter. Even though God said to Israel, “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,” (15) they “would have none of it.” (15) They fled, running off on horses to Egypt. They depended upon Egypt. However, the result was “shame and disgrace.” (5) It was “hardship and distress”. (6) It brought destruction and ruin. However, the Lord showed them compassion. Even so God said to Israel who continued to rebel, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.” (18) In such a case it would not be strange for the Lord to give up on them, but even so the Lord showed compassion to them. Then we saw that the Lord gave wonderful blessings to those who waited upon Him. The result is written in today’s passage.

I. The Name of the LORD comes from afar (vs.27,28)
Please look at verses 27 and 28. They say, “See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire. His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck. He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray.”
Here, the Lord comes to judge Assyria who had tormented Israel (Judah). The phrase, “the Name of the LORD comes from afar” (27) is used only in this passage. “The Name of the LORD comes” means that the ruler of the entire world, the Savior of God’s people, the Redeemer is coming. He “comes from afar” (27) is thought to mean that God, who had up until now left Judah in the condition of being like she was forsaken by God, is coming. For them God was far away. There was a deep severance. They didn’t depend upon God, but depended upon Egypt so they were called “obstinate children”. (1) However, the Lord is answering them because they responded to the Lord’s Words, returned to the Lord and were quiet. The result of them being calm and depending upon the Lord was that they were to receive strength. God who up until now seemed so far away, will help them, and will come to judge their enemy Assyria. In the age of Isaiah this is the judgment against Assyria. At the same time it is a prophecy about the end of the world. This is prophesying that Jesus Christ will come again to judge his enemy, Satan. How he will judge is written in these verses.
“With burning anger and dense clouds of smoke;
his lips are full of wrath and his tongue is a consuming fire.
His breath is like a rushing torrent,
rising up to the neck.

He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction;
he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit
that leads them astray.” (27, 28)
The wrath that God has towards Assyria, the enemy of Judah, is really great. Here it says, “burning anger and dense clouds of smoke”. (27) God used Assyria as an instrument to punish Judah. However, God did not approve of them doing any more than His purpose of punishing, but Assyria pushed their way into Judah and raided them in any way they wanted to. “His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck.” (28) Before Isaiah compared the invasion of Assyria to a flood in 8:7, 8 and 28:18. Here the Lord’s breath will attack them on a greater scale and with more force. Also, “He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray.” (28) God will by “the sieve of destruction” (28) sift and separate the countries. Their real nature will become clear. Then the good and the evil will be divided. Then just like a bit is put in a reckless, raging horse the Lord will treat Assyria in the same way. By this God’s people, Israel, will not be oppressed anymore. They will be confronted by such great power and authority. This is the same now and in the future. At the end of the world too there will be worldly armies that will gather at Armageddon to challenge the Lord to war. However, the Lord will completely destroy the army by a sword coming from his mouth. In all ages the Lord comes to destroy the enemies who agonize his own people. Also the Lord will come to you.
Here it says, “See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar.” (1) We must look for the Lord’s coming. The Lord will come to help you. Please understand that God has a plan for you whom he loves and has chosen.

II. God who gives enjoyment and rejoicing (Vs. 29)
Next, please look at verse 29. Here it says, “And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people playing pipes go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.” The Lord will come to you and destroy not only your enemies, but will restore your joy. “You will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people playing pipes go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.” (29)
This will be like before when Israel was set free from Egypt. It was like this when Israel left Egypt. In the midst of a dangerous situation of the Red Sea before their eyes and Egypt pursuing them, they were saved by the overwhelming Lord’s work. The Lord divided the Red Sea and made a dry road and by taking that road they were saved. The Lord made the sea waters cover the Egyptian army that pursued them so they were thrown in the waters and destroyed. Moses and Israel who saw the great works of the Lord sang praises to the Lord from their heart. “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my defense, he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:1, 2) Also Moses’ sister, the prophetess Miriam, danced with a tambourine and praised the Lord.
Please realize that this God is your Lord and your God. The Lord will restore your joy. The Lord sent Jesus Christ to this world to set you free from sin and bring you joy. This is Christmas.
☆“Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.　(Luke 2:10,11)☆
Christmas is really “good news” (Luke 2:10) of joy. “God did what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3, 4) That means that by our own strength or by our own effort we cannot be saved from our sin, but God did what we could not do through Jesus Christ. By Christ being put on the cross and dying, he took upon himself all of our sins so he made it possible for anyone who believes in Christ to go to heaven. No one can go to heaven except through him. Jesus Christ said the following, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
No one can go to heaven except through Jesus Christ. God sent his only son Jesus Christ to this world and prepared a way to be saved from our sin by believing in him. This is the way. In our lives there are various ways, and we are really lost no knowing which way to go, but this is the way. If you go that way, you will be saved. Then you too will have the joy that Israel experienced before when they were saved from Assyria and also the joy of being saved from Egypt.
In the hymnal there is a song, Blessed Assurance. In this hymn this joy is sung.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this I my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
*The Japanese chorus says that the joy of our spirit can’t be compared to anything else.

This hymn was written by Fanny Crosby. It says that God’s salvation is unbelievably wonderful. “All the day long” she testifies to and praises the greatness of God’s salvation. The hymn is filled with her joy.
Fanny Crosby who wrote this hymn was in fact blind all of her life. She was born in New York in 1820. When she was 6 weeks old, by a medical miss by her doctor she lost her eye sight. Also the doctor wasn’t able to endure the people’s criticism and fled during the night and became unaccounted for. In addition before she became a year old her father died. She was brought up by her mother and grandmother’s love and faith and when she was 8 years old she wrote a poem as follows.
Oh, what a happy child I am,
Although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don’t!
So weep or sigh because I’m blind,
I cannot, nor I won’t!
She wanted to become a missionary so that she could spread the love of Jesus Christ’s cross, but it wasn’t granted. It wasn’t granted, but she prayed that by her songs she would lead 100,000,000 people to Christ. She gave all the money she received as a poet to poor people, and until her death she lived in a low grade house close to the slums of New York.
Also she realized that the doctor that made her blind was greatly pained by it, and she wrote in her autobiography,　“I have heard that this physician never ceased expressing his regret at the occurrence; and that it was one of the sorrows of his life. But if I could meet him now, I would say, ‘Thank you, thank you-over and over again-for making me blind, if it was through your agency that it came about!’
This sounds strangely to you, reader? But I assure you I mean it-every word of it; and if perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow, I would not accept it…
Why would I not have that doctor’s mistake-if mistake it was-remedied? Well, there are many reasons; and I will tell you some of them.
One is, that I know, although it may be been a blunder on the physician’s part, it was not mistake of God’s. I verily believe it was His intention that I should live my days in physical darkness, so as to be better prepared to sing His praises and incite others so to do. I could not have written thousands of hymns-many of which, if you will pardon me for repeating it, are sung all over the world-if I had been hindered by the distractions of seeing all the interesting and beautiful objects that would have been presented to my notice.
Another reason is, that, while I am deprived of many splendid sights (which, as above mentioned, might draw me away from the principal work of my life), I have also been spared the seeing of a great many unpleasant things. The merciful God has put His hand over my eyes, and shut out from me the sight of many instances of cruelty and bitter unkindness and misfortune, that I would not have been able to relieve, and must simply have suffered in seeing. I am content with what I can know of life though the four senses I possess, practically unimpaired, at eighty-three years of age…” (Fanny Crosby’s Life-Story)
She was blind all her life. However, God gave her an ability to write poems. She was deeply thankful for God’s grace and continued to sing about the love of God shown on the cross. The joy of faith always inspired her heart. Her face was shining. It was said that when people went near her, that joy was caught.
In verse 2 of Blessed Assurance it says, “Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.” The reason that she could say this even though she was completely blind was because she wasn’t seeing with her physical eyes, but she saw the Lord clearly with the eyes of her heart, the eyes of faith.
This joy is being offered to you. All of mankind, as long as we live in this world, have many troubles and difficulties. We can live a life complaining about these hardships. We can live a life with no hope thinking that troubles are natural and give up. However, we can also like Fanny Crosby find hope within our troubles and can live a life flowing with joy. This begins when we believe and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Please realize that you too can have joy and hope through Jesus Christ.

III. Assyria will be shattered (Vs. 30-33)
Lastly, let’s look at verses 30 to 33.
Verses 30-33
God’s judgment upon Assyria was a time for Judah’s joy to be restored. However, it was not the same for Assyria. For them it was a time of terror and lament. Towards Assyria the Lord’s wrath “will cause men to hear his majestic voice and will make them see his…raging anger and consuming fire, with cloudburst, thunderstorms, and hail.” (30) By God’s wrath Assyria will lose all its spirit. With God’s “scepter he will strike” (31) Assyria down. He will put to ruin the Assyrian army that surrounded Jerusalem. This is written in 37:36. This is the event when the Lord’s angle went and killed 855,000 Assyrian soldiers. That occurred in 701 B.C. Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army, but in one night God’s angel went out and killed 855,000 Assyrian soldiers.
Also please look at verse 33. Here it says, “Topheth has long been prepared.” Assyria is sent to Topheth. Topheth is a region outside Jerusalem where children were sacrificed to the deity Molech. Thus it was a place of burning. Here it is being used to refer to the ultimate place of burning, hell. “Its fire pit has been made deep and wide” (3) It will burn eternally. In Greek this word is gehenna which means hell. What hell is like is clearly described here. It is a place where the fire continues to burn eternally. Lots of people think that death is the end, but in reality it is different. When a person dies his body will rot and perish, but our souls will go to heaven or hell. Heaven will be as we looked at earlier a place that is overflowing with joy. “There will be no more…mourning or crying or pain.” (Rev. 21:4) That is because “the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:4) The place that has completely no “mourning or crying or pain” (Rev. 21:4) is heaven. Those who want to know more in detail about it please look at Revelations 21 and 22 later. Heaven is described well there. However, Hell is different. Hell is a place where a fire that can’t be quenched is forever burning. There eternal suffering will continue eternally. Eternally you will suffer in the fire. That is hell. Assyria was thrown into it.
This Assyria refers to the antichrist. Behind the antichrist is Satan. Satan and all those who rebel against God are Assyria. All these people will be thrown into Topheth. They will go to hell.
There are some people who say, “if God is love, why would he send people to hell?” However, that thinking is wrong. According to the Bible it is clear that hell was not prepared for man. It was made for Satan and demons. Please open your Bibles to Matt. 25:41. Here it says, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” The eternal fire was a
place “prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt. 25:41) God doesn’t have the slightest intention of wanting to send man to such a place. Rather, God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9) That is why God gave his son.
☆”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) ☆
“For God so loved the world that he gave his” (John 3:16) son whom he loved more than himself. God loves you. God is “not wanting anyone to perish.” (II Peter 3:9). He doesn’t want anyone to go down to hell. God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9) Therefore, God is not responsible for man going to hell.
The reason man goes to hell, is because he chose to go there. He thinks that he doesn’t really have to go to heaven. When he dies it’s the end. He doesn’t believe in heaven or hell. Such people will go to hell. No matter how much God love us he can’t force us to go to heaven. If he did such a thing God would not be able to have a free loving relationship with us. That wouldn’t be love at all. God wants a free loving relationship with us.
Therefore, God is not throwing people into hell. That is being determined by mankind on his end. Unfortunately, the numbers are greater than we are thinking.

However, those who believe in Jesus will certainly not go to hell. Not even one person will go to hell. All those who believe in Jesus will go to heaven. Jesus went to heaven for that purpose. He went to heaven to prepare a place. John 14:1 to 3 says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Jesus went to prepare a place for us. It’s a mansion! We will be able to live in such a house. There will be no bugs or rust. No cockroaches will come out. There will be no bee hives. It won’t rust and need painting. It won’t become old or have scratches or be damaged. It won’t get dirty. It won’t have to be rebuilt after being lived in for 20 years. Also robbers won’t make a hole and steal from it. Heaven will never disappear. It is an eternal home. Really valuable things don’t rot. Heaven is a place where nothing rots. We can go there.
Therefore, now while you have the chance, let’s store up treasures in heaven. Believe and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Become a child of God, and receive the inheritance of the kingdom of God. Then in the eternal. kingdom while rejoicing and enjoying it, let’s enter into the grace of praising the Lord. Which will you choose, heaven or hell?
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength.” (15)
May you return to the Lord and walk “in quietness and trust” in the Lord. May you only just depend on the Lord and only just follow the Lord not Egypt, not depending on the world. May we be able to go together to the glorious kingdom of heaven. Let’s do the preparations to go there now.

Today let’s look at Isaiah 30 verses 15 to 26. Today’s title is “Blessed are those who wait for the Lord”. The end of verse 18 says, “Blessed are all who wait for him!” Let’s look together at what blessings those who wait for the Lord will receive.

I. God’s amazing grace (vs. 15-18)
First let’s look at verses 15 to l8. Verse 15 says, “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
In the first half of Isaiah 30 God calls Southern Judah, “obstinate children” (1) because the Israelites made plans that were not from God. They didn’t ask for God’s direction, but went “down to Egypt” (2) looking for “Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.” (2) However, the result was “shame and disgrace.” (5) It was “hardship and distress”. (6) It was accompanied by a lot of danger and risk. What they needed to do was to return to the Lord. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (15) Even if such a powerful enemy like Assyria is imminent, if you repent and are quiet, you will be saved.
However, they “would have none of it.” (15) Please look at the last half of verse 15. “It” (15) is depending upon God. They would have nothing to do with depending upon God. They tried to find a solution by their own thinking, by their own strength. They made an alliance with Egypt, and tried to depend upon Egypt’s protection. They said the following in verse 16, “No, we will flee on horses.” There are some people that even though they hear the Word of God, they flee. They flee and flee. They want to push their own thing through. What will happen to such people is written in verses 16 and 17. “Therefore, you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore you will flee! A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.”
Nothing will be left. The Lord will pursue them on an even faster horse. In the end they will be “like a banner on a hill.” (17) In a life of only fleeing, nothing is left. It doesn’t solve anything. There is only one way that things can be solved. That is by returning to the Lord. It is being quiet and depending upon Him. Then you will be saved. However to Israel who couldn’t ever seem to be quiet and fled here and there, God says something very surprising. Let’s read verse 18 together. Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

“Yet” (18) refers to even though the Lord said, “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,” (15) they “would have none of it.” (15) “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to” (18) them. Nothing is left; they are “like a banner on a hill.” (17) God says to these measly, and lonely people that are left, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you.” (18) It was not because they were obediently obeying the Word of God. They didn’t obey, they hated it, and “would have none of it.” (15) Even though they fled here and there, “the LORD longs to be gracious to” (18) them. “Therefore, he will rise up to show” them compassion. (18) This is grace. Grace is unmerited kindness given to a person who doesn’t deserve it at all. It is a one way gift given to such a person. It is given to people who without concern ignore God’s Word, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to” (18) them. That is what our God is like.
The prodigal son that appears in the Gospel of Luke used up all the inheritance that he received from his father and in the end came to the point where he was taking care of pigs. When he was famished, he began to feel like going home. He thought of going home and becoming one of the servants of his father. He thought of saying to his father, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:29) Then “he got up and went to his father, but while he was still a long way off, the father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) Then he “put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” (Luke 15:22) Then he said, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:23, 24)
Jesus said that this father is the God in heaven that we believe in. This is the result of us selfishly leaving our home and doing whatever we want. The appearance of his son wearing smelly, shabby clothes covered with dirt, and at his wits end trying to survive was an image that the father had never had before. How foolish he was! He reaped what he sowed. However, the father who saw what his son looked like flew out of the house and went and hugged him and kissed him, and dressed him in the best robe, and welcomed him again as his son.
God is not in a high place acting like a big shot. He does not look down from above saying, if you want to be blessed come and get it. He doesn’t look at us suffering in our own sin with a cold look saying, “You reap what you sow“. When he sees our appearance, he runs to us, throws his arms around us, kisses us, and accepts us. He rises up to show compassion to the foolish who no matter how many times they are told, they commit the same sins.

Especially for us Japanese who are taught that if we do something bad we will be punished or will be cursed, it is surprising that God is like this. Therefore we can’t go obediently before God the way we are and therefore, we say, “When I become nobler, I’ll go to church.” However, God is waiting to give you grace. He is rising “up to show you compassion.” (18) If you return to the Lord, you can receive mercy at all times. God is waiting for that. Therefore, don’t be stuck on your own tiny thinking. Don’t depend on your limited abilities, but wait on the Lord. Here it says, “Blessed are all who wait for him!” (18) If you wait on God, you will be blessed.

II. The blessings of those who wait on the Lord (Vs. 19-24)
From verses 19 to 24 let’s look at what kind of blessings there are for those who wait on the Lord. First of all, verse 19 says, “People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.”
The “people of Zion” (19) and those “who live in Jerusalem” (19) refer to the same people. “You will weep no more.” (19) Is there anyone here today that is crying? Is there anyone who feels hopeless in life and is going crazy crying out? “You will weep no more.” (19) The Lord will certainly give you grace. He will hear your prayers. Your prayers will certainly be answered. This may be many years in the future. They may not be answered right way, but the Lord will certainly answer your prayers.
Please open your Bibles to I Samuel 1:10 and 11.
I Samuel 1:10, 11
Hannah’s heart was in pain. She was wailing. That was because she was unable to get pregnant. At that time a woman that was unable to bear a successor was worthless and in society too was looked down upon. It was thought that they didn’t deserve to live. Her husband’s other wife “kept provoking her in order to irritate her.” (I Samuel 1:6) Under such circumstances “in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” (I Samuel 1:10) Then she vowed to the Lord, “If you will only look upon your servant’s misery… and…give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (I Samuel 1:11) Children that were dedicated like this did not have their hair cut. This is called a Nazarite Vow. Long hair was a symbol of dedication to the service of the Lord and was one of the characteristics of the Nazirite vow, which was normally taken for a limited time rather than for life.

“As she kept on praying to the LORD” (I Samuel 1:12) Eli, the high priest, saw her and thought that she was drunk. However, when he realized that was not the case and that she was “deeply troubled” (I Samuel 1:15) and pouring out her “soul to the LORD”, (I Samuel 1:15) he said to her, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” (I Samuel 1:17) Hannah had the assurance that her prayer would be answered and “her face was no longer downcast.” (I Samuel 1:18) She was changed. She had hope and assurance. The child that she was given was Samuel. He was the greatest prophet in Israel’s history. The Lord waited a long time to answer her prayer. That was because she didn’t just pray because she wanted a son. She didn’t just pray a small prayer for a successor. It was because she prayed for a child that would be a blessing for all of Israel. This is what God really wanted to give her.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.” (I John 5:14, 15)
This is our confidence: “if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (I John 5:14) God will do more than we ever thought of. God has a wonderful plan for your life and will give you grace. “You will weep no more.” (19)
On the wall of the Rehabilitation Center of New York is a prayer written by an unknown confederate soldier.
Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier, aka The Creed for the Disabled
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
He got nothing that he asked for, but he received everything he hoped for; all his unspoken prayers were answered. When he realized that, he was able to confess, “I am, among all men, most richly blessed.” The Lord will give you grace and will answer you. “You will weep no more.” (19)
That’s not all. Please look at verses 20 and 21. “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (20,21)
Here it is promising that that even if you are poor materially, and in reality are in a condition of being not free, the Lord will bless you. This is the blessing of being able to listen only to the voice of God. To be able to listen to the Word of God is the greatest blessing of the Christian faith. The greatest blessing of the Christian faith is not a splendid church building. It is not showy activities. The greatest grace of the Christian faith is listening to the Word of God and living by that Word. When we live by the Word of God, our soul is full. Without that no matter how much we are blessed materially, we feel emptiness. Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) We live by the Word of God. If we wait upon the Lord, God will let us hear his own voice.
“Your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.” (20) “Teachers” (20) are plural so it is thought these are probably prophets. This also refers to the Lord, who will instruct them. That’s because the prophets teach the Word of God. The teacher is God. God is the trinity: the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears hear” God’s “voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”(21) How blessed is a life walked by listening to the Lord’s voice! The life of a person who listens to the Lord’s voice and follows it can’t go wrong. I too have many times stood at the crossroad of life, but at those times while praying and calling out to God, I sought the road I should take. Each time the Lord said, “This is the way; walk it in,” (21) and led me. How thankful I am!
It is said that this is like a shepherd leading sheep. In other words, it is the story of the shepherd. The Lord is the shepherd and so the sheep don’t get lost, he leads them by speaking to them from just behind their backs. David confesses about this Shepherd, the Lord, “The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.
Even though I walk
Through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord will lead you. The Lord will talk to you. Therefore, you have nothing to fear. He will lead you to green pastures, and beside quiet waters.
Therefore, verse 22 says, “Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, ‘Away with you!’”
“Your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold;” (22) are idols. When you meet Jesus Christ, all the things that you depended upon will seem like garbage. They won’t be necessary any more. The things that you thought you couldn’t live without maybe things like alcohol, drugs, money, car, brand items, etc. It may be people that you depended upon. They will all be like garbage. You won’t need them any more so you will say to them, “Away with you!” (22)
Paul was elite by his family, education and as a religion person, but he said, “I consider them rubbish.” (Philippians 3:8) That is because he knew Christ’s greatness. If you meet Jesus, if you experience him one time, your values will completely change so much and you will be so content that what you thought had value will become like garbage. Do you know Jesus Christ? Do you know Jesus? If you know Jesus and if your heart is completely full, then you will think that everything else is like garbage. They won’t be needed at all.
That’s not all. Please look at verses 23 and 24. It says, “He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel.” (23, 24) This is mentioning the material blessings. It is wrong to say that Christianity is a psychological thing not a religion of personal profit so there are no material blessings. When we put the Lord first, “He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful.” (23) The cattle will be blessed, the oxen and donkeys will grow up well, and all the food that is needed for them will abundantly grow. God’s material blessings are also noted. Really good things, things that give nutrition, things that will give strength, things that will be a benefit, things that will bring profit will be given as blessings to those that wait upon the Lord. What blessings!

III. The ultimate healing (vs. 25,26)
However, if you look at verses 25 and 26, you will see that that is not all. Here it says, “In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.” This means the ultimate healing will take place.
“In the day of great slaughter” is in Isaiah’s age was when they were set free from the Assyrian threats. When Assyria surrounded Jerusalem, the Lord’s angel came and in one night slaughtered 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. This is pointing to that time. However, this is also a prophecy about the end of the world. At the end of the world there will be situation like this. Moreover, it will be on a much larger scale. This will be at the end of the world during the age of tribulation. In that day, to confront Christ, the armies of the entire world will assemble at Jerusalem to fight. This is called the battle of Armageddon. All the armies of the entire world will fight. However, from the Lord’s mouth will come a sword and it will slaughter them. Then it will bring in the millennium of peace upon the earth. In that day, upon all the high mountains and all the low hills, “streams of water will flow”. (25) The Lord will give the ultimate healing. The Lord will bind “up the bruises of his people and” (26) heal “the wounds he inflicted.” (26) Of course there will be bodily healing, but not only that, those hearts that were hurt by rebelling against God will be fully healed and comforted.
Please look at Rev. 21:4.
Rev. 21:4
This is the New Jerusalem, Heaven. In heaven God himself is with them. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev. 21:4 Christ rose from the dead and destroyed death. Those who believe in Christ will live, even though they die. Those who live and believe in Christ will never die. They will be given eternal life. This is the ultimate healing. In that day, the Lord will bind up the bruises of all those who believe and heal their wounds.
There will be no sun and no moon. That is because God, the Lord, shines. “They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun.” (Rev. 22:5) The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, Then in the middle of the city there will be the tree of life. The leaves of the tree will heal them. Isaiah is prophesying about this.

I want you to know that those who wait upon the Lord will be given such blessings. Therefore, please wait for the Lord. The Lord is waiting to give you grace. He is rising “up to show you compassion.” (18) “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (15) Believe in God’s promise, and depend upon the Lord. If so, then you will receive blessings. “You will weep no more.” (19) The Lord will certainly give you grace, answer you, and ”whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (21) While listening to the Lord’s voice, let’s walk. That is the experience of thinking, of considering all the things of the world as “rubbish”. (Phil. 3:8) It is that great of grace. And at the end is heaven. There we will receive complete healing. Such wonderful blessings are offered to us. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (15) Please experience this salvation. This is promised to all who wait on the Lord.

Today let’s look at Isaiah 30:1-15. The title of today’s message is “Obstinate children”. In verse 1 it says, “Woe to the obstinate children.” These are the people of Southern Judah. At that time the Southern kingdom of Judah was attacked by Assyria. In such predicament they sought help from Egypt, not God. Such actions are like “obstinate children” so God calls them “obstinate children” in verse 1. They needed to depend upon God, not man. They needed to seek God’s plans, not make plans by their own thinking. However, they didn’t. Today from the portrait of the “obstinate children” (1) let’s look at how we Christians should be and what kind of attitude we should have.

I. Rahab the Do-Nothing (vs. 1-7)
First of all let’s look at verses 1 to 7. First let’s read verses 1 and 2. “’Woe to the obstinate children,’ declares the LORD, ‘to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.’”
Here it says, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.” (1) In Isaiah’s age this was the time when Assyria from the North and tried to destroy the Southern kingdom of Judah. Assyria had already swallowed up Northern Israel, and with violent forced pushed its way to the southern kingdom of Judah. Then it tried to surround Jerusalem. They thought about what would be good, what they should do and made many plans. They sought help from Egypt. They thought that Egypt would certainly help them. They though no matter how strong Assyria was, Egypt was even stronger. They thought that if they were partnered with Egypt then they would be o.k. Therefore, they formed an alliance with Egypt. However that was not God’s will. They left God out of the plans. It was not by God’s Spirit. They made the plans by their own thinking. Therefore, they are the “obstinate children.” (1)
For man to make plans in and of itself is not bad. When God made everything in heaven and earth he made plans and made it. Also when God made the first man first he made everything that was necessary for man. He prepared everything. God takes planned actions. Therefore, man who was made in the image of God also is a being that does planning. Carrying out plans is human like. Animal are not like that. They move by instinct. They don’t think about things and then take action. However, man is different. Man was made in the image of God so like God he makes plans and puts them into action. Therefore, to make plans in and of itself is not bad. To make various plans and put them into action is important. Seeking advice from various people is also o.k. Getting a second opinion and making a decision that considers all the aspects is important. The problem is when those plans are not of God. The problem is leaving God out and making plans by yourself. They carried “out plans that are not mine”. (1) This heaped “sin upon sin”. (1)
First of all we should seek God. By God we should make plans. Before we make our own plans, we must recognize that God has a plan. We must recognize that before we were born God had a plan for us. In fact, we should participate in that plan. However, it’s too bad, but we carry out plans without God. We seek solutions in the world rather than in God. For example, counseling based on psychology is one example. Even if a disguised approach that seems like it is based upon the Bible it is still the world’s wisdom, and is based upon worldly thinking. It is nothing more than human thinking, the plans of man. That is “heaping sin upon sin.” (1)
Also here it says, “forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit.” (1) This is referring to the alliance made with Egypt. This is the same thing as carrying “out plans”. (1) They formed “an alliance, but not by my Spirit.” (1) It was not by God’s Spirit. It was simply based upon their own thinking.
The word that is used for “alliance” literally means “blanket”. The same word is used in 28:20. There it says, “The blanket too narrow to wrap around you.” This “blanket” is translated as “alliance”. They didn’t know what to do about the attack of Assyria so the formed an alliance with Egypt. However, that was “too narrow”. (28:20) It was lacking. It wasn’t enough. A blanket is something that covers you. They thought that Egypt would cover them. They sought Egypt to cover them, to take care of them, to protect them, not the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. This is sin. To try to find covering in other things than God and His Spirit is sin.
Do you know the comic strip, “Peanuts” that is famous for Snoopy? In that comic strip Linus a young boy is always carrying a security blanket. He is secure only when he has his security blanket. Southern Judah sought this security in Egypt. As verse 2 says, they went “down to Egypt without consulting” God. They looked “for help to Pharaoh’s protection to Egypt’s shade for refuge.” (2) However, that also was sin.
What are you always covering yourself with? What is always protecting you? What is always taking care of you? What gives you security and what are you anxious when you don’t have it? For some people that might be a cell phone. When they don’t have their cell phone they feel anxious. That is “a dependency upon cell phones”. They are always and everywhere looking at their cell phone screen. If they have their cell phone, they feel secure, but when they don’t they feel anxious. That is a security blanket. Some people can’t live without a T.V. For others it’s a computer. We become dependent upon such things. That is the same a forming an alliance with Egypt. We have a blanket, “but not by my Spirit.” (1) God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit is living within us. Those who believe in Jesus have God’s Spirit living within them. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit that we received from God. Even so we don’t depend on the Holy Spirit, but upon a security blanket. We seek security in our cell phones, the T.V., the computer, etc, not in God’s Spirit. We seek something to cover us. That is the same as making an alliance with Egypt.
Please open your Bibles to Zechariah 4:6.
Zechariah 4:6
Judah depended upon might. They depended upon strength. But they didn’t depend upon God’s Spirit. No matter what plans you carry out, if it is not by God, if it is not by God’s Spirit, then it is sin. It is “heaping sin upon sin.” (1)
How about you? How is Assyria threatening you? For some people it may be a financial problem. For others, it may be a problem at work. For other people it may be troubles in human relationships. How are you dealing with such problems? If you are like Judah and without God thinking yourself and making your plans for dealing with things, or are seeking advice from various people, or are borrowing strength from other people and are depending upon might or power and aren’t seeking God’s Spirit, you will have no peace. If it not by God, not by God’s Spirit then it is “heaping sin upon sin.” (1)
Please look at verses 3 to 5. Here tells us the result of not depending upon God, but depending upon Egypt.
“Pharaoh’s protection will be to” (3) their shame. Seeking refuge in “Egypt’s shade will bring” (3) them disgrace. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree that they were not to eat from, they realized that they were naked. It was accompanied by shame. They thought they would gain the wisdom of “God, knowing good and evil,” (Genesis 3:5), but the result was shame. When we depend upon the knowledge of the world, we won’t have the peace that we expected, but it will be accompanied by shame and dishonor.
The “officials” and “envoys” of verse 4 are the envoys that the Southern kingdom of Judah sent to make an alliance with Egypt. Today that would be people like the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Zoan” (4) and “Hanes” (4) are Egyptian cities. Even though they arrive there, they are “useless”. (5) Instead they will bring “shame and disgrace”. (5) If your actions are by your own wisdom, your own thinking, your own logic and not by God, not by God’s Spirit, then you will surely fail.
Not only that, but please look at verse 6. It says, “A prophecy concerning the animals of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lions and lionesses, of adders and darting snakes, the envoys carry their riches on donkeys’ backs, their treasures on the humps of camels, to that unprofitable nation.”

“Negev” (6) is a name of a place. The wilderness to the south of Judah was called “Negev”. (6) Usually when people went from Judah to Egypt they didn’t go through Negev. Wild animals came out there and bandits came out there so it involved danger. Therefore, usually they went through the area of Philistia along the coast. That was safer and you could go much faster. However, if they went through there it would be known that they went down to Egypt. If they could they wanted to make an alliance with Egypt in secret so they ventured to take the dangerous road there. That was through Negev. However, it involved danger. “Lions and lionesses” (6) attack. There were also “adders and darting snakes”. (6) These “darting snakes” were thought to be like huge lizards with wings. Such things attack. Therefore, taking such a route was hard. It involved “hardship and distress”. (6) There was continuous “hardship and distress” (6) in seeking help from Egypt. Even so Egypt’s “help is utterly useless.” (7) Please look at verse 7. Here it says, “to Egypt, whose help is utterly useless. Therefore I call her Rahab the Do-Nothing.” “Rahab” (7) is another name for Egypt. It means “storm” or “arrogance” or “rave”. Egypt is like a storming, raving, arrogant man. He stormed and raved, but did nothing. This is this world. Egypt is a symbol of this world. “Rahab the Do-Nothing”. (7) He storms and raves with his mouth and seems so strong, but in reality “is utterly useless”. (7) This is this world. These are the things that we depend upon. But their “help is utterly useless.” (7) First of all we must ask God what He desires of us, what is good and accepting to God, seek what God wants, and walk in that way. Our real help is only in the all powerful God. We must ask Him.

II. “Walk the Lord’s small path (Vs. 8-11)
Next please look at verses 8 to 11.
Verses 8-11
God told Isaiah to make a record by writing God’s words on a scroll. That was so that in “the days to come” (8) the people will understand that the Words came from God and that their “hardship and distress” (6) was because they did not follow God’s word. God had warned them in advance, and to show them that it will happen just as the words said, God said to record God’s Words. This is God’s Word, the Bible. The Words of the Bible continue on forever from age to age and will be completely fulfilled. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:18)
God’s Word “will not by any means disappear”. (Matt. 5:18) Everything will be accomplished. This Word of God which eternally never changes is the only thing that is worthy of being depended on so we should only depend upon it.

Even so “the obstinate children” (1) didn’t accept these Words. Please look at verse 9. Here it says, “For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD’s instruction.” This is talking about the people of Judah. They were “unwilling to listen to the LORD’s instruction.” (9) They didn’t care about the Word of God. They thought that more than the Word of God, there were more relevant and efficient resources and didn’t listen to the Word of God at all. God calls them “rebellious people, deceitful children.” (9)
That’s not all. Look at verses 10 and 11. It says “They say to the seers, ‘see no more visions!’ and to the prophets, ‘Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.’” (10) The “seers” (10) and “prophets” (10) beginning with Isaiah were to bring God’s Word to the people. They received God’s Word and then spoke it. Such people were called “seers” (10) or “prophets” (10) They said to these people “see no more visions!” (10) and “Give us no more visions”. (10) That is because they knew that the “seers” (10) and “prophets” (10) beginning with Isaiah were saying the right thing. However it didn’t suit them well. They didn’t like what was said. Therefore, they wanted to be told “pleasant things.” (10) They were so bold as to say, “Prophesy illusions.” (10) This is terrible! They are saying to twist the Bible and say what is pleasing to them.
Please look at verse 11. These people will eventually say the following, “Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel.” (11) What words!!! “Stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel.” (11) “This way” (11) or “this path” (11) is the Lord’s Word, the way of the Lord. Isaiah 2:3 says, “Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” In other words, “This way” (11) or “this path” (11) is the Lord’s path, the Lord’s teaching. To “Leave this way, get off this path” is to get off the path of God’s Word. That is nothing more than to withdraw from God himself. To reject God’s Word is to reject God himself. It is unthinkable that a person would say he is a Christian, but he doesn’t want to listen to the Word of God. Such a person in reality is withdrawing from God. Even he says with his lips that he believes in God, if he is withdrawing from the Word of God then in reality it is the same as withdrawing from God. Therefore, he is called a “rebellious people, deceitful children”. (9) It is a lie that he believes in God and a lie that he is a Christian. He is only pretending.
Jesus said, “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. 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?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matt. 7:21-23) This is fearful. Just because a person says, “Lord, Lord” doesn’t mean that he is a Christian. Even though they prophesied in Jesus’ name and drove out demons and performed many miracles in Jesus’ name, Jesus said, “I never knew you. I never knew you.” The problem was that even if these people listened to the Word of God, they didn’t follow it. They got off the path. They didn’t realize it. They thought they were Christians, but in reality they had withdrawn from God. They made a God that suits them well. They were only just calling their god Jesus Christ.
People want to hear a talk that suits them well. They don’t want to hear what they hate. They hate to confront what is a terrible reality for themselves. If possible, they want other people to say good things. They want others to talk with soft words, and words that are easy to accept. However, that doesn’t bring any change. Thomas Winston, a Puritan preacher said that Satan puts people in a cradle of peace and rocks it. Even when people stand at the precipice of hell, Satan calls out peace. However, God says to repent, humble yourself and after that there is peace. The peace that a lot of people talk about is the peace before a storm. However, please don’t forget that real peace comes after the storm. God gives the highest peace to the hurting heart.
Proverbs 27:5 says, “better is open rebuke than hidden love.” We don’t like “open rebuke.” (Proverbs 27:5) We have a tendency to avoid people who point out our mistakes. However, “better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (Proverbs 27:5) Let’s be thankful for such whips of love.
God’s Word is alive and it has strength. “It penetrates even to dividing … joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. (Hebrews 4:12) There are Words that painfully pierce our hearts. There are also Words that are kind like, “I drench you with tears.” (Isaiah 9:16) There are Words that comfort us like “”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) There are Words that encourage us like, “Do not fear, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10) However, all these are Words of the same God. To accept these Words of God and the Word of God and follow them is to walk this path. There is blessing in doing so. Let’s accept the Word of God as it is and not withdraw from it or take it with a grain of salt, but follow it.

III. Repent and rest (vs. 12-15)
Lastly let’s look at verses 12 to 15. I will read verses 12 to 14.
Vs. 12 -14
Here it tells us what will happen to the “obstinate children” (1) who do not listen to the Lord’s teaching. The result is written here. “This message” is the Bible. “Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit” (12) the result is “this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant.” (13) If “you have rejected this message” (12) and have removed God from your life. And continue to live your own life style, then it will definitely lead to your own destruction. It will lead to your ruin. It is “like a high wall, cracked and bulging. It may be only a really small crack, but even so the towering wall will completely collapse. It was only a tiny crack, and it was only a tiny sin, but the whole wall collapses. You yourself fall too. You have nothing to watch over you. The wall falls on you, and chokes you. It leads to your own destruction. It will dig your own grave. A person who withdraws from the Word of God will certainly dig his own grave. Before I said that it will bring “shame and disgrace.” (5) However, this is not all. It will lead to destruction.
This will happen “suddenly”. (13) It will be “in an instant.” (13) For a while he may think that he is taken care of so he’s o.k. He thinks that he is holding hands with Egypt so all is secure. He thinks that by his own thinking all will go well. He is surrounded by a wall so there is no problem. He thinks that even if he doesn’t listen to God’s Word, he’s been hanging in with no problem. He’s been doing such a good job. He’s lacking nothing. He’s full to the brim. It’s safe. He insists that he has peace of mind. However, some day, from that tiny crack a huge collapse will begin. It will be “suddenly, in an instant.” (13) It will bring destruction. From something very small destruction will occur. You can’t ignore a tiny crack.
It will be destruction like when the potter breaks pottery mercilessly into pieces. When the potter breaks pottery mercilessly into pieces, “among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern.” (14)Among the fragments there is nothing left that can be used they are “shattered so mercilessly.” (14) It will be shattered to the point where their life cannot be started over again and his life will be useless.
This is a warning. It is a warning to the “Obstinate children”. (1) They made plans, but they didn’t depend upon God. They had lots of plans. They had many things that they wanted to know. They had so much that they wanted to do. They thought they had a plan so that everything would go o.k. They thought they could depend on their wisdom and their experience up until now so they’d be o.k. However, this is clearly sin. The result is “only shame and disgrace.” (5) They were disgraced. They had to take the long route, “through a land of hardship and distress” (6) facing many dangers. In the end from a tiny crack in the wall, everything collapsed and was destroyed. Everything was completely shattered. Everything was “shattered so mercilessly” (14) that they wondered what their life had been up until then. They are completely useless. Even the broken piece can’t be used.

Therefore, what is the solution? Where is there salvation? Please look at verse 15. It says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Here is salvation. If you return to the Lord “in quietness” (15) you will be saved. If you trust in the Lord, you will have strength. A huge enemy like Assyria may come attacking you. You may be in a situation where the enemy has surrounded you and there is no place to escape to. You may be worrying about finances, or health or human relationship or your job. However, if you return to the Lord “in quietness” (15) you will be saved. Repent of the way you have lived your life up until now, and turn towards the true God, and you will be saved. “In quietness and trust” (15) you will have strength. You mustn’t return to Egypt. Egypt is the symbol of the world. You mustn’t depend on this world. You have been saved from this world. Since you have been saved from this world don’t return back to it. You must trust in God, then you will be saved. You will receive strength.
The Southern kingdom of Judah repented and returned to God and were saved. Assyria surrounded them, but the Lord’s angel came and in one night killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. By that Judah was saved. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Please don’t forget this. Don’t be “obstinate children.” (1) Be children that follow God, children who trust in God. There you will find God’s certain salvation and strength.

Today let’s look at Isaiah chapter 29. The title of today’s message is “The mourning of Ariel“. If you look at verse 1 it says,”Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel. ““Ariel” (1) is Jerusalem. The Lord is mourning for Israel. There is lamenting and mourning. Today let’s look at why there is mourning and lamenting.

I. Besieged Ariel (Vs. 1-8)
First let’s look at verses 1 to 8. I will read verses 1 and 2. “Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel, the city where David settled! Add year to year and let your cycle of festivals go on. Yet I will besiege Ariel; she will mourn and lament, she will be to me like an altar hearth.”
“Ariel” (1) as I mentioned earlier refers to Jerusalem. It means “the lion of God” or “altar hearth” (2). Why is God calling Israel, “Ariel” (1)?
1. The town was like a courageous and healthy lion that leads the world. Verse 1 says, “The city where David settled! Add year to year and let your cycle of festivals go on.” This town was “the city where David settled.” (1) By David it was made into a city. When David carried the Ark of the Covenant into the town, he danced “before the LORD with all his might.” (II Samuel 6:14) It was like a courageous lion.
2. Ariel will be besieged so it will become “like an altar hearth”. (2) “An altar hearth” (2) is the hearth on which the sacrifices were offered. They will experience a trying experience which will be a like fire. The reason for this is that their hearts were far apart from God.
Let’s look at this more fully later, but now let’s look at how they were besieged. That is in verses 3 and 4. “I will encamp against you on all sides; I will encircle you with towers and set up my siege works against you. Brought low, you will speak from the ground; your speech will mumble out of the dust. Your voice will come ghostlike from the earth; out of the dust your speech will whisper.”
This is when Assyria surrounded Jerusalem. This happened in 701B.C. The king of Assyria, King Sennacherib encircled Jerusalem. Jerusalem was really like a flame that is blown out as soon as the wind comes. They fell to the ground with painful mourns. It looked like everyone was dying. Like the dead complaining in hell, their voices will be numerous mourns.
However, this “Ariel” (1), Jerusalem will be saved by God’s miraculous entrance into history. God’s angel came and in one night killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. That is recorded in verse 5. “But your many enemies will become like fine dust, the ruthless hordes like blown chaff. Suddenly, in an instant.” It occurred suddenly, in an instant. It occurred in only one night.

Please look at verses 6 to 8. “The LORD Almighty will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames of a devouring fire. Then the hordes of all that nations that fight against Ariel, that attack her and her fortress and besiege her, will be as it is with a dream, with a vision in the night; as when a hungry person dreams of eating, but awakens hungry still; as when a thirsty person dreams of drinking, but awakens faint and thirsty still. So will it be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.”
God will completely watch over “Ariel”. (7) “Ariel” will be brought so low that they “will mumble out of the dust.”(4) However, their “many enemies will become like fine dust,” (5) unable to speak at all. They will become like chaff blown away in the wind. “Suddenly, in an instant, the LORD Almighty will come” (6) and it “will be as it is with a dream, with a vision in the night-“(7) they and their prosperity and success will soon vanish. “Then the hordes of all the nations that fight against Ariel” (7)　will be ”as when a hungry person dreams of eating, but awakens hungry still” (8) Whereas the enemies dreamed of making a prey of Jerusalem, and to enrich themselves with the plunder of that great city, their hopes shall prove vain dreams, and they will awaken to disappointment. They dreamed of being masters of Jerusalem, but that won’t happen. They themselves, and all their power and prosperity, shall vanish like a dream when one awakes.
Assyria was not the only one who experienced this. Up until the present day Jerusalem has been invaded over and over again. David made Jerusalem into a city in 1004 B.C., but up until today according to the records it has been conquered over 86 times. Assyria almost took over Jerusalem, but by the miraculous entrance of God into history, they were prevented from doing so. However, after Assyria, by the next country to gain power, Babylon, Jerusalem fell. By the Babylonian king, King Nebuchadnezzar, the temple that was built by Solomon in Jerusalem was completely destroyed. The Jews that were living in Jerusalem were taken to Babylon. In other words, this was the Diaspora. That was in 586 B.C. However, according to the promise of God Himself, the Jews would be set free from their bondage. By the Persian King, King Cyprus, they were able to return to Jerusalem. However, after that too the control of Jerusalem by the Gentiles continued up through the age of Rome. People hoped that Jesus would set them free from this Roman rule. However, the freedom that Jesus brought was not from Rome, but from the root cause of all problems, sin. In the course of time in 70A.D. the Roman army led by the future Emperor Titus besieged and conquered the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was destroyed and the second temple that had been rebuilt after the Jews returned to Jerusalem during the reign of Cyrus was destroyed. Over a million Jews were said to have been killed, close to ten thousand were capture and enslaved and many others fled to other areas. Thus the Jews became scattered throughout the world. Then for a long time the Islamic empire rule continued. From 1516 to 1917 the Ottoman Turks Empire which was also part of the Islamic empire controlled Jerusalem. At that time it was thought that Jerusalem was raided by the Gentiles. However, in the late 1800s the Jews from all over the world began returning to Jerusalem. Then in 1948 Israel was reinstated as a country and declared as the homeland for the Jewish people. This is the State of Israel. That is a fulfillment of the Lord’s promise in Isaiah 11:11 and 12.
Isaiah 11:11, 12
After that there has been continuous conflict with the neighboring Arab countries over the hegemony of Jerusalem. However in 1967 Israel captured East Jerusalem during the Third Arab-Israeli War and subsequently annexed it so it was set free from Arab control and set free from Gentile control and became an international city. This was only a 6 day war so it is also called the Six-Day War. Now Israel blooms with flowers and produces plentiful fruit. That is because Jerusalem is “the city where David settled!” (1) Those who try to control it, it “will be as it is with a dream, with a vision in the night” (7) when they awake it will disappear.

II. A deep sleep (Vs. 9-16)
The reason why such morning occurred in “Ariel” (1) is because their hearts became separated from God. This is written in verses 9 to 16. First please read verses 9 and 10.
“Be stunned and amazed, blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not from wine, stagger, but not from beer. The LORD has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets) he has covered your heads (the seers).
What their problem was is written here. That is because their eyes are sealed and their heads are covered. From the first half of Isaiah chapter 28 the problems of Ephraim, Northern Israel, are recorded. That was that they were drunkards. They were confused and in chaos because of alcohol. They staggered. The southern kingdom of Judah, Jerusalem, “Ariel” (1) saw them and it became a source of laughing and joking for them. However, they also had a problem themselves. They were also in the
condition of being drunk. That wasn’t from wine. It wasn’t from strong alcohol. They were in a “deep sleep” (9) so they couldn’t understand the Words of the Lord. Please look at verses 11 and 12.
“For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say, ‘read this, please,’ they will answer, ‘I can’t; it is sealed.’ Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, ‘Read this please,’ they will answer, ‘I don’t know how to read.’”
For them “this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll.” (11) They don’t understand the Bible. Even if they “give the scroll to someone who can read, and say, ‘read this, please,’ they will answer, ‘I can’t.” (11) It doesn’t matter whether they have had an education or never had an education, it doesn’t make any difference. That is because they don’t want to understand. They don’t want to be enlightened. This is the problem. It doesn’t matter how much of the Bible you hand to them if they don’t want to understand then it is just boring and uninteresting. It is nothing more than a mysterious book that no matter where you read from, you can’t understand it. Only to those who want to study the Bible, who want to know the truth more deeply is understanding given to. No matter how uneducated a person is, if he wants to know the Word and wants to change, he can read it and understand. The Lord Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks find; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “To those who seek it, it will be given, to those who look for it, it will be found, to those who knock, it will be opened. At present the literacy rate in our country is 99%. Almost all people can read. Anyone can read the Bible. This is grace, isn’t it? Before it was not so. There was an age when even if you wanted to read, you couldn’t. Even today it is said that in the world there are 776,000,000 adults who can’t read and write. However, we can read and write. Not only can we read and write, but we can have our own Bible. Not only do we have our own Bible, but not just one, but several. Some people have many different translations and Bibles in different languages. Anyone can read the Bible without there being objections. Even so, we don’t read it. It sits nicely displayed on the book shelf. That is we don’t want to study it, we don’t earnestly desire to know. Let’s be thankful for God’s grace that gives understanding of the Bible even to the uneducated. Let’s humble ourselves and study and have a heart that listens and follows.
Let’s look at verses 13 and 14. Here is written the real reason why people don’t read the Bible. It says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on
merely human rules they have been taught. Therefore, once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
These words were quoted by Jesus. They were quoted in Matt. 15:8, 9 and in Mark 7:6, 7. The Lord quoted these words when the scholars of the law accused the disciples of putting aside God’s commandments by not following the rules of purification by eating bread without washing their hands. The Lord quoted this passage, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
There is such a thing as honoring God with our mouth, but our heart being far away from God. There are times when at the worship service we give lip service, but our hearts aren’t involved in it. Our heart isn’t there. While singing, we think about what we’re going to do about dinner. Even though we pray, we think about work or school. We think we are tired and that we a missing a good T.V. program. While singing we are drawn into the melody and mood, but don’t think about the words to the song. We only are joining everyone else in singing, but it is only lip service not worship. Even

though our mouth is praising God, our heart is far away. We too make the same mistake they made. “Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”
This is the problem: only teaching the teachings of man. They weren’t teaching God’s Word, the Bible as the Holy Scriptures. This week is this passage, the next week is that passage and they taught their own principles and opinions from various passages. By doing that it is natural that their hearts would become separated from God. We pastors and teachers must really reflect and contemplate on this. We must teach the Bible as the Holy Scriptures. Even if it is a difficult passage, we need to believe that there is no passage that is meaningless or a waste of time and study the Word of God and then teach it. Also we must obey that Word in our lives.
They haven’t been around for a while, but last week Jehovah’s Witness came to our house. When I answered the door they said, “Hello. We are going around spreading good news. Are you a Pastor? Recently there was an earthquake and natural disasters, but what do you think the future will bring?”
I too put a smiling expression on my whole face and answered, “What will the future bring? It will happen just as the Bible says it will.”
They said, “Is that so? Did you know in the future a time will come when there is no sadness, no crying, and the tears will be wiped from our eyes?”
I said, “Yes, I believe such a time will come. When will it come?”
They said, “When that time is only God knows.”
I answered, “So, no one knows when Jesus will come again, or when the end of the world is, but when the tears will be wiped from our eyes is clearly written in the Bible. In Rev. 21 it says it will come about when the new heaven and new earth come. The Millennium finishes and Satan is released from prison in Rev. 20. Jesus has victory over Satan and at the end at the white throne God’s judgment takes place. At the judgment those who have their names written in the book of the lamb will inherit the new heaven and the new earth. It is written like this in the Bible.”
Then the person changed the conversation by saying, “Do you interpret the Biblical account in the chronology that it is written in? Are the things written in the Gospel written in chronological order?”
I answered, “No, I think what is important about the Gospels is not whether it is in chronological order or not, but understanding why they were written. Matthew was written for the Jews. It was written so that the Jews would know that the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Jesus and that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior. Luke carefully examined and wrote the Gospel Luke so that the Gentiles could understand well, so that we who are Gentile could understand the Gospel.
Then the person took out the magazine, “Watch Tower” from her bag saying, “Do you know what is written in Eccl. 3:11?”

As soon as I answered, “Yes, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also “set eternity in the human heart,” she began to explain eternal life from the magazine. Her explanation went round and round in circles and her point was off.
I asked, “What is eternal life?”
They answered strange things like, “The joy of life” or “fun”.
Therefore, I said, It is the “image of God” in Genesis 1:26 and 27. God “set eternity in the human heart.” (Eccl. 3:11) That is called our spirit and soul. Eternal life is the condition of when our spirit is connected to God. However, the first man Adam committed sin so we lost that life. However, Jehovah abundant in mercy sent his only son, Jesus, to the world and by the cross forgave our sin and completed the work of salvation. Therefore, anyone who believes in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, he will be saved. He can receive eternal life.
They were very surprised. They said they didn’t think that there were pastors that studied the Bible that much. Then they asked, “What is the work of a Pastor?”
I responded, “What is written in Ephesians 4? Pastors are “to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12,13)
When I said that they said, “Now everyone is walking around together in this area so we don’t have any time. If you would like to study the Bible, we would like to come again at a later time.”
I told them, “But that is not studying the Bible. If you really want to study the Bible, the Bible is all you need. Let’s talk from the Bible. If so I’ll put aside as much time as needed to do so.” Then they left.
It seems like they are teaching the Bible, but in reality it is not the Bible. They are teaching the teachings of men. No matter how enthusiastic they are their heart is far from God. What is important is not what man teaches, but what the Bible is saying. We need to know what is written in the Bible and follow it. If we do that the Lord will perform “wonder upon wonder.” (14) He will do what we never ever thought of in our hearts, things we have never seen and things that we have never heard about. This is so “the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” (14) When we listen to God’s Word as the Word of God, and when we follow it, then God’s works of “wonder upon wonder” (14) appear.
Please look at verses 15 and 16. Here it says, “Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD. Who do their work in darkness and think, ‘Who sees us? Who will know?’ You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’?”

In order to deal with the Assyrian attack Judah made an alliance with Egypt. That action ignored Isaiah’s warning, and was a humanistic solution. They hid such plans and did “their work in darkness.” (15) They thought “Who sees us? Who will know?” (15) However, God knows everything. Even if no one else sees, God is looking.
Psalms 139:1-8
God is everywhere. He knows everything. In God’s eyes everything is naked. Therefore, we can’t hide anything for God. Therefore, if we hide what we are planning from the Lord it is the same as turning “things upside down” (18). It is looking at God as only man. It is like a pot saying to the potter, “You did not make me…You know nothing.” (16) Things are turned “upside down”. (16)
Tohoyohiko Kagawa said that a person who says to show him God who made this world is like a baby in a mother’s womb asking to see his mother. People who don’t think there is a God and don’t recognize God’s existence is like someone yelling from within his mother’s womb that until he sees his mother then he won’t believe in her. That’s very strange. It’s ridiculous. God knows all our ways. With a perfect hand he leads us. The only thing we are asked to do is to believe in God and follow the Word of God. We are asked to honor him not only with our lips, but from heart, to seek God, to follow God, to love God. This is the essence of faith.

III. Those who complain will accept instruction (Vs. 17-24)
Lastly let’s end by looking at the restoration of “Ariel” (1) in verses 17 to the end of the chapter. First let’s read verses 17 to 21.
Vs. 17-21
This is the prophecy of the recovery of “Ariel” (1), Jerusalem, Israel. Here it says, “In a short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?” (17) “In a short time”(17) is “in that day” in the next verse. This refers to the end of the world. At the end of the world Lebanon will “be turned into a fertile field.” (17) Lebanon used to be full of buried land mines, but now it has been turned into magnificent fruit orchards. It isn’t well know, But Lebanon is 40% Christian. The prophecy of Lebanon’s recovery is being fulfilled little by little. At the end of the world, this will be fulfilled completely.
That isn’t just Lebanon. Those whose ears could not hear, those who could not see with their eyes will all listen to the Word of God and try to understand. People who thought that the Bible is boring and can’t understand it and didn’t want to read it will gladly “hear the words of the scroll.” (18) Those who didn’t understand what it was saying will see clearly. They will understand. They will think, “The Bible is really interesting! I want to study it more. I want to know more.” The Lord will give the people who humble themselves like this and the needy happiness and enjoyment. “The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down- those who with a word make someone out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice“ (20, 21) That is because the Lord Jesus will return. In that day, The Lord will make all things clear and correct all lies.
“Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob: ‘No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale. When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.’” (22-24)
In that day “they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.” (23,24) People who don’t know what to do, have lost their way, can’t make decisions, lost in lust, lost in money, a confused heart, can’t make a correct decision “will gain understanding”. (24) They will no longer fall to temptation. Also “those who complain will accept instruction.” (24) The people who in the daily trials they meet think painfully “why?” “why do these terrible things happen?” “will accept instruction.” (24)
Psalm 119:71
Trials are changed into grace. What a thankful thing!
God will for sure do this for you. That is because you are God’s “Ariel”. (1) You are God’s City Jerusalem. This is the city of God that God ordained. God is with you. He will protect you from all misfortunes, and fill you with joy forever. “The LORD, who redeemed Abraham will redeem you and place you in God’s city. “In a very short time” (17) you like Lebanon will “be turned into a fertile field.” Let’s believe this and humbly list to God’s Word and follow it. Let’s become poor and seek God’s Word. If so the Lord will give you understanding. Is your heart lost? Are you complaining about the things you are facing? Please listen to God’s teachings. Then understand it. Focus your eyes on God’s big plans that are there. Study the Lord’s teaching. This is the origin of blessings.

Today let’s look at Isaiah 28 from verse 14 to the end. Verse 14 says, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.“ “Scoffers“ are　the drunk priests and prophets of Isaiah 28:7. They hear the words that Isaiah spoke and repulsively said,　“Who it is he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message?” They thought his teaching was completely child like. They thought of themselves as wise people. Isaiah accepted the words of Bible just as it said and taught exactly what it said so they thought it was too childish for them and they didn’t show any interest at all in the message. They looked down upon it because the thought it was foolish. They thought it wasn’t necessary for them to study the Bible because they had read it though and had heard the same story over and over again. They thought it wasn’t necessary for them to listen. They didn’t want to hear any more. Therefore, they didn’t try to hear. Today’s passage was written to the people who ridiculed Isaiah.

I. The one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic (Vs. 15,16)
First please look at verses 15 and 16. Verse 15 says, “You boast, ‘We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When on overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”
This “dead” (15) and “the realm of the dead” refer to Egypt. At that time Assyria was threatening Jerusalem. Northern Israel had already been swallowed up by Assyria. That power threatened Southern Judah too. They didn’t pay attention to Isaiah’s warning to just depend upon God. Instead they “made an agreement” (15) with the neighboring country, Egypt. By doing that they thought that even if “an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,” (15) they would be o.k. “It cannot touch” (15) them. They thought that if the occasion arose, Egypt would watch over them so they were secure. However, it was like they had “entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead” (15) they had “made an agreement.” (15) It wouldn’t help them at all. Here Assyria is expressed as “an overwhelming scourge”. (15) They will come attacking like “an overwhelming scourge.” (15) No matter how great an agreement they make with Egypt, it will be useless. They who made light of God’s Word and didn’t expect anything from God thought they could take care of the situation on their own. That was “a lie” (15) and a “falsehood”. (15) In the course of time they were threatened and threatened by Assyria. A life of a person that doesn’t listen to God’s Word is like this. To think that you know the Bible so you are o.k. To think that that you have heard the message many times. To think that it is not necessary for you to study. Such thinking is to make “a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” (15) Therefore, the Bible says what to do in I Peter 2:1 and 2.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (I Peter 2:1, 2)
We must “like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (I Peter 2:2) A new born baby probably does not think about anything. He only is hungry and “craves” (I Peter 2:2) breast milk. In the same way we must “like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk.” (I Peter 2:2)
What this Word of God is saying to us is written in verse 16. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”
This is a Messianic prophecy. We know this content is prophesying about Jesus Christ because it is quoted in the New Testament. It is quoted in Romans 9:33 and 10:11 and also in I Peter 2:6. It is quoted in Romans two times so we can see how important to Paul these words were. First let’s look at Romans 9:33.
Romans 9:33
The words are different, but that is because the Hebrew words that the words of Isaiah were written in were translated into Greek. That translation was then translated again into English so the words have changed a little. However, of course in line of thought it hasn’t changed. What is interesting is in the places that Isaiah uses “it” has been changed to “him”. This “him” of course is Jesus Christ. If you read this in the context of the letter to Romans, you will see clearly that is Jesus Christ. Paul understood that this “precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” (16) was Jesus Christ.
That is the same in Romans 10:11 too. Here it says, “As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ “This “Scripture” (Romans 10:11) is of course Isaiah 28:16 That is because verse 9 just before it says, ”If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It is easy to be saved, to become a Christian. ”If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9, 10) All you have to do is believe in Jesus. All you have to do is “declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that” (Romans 10:9) Jesus died on the cross and then 3 days later rose again. If so, you too will be saved. That is because Jesus is a “precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” (16)
Romans 9:33 has words that are not in Isaiah 28:16. That is a stone “that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” (Romans 9:33) This is borrowed from Isaiah 8:14. This was changed. Isaiah 8:14 says, “he will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.” Paul combined Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14 and quoted them together in Romans 9:33. In exactly the same way Peter too quoted it. Please look at I Peter 2:6 to 8.
I Peter 2:6-8
Here Peter not only combines Isaiah 28:16 and Isaiah 8:14, but in addition adds Psalms 118:22 to the explanation. Certainly Jesus is the chosen “precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” (16) that Isaiah in the Old Testament spoke about and “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) However, it is saying that that doesn’t mean that all people will believe. There are people who believe and people that don’t believe. For those who believe there is no one of greater worth than Jesus to depend upon. However, for those who don’t believe he is the reverse. He is “a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” (Romans 9:33) Peter wanted to say this.
It is sad, but not all people will believe. Even God’s chosen people, Israel, are so. The Words of Isaiah chapter 28 are words of judgment upon the spiritual leaders of Israel. They made fun of what Isaiah said, said his words were childlike and didn’t accept what he had to say. They made light of Isaiah’s ministry. This is the same in every age. 2,700 years before in the age of Isaiah too, 2,000 years before in the age of Peter and Paul too, and also in the present of the year 2012 mankind’s essence hasn’t changed. People who don’t believe don’t believe and people, who believe, believe. The people who believe are saved. Salvation is extremely simple. ”If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) However, that is difficult to do. We tend to think of it as more difficult than it actually is. We think that we have to do this and we have to do that. We make it more complicated than it actually is. However, what the Bible teaches us is that is in order to be saved there aren’t many things that we have to do. We only need to believe in Jesus as our savior.
Please look at John 6:28 and 29. Here it says, “Then they asked him, ’What must we do to do the works God requires?’” Jesus answered, ‘the work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’” “They” (John 6:28) are the Jews of Jesus’ age. They came to Jesus and asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (John 6:28) It is interesting that the word “works” is in the plural form. In other words they thought that in order to be saved, in order to go to heaven, they had to do many works. This is how man thinks. They think that in order to be saved, you must do many things. You have to do this. You have to do that. We think if we don’t do those things then we won’t be saved. For example, if we do some bad little things, then we think we have to do lots of good thing in order for our sin to be canceled. That is man’s nature.
However Jesus said. “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29) “The one he sent” (John 6:29) is Jesus Christ. To believe in Jesus Christ is “the work of God”. (John 6:29) This “work” (John 6:29) is in singular form. There is only one thing that you have to do to be saved. Not only that but that thing is not something that you have to do by your own effort. All you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ. That is “the work of God.” (John 6:29)
We cannot save ourselves. We are completely powerless. Therefore we can only be helped by someone with more strength than us who can save us. That is Jesus Christ. However, many people don’t think that a savior is necessary and try by their own strength, by their won works try to save themselves. They think that they can keep themselves safe from scourges or curses. If you buy a charm, if you go to the temple, if you pray before the butsudan, if you put water on the god shelf, then you will be protected. If such things will save you, then Jesus Christ isn’t necessary. It wasn’t necessary for Christ to come to this world. Christ had to come to this world because we are completely powerless. God had mercy on us and sent the savior to save us. That is Jesus Christ. If it was not for Jesus Christ, we could not be saved. Jesus Christ is our only hope.
Only Jesus led a life without even one sin. Only Jesus had victory over death and rose again. Jesus Christ is the real savior. Isaiah expressed this by saying he is a “tested stone”. (16) He is a stone that has been examined over and over again and fully proven. This means that it is a stone which has been tested for blemishes and its ability to withstand pressure. Therefore it is “ a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.” (16) A stone that looks nice on the outside, but under a little testing breaks into pieces is unstable and is unable to support an entire house. Jesus Christ has no blemishes and no dirty spots. Only by holding onto him can you be saved. It is really a simple and clear message. ”If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) This is the only way in which we can be saved. It is the way that God has given us.

However, we look for other ways. We think that if we make an agreement with Egypt then we’ll be o.k. If we seek counsel from others, we’ll be o.k. We depend on things other than God. The Bible teaches that when we depend on other things, we will fail. However, “anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) Anyone who believes and depend on Christ will never fail.
Today’s passage says, “the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” (16) You can bear yourself nobly. What power! If Jesus is with you, you have nothing to fear. God who you can depend upon the most is always with you. No matter what happens, you’re o.k. How are you going to pay all your bills this month? No problem. Jesus owns all the money in all the banks in all the world. What will happen if I get sick? No problem. Jesus is the supreme doctor so there is no reason to worry. But my home is falling apart! Our relationship is bad! You need only to go to Jesus, the supreme counselor for counsel. He will become your strength. Jesus Christ who saved you from hell, is always standing next to you. “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) However, if you depend upon something other than Him, that thing will certainly betray you. You will fail. You will become discouraged. And as a result, you will be hurt. Jesus will never betray you. Don’t think about this and that and make it complicated. Hold onto Jesus Christ. Depend upon him and you “will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) “The one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” (16)

II. God’s alien task (Vs. 17-22)
The second point is God’s judgment upon Judah who disregarded God’s warning. Please look at verses 17 to 19.
Verse 17-19
This is saying that making a “covenant with death” is completely useless and will not help at all. “Hail” (17) and “water” (17) refers to the violent attack of Assyria. Towards Judah who did not depend upon God and by their own strength tried to deal with the situation God sends Assyria as a “scourge” (15) to punish them. The “overwhelming scourge”(15) is a mixed metaphor referring to the army of Assyria. “Overwhelming scourge”(15) pictures an army as “hail” (17), and overflowing water. “When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,” (18) they “will be beaten down by it.” (18) A scourge is a whip. God will use Assyria as a whip to punish Judah. For those who don’t believe it will bring panic and failure, but “the one who relies on it will never by stricken with panic.” (16)

However, that is not all. Verse 20 says, “The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.”
“The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you” (20) refers to Egypt. Just as “The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you,” (20) Egypt lacks the ability to give hope and real feelings of security. Egypt is useless as a “refuge” (15) as a place to rest, and as a place to warm their bodies. To make an agreement with the world does not bring complete security. The world’s bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.” (20) To think that you have life insurance so you’re o.k. or you have money in the bank so you’re safe or you own property, you have stocks, or you have good health so you’re o.k., or you have a job, or you have abilities is like having a security blanket, but the blanket is “too narrow to wrap around you.” (20) You think these things will keep you warm, but “the bed is too short” (20) so your feet are cold. “The bed”(20) is useless. There is a time in our life when there is something which we can’t do anything about. That is death. When the enemy, death, comes you will realize that your hiding place in the world will not take care of you. Such things can’t really keep you warm. They are “too short” (20) and “too narrow.” (20)
On the other end, if you depend on Jesus, you will be taken care of. If you believe in Jesus and confess Jesus as your Lord, “This is the place of repose”. (12)
Matt. 11:28
In Jesus there is real rest and contentment. If you come to Jesus, you will receive complete peace and protection. Please look at verse 21.
Vs. 21
“Rise up as he did at Mount Perazim, he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon” (21) refers to the earlier event when David was attacked by the Philistines, the Lord helped David and at Mount Perazim he defeated the Philistines. David said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” (I Chron. 14:11) God performed an “alien task”. (21) This is the same in every age. In Isaiah’s age too Assyria’s King Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem. That was in 701 B.C. Against such a huge power there was nothing that they could do. In such a situation if they trusted in the Lord, the Lord will help them. The details of this will appear later in chapter 37, but in one night the Lord’s angel went to the Assyrian army and killed 185,000 men. It wasn’t because Isaiah or Hezekiah had done something. It was only the result of them only holding on to God and praying to God. God worked. As a result the Assyrian King, King Sennacherib left. If you depend upon the Lord, the Lord will take care of you. It isn’t like a bed that is too short or a blanket that is “too narrow to wrap around you.” (20) It is complete protection and care.
That is not just in the age of David and Isaiah. Every age is the same. Here it says, “the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me of the destruction decreed against the whole land.” (22) In Isaiah’s age this is Assyria and King Sennacherib. They surrounded Jerusalem, but the Lord answered Isaiah’s and Hezekiah’s prayers and completely destroyed the Assyrian army. However, this isn’t just about the age of Hezekiah. This is also a prophecy about an event at the end of the world. In the course of time at the end of the world Jerusalem will be surrounded. Armies will assemble from the North, South, East and West and the entire world at the hill of Armageddon. There they will try to fight the Lord. This is the war of Armageddon. At that time Christ will come from heaven and sit on the throne in Jerusalem. God will blow them away with one breath and will have complete victory. This is this prophecy. In David’s age God who gave victory over the Philistines in Isaiah’s age gave victory over Assyria’s attack and then at the end of the world, against all of the evil powers of the world he will give complete victory. In every age the Lord is victorious and he gives complete care to those who depend upon him. The bed is not too short. The blanket is not too narrow. He performs “alien task”. (21)
Therefore, we must not continue to mock. Those who mocked God and didn’t think anything of not believing in Jesus Christ, must repent, believe that the Lord is God and humbly believe God’s salvation. Also those that even though they heard God’s word, thought that they had had enough , that they have heard it many times so they know it, and have their ears closed to God’s word, must “like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk.” (I Peter 2:2)

III. Wonderful in counsel (Vs. 23-29)
Lastly let’s look at verses 23 to 29. This is a poetic parable of farming. Isaiah said, “listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say,”(23) Then he told this farming parable. This farming parable is a summary of all that Isaiah has said up until now. Up until now Isaiah has talked about depending upon God. Isaiah said that we shouldn’t become humanistic thinking about what we know, how we think, what strengths we have, but we must always just depend upon God. This farming parable is said to be a summary of this. First let’s read verses 24 and 25.
Verses 24 and 25
After the farmer plows the soil, he plants the seeds, but the way he plants is different depending on the seed he is planting. “Caraway”(25) and “cumin”(25) are spices. Such seeds are planted by hand. “Wheat”(25), “barley” (25), and “spelt”(25) are planted in different places according to their kind. “Wheat” (25) is planted in rows. “Barley” (25) is planted in plots. “Spelt” is planted in fields. In other words, the farmer plants each of the seeds according to the kind of seed it is. The farmer plants each seed in the best place for the kind of seed it is.
In verse 27 and 28 it describes what it is like at harvest time. “Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin. Caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick.” (27)
The farmer uses various procedures and methods . The places, timing, and methods of planting the seeds are different. In harvesting too, the way it is harvested is different for each plant. In the same way in God’s kingdom, there are many different ways to plant the seeds. Each person is different. However, God uses the right method for each individual. Behind history God is working. Even if things aren’t going like we think they should, God knows the situation and according to the situation leads for the best. Isaiah says in verse 29,”All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.”
Just as the Lord had the best plan for them, in this age, even though the situation may be different, he does what is best for us. Therefore what is necessary for us is even though we don’t understand, depend upon God and leave everything in God’s hands. Even when humanly speaking depending upon Egypt looks safe, in every age we need to listen to what God is saying about it, what God’s will is and leave it all in the hands of God. This is the key to blessings in all ages. How about you? Have you “entered into a covenant with death”? (15) Such covenants are useless. The stone God laid in Zion “a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” (16) This “sure foundation”(16) is Jesus Christ. “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) Please believe on him and make him “a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” (16) of your life. If so, no matter what happens in your life, the Lord will take care of you and do what is best for you. God is everything that you need and he isn’t lacking in anything. He performs “alien task.” (21)

Today I would like to talk from the first half of Isaiah 28. From Isaiah 24 to 27 Isaiah talks about God’s plan of salvation that will occur in the entire world at the end of the world. However, he returns again to talking about Israel and Judah, especially Judah and Jerusalem. Here Isaiah talks about a problem that he hadn’t talked with them about yet. He is talking about sin.

I. Ephraim’s drunkards (vs. 1-6)
Let’s look at verses 1 to 6. First let’s read vs. 1 and 2.
Vs. 1,2
Here it says, “Ephraim”. (1) “Ephraim” (1) is one of the 12 tribes of Israel, but this refers to Northern Israel. Israel was originally an unified country, but in 931 B.C. like Korea it was divided into North and South. The north was made up of 10 tribes and the South was made up of the 2 tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The largest and strongest tribe in Northern Israel was Ephraim so Ephraim was used to refer to Northern Israel. On the other hand, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was called Judah. Here is a sentence against Northern Israel. “Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley-“ (1)
God is lamenting “Woe” (1) to Northern Israel because of their pride. Here is says, “the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards”. (1)　This describes them at a feast drunk day and night. Even though they were in the dangerous situation of Assyria attacking, they said they were o.k. They thought they were rich so they thought there was no reason to fear. They didn’t open their ears to God’s warning. In reality the land of Ephraim was abundant, and crops were plentiful. Here the words, “flower” (1) and “fertile valley” (1) shows this. Their soil was very “fertile” and the products of it very abundant. (1)Flowers were abundantly produced in Ephraim. Dairy farming also flourished there. Things like the flower of Sharon were also produced in Ephraim. Economically they were rich. That was the reason they were puffed up with pride and were like “drunkards”. They thought they were o.k. because they were rich. They thought that even if Assyria attacked, they would have no problem. They thought that no matter what attacked them that they were o.k. They didn’t feel any threats so their hearts became insensible. The Lord called this being a “drunkard”. (1) When you drink and become drunk, you can’t make correct decisions about things. In the same way their pride, and putting too much trust in themselves, made their hearts go mad like a “drunkard”. (1)
Please look at I John 2:16.
I John 2:16
“The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father.” (I John 2:16) They all come “from the world.” (I John 2:16) Especially in Ephraim “the pride of life” was a problem. This “comes not from the Father”. (I John 2:16) “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” were their own desires. They made such things as if they were the desires of God so the people were in such a state that the things they should hear, they didn’t hear. They had become “drunkards”. (1) When you are drunk, you don’t know what condition you are in. In the state of a “drunkard” (1) you can’t see reality. Therefore, you think, “O.K.” “O.K.” “There’s no problem at all”, etc. You spend your days laughing thinking that everything is fun. Such pride will certainly be knocked down. Verse 3 and 4 say, “That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, will be trampled underfoot. That fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley, will be like figs ripe before harvest.” It will be broken into pieces.
This age is the same. God is giving warnings in this age too. We aren’t listening. We mustn’t do the same thing as Ephraim. In our hearts we may have the same kind of pride as them. We may think that we O.K. We may not feel any threats. Even if a bullet came, we are not afraid. We may think that even if we don’t listen to God’s Word that we can have enough fun living. That is the same as Ephraim. It is being in the state of a “drunkard”.(1) You can’s see your own state. Such pride will certainly fall. We must open our ears to God’s voice, and obediently obey.
Please look at verses 5 and 6. Even to this prideful Ephraim the Lord gives comfort. He promises to prepare a remnant. “In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” (5,6)
“In that day” (5) refers to the Tribulation and Millennium that will continue after it at the end of the world. “In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.” (5) The majority of the Ephraim people as “drunkards” (1) will be destroyed by the judgment of God, but God will prepare a “remnant of his people”(5) from among them. God “will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant.” (5) Verse six is a difficult sentence to understand, but the Lord “will be a spirit of justice” (6) and “a source of strength” (6) so the remnant will be able to listen to the Lord’s voice and make correct judgments. “Drunkards” (1) are different. They don’t understand what is good and acceptable to God, or now what kind of age they are living in, or now what conditions they are in. That is because they are drunk. However, the remnant is different. By God’s “spirit of justice” (6) and God’s “strength” (6) they are able to make correct decisions. We are

the remnant. Let’s be a person that isn’t proud of his state and doesn’t put too much trust in himself, but just earnestly desires the will of God. We need to desire to always be awake and open our ears to the Word of God so that we can make correct decisions.

II. Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that (Vs. 7-10)
Next let’s look at verses 7 to 9. First of all please look at verses 7 and 8.
Verses 7 and 8
“And these also” (7) are the leaders of the Southern Judah Kingdom. Not just Ephraim, but Southern Judah too was in the state of being “drunkards”. (1) The priests and prophets while being spiritual leaders were in the condition of being “drunkards”. (1) Perhaps they were drunk from celebrating. When they heard that the allied forces of Aram and Ephraim were going to attack they advised King Ahaz to immediately seek support and help from Assyria. They though if they did that Southern Judah would be safe. However, that was not the Lord’s will. God wanted them to just depend upon God and wait expectantly for God’s salvation, but they depended on humanistic things. Their decision was wrong. They made such a wrong decision because they were “drunkards”. (1) It is true that by doing that their association between Assyria will be friendly bounded by secret promises and Southern Judah will be safe from the allied forces of Aram and Ephraim. However, as a result, next Assyria will cause them to suffer. Yesterday’s friend is today’s enemy. Human society is always like that. Man always does what is good for himself. Judah’s spiritual and religious leaders the priests and the prophets didn’t know that and were drunk with the wine of celebration. The real prophet, Isaiah, appeared there and proclaimed God’s word. Isaiah proclaimed to them, “And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.” (7)
They were in a position where they must make decisions spiritually about things, and make correct decisions, but they too are drunk! The priests and prophets too “stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.” (7) It would be like a pastor giving a sermon when he is drunk.
If we look at the Old Testament, according to the law, the spiritual leaders like the priests and prophets, were forbidden to drink alcohol.
Lev. 10:9
People who served God like the priests and Levites “are not to drink wine or other fermented drink (Lev. 10:9) That is so they could make correct decisions and so they could calmly make the decisions. When a person drinks, he can’t make correct decisions. The reason we must not drive when we drink is because when we drink we can’t drive correctly. We don’t drive when we drink because there is danger that by drinking we might have a fatal accident. The same thing can be said spiritually. Drinking dulls our judgment. In I Timothy 3:3 qualifications for overseers in the church is given. One of the qualifications is not to be “given to drunkenness.” (I Timothy 3:3) “not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, no quarrelsome…” (I Timothy 3:3) The reason why drinking is not good is because it dulls your judgment. If you are a spiritual leader, it is even more so. The spiritual leader holds the destiny of the people in all kinds of situations. He is looked to for correct decisions. If he is drunk then he can’t give correct decisions. As a result it will bring destruction and huge tragedy. Therefore, you must not be “given to drunkenness.” (I Timothy 3:3)
However, this is not just limited to church leaders. This is desired of all people that stand over others. If you are the leader of the family, to steadfastly take care of the family spiritually, to lead the family, you must not be drunk. If a person who is in an important situation is drunk, then it will bring destruction and tragedy. There are people that say alcohol is one kind of communication. If you don’t have alcohol, then you can’t really talk from your heart. Some people think that they can’t have a relationship with people without drinking. They think that they can’t have ease from worries without drinking, but such people are always drinking. Christians don’t need to drink in order to talk from their hearts. They don’t have to have drinking as their refuge. They can get rid of their stress. The Bible does not force asceticism upon us. However, it promises greater blessings. Even though you don’t get drunk, it brings us greater joy. Even so there are those that think that if you don’t drink life is boring. Even spiritual leaders like “priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine.” (7) According to verse 8 they were such a state that “all the tables are covered with vomit and there is not a spot without filth.” It is like the parking lot of a convenience store.
Not only that, but they are saying the following. In verses 9 and 10 they say, “Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there.”
This “he” (9) is Isaiah. This drunken party is severely reacting to Isaiah’s sharply put points. “Who do you regard us as? Talking to us as teaching a baby or toddler…Do you think that we don’t know God’s revelation? If you open your mouth, you
say, ‘Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that.’ (10) Stop nagging us.” Talking like a drunkard they complained to Isaiah that his teaching was too simple, too child like, and that he spoke like he was speaking to a child.
”Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that” (10) in Hebrew uses the same words over again. It is really simple and clear-cut. Even a child would understand. They are saying that Isaiah’s level is really low and are making fun of him. This is really deeply interesting. These priests and prophets while being drunk saw visions and rendered decisions, they tell Isaiah to talk more refined.
II Timothy 4:1-5
As the end of the world nears, people like the priests and prophets in the age of Isaiah will appear. They “will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teaches to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (II Timothy 4:3,4) They will say that to just simply listen to what is written in the Bible is child like. They want a message that contains what “their itching ears want to hear” (II Timothy 4:3) They want a message that suits “their own desires”. (II Timothy 4:3) They want to hear a message that will bring self fulfillment. They want to hear a message on things like how you can be successful and live a shining life. At the end of the world there will be a lot of people like that. That’s why they won’t go to church too. The Bible is too simple. It’s too boring. They want to hear a more stimulating, more moving message. A 1 minute deep message is good. They don’t want to hear a 30 minute boring message. They want to hear a 3 minute message that reaches their hearts, a deep talk. However, to read the Bible the way it is gives it worth. That is because the Bible was written by the Holy Spirit. It is different from what people from here or there wrote. It was written by Holy Spirit of God. By the Holy Spirit we are shown our flaws, receive warning, our thoughts are changed, and so our actions are changed.
America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln said that the Bible was the greatest present that God gave to mankind. All that mankind desires for happiness is included in the Bible. That is because the author of the Bible is not man, but the only real living God. No matter how boring and dull a message it is, it is the truth and it brings us life.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life..” (John 14:6) If you want to have life, you must go to Jesus. If you want to go to God the Father, you must believe in Jesus. The Bible offers us the way to life.
Paul said to the Church of Corinth that desired well-educated wisdom and looked down upon Paul, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (I Cor. 1:18-20)
The truth is simple. It isn’t so complicated. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (I Cor. 1:18) We must read the Bible itself, the words of the cross. We are taught from the Bible. That is enough. This is what is necessary for us.

When we are pressed by some kind of crisis, more than God’s Word we seek some kind of solution. We immediately have a consultation with an expert. We try to borrow help from others. We take any means. That is of itself is not a problem, but there is something we must do first. That is to listen to God. We mustn’t depend on our own strength and wisdom, but we must listen to God. What is God saying? We must listen to God’s voice. If not, it will end with disappointing results. Therefore, “Do this, do that, a rule for this a rule for that” (10) is enough. If you listen to the Word of God, you will for sure change. That is because that is where God’s power works.

III. This is the resting place (vs. 11-13)
Lastly, let’s look at verses 11 to 13.
Vs. 11-13
It is interesting. To the Jewish spiritual leaders that criticized Isaiah, the Lord quotes their words and issues judgment. “Foreign lips and strange tongues” means words that they can’t understand. These are words that they are ignorant of the meaning of. They can’t speak the words. What does this mean? 1. This is thought to be referring to Assyria. They will be judged by people who speak with words that can’t be understood, that they are ignorant of the meaning of. Deut. 28:49 says, “The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand.” These are words that the Lord spoke through Moses. “The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand.” This is Assyria, Babylon, and Rome. These countries came against them. They spoke “with foreign lips and strange tongues.” (11) Even though God says, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest…This is the place of repose,” (12) they didn’t listen. Therefore, they were judged by such countries.
2. These words are quoted in I Cor. 14:21. Please open your Bibles to this passage.
I Cor. 14:21
It is quoted here. This is used in the context of explaining about the Spiritual gift of tongues. Tongues is one gift of the Holy Spirit. It is words that man can’t understand. In verse 4 of I Cor. 14 it says, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” Tongues is a private gift. It edifies yourself. Prophecy “edifies the church.”(I Cor. 14:4) It builds the whole church up. However, tongues are different. Tongues edify yourself. When your spirit is tired, when you pray in tongues, you are healed. When you sing in tongues, you are set free. Tongues are not your own words, but words of the Spirit. You pray in the Spirit. You sing in the Spirit. Sometimes we don’t know how we should pray. We want to pray, but the words don’t come. We want to pray but we can’t find the words. At times like this the gifts of tongues are used. No matter how tired you are your lips move naturally. You praise God
naturally. You pray with your mind and you pray in the Spirit. Usually we pray in our mind and we sing in our mind, but when we receive the gift of tongues, we pray in the spirit. Therefore, no matter how tired we are, we can pray.
These are spiritual words so generally we can’t understand them. Therefore as I Cor. 14:23 says, “if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” Therefore “if any one speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three-should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.” (I Cor. 14:27,28) That is that others won’t think “that you are out of your mind” (I Cor. 14:23) and so it doesn’t become a stumbling block for them. Please look at I Cor. 14:22. It says, “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.” Tongues are “not for believers but for unbelievers.” (I Cor. 14:22) In the next verse, verse 23 it says, “So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” These 2 verses don’t seem to match.
To understand this we must look carefully at the context. The context is quoting Isaiah’s words in verse 21. In other words, these “unbelievers” (I Cor. 14:22) are not those “who do not understand or…unbelievers” (I Cor. 14:23) These “unbelievers” (I Cor. 14:22) are those who did not listen to the Word of God that Isaiah spoke. In Isaiah this would be the drunk priests and prophets. They needed to be spoken to in unclear words. They needed to be spoken to “with foreign lips and strange tongues”. (11) By that they would be shocked and their eyes opened. These “unbelievers” (I Cor. 14:22) are not those “who do not understand or…unbelievers,” (I Cor. 14:23) but are those who believe in God but don’t believe in the Word of God and don’t listen to the Word of God.
Such people have no resting place. Such people are always humanistic. They don’t acknowledge that God is alive and working. Real salvation, real life, real healing, and real rest is in Jesus Christ. The Lord is saying this. We must believe that.
Please look at Matt. 11:28 to 30.
Matt. 11:28-30
This verse is the verse used the most on church signs. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Do you believe these words? If you come to Jesus there is real rest. If you go to Jesus, take his yoke upon you and learn from him, “you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29) Even if you have not received the gift of tongues, if you go to Jesus, “you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29) The problem is whether you will listen to the Word of God or not; whether you will believe in the Word of God and obey or not. If you go to Jesus, take his yoke upon you and learn from him, “you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29) However, if because of pride, you don’t accept God’s word, or your own thinking is too strong, and you don’t listen to the Word of God, you will not receive rest. All we need is “Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that.” (10) We need to simply listen to the Word of God. We need to depend upon God. “This is the resting place…this is the place of repose.” (12)Let’s put our faith in the Word of the cross, the Word of salvation, in God’s Word and let’s learn from him.