投稿者: otawara-1

Today I would like to look at the last half of chapter 11 of Isaiah. In the first half of chapter 11, we are told what the Messiah who sprouts out of the stump of Jesse is like. Said in one word, He is filled with the Lord’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Messiah who is filled with the Lord’s Spirit will bring a perfect kingdom.
In today’s passage, one other big event that will occur at the Lord’s second coming is prophesized. That is the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. The Jews who have been dispersed throughout the whole world will be gathered in Jerusalem. This will happen. When this happens the end of the world is near. Today let’s look at three points of this event.

I. Christ, the King of the world (Vs. 10)
First please look at verve 10.
“In that day” (10) is pointing to both an event in the age of Isaiah and an event in the far future. “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” (1) The Root of Jesse” (10) also appeared in verse 1. It was a title of the Messiah. It is Jesus Christ. In that Day Jesus Christ “will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” (10) Paul quoted this verse in Romans 15:12.
Romans 15:12
Here it says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations.” (Romans 5:12) Here Paul is referring to the salvation of the Gentiles. The Gentiles too by the mercy of God will be saved and together with the Jews “with one mind and one voice” (Romans 15:6) will “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6) In other words, the coming Messiah is not just for the Jews, but is the Savior of whole world including the Gentiles. He will be the king of the whole earth. That is the meaning of “the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples.” (10) “In that day” (10) this will occur. In the last days when the later part of the 7 years of the Great Tribulation have passed, when Christ comes and stands again on this earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then he will rule the Kingdom of the Millennium. Here this Kingdom is called a “resting place”. (10) Christ is a “resting place” not only for the Jews, but for people from all over the world. People from the entire world will take refuge in Christ, “and his resting place will be glorious.” (10)
Where is your resting place? What is glorious for you? What are you putting your hope in? Christ is a resting place. Let’s remember that we should rally to the Messiah, the Savior, and Christ who “will stand as a banner for the peoples”. (10)

II. The Lord who gathers again (Vs. 11-13)
First please look at verses 11 and 12.
Here too the words, “In that day” appear again. This refers as I said earlier to an event both in the age of Isaiah and to an event in the future. “In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people.” (11) Here it says, “A second time” (12) which means this has happened one time before. This was the event of the Exodus. In the past Israel was for 430 years in the condition of being enslaved, but God reached out his hand and saved them. In the same way God will reclaim Israel who had been captured and save her.
In the age of Isaiah this refers to the deportation by Babylon. In the age of Isaiah the country of Assyria was a menace. A huge issue was how to deal with the attack of Assyria. Northern Israel didn’t depend upon God, but formed a coalition with King Rezin of Aram in opposition so Israel was destroyed by Assyria. This was in 722 B.C. This was the chastisement of God against Israel who didn’t depend upon God, but depended upon Assyria. However, King Hezekiah of Northern Judah wasn’t like this. He received Isaiah’s advice and only depended upon God and prayed so he was able to overcome the danger. The Lord answered Hezekiah’s prayer and performed a miracle. In one night God killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. However, after that they were destroyed by Ｂabylonia. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and completely destroyed the Jerusalem temple. This was in 586 B.C. Then they exiled the Jews captive to Babylon. This is what Isaiah is prophesizing about. Here it says, “Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.” (11) However, the Lord after 70 years in exile had mercy on them and brought them back again to their homeland, Jerusalem.
However, this is not the only thing this is saying. At the end of the world the same thing will occur. “He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.” (12) The Jews that have been dispersed throughout the world until then will return to Jerusalem. Unexpectedly this prophecy was fulfilled in 1948. The Jews that were dispersed throughout the world returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the country of Jerusalem. Who could have ever imagined that the Jews that were destroyed by Rome in 70 A.D. and dispersed throughout the world would after the passing of 1900 years would return again to Jerusalem? However, God just like this prophecy says “assembled the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.” (12) Then on May 14, 1948 Israel was officially recognized as a country by the United Nations. That was to fulfill what was said here.
Matt. 5:18
What God says always happens. Let’s remember that what we can really depend upon is the Word of God, the Bible. No matter how great a person’s words may be, no matter how fascinating they are, they will change. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.“ The only thing we can really depend on is the Word of God.
Here it says, “from the four quarters of the earth”. (12) Jesus quoted these words in Matt. 24:31
Matt. 24:31
Here Jesus is telling us about the signs of the last days. In the last days “they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matt. 24:31) When this happens, the end is near. It can be said that the event of Israel becoming established as a country is the beginning. When peace comes to the Middle East and the land of Israel then it is closer to coming to the end. Already summer is near. The Lord’s second coming is already come this close. Are you ready? Are you prepared for the Lord to come at any time?
Our Lord Jesus in Matt. 25 tells how those who are waiting expectantly for the Lord can prepare their hearts. That is in the story of the 10 virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom. 5 of them were foolish because they prepared the lamps, but they didn’t prepare the oil for them. On the other hand, the 5 other virgins brought oil with their lamps. The bridegroom was late in coming so everyone began to fall asleep. In the middle of the night someone cried out, “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” (Matt. 25:6) All the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. However, the foolish virgins didn’t bring oil for their lamps so they said to the wise virgins, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” (Matt. 25:8) However, the wise virgins said, “No…there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.” (Matt. 25:9) While they were shopping at the store, the bridegroom came and the 5 virgins that had prepared their oil went to the wedding banquet. Then “the door was shut.” (Matt. 25:10)
Christians must prepare oil for their lamps. Our lamps are the light of our faith. The oil is the Holy Spirit. Christians must not only have a faith of belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior, but they must have the oil of the Holy Spirit that continues to keep a burning faith. They must be filled with filled with the Holy Spirit. Before the second coming of our Lord, all men must receive the Holy Spirit and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The bridegroom came in the middle of the night. Our Lord Jesus might come in the middle of the night. When Christians are falling asleep they might hear the call, “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” (Matt. 25:6) When Christians are dozing off, Christ will come. Satan is desperate and is making Christians doze off. The church is moving in the direction of losing vigor, and becoming lukewarm. “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matt. 25:13) We need to be aware of this and along with our lamps, carry the oil of the Holy Spirit, and like the wise virgins, we should wait for the coming of the bridegroom, Christ.

III. There will be a highway (vs. 13-16)
Lastly let’s finish by looking at verses 13 to 16. First let’s read verses 13 and 14.
“Ephraim (13) is Northern Israel. Of the 12 tribes, 10 tribes belonged to Northern Israel. Among them the largest tribe was Ephraim so Northern Israel was called “Ephraim”. On the other hand “Judah” was the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
Besides the tribe of Judah which belonged to the Southern kingdom of Judah there was also the tribe of Benjamin. Judah was representative of the Southern Kingdom so it was called Judah. “Ephraim’s jealousy will vanish, and Judah’s enemies will be destroyed.” (13) In other words, Israel which was divided into the North and South will become one. After Solomon’s death since 931 B.C. Israel was divided between the North and South and they opposed each other. However, by Christ’s coming they will be unified. Now the Israel that we see is the beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy. Worldwide the Jews are returning to Jerusalem, and the Republic of Israel was founded. That country is not divided. It is an unified country. However, this perfect reality can’t be seen yet. When Jesus returns again, we will see this.
“They will swoop down on the slopes of Philistia to the west; together they will plunder the people to the east. They will subdue Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.” (14) These countries that are mentioned here were old enemies that had in the past subjected, harassed and threatened Israel. Such countries will be subject to Jews.
Today too Israel is threatened by powers. In the periphery are the Islamic small Arab countries. However, this is a prophecy that they also will obey Israel and will co-operate with Israel. There will be no one that will check Israel’s way. No one will put an obstacle in front of them and they can return freely to Jerusalem.
This is written in verses 15 and 16.
“The gulf of the Egyptian sea” is the Red Sea. Both the Red Sea and The Euphrates River protect the Mesopotamia, but in that day, when the remnant of Israel return, God will break the Euphrates River “up into seven streams so that anyone can cross over in sandals.” (15) The Lord will prepare a highway for the Israelites. Before like the day when they came from Egypt and God divided the Red Sea in half and made a road for them to take. No one will be hindered and they will be able to return.
The problem is whether you will take this road or not. Just like the Israelites who were slaves to Egypt were set free by the Lord’s strong power, the Lord will again through the real Savior Jesus Christ save you from the pits of sin’s judgment. The Lord will gather you up again. You must answer God’s invitation, and by faith make one step forward. In order to become a citizen of this new kingdom of God that God is giving you, you must walk this highway. However, inside of us we have a sinful nature of old habits and customs of the world that we can’t readily separate ourselves from.
However, the Lord will prepare a highway for you. If you will walk that road by faith, you will be able to have a joy and peace that you have never experienced up until now and you will be blessed. It all depends on whether you can step out on the highway the Lord has prepared or not. Please step out in faith. The Lord will gather you again.

Let’s apply it to our lives
* What is your “resting place”? (10) What hare you placing your hope in?

* Are you prepared for Christ’s coming? Do you have oil in your lamp?

* Are you walking on the highway that the Lord prepared? What things in your old life are you trying to leave behind you?

Today let’s look at Isaiah 11. We also looked at this passage during advent. Let’s look at this passage again in light of the context of chapter 10.

I. The coming Messiah as a shoot (vs. 1)
First please look at verse 1.
What is “the stump of Jesse”? (1) Jesse was the name of David’s father. This son, David, was a famous King, but Jesse wasn’t very well known. There were very few people that had even heard his name and there was not really anyone that was moved by him. He wasn’t really known by anyone except his neighbors. It was like, “I know David, but I don’t know anything about Jesse.”
Also Jesse was a shepherd. At that time shepherding couldn’t be said to be an outstanding job in society. A shepherd slept with and got up with the sheep, so their bodies were dirty, and they smelled so it was a job that no one wanted to do. In other words, the expression, “the stump of Jesse”, (1) was an insult, showing contempt. However, Isaiah said that “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; and from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” (1) If you are going to use a name, to use the name of a famous person is more effective. That way you will draw interest from everyone, and you can appeal to many people. Even so Isaiah did not say “of David”, but “of Jesse” (1). This was to show that the Savior while he would be born as a child into the family of David, he was also put in the lowest condition as Messiah.
Here it says “stump”. (1) A stump is what is left in the ground when a tree is cut off. In the previous chapter in 10:33 and 10:34, it says, “See, the Lord the LORD Almighty, will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be felled, the tall one will be brought low. He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.” 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Here the judgment upon Assyria is written. Assyria didn’t think about their position and were prideful so God says he is going to cut them down. After they are cut down what is left is the stump.
Judah has always been in such a condition of a stump. Also when they were attacked by Aran and Israel they didn’t depend on God, but depended upon Assyria. As a result next they were attacked by Assyria and took a big blow. The towns around Jerusalem were destroyed. Luckily Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz was a King of faith who desperately prayed to God so miraculously they were saved from the danger. 185,000 soldiers of Assyria’s army were killed by the angel of God in one night so Assyria returned to their own country.
However, that was not the end. After that the country of Babylon gained power. It was by this Babylon that Judah was completely destroyed in 586 B.C. and the people were exiled. This was the Babylonian exile. However, exactly as God promised after 70 years they returned to Jerusalem. This was by nothing except by the grace of God. Even so they turned their back on God again so they were ruled by Persia and next Greece and next Rome. They were always ruled by other countries. They were in a hopeless situation of being such a quiet forest where not a sound is heard and all the trees are felled and all that is left is just stumps.
However, in such quietness where not a sound is heard, John the Baptist was born, and then Jesus Christ was born as if to shatter the quietness. The Messiah was born as a shoot. From a single stump that looked like it had no life in it a shoot was born. From it “a Branch will bear fruit.” (1) When everyone was in despair, when no one had any expectations, the salvation of God appeared. When there was thought to be no more life, and no more hope, God’s salvation began. That is this “shoot”. (1)
Incidentally, this “Branch” is “neser” in Hebrew. This is the roots for the word, “Nazareth”. In Matthew 2:23 it says, “and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets; ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’.” This is talking about this prophecy of Isaiah 11:1. This prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled here. The Messiah “will come up from the stump of Jesse… a Branch,” (1) who “will be called a Nazarene”. (Matt. 2:23) The Branch, the Messiah is from Nazareth. This has four meanings.
1. This means that the Messiah is King. In Jeremiah 23:5 it says, “The days are coming… when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” This means the same as what is written in Isaiah. The coming Messiah is seen as a King.
2. This means that the Messiah is a servant. In Zechariah 3:8 it says, “Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come; I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.” This is the Branch as a servant.
3. This is the Messiah as a man. This is written about in Zechariah 6:12. “Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD.’” This is the Branch as a man.
4. This is the Messiah as God. In Isaiah 4:2 it says, “On that day,. The Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.”

The Branch of the Lord has these 4 meanings. It is in exact concordance with the four Gospels of New Testament. The Gospel of Matthew sees Christ as King. The Gospel of Mark sees Christ as servant. The Gospel of Luke sees Christ as man, and the Gospel of John sees Christ as God. The coming Messiah is coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Branch of the Lord is in agreement with the Gospels. 2,000 years ago too the Lord came as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, However, Judah put him on the cross and killed him. This Messiah will at the end of the world come again as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Let’s have hope in this. Your life may be in the condition of being felled and may be like a stump with nothing left on it. However, from that stump God will bring up a shoot, and from it a Branch which will bear fruit. No matter how felled you are, how despised you are, God will never leave you. God will without fail restore you.

II. The nature of the Messiah that comes as a Branch (Vs. 2-5)
Next let’s look at the nature of the Messiah who comes as a Branch. Please look at verse 2.
“The Spirit of the LORD” (2) rests on the Branch. “The Spirit of the LORD” (2) is the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, these Words were fulfilled. Then the heavens opened and the Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove and God’s voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11) The trinity appeared there. The voice of God the father, the son of God, Christ, and the Spirit of God was present. From then on Jesus’ public life, public ministry began. He received the Holy Spirit because He was baptized. He received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the same time as he was baptized by water. He took on power and went out into public ministry. By that power in the wilderness of Judea he had victory over temptation, and also by that power he performed many works that only God could do. The oil of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Jesus.
“The Spirit of the LORD” (2) here is expressed as seven Spirits. This does not mean that there are seven Spirits. There is one Holy Spirit, but He has seven works. First is “the Spirit of the LORD”. (2) Secondly, is “the Spirit of wisdom”. (2) Thirdly,. is the Spirit of “understanding” (2). Fourth, is “the Spirit of counsel” (2). Fifth is the Spirit of “power”. (2) Sixth is “the Spirit of knowledge” (2) and the seventh is the Spirit “of the fear of the LORD”. (2) This expresses the seven works of the Holy Spirit. Seven in the Bible is the number that expresses completeness. Therefore this expresses that the Holy Spirit is perfect.
Rev. 1:4

This does not mean that there are seven Spirits. This is expressing that the Lord’s Spirit has the 7 works of 11:2. This also appears in Rev. 4:5 so later please check it out. These are all expressions taken from Isaiah 11:2.
“The Spirit of the LORD”, (2) The Holy Spirit will rest upon the coming Messiah and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. However, that is not just Jesus, but all those who believe in Jesus, Christians, are the same. The Holy Spirit has been poured out upon all Christians that believe in Jesus. We too can receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8
The Holy Spirit comes upon us. When that happens we receive power. It is the power that is necessary to do the work of God. It is the power of the Holy Spirit. From the moment we believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us. Regardless of the experience when we do the work of God, ministry, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us. This is the power of the Holy Spirit. When Christians do the work of God, it is necessary that they be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is not by our own strength or our own flesh that we minister. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” (Zech. 4:6) It is necessary that we too work by the Holy Spirit.
This will be given to anyone who desires it.
Luke 11:13
“Ask and it will be given to you; see and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9,10) Let’s desire the baptism of the Holy Spirit.　That’s not just one or two times. Here it is saying to continually seek. If so just like Christ the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon you. You can take on the power of the Holy Spirit and do the work of God. Without the pouring of the Holy Spirit, you can’t be successful in the work of the Lord. Without the power of God you can’t be changed into the image of Christ. That is because that is the work of the Lord through the Holy Spirit.
Here it says, “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power.” (Acts 1:8) That power is like the power of dynamite. When we are full of that power, we can overcome any persecution. You will be able to perform works greater than your abilities. “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8) you will receive a power like dynamite. You will be able to have a life like dynamite. Of course, that is not for your own personal success. The power is so that “you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) It is so you can do the work of being a witness to Christ. Jesus gives this power so “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (1:8) At the same time, the Holy Spirit brings abundant blessings to our personal lives too.
Next please look at verses 3 to 5. Here it is written what the Messiah who is filled with the Holy Spirit of the Lord is going to do.

The Lord of Lords, the Lord will take on the power of the Holy Spirit and He will bring a kingdom that shows righteousness and faithfulness. It is not a kingdom like today where righteousness is distorted and righteousness is replaced with unrighteousness, but will establish a kingdom where righteousness and faithfulness are clearly seen. Now we have outrageous feelings towards our country. We have bitterness. We must live giving laments of “Why?” “Why this?” “For how long?” etc. There will be a time when those questions will be answered. That is when the Messiah rules the world. That is “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.” (3)
Jesus said to the woman who was caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you…Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11) Jesus saw her heart. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:8) This woman was weighed down by her sin. She thought that it was only right that she be judged, that she had done something outrageous, that she had done an irrevocable thing and that she couldn’t be helped if she was blamed for her sins and killed by stoning. She was well aware of this so she earnestly sought the mercy of the Lord. The Lord saw this heart. He saw this heart and said, “Neither do I condemn you.” (John 8:11) He didn’t judge her by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears.” (3)
But then again, Jesus strongly cares for those people who are forever trampled over, who have an outrageous time of it, who are seen by society as being weak, that have nothing to shelter them, that are extremely abused authorities, and those who are weak.
When Jesus comes again he will make this a reality. We should pray that this day will come soon, “Maranatha” “Lord, come!” This event is in other words the Lord’s second coming. This event is recorded in Revelations 19. “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.” (Rev. 19:11) Jesus Christ will come from heaven on a white horse. At that time the Christians who have already been taken up to heaven, Christ’s bride, the church, will also ride white horses and come down to this world. According to this passage Jesus will be “Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.” (Rev. 19:11) “King of Kings, Lord of Lord” is written in verse 16. Our “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev. 19:16) will judge with justice. He will fight for the weak. This is our real hope.

III. The rule of the Messiah (vs. 6-9)
Finally let’s finish by looking at what the kingdom that Messiah brings will be like. Please look at verses 6 to 9.

This is not just a poetical expression. This will happen just as it says. This is being prophesized. This is a description of Millennium that the Messiah will bring after Christ’s second coming. At that time the whole earth will be restored to the condition of the garden of Eden. Here is describing this.
At that time “the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” (6) Peace will come to the world of dog eat dog. Even if “the infant will play near the hole of the cobra” (8) he will not be harmed. That is because “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” (9) Just “as the waters cover the sea”, (9) the whole “earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD” (9) so this perfect peace will come.
For nature and the world of animals were changed by the impact of man’s sin. The first man Adam and Eve sinned so the impact of sin was extended to all of the natural world. Therefore, when Jesus comes again when sin is completely atoned for, all of the natural world will be restored to its original condition.
Romans 8:19-22
That is what is meant by all of “creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.” (Romans 8:19) When Christ returns again and atones for mankind, all of creation will be “brought into the glorious freedom.” (Romans 8:21)
Therefore, the important thing is to know the Lord. In the course of time, at the end of the world, “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD.” (9) The peaceful age of Millennium where the Lord reigns will come. This is not just at the end of the world. Today is so. If we know the Lord, the Messiah that rules the Millennium that we can’t see with our eyes, will rule our hearts.
Luke 17:20,21
“The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) Therefore, more important than when Jesus Christ is coming, is to be prepared for Christ’s second coming by believing in Christ, the Messiah and receiving the forgiveness of sins so no matter when he comes, you are o.k..
Hebrews 9:28
Are you prepared to welcome the Messiah, Christ? Isaiah prophesized that “a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” (1) The Messiah that comes from the child of Jesse, the child of David is indeed the Savior. “He will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) Jesus came one time “to take away the sins of many people”. (Hebrews 9:28) He was put on the cross and died, and 3 days later rose again and completed the work of salvation. Then in the course of time he will return again. “He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:28) Are you waiting for this salvation? Are you prepared for Christ’s second coming? Do you believe in Christ and are you living in the kingdom that Christ rules? Let’s believe in Him and live waiting expectantly for his rule. That is where real joy and hope are.

Applying it to our lives
* Are you in the condition of being a stump? In such a despairing condition do you believe that God sent the Savior to be born?

* Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Are you desiring to be filled with the Holy Spirit? How are you desiring to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

* Are you prepared for the Lord’s second coming? Have you believed in our Savior Christ and are your sins forgiven?

From Isaiah 9:8 on Isaiah spoke the Word God to Northern Israel. The central message was, ““his hand is still upraised”. (9:12) Even though they had received the Word of the Lord, they responded to the message that fell on them “with pride and arrogance of heart” (9) and didn’t listen to it. God’s hand of wrath was still upraised” (9:12) against such an Israel.
Today’s passage is not spoken to Israel, but is to Assyria. Assyria was asked by King Ahaz of Judah to attack Aram and Israel, and is the country that plundered it. It is to this Assyria that these words are spoken. Let’s learn three things from this message.
1. We must not be prideful. Just as the ax can not “raise itself above the person who swings it, or the saw boast against the one who uses it,” (15) we can not be prideful towards God. We must think about our position as an instrument of God, and we must put all our heart into it. .
2. God’s judgment will come upon such prideful men.
3. Depend upon the Lord.

I. Don’t be prideful (Vs. 5-15)
First let’s look at the pride of Assyria. Let’s look at verses 5 to 15. First let’s look at verses 5 and 6.
The Lord is uttering “Woe” to Assyria. In chapter 5 these words were repeated over and over again. There they were used as a warning of catastrophes that would come upon Israel who had turned its back on God. Here the same words are used toward Assyria. This is because even though Assyria was just an instrument of God, they deviated from their position and became conceited. Here it says, “Assyrian, the rod of my anger, in whose hand is the club of my wrath!” (5) Here the word “my” is being stressed. In other words, Assyria was only God’s instrument. Assyria was “the rod of my anger”, and “the club of my wrath”. (5) God used Assyria to punish Israel who didn’t follow God。 Assyria was to attack the people of Israel, “to seize loot and snatch plunder, and to trample them down like mud in the streets.” (6) The purpose was so Israel would repent. They were nothing more than an instrument for that purpose. Even so Assyria was proud as if though they had accomplished this by their own hand. They had the mistaken idea that by their own strength they had built up a powerful country. They thought of themselves as being more than they really were. However, this was wrong. They were nothing more than just a tool of God. Their statergy militarily succeeded. They expanded their territories. They prospered. This was all because of the hand of God. Behind all of this was God’s authority. It was definitely not by their own strength. Even so they did not understand this and were prideful. This was the problem.
Please look at verse 7. Here describes what their pride was like. “This is now what he intends” (7) means that they didn’t think that they were God’s instrument. In their heart was “to destroy”. (7) It was not on the level of punishment. It had exceeded that. Assyria’s “purpose is to destroy.” (7) Not only Israel, but Assyria’s “purpose is to destroy, to put an end to many nations.” (7) They wanted the other nations to be subject to them. They wanted to thoroughly destroy them. Assyria is famous for its cruelty. They gouged out the eyes of their enemies, chopped off their noses, chopped off their ears, and put hooks in their tongues and pulled them, and buried them alive in pits. What’s more they brought beheaded heads and speared them showing them and saying to everyone, “Everyone who does not follow the Assyrians will become like this!” That is because didn’t know their position, and they assumed that they were absolute.
Verses 8-11
This means that what they are saying is that up until now all of their great war victories were all by their own strength, their high level of fighting ability, and good occupational policies, so it was not by the Lord Almighty’s plan. Calno was a region in northern Aram which was destroyed in 738 B.C.. Next is Carchemish. This fell in 717 B.C. Hamath fell in 720 B.C., Arpad in 740 B.C., Samaria in 722 B.C., and Damascus fell in 732 B.C. Up until now the cities and countries that they had fought with all had their own protective gods, but they were not able to protect them from the attacks of Assyria. Assyria boasted that Jerusalem’s God was the same, and there was no way that they could resist Assyria. The real God not to be equated with the idols that man made, but Assyria was prideful in thinking that the Lord Almighty wasn’t able to protect Jerusalem from the hand of Assyria.
Their prideful attitude is written in verses 12 to 14.
Verses 12-14
If you look carefully you will realize that the word “I” is repeated over and over again. “My” “I” “my” “I” “I” “I” “I” “my” “I” They are bragging that their present prosperity, their present blessings, their present victories were all “by the strength of my hand…by my wisdom, because I have understanding.” (13) I am strong, I am might. I have ability. However, this is funny. This is pitiful. That’s because Assyria is only a tool. Even though Assyria is only a tool, Assyria assumed they have done everything by their own strength. If you were to compare their prideful thinking it would be like verse 15.
Verse 15
An “ax” and a “saw” (15) are nothing more than tools. Even so if the ax or saw tries to order and move the person that is using it, then it would be funny. If the ax says, “cut a little more to the left” or “a little more to the right”, the person that is using the ax would say, “No, that’s ridiculous!” However, Assyria was doing this. Even though they were only a tool, they had an illusion of themselves that they had moved everything by their own wisdom and their own strength, and they thought they had ability, and they were mighty.
We too are like that. Let’s be careful. There are times too when we are prideful. Who do you think gave you what you abundantly have now: your job, your wealth, your family, your health or your prosperity? Do you think this way? “By the strength of my hand I have done this.” (13) I won the battle of the entrance exams! I was able to enter into a reasonable company for what a high educational level I have. I get a reasonable salary and have reasonable status. I tried my best in everything so I have done this by “my wisdom because I have understanding” (13) and by my abilities. Assyria is no different from us, a group of sinners. Terribly sinning man always think this way. We forget our position and quickly have pride in ourselves that we did it by our own strength. Similar to Assyria we forget that we are only a tool of God. We are only a tool. If we take the Ichiro’s bat that doesn’t mean that we will be able to hit like Ichiro. Recently Tiger Woods isn’t doing so well, but if we took Tiger Wood’s driver golf club that doesn’t mean we can hit the ball as far as we want. A bat and a driver are nothing more than a tool. The tool is not magnificent. It is the person that uses the tool that is magnificent. Therefore, the tool must not boast. If we boast, we should “boast in the Lord.” (I Cor. 1:31)
I Cor. 1:26-31
Here it says, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (I Cor. 1:31) If you succeed in ministry, if you succeed in business, if you are blessed in your personal life, or in your school life, it is all through God’s help. There is nothing that we can boast about. It wasn’t because we studied the Bible hard, or went to seminary that we succeeded. Or it wasn’t because we have a high educational level or have the qualifications that we have a high salary. All blessings are by the grace of the Lord. The Lord gives you health. He gives you the necessary abilities. He gives you the opportunities. He gives you places to work and serve. We are nothing more than a tool that is used by the hand of the Lord. If we can be used as a tool, and glorify the Lord, we should be glad about that. We should be glad that God is using someone like us. If the Lord is using it, he doesn’t have to use Ichiro’s bat. A bat that is sold around here in the sports shop is sufficient enough to make a hit. God doesn’t have to use Tiger Woods driver to hit a perfect shot. If we are held in the Lord’s hand, no matter how shabby a tool we are, in any way that we are used, we can do a wonderful work. Therefore, if we are used by the Lord, if we are more and more successful, if we prosper, we need to be conscious that we are the tool of God. It is as it is written, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (I Cor. 1:31)
We have limitations. However, there are times when we are able to do something unbelievable that is above our abilities or limitations. This is beyond doubt by the grace of God. God uses people like you and me. This is to prove that this is not something that came from us, but is clearly the power of God that comes from God. That is to show that it is the solo work of God alone.
We are not used because we have a deep faith. It is not because we are a devout Christian either. It is not because we are working hard either. It is not because we are holy either. It is not because we are more splendid than other Christians either. It is all by the grace of God. God’s grace is not something we are in the position to receive, but the grace of God is that great that He extends it to us who do not deserve it. Therefore, if we are allowed to speak about the Word of God, it is only by the grace of God. If we can study the Bible, if we receive training, if we get experience, and so we think that we will talk, that is a big mistake. If we are commissioned to speak boldly the Word of God, it is by the grace of God.
Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Jesus is the true vine and we are nothing more than the branch. The branch by itself can not bear fruit. Only by being attached to Jesus can we bear fruit. We must not forget this.

II. The prideful will be punished (vs. 16-19)
However, Assyria was prideful. They didn’t consider their position as a tool. They were irreverent, rebelled against God and were prideful. God’s judgment came upon this Assyria. Please look at verses 16 to 19.
Vs. 16-19
Each one of the things written here happened exactly as it says to Assyria. In verse 17 “The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers” is the event when Assyria surrounded Jerusalem. In the past Assyria destroyed Northern Israel, and with great force pushed into Southern Judah. The Assyrian King Sennacherib and his general spoke irreverent words. They plainly cursed the God of Israel. As we read earlier, Assyria attacked other countries just like they attacked Jerusalem and just as they won over the gods of the other countries, they boasted that they were going to destroy and bring an end to the God of Israel too by their own hand. Then King Hezekiah who was in a hard situation bowed before the Lord and prayed from his heart. Then an amazing thing happened. “The Light of Israel” became “a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it” burned and consumed “his thorns and his briers” (17) “His thorns and his briers” (17) is Assyria. “In a single day” (17) it was burned and consumed. When Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army, the angel of the Lord put to death 185,000 soldiers of the Assyrian army. In verse 18 “the splendor of his forests and fertile fields” is also Assyria. In verse 19 “the remaining trees of his forests” is also Assyria. They will be so few that they can be counted. In a single night they received a huge blow. “The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers” (17) At that time the army that was said to be the strongest in the world was destroyed by and lost to Judah, an area smaller than Japan’s area of Shikoku. After that the Assyrian King Sennacherib returned to his country and there was assassinated by his son. Then Assyria led by the son became weak and fell into decline. Eventually Babylon demolished and completely destroyed Assyria. Assyria who bragged that much about its victories was completely destroyed.
That was the judgment of God. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) Therefore, we must be humble under God’s mighty arm. God will at just the right time, raise you up.

III. Depend on the Lord (vs. 20-34)
Therefore, the third thing is to depend upon the Lord. Please look at verse 20.
“In that day” isn’t just the day that Assyria fell around Jerusalem. Certainly the people of Jerusalem saw the work of the Lord and there were people who returned to God, but it is not just this. This is the last days of the world. Concretely, this refers to the last 7 years of the tribulation at the end of the world. It is also the Day of Judgment when God’s wrath is poured out. This is described fully in Revelations chapter 6 to chapter 19.
In that day Israel’s remnant will once again, “no longer rely on him who struck them down, but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.” (20) “Him who struck them down” (20) is Assyria. They won’t rely on Assyria or Aram or such surrounding countries. They will rely on “the Holy One of Israel.” (20)
The same thing will happen at the end of the world. Israel formerly relied on him that struck them down. Concretely this is the anti Christ. The Bible the anti Christ is represented by various names. One name is “Assyria”. At the end of the world, someone like Assyria that beat Israel will appear. That is the anti Christ. He will suddenly appear and bring a peace even to the Middle East that no one has been able to bring and will solve the Palestine problem all at one. The Wailing Wall that is in present day Jerusalem is the place where the temple was. There the temple will be built again. Therefore, they will say because he rebuilt the temple, that he is the Messiah. The Jews think that when the Messiah comes, he will rebuild the temple. Therefore, when they see the temple rebuilt, they think he will be the Messiah.
However, in the middle of the 7 years, at the end of 3 and a half years, the situation will change completely. The person that they thought was the Messiah changes and shows his real self. In Revelations the anti Christ is called a beast. Like a beast he will devour the Jews. Irreverently, he will stand in the Holy Place and he will ask to be worshipped. As a result the Jews who think they were deceived will desperately run away, but the anti Christ will chase them around, put pressure on them, and slaughter them. It will be worst and more fearful than when Hitler killed the Jewish people. Therefore many Jewish people will be killed then. At that time the remnant of Israel will be awakened. They “will no longer rely on him who struck them down” but will return to the Lord, “the Holy One of Israel.” (20) It will become like verses 21 to 23.
Vs. 21-23
In the midst of this “a remnant will return…to the Mighty God.” (21) They will return to the real Messiah, Jesus Christ. Then the promise of the Bible that all of Israel will be saved will be fulfilled.
Isaiah lamented over the hardness of Israel and called out, “For how long, O Lord?” (6:11) The answer is this: until this time. At this time, the hardness of the people will be broken down and a day will come when they will return to God.
“Therefore, this is what the Lord, the LORD Almighty, says,” (24)
Vs. 24 to 27
Here there are times when there is a fear of Assyria. This should be taken just as it says for the age of Isaiah. However, if we look in the far future, this “Assyria” is the anti Christ. However, here it is Assyria just as it says. “Do not be afraid of the Assyrians”. (24) “The LORD Almighty will lash” Assyria “with a whip as when he struck down Midian at the rock of Oreb; and he will raise his staff over the waters, as he did in Egypt” (26) and destroy Assyria. When Israel left Egypt, the Egyptians chased after them. Moses put his hand over the Red sea and the waters were divided into 2. Therefore, they walked on the road where the sea was parted and were saved. Like this there will be a great victory over Assyria. And they will be set free from their condition of slavery. Like this the Lord will protect his people from Assyria, and the anti Christ.
The Lord is like this. In the past in Israel’s history just like “when he struck down Midian at the rock of Oreb; and he will raise his staff over the waters as he did in Egypt” (26) God watched over his people. Also in the far future when Assyria, the Beast, the Anti Christ appears in the course of time God will do an amazing work and save us. That is our Lord, the Almighty God.
In our personal histories too, at that time, this time, God who has done amazing work and has helped us will today rescue us from the problems that we are facing. No matter how great a problem it is, it is not as great a problem as hell. The Lord saved you from destruction in hell. The Lord has the responsibility for your life. The Lord will take off the baggage of your life from your shoulders and will help you walk strongly in this world.
Therefore, won’t you “truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel”? (20) Your faithful heart, your faith will save you.

Apply it to our lives
1. Within your heart do you feel that you by the strength of your hand have done everything? Are you thankful to God and see everything you have as being from the grace of God?

2. What are you anxious or fearful of? Do you have faith that if you depend on the Lord, the Lord will rescue you from that problem? To have such an assurance, what do you need to do?

Today’s message title is “A message falls on Jacob“. In verse 8 it says, “The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.” Up until now Isaiah has spoken to Judah, or Judah’s King, Ahaz. However, from here on in this passage to chapter 10 verse 4 are words to Northern Israel. In verse 9 it says, “Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria”. “Ephraim was Northern Israel’s representative tribal group. Samaria was the capital. Therefore, Ephraim and Samaria refer to Northern Israel. God’s message “will fall on Israel”. (9:9) Up until now several prophets have spoken to Northern Israel too. Elijah, Elisha, and Hosea are representatives of these prophets. However, the people didn’t really accept the message of the prophets. On the contrary, they were proud and didn’t accept the message. Therefore, “The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.” (9:8)
The central message of the message is “his hand is still upraised”. (9:12) This is repeated over and over, four times in 9:12, 9:17, 9:21, and 10:4. Today let’s look at four points of this message while we look mainly at these words.

I. Spur the enemies on (vs. 9-12)
First look at verses 9 to 12. It says in verse 9 that Israel responded to the message that fell on them “with pride and arrogance of heart.” The reason that they were prideful was “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” (9:10) The message that fell upon Israel was a warning that if they turn their backs on God then this will happen: the bricks will fall and the fig trees will fall. However, to this they said, “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” (9:10) This means that even if they were hurt by something, they still had strength within themselves. It is an attitude of arrogance that they can rebuild. They only have to rebuild again by their own knowledge and their own power. It was prideful thoughts that if they were replenished by something, things would work out.
Southern Judah had been ruled for a long time by King Ussiah. During that time the king of Northern Israel changed many times. The length of reign was really short for 2 years or there were times when terrible kings were only a few months. It is like the Japanese prime ministers. They changed rapidly. This is because they had such prideful thinking. Therefore, someone intimately connected with the king or one of the king’s subordinates assassinated the king and made himself king. Then in a few years or in a few months the new king was killed and this was repeated over and over again. That was because they thought that all they needed to do was change the ruler. This is the same attitude as, “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” (9:10) They thought they were all right because they thought that by their own strength, not God’s they could do something.
This was not just a problem of Israel, but this is a normal problem for us too. When our heart is continuously hardened God takes away what we have one by one so that we can humble ourselves. Even so, if we say that we are still o.k. then God takes even more from us.
In chapter 6 when Isaiah was called to be a prophet, God said a strange thing. That is in 6:9. God said to Isaiah, “Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’” It is strange that God would say to Isaiah who is from now on going to be speaking the Word of God to say to the people, “Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.” (6:9) God is saying to Isaiah that no matter how much God spoke to them, their hearts were hardened. Then Isaiah asked God, “For how long, Lord?” (6:11) God answered, “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.” (6:11, 12) God is saying He will do this until all is gone. That was how hardened the people’s hearts were. That was because until the very end they depended upon themselves. That is road Israel followed. It is the road that all those with hardened hearts follow.
Verse 11 and 12 tells us what God is going to do to such people. Here it says, “But the LORD has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” (9:11, 12)
“Rezin” (9:11) is the King of Aram. “But the LORD has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them.” (9:11) This is Assyria. “The LORD has strengthened” (9:11) Assyria “against them and has spurred their enemies on them.” (9:11) “Their enemies” are Aram, the Persians. Aram formed an alliance with Israel and attacked Judah. Even though the countries should have been on friendly terms, Israel will be attacked by Aram. This is because Aram and Israel were from the beginning enemies. They were enemies, but Assyria attacked Israel from the North so in order to turn against Assyria, Israel joined up together with Aram. Therefore, in the end, Israel was attacked by this companion.

This is the judgment of God upon the people that refuse God. All they have to do is to depend upon God, but they refuse God and depend on other things. In the end, as a result they themselves suffer. For example, think about loneliness. When we are tormented by various problems, we think we are alone, and feel lonely. If we would declare that to God, it would be good. However, if we don’t believe in God, or if we believe in God, but don’t really live daily depending on God, then we try to find fulfillment for our hearts in things other than in God: for example, in alcoholic drinks, pleasures, friends, fortunetelling, shopping, etc. Such things may temporarily help us, but in the end, such problems give us pain and agony. This was the pattern of life of the Israelites.
Not only that, but when you don’t believe in God and because you are filling your hearts with other things than God, you think you are o.k. and are arrogant. Then it will be like the end of verse 12. “Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” This is the same upraised hand that in the past brought Israel out of Egypt and saved her. Towards the Egyptian Pharaoh who refused God’s Word, “Let Israel go!” and refused to let Israel go, God stretched out his hand and sent out plaques upon Egypt. Here this hand is upraised towards Israel. If Israel too continues to refuse God’s Word, and doesn’t repent, God’s hand will be upraised and things will be cut off one at a time. .

II. Both head and tail will be cut off (Vs. 13-17)
Next let’s look at verses 13 to 17.
Vs. 13-16
Even though enemies came upon them, they did not seek the Lord. “So the LORD will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.” (9:14) The explanation of this verse is in verse 15. “The elders and dignitaries are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail.” The “head” (9:14) are the political leaders and the “tail” (9:14) are the false prophets. They are the spiritual and psychological leaders. The Lord will cut off these leaders. He will cut them off, super fast, in a single day. The reason is they taught lies. They taught lies and led the people astray, led them on the wrong road and deceived them. They didn’t teach that Israel had turned away from God and that they will be judged by God. They taught different things. This is false teaching.
If we aren’t careful there is danger that we too might be prophets that teach lies. There are times when we might not teach the Gospel of Christ, but teach another gospel. That doesn’t mean that there is another Gospel, but we may teach something or the Gospel that is different from what is written in the Bible. It is easy to fall into the temptation of talking only with warm words that makes the hearers be relieved, encouraging words, and kind words. Of course, the Bible has such words written in it, but that is not all that is written in the Bible. Rather, such encouragement is given by knowing the reality of human sin and God’s wrath and judgment upon such sin and the grace of God who loves such men completely on His end, and forgives him. There is no way that we can get around this.
Romans 1:18
Romans 3:23, 24
This is the Gospel. If there are prophets that teach lies, that don’t teach this Gospel or teach the truths of Words of the Bible, they will be cut of “in a single day”. (9:14) That is not all. Please look at verse 17. Here is says, “Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks folly. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.”
Lots of people criticize political leaders and church leaders. Here the reason for this is written. “For everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks folly.” (9:17) If no one listened to the prophets that tell lies, these lying prophets would have no place to prophesy. However, there are people who listen so such prophets that tell lies are around. Please open your Bibles to II Timothy 4:3, 4.
II Timothy 4:3, 4
In the past it was so, but especially today is this kind of age. People want people to say what they want to hear, and with wayward desires, gather teachers one after another who agrees with them. If not, they won’t listen to them. Therefore, the teaching is no longer healthy. It gradually wanders from the truth. They don’t realize that this happening. This is how the age will become. The church too will be wayward.
When it is like this, there are prophets who tell lies. What is really interesting is what the prophets are called here. Here the prophets are the “tail”. (9:14) They aren’t pulling the people towards God, but pursue the opposite end, the people, and say what pleases others. In the present age politicians and prophets, and teachers, and bosses at work all strive to get people’s popularity. They aren’t directing everyone in the direction that is best for the future of the country, or the future of the church, or what God desires.
On top of that, “the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows…Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. ” (9:17)

III. They will not spare on another (Vs. 18-21)
Next let’s look at verses 18 to 21.
9:18, 19
Here is written about what it is like after Assyria attacks. Assyria like a fire will burn and consume everything. “By the wrath of the LORD Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; they will not spare one another.” (9:19) People will only think of themselves and do what’s best for themselves. The result of this is verse 20. “On the right they will devour, but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of their own offspring.” This means they will eat each other up. By outside enemies Israel will be burned, and the people ruined, and not only won’t their brothers care about them, but they will go to the point of feeding “on the flesh of their own offspring.” (9:20) They will be that hungry!
Gal. 5:15
Here is admonishing us about spiritual devouring of each other. This occurred among the people that were trying to live by the power of the flesh. They were biting and devouring each other. This was because spiritually their stomach wasn’t full. They were undernourished. Therefore, they criticized their friends in Christ, pulled them down, and there was biting going on. When a person is in a condition of spiritual poverty then he is easily tempted to do such things. Those who are not filled with Christ devour their friends.
Therefore as it says in verse 21, “Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah.” Manasseh and Ephraim are Northern Israel. Northern Israel attacked Northern Judah during the time of Ahaz, but in addition it happened many times. The cause for this is the spiritual condition of poverty. Therefore, they bit and devoured their brother Judah. In other words, they were attacked. Certainly Judah too turned and fell away from God, but even so in comparison they had good intentions, and there was the remnant that returned to God so God’s life was still there, the power of the Holy Spirit was there. The people who were in the condition of spiritual poverty persecuted such people. Those people who spiritually had no life actually persecuted the people that had life. “Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” (9:17) In other words, as strange as it seems, they still didn’t understand.

IV. Help and salvation is in the Lord (Vs. 10:1-4)
Next let’s start chapter 10. Please look at verses 1 and 2.
10:1, 2
Originally the law was for doing good or to control evil, but here it is made for doing evil. When this is done, the people that receive the most harm are always those who are at the bottom of the social scale. In other words, they are “the poor” (10:2) and “the oppressed”. (10:2) Such people are deprived of their rights and justice is withheld from them.
The result of this is in verses 3 and 4.
10:3, 4
“The day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar” (19:3) points to the attack from Assyria. When Assyria attacks, how are you going to run away from the judgment? From whom will you seek help? Where will you be able to keep your achievements, your honors, your wealth, and “your riches”? (19:3) “Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain.” (19:4) Won’t it just become this vulgar condition?
There is nothing, no one, no where, no way that they can run away from God’s judgment. Even those of high ranking, the honor and respect from other people has no purpose, and they will just be conquered, captured, laid low, and suffer humiliation. Moreover, even though they are in such a condition, repentance is not seen in them so God’s severe judgment will not stop. God’s hand of judgment “is still upraised” (10:4) over them. God’s wrath is not over and is upon this person.
The way to avoid God’s hand of wrath is to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:31
This is being spoken not only to Northern Israel, but it is calling out to us who are living now. For Christians to get caught up in the currents of the times is not God’s way of faith. The way that the people of the world choose is to depend on human strength. If a person senses that he is totally submerged in it, then God’s anger will come upon him. The only way that he can be saved from the wrath of God is to believe in Jesus who was put on the cross and died.
Romans 5:9
We who have been justified by Christ’s blood, “how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through” (Romans 5:9) Christ. Through Christ we have received the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. “Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red as crimson,
They shall be like wool. (1:18)
The hand that is still raised up, will not be raised any more. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.
Therefore, let’s not neglect the warning of God that He speaks to us through the Word of God. When we realize that we have conformed to the world and have become separated from God, let’s look to the cross of Christ, and we must return to God. Then putting God first, we must pray that we can walk the road of devoting ourselves to the faith. This is the way we can be saved from the hand that “is still upraised” (10:4) Let’s stay in the grace of Jesus Christ and not live under the hand of God’s anger, but in God’s love and joy. Here is the real answer and hope.

Applying it to our lives

* What are you depending on? On God? on something other than God?

* Is there a possibility that you are listening to the Word of God arbitrarily accepting what you want to hear?

* Are you spiritually full? Are you in spiritual poverty judging your bothers and sisters in Christ and being critical?

* Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Even if God’s anger raises up his hand, are you saved from that anger?

Today we will start chapter 9. This is also a passage that we looked at advent, but let’s look at it again in light of the context of chapter 8. In chapter 7 we are shown what the Messiah will be like by the word “Immanuel. It means God is with us. He will be born as a man and will be with us. In today’s prophecy it is prophesized that this Savior in the course of time will be born into this world as a child. This is happened just as it says. This refers to Jesus Christ. 750 years before Christ was born the prophet Isaiah introduces the Messiah who is coming into the world telling us what he is like. Today let’s look at three things about this child.

I. A light in the darkness (vs. 1-5)
Let’s look at verses 1 to 5. First let’s look at verses 1 and 2.
This passage begins with “Nevertheless” (1). This means that this passage is a contrast to everything he has said in chapter 8. In chapter 8 he talked about darkness.
8:21, 22
This is what the Jews who were persecuted by the Gentiles were like. “Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and looking upward, will curse their king and their God.” (8:21) That is because there is no Word of God. When the Word of God is spoken, many people stumble and fall so instead of depending on the Word of God, they sought to depend on other things like “mediums and spiritists”. (8:19) Like this there is no Word of God so “they are famished” (8:21) As a result “they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.” (8:22) The Assyrian invasion will bring great distress upon all Israel, and Israel will be trampled by many Gentiles and darkness and gloom will cover the earth.
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who are in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan.” (1) Northern Israel will be destroyed by Assyria and will completely lose its identity as a people. The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali” (1) will fall first by the hands of Assyria. In these areas there are a lot of Gentiles living there so it was called “Galilee of the Gentiles”. (1) This is a promise that Galilee will be honored. Also, “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (2) This is a prophecy about Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. In Matt. 4:12-17 this passage is quoted.
Matt. 4:12-17
The words of grace that Jesus spoke, the many miracles that he preformed, and the healings were all such a comfort and hope! They were exiled by Assyria and trampled by such Gentiles as Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. When they were in such distress, Jesus will come. When we are reading only the Gospels we don’t know the situation so it isn’t so clear, but when we see the background of Galilee then we can understand how great a comfort, hope and joy that was.
Their joy is recorded in verses 3 to 5.
Vs. 3-5
Here the abundance of grace that Galilee has received is likened to the abundance of a harvest and the joy of victory. Like they rejoice when they harvest and like they rejoice when they divide the spoil when they have victory, before God they rejoice. For farmers a harvest is such a huge joy!
Also here it says, “For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.” (4) This is the story that is in Judges 7. It is the story of Gideon who with 300 men shattered 300,000 Midianites. Like that time, the enemy will be smashed. They will be set free from the baggage they have borne up until now. We all live under a lot of stress. We know how bad that stress is for our bodies. Especially the baggage of sin is a huge distress for us. All of this kind of baggage like the Midianites will be smashed to pieces.
The result of this is in verse 5.
Vs. 5
This means it will bring complete victory and peace.
“There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.” (1) However, this hasn’t happened yet. When we listen to people who have been to Israel or see the pictures of Israel, indeed the area of Galilee is very beautiful. There are Kibbutzes and orchards. There is a lot of green and forests. Therefore, compared to what Galilee once was, it’s completely different. However, the liberation that we see here in this passage today has not come yet. We have to wait until Jesus’ second coming for that. In the end of the world, when Our Lord Jesus will come again from heaven, we will rise up out of the grave with a resurrected body. Then the perfect peace and liberation that is written here will occur. This is the age called the Millennium. Then there will be no death, no sadness, no distress, and there will bring perfect peace. There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.” (1) A peaceful society will be realized.

II. A child (vs.6)
Let’s look at how this society will come into being. Please look at verse 6.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (6) This is the son of God
Here it says, “For to us a child is born” (6) Notice that this says “is born”. (6) This shows Jesus humanness. He was born as a human, as a child.
However, look at the next part of the verse. “To us a son is given.” (6) Here this is saying that this child is divine.
John 3:16
If we look at this passage the child is not just a mere boy. He is the only child of God, God who was born as a man. In other words, this is stressing the Messiah’s divinity. God’s son will be born as “a child”. (6) Jesus is 100 % God and 100% man. Isaiah is prophesying that such a Messiah would come. The Messiah, “a son” (6) that is to be born in course of time will change the dark into light. Here it shows us what he will be like through his names.
First is “Wonderful Counselor. God knows everything about us and shows us the way we are to go.
Psalm 139:1-8
He knows everything about us. He knows when we are standing up, when we are sitting down, and what we are thinking about. When we have a problem we seek counsel from someone who knows us well, understands us and will lead us to the right road. The child is like this. Not only will He watch over our present problems to the end, but He will teach us about the causes and how we should walk. He has a perfect plan for our life and so he can show us the way. Man has limits. Often there are fortune tellers on T.V. but no matter how outstanding a fortune teller is, he is not able to perfectly show the way. That is because he himself also has problems. However, the Messiah who is to come will completely understand us, and can lead us in his plan that is greater than what we can figure out in our heads and minds. This is not just on the individual level, but the Wonderful Counselor points to the Messiah as a King. He will come and carry out a plan that was planned (counseled) long ago and that will marvel the world.
John 14:16, 17
Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is “another Counselor”. (John 14:16) Jesus and the Holy Spirit are like identical twins. They are exactly alike. The Holy Spirit as a Counselor is always with us and leads us to the truth. The word “Counselor” in John 14:16 is paraclete in Greek which means to be called close. The Holy Spirit is called to be close to the believer under all kinds of circumstances. The Holy Spirit offers to help us as our guardian, our comforter, pastor, our proponent, our counselor, our leader, and our advisor. Now too, the Holy Spirit stands alongside the Believer and helps with all his needs. .
Everyone has had the experience of being comforted by words of comfort from family and friends. However, there are limits to man’s encouragement. Man’s encouragement sometimes doesn’t reach the person. No matter how deep a person has fallen into a condition of hopelessness, only God knows everything in our heart and helps us. He is our “Counselor”, comforter, and a “Wonderful counselor”. We should be so thankful that we have such a counselor that through prayer we can always seek counsel from.
Secondly, the Messiah is called “Mighty God”. (6) His divine power is seen as a mighty warrior. It means the Messiah is omnipotent. By him the heavens and the earth were made and he is an omnipotent God who controls it all.
John 1:3
Hebrews 1:2, 3
Jesus is omnipotent. He is “Mighty”.(6) Therefore, those who believe and accept Christ as their Savior have this “Mighty God” (6) living within them. If this omnipotent God is with us, then it is not necessary to be fearful of anything.
I John 4:4
Therefore, as we live in the world, if the magnificent, omnipotent God is in us, we will for sure be conquerors.
Thirdly, the “child” (6) is “Everlasting Father”. (6) Even though he is a child he is a father. Moreover here it says “Everlasting Father”. (6) This Father is everlasting. Human fathers when they get old, they leave this world, but Jesus is here with us eternally. Jesus said, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)
Jesus is the “Everlasting Father”. (6) If He is a Father, he will watch over his children.
Human fathers raise their children and take care of them. In the same way the Lord raises us and takes care of us. Eternally he is with us, and watches over us. Therefore, we can be secure, and can put our lives into his hands. He is an everlasting, compassionate provider and protector.
Another name of this “child” (6) is the “Prince of Peace”. (6)
Ephesians 2:14-16
This peace was realized by the cross of Christ.
Einstein who proposed the theory of relativity during his lifetime said that the present and civilization does not have a defense plan against destructive weapons. Also, John F. Kennedy said, “Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.” How can we have peace!?
Jesus came as the “Prince of Peace”. (6) Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem and was placed in a manger. Then he died on the cross for the root of all the unhappiness of mankind and the cause that brings about war, sin. When this Jesus in the course of time returns to this earth, a perfect kingdom of peace will be established. At that time “the infant will play near the hole of the cobra.” (11:8) and “The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.” (11:7)
This peace cannot be bought with money. This peace is brought in by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ, and by being reconciled to God. The key to all peace is to receive the pouring out of Christ’s blood and by having peace with God.
Before a British author, Jeffrey Archer wrote a novel, “Kane and Abel”. Kane was heir to the Kane & Cabot bank. Abel starts his life as a waiter in the Hotel Plaza in America. While Abel is working there, Davis Leroy, owner of the Richmond group of hotels, is impressed by his work and appoints him manager of his flagship hotel. Abel converts the ill-managed hotel to a profit-making one and buys stock in the chain. During the Great Depression, the hotel needs a backer and Davis unable to find one, commits suicide leaving the remaining shares in the Richmond Group to Abel. Before committing suicide, David mentions that Kane & Cabot was the bank that didn’t support him. Abel thus plans for revenge and considers Kane his arch rival. However, Kane’s daughter and Abel’s son happen to meet and fall in love without knowing about the rivalry between their fathers. They get married amid vehement protest from their fathers. A child is born whom they name William Abel Kane and he is a symbol of the reconciliation of the two families. “A child is born”, (6) Jesus Christ was born and through his birth and death, we have reconciliation with God. We insistently turn our backs on God and continue to live self-centeredly, but Jesus took upon himself all the punishment that we deserve and died for us on the cross. Jesus Christ is real “Peace”. (6) When He returns again to this earth, a perfectly peaceful kingdom will be established. .

III. The kingdom of David (7)
Finally let’s look at verse 7.
This　is　the　coming　Messianic　kingdom．　In　II　Samuel　7：12,13 it tells us about the kingdom that the Lord has promised David.
II　Samuel　7：12, 13
This is about the kingdom. David’s offspring who came from his body was Solomon, but this is not about Solomon. This kingdom will be established by Jesus Christ from the royal line of David. This kingdom is one of the themes that is throughout Isaiah. This is the kingdom, the Millennium, which Christ will bring in on his second coming at the end of the world. At that time Christ will sit on the throne in Jerusalem, and reign. The world that was destroyed by sin will be regenerated. It will be restored to a world like paradise when the heavens and earth were created. A peaceful age will come where the stronger do not prey upon the weaker. Jesus will set up an unbelievable age of peace and prosperity.
However, Jesus’ disciples couldn’t understand this well. They thought that the first time Jesus came to this world, he would bring this so they asked him over and over again, “When will this happen?” (Matt. 24:3) However, in John 18:36 Jesus explains about the kingdom.
John18:36
“My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) The kingdom that Jesus will establish “is not of this world.” (John 18:36) Physically, politically, economically it is not of this world.” (John 18:36) Rather,　it　is　like the　kingdom　that　is　recorded in Luke 17:20,21.
Luke 17:20,21
The kingdom that Jesus spoke about can’t be seen with our eyes. Instead it is in the hearts of us who believe. Paul talks about this kingdom of God in Romans 14:17　
Romans 14:17
Therefore, Jesus didn’t come to the world 2000 years ago to bring in the Millennium. He didn’t come as a political or military leader either. However, the people of his day assumed that Jesus would save them from Roman oppression, and recover of Jerusalem, and establish the eternal kingdom of David that was promised in the Old Testament. They though they wouldn’t have to pay taxes any more, and could have a life without any inconveniences.
Today also there are people who jump to conclusions. There are some people who are called Christians who think that the kingdom of God should be established physically in this world. They try to get Christian politicians into office and try to change for the better the world that we see with our eyes. There are some people who try to make a Christian country. However, such teaching is unbiblical. It is the same mistake that the Jews made 2000 years ago. Also this causes the same confusion as the confused disciples had.
When Jesus came 2000 years ago to this world He didn’t sweep away all the evils and establish the Millennium because the people refused to accept Jesus. It was because they did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. First, Jesus came as a spiritual Messiah. He came to this world to take away the sin of sinners. He came to make atonement for all sin, to forgive all sin, and to make us righteous. As a spiritual Messiah he came to solve the problem of sin. Dealing with sin was necessary for preparing the citizens of heaven. Therefore, 2000 years ago when Jesus first came he came for that purpose. However, the second time he comes will be different. The second time he comes he will come as the Lord of judgment. Then as it is promised here the kingdom will become an eternal kingdom. The disciples didn’t understand this so they were very confused. They expected the kingdom of God promised in the Old Testament. They jumped to conclusions. They were confused.
Let’s be careful too. The kingdom of God that Jesus brings is a spiritual one. He came to forgive us of our sins and give us eternal life. In the course of time this will lead to the Kingdom of God actually coming to this world, but we have to wait for this. To prepare properly for this, we have to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior who brought about atonement of sin. This is the greatest preparation for the Millennium, the paradise on earth that will come in the course of time.
Are you prepared? Do you believe in Jesus who came 200 years ago and died on the cross for you and atoned for your sin as your Savior?
“The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (7) It is not for you to do. “The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (7) Salvation is the one way grace of God. You need only to accept this grace of God. “The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (7) Please receive by faith the act of salvation that the Lord accomplished. When you do that, the Kingdom of God will begin in you.

Applying it to our lives
 What kind of “darkness” do you have in your heart? Do you believe that in God’s timing he will shatter the yoke that burdens you?

 Do you believe that the child is a Mighty God? In what areas of your life do you need the hand of the Almighty Lord?

 Do you have faith that “The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish”? (7) Let’s accept and believe that our Savior Jesus Christ was sent to save us and believe that “The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish”. (7)

Today let’s look at chapter 8 of Isaiah . When Ahaz heard that King Rezin of
Aram Pekah the king of Ephraim had formed an alliance and was coming to attack, Ahaz was shaken up ，“as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.” (2) Then God through Isaiah proclaimed ，“Be careful, keep calm and don’t be a仕aid.” （ 4) However, King Ahaz wasn’t able to believe those words. He didn’t obey the command ，”Ask the LORD your God for a sign.” （ ll) and tried to solve it by his own strength. That was by
asking Assyria to help. He thought that by asking Assyria, things would work out. However, Yesterday’s friend is tomorrow ’s enemy. Next by this Assyria Judah is tortured.
This is how man always thinks . On the surface it looks like he has solved the problem, but it only binds him hand and foot. The real solution is in the Lord . We have to wait on the Lord. Toda I would like to share three things about this.

I. God is with us. (Vs. 1-10)
First please look at verses 1to 10. First verses 1to 4.
Vs. 1-4
The Lord gave Isaiah another son.

The son’s name is“Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz “. (3:3) This name “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz ” （ 3:3) mean s“quick to the plunde，swift to the spoil.”As the words say, Assyria will come and destroy Aram and Ephraim and 仕om them take the plunder. Damascus of verse 4 is the ctipital of Aram (Syria). Samaria is the capital of Ephraim (Northern Israel). Assyria is going to come to these 2 countries, and swiftly plunder and spoil them . The name
“Maher-Shalal- Hash- Baz” （旨： 3) was a sign of this. “Before the boy knows how to say
‘My father’ or ‘My mother ‘ (4) means while he is still a babぁ probably before he is one or two years old. Just as it is prophesized in 7:15 to 17, within one to years , in other words in 732 Assyria attacked and plundered Damascus (Aram). Then in 722 B.C . Assyria attacked and plundered Samaria (Israel) . King Ahaz probably felt he had done it. It
happened like he thought it would . He was able to overcome the di宜icult situation of Aram’s and Ephraim’s attack.
However, this was not finished. Please look at verses 5 to 8.
The Lord is accusing King Ahaz of rejecting God and asking Assyria for help. “Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoice s over Rezin and the son of Remaliah.” （ 6） “The gently flowing waters of Shiloah” （ 6) is the
stream that runs from the Spring of Gihon which is outside of Jerusalem to Jerusalem. This water runs into “the Pool of Siloam” (John 9:7) where Jesus healed the blind man .
The lake of “Shiloah” （ 6) is in Greek, the pool of “Siloam”. The length of this river is 533 meters, and throughout the length the difference in depth is only 2 meters. In man’s
eyes the flow is so gentle that it is almost undistinguishable . However, even though this water was inconspicuous, it was the water of life that they couldn’t be without. It was a necessity of life. Even so they neglected it “and rejoices over Rezin and the son of
Remaliah.” （ 6) In other words, King Ahaz rejected God and asked Assyria for help , and is rejoicing over the fall of these two nations , Aram and Northern Israel.
Then what God is going to do is recorded in verses 7 and 8.
Vs. 7, 8
“Therefore , the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the River.”（ 7） “The River” is the Euphrates which refers to Assyria . By Assyria Aram and Ephraim will be destroyed . However, that is not all. “It will overflow all its
channels, run over all its banks and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck.” (7,8) Assyria who was supposed to watch over
them , next is going to swirl over Judah and swallow it up . This was fulfilled in 701 B.C . when the Assyrian King Sennacherib ‘s invasion overwhelmed all the cities of Judah 11nd surrounded Jerusalem and drove them to the verge of falling. That was because
King Ahaz “rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah”.（ 6) and asked Assyria for help.
This is a teaching for us too. The waters of Shiloah flow gently so it is inconspicuous. However, in reality it is really by this living water that we live . It is gently flowing so we carelessly reject it, and our hearts are captivated by the showy
activities that capture men’s eyes. What our eyes really have to be h吋 oil,
what our hearts have to be fixed on is the “waters of Shiloah” （ 6). Here is where thθ real solution is.
From the end of verse 8 to verse 10 it says,
“’Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, 0 Immanuel ！’
Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen , all you distant lands.
Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle , and be shattered!
Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted ;
Propose your plan , but it will not stand for God is with us .”
This passage 仕om the end of verse 8 is very di伍cult. It’s hard to understand what these wings refer to. Up until now Assyria was referred to as the water of the river, but here the figure changes to a bird. It is not clear if this bird is a bird of prey

or if it is a pictu:re of wings protecting Judah. Ifyou take it as being a bird of prey then it has the meaning of there being no place for the people to escape from the Assyrian army within the country of Judah. If you take it as wings of protection , then they are the
wings of God spread out protecting Judah. This would 五t in well with verses 9 and 10
which follow. “Prepare for war and be shattered! Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand.” (9, 10) This is describing Assyria
attacking Judah. Just as Aram and Israel will be shattered so will Assyria be shattered. Their strategies and plans will not stand . This is because ，“God is with us.” （ 10)
In reality this occurred during the age of Hezekiah. This is recorded in chapters 36 to 39. “In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.” (36:1) Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord，“You alone are God …Deliver us 仕om his hand.” (37:16, 20)
Then the Lord said through Isaiah，“Do not be afraid of what you have heard- those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. (37:6) I will have him cut down with the sword . (37:3) By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city. (37:34) I will defend this city and save it. (37:35) The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (37:32） “Then the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning廿iere were all the dead bodies ！” （ 37:36)
In the world in that age there was no way that the strongest country Assyria shouldn’t have had victory of the weak small country of Judah . However , they weren’t able to because God was with Judah. “Immanuel” （ 8) His wing spread over the complete
width of the nation and protected them.
“The way of this people” (11) is the way that Ahaz and Judah were going. They feared Aram and Israel’s attack. They joined hands with Assyria and was trying to
confront the attackers. However, that was to make light of the Lord. Isaiah is warned not to walk in such a “way of this people” （ 11), not to have the same thinking as these people, and “do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it” （ 12)
What he is to do is written in verse 13. Vs.13
Proverbs 29:25
We are continually under pressure to decide whether to fear men or to fear God. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
to dread.” （ 13) This does not mean that believers don’t have fear. Believers have fears
too, but what is different is that in the midst of it they trust in the Lord.

Nick Vujicic from Australia was born with no hands and feet, a congenital
handicap . He testified that he was brought up in a family where his parents where pastors so he knew in his head that Jesus loved him , but he was angry with God. “Why didn’t God give me hands and feet like other people ？” In adolescence he thought，“I drew the short straw. I can’t obtain the ordinary happiness of a fixed job , marriage , raising children, etc. For my whole life I will have to live being luggage for other people .” When he was 10 years old he attempted suicide. When he was 15 he heard the story of the blind man in John 9. Jesus answered the disciple’s question，“Who sinned , this man
or his parents, that he was born blind ？” （ John 9:2) with ，“Neither this man nor his
parents have sinned …but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” （ John 9:3) This was the answer to his liお. God didn’t change his situation , but he changed his heart. About that time he gave a speech before 300 students. One girl came up to him afterwards crying telling him how much his words had changed her and he realized that had something that he could do for other people . From the time that Nick Vujicic learned and believed that God’s grace was
sufficient for him and that grace became perfect in his weakness, he depended upon the Lord. As a result he knew the plan of God . “The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.”
“And he will be a sanctuary.” （ 14） “A sanctuary” (14) is the place where we are with the Lord. It is where the Lord is with us so we have nothing to worry about. It is a place of safety. However, for those who don’t believe it isn’t so. It is “a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall…he will be a trap and a snare.” （ 14)
Luke 2:34
These are words spoken by the prophet Simeon when Jesus was born. Jesus “is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.” (Luke 2:34) Christ raises up
those who believe in him, but is a stumbling block for those who disbelieve. For some people he is a sanctuary, but for some people he is “a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” （ 14） 羽市at makes the difference is whether you are depending on the Lord’s word or not.
Therefore , verse 16 commands，“Bind of the testimony and seal up the law
among my disciples.” “Bind” means to gather and tie things 五rmly together. “Seal up” (16) means to close or plug . This means that God’s testimony and law is to be bound , and put and stored well in our heart. This is the root of many problems. We don’t consult God’s word, but other people or things.
Verse 19,20
Because they don’t consult God’s word , but other people or things，“they have no light of dawn.” （ 20) In that case, there is “distress and darkness and fearful gloom , and they will be thrust into utter darkness.” （ 22)
This is not just in the age of Isaiah, but is the same in the present age. If
anything, people have a tendency to be attracted to such things like “mediums and spiritists” （ 19) or diviners. More than the Word of God, people are attracted more to
emotional things or things that stimulate your imagination, or things like speeches that spark human emotions. Oriental ideas that are adopted in meditation is an example . Such things have penetrated into Christianity. Then without realizing it, there are times when we are immersed in it. Here there is “no light of dawn.” （ 20) There is “distress and darkness and fear白I gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.” (22） 羽屯en there is no Word of God it is dark. Therefore, the Word of God must be bound and sealed in our hearts . Persistently, we must cling to the Word of God. That’s
because it is the Word of God that gives life to people, guides people, helps people , encourages people and leads people the right way.
Psalm 119:105
Only God’s word shines on our road and shows us the way we should go.

III. Waiting on the Lord (vs. 16・22)
Therefore, the third point is to wait on the Lord . Please look at verses 17 and 18.
About the Word of the Lord, Isaiah confesses，“I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face 企om the house of Jacob.” （ 17) This is wonderful. 羽弓iat is so wonder 五il is that he is saying that he “will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob.” （ 17) The situation that Isaiah is in is like the Lord is hiding his face from them. If the Lord is alive, then why is Lord allowing this situation? Aram and Israel are advancing on them, Assyria is surging into the land, and no one listens to him telling them to depend on the Lord… This is just like the Lord is hiding his face.
However, Isaiah in the midst of this says that he “will wait for the LORD .” （ 17) He will
put his trust in the Lord. This is real faith . “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” （ Hebrews n:1) Hope that we can see with our eyes is
not hope. Something that everyone can see, how can that be called hope? If we have hope in something that we can’t see, then we can have patience and wait earnestly for it. No matter the circumstances around us to wait upon the Lord is what real faith is like .
Andrew Murray in his book ，“Waiting oh the Lord” writes the following stoη. A
little while before in England there was a famous orchestra that opened concerts here and there around the country. However, depression started and the number of visitors coming got worst. Then within a few years it became so bad that the common people quit buying tickets. One day in the evening a member of the orchestra that without strength was putting the hall in order said，“Today let’s cancel the concert. Last night there were few people. Today what is worst is that the snow is falling . There may not even be one person that comes so let’s cancel.” Another person chimed in，“Yes! Yes! I’ve had enough of continuing to work hard in this bad situation .” However, a wise, older orchestra member said，“Wait a minute. We have a responsibility to the people who bought tickets. Therefore , even if one person comes, we must not cancel. Thus they were able to give the best concert that they had ever given. Among the small deeply moved audience , there was a tasteful elderly gentleman who just as he was leaving handed them a scrap of paper. On it was written ，“Thank you for such a wonderful concert. From the King” Yes, the king had seen the concert.
To wait for the Lord is not an easy thing . However, He is our King of Heaven.
Moreover, our Father is looking upon us with love.
Matt. 6:6
Therefore , even if we are in a bad situation, if we put our hope in Him, God who sees all things, will abundantly reward us.
Isaiah 40:28
“Those who hope in the LORD w出renew their strength …they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:23)
Aoolvine: it to our lives What are your eyes 五xed on? the showy activities of the world? or “the gently flowing waters of Shiloahウ （ 6) ＊明司mt are you consulting？明弘前 are you putting your hope in? For you , what does it mean to put your hope in God?

Today let’s look at Isaiah 7:10 to 25. The title of today’s message is “God who is with us. Verse 14 says, “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” The name “Immanuel” means “God who is with us” or “God is with us”. This is an important word in Christianity. We do not have to go to the shrine or temple to be with God. The God that we believe in is always with us. Today I would like to talk about three things about the God Immanuel.

I. Seek a sign (vs. 10-12)
First please look at verses 10 to 12. When Ahaz heard that “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim”, (2) Ahaz was shaken up, “as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.” (2) Then God through Isaiah proclaimed, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid.” (4) He said, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (9) Ahaz didn’t make any response towards what Isaiah said. He wasn’t able to respond because in his heart he was requesting more help from the huge country of Assyria than he was depending on God. He thought he could overcome the danger by relying on Assyria.
Therefore, the Lord proclaimed again to Ahaz, “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” (11) “A sign” (11) is a sign of proof. It is a sign of proof that if he depends on the Lord, he will be taken care of. God says to seek this sign. When we look at the Bible, we will see that it isn’t very acceptable to desire such signs.
Deut. 6:16
John 20:29
It is important to believe without seeing. That is faith. To test the Lord by seeking signs is not fitting for men of faith. If so, then why did the Lord say here, “Ask the LORD your God for a sign”? (11)
This was for Ahaz. Isaiah said to seek a sign because Ahaz was finding it difficult to believe in God. If　he could experience God even a little, then he should be able to depend on the Lord more. Therefore, God says this out of his mercy.
Ahaz answers,”I will not ask I will not put the LORD to the test.” (12) This sounds very spiritual. In reality it is the opposite. What he is really saying here is, “Asking the Lord is useless. How is the Lord going to solve such a dangerous situation? A more concrete solution is needed.” If God says, “Ask” then faith is to obediently ask. If we reason and make excuses and do not follow, then that is being unfaithful.
After this King Hezekiah will appear. Hezekiah is the son of Ahaz, but he was a very spiritual King. When God said to him, “Seek a sign”, he did that. When he was sick on his death bed, he cried out in a huge voice, “Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with whole hearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” (38:3) Then God answered his prayer and says, “I will add fifteen years to your life.” (38:5) The sign of this promise was that the shadow cast by the sun will go back the ten steps. Then as it was promised, “the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone back.” (8) What a great encouragement this must have been for Isaiah.
John 15:24
The Lord desires that we trust in the Lord. By the name of the Lord, let’s desire this boldly, and through the experiences given by desiring, we will ask more and more of the Lord.

II. The sign from God (Vs. 13-17)
Next please look at verses 13 to 17.
Ahaz’s answer was trying the patience of Isaiah as well as also God. “Therefore, the Lord himself will give” (14) him a sign. In other words Ahaz did not ask for a sign and persistently depended on human power and plans and so from God’s end one-sidedly God will give him a sign. The sign is ”The virgin will be child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (14)
This is the famous prophecy of Immanuel. Matthew, a disciple of our Lord Jesus, quoted this passage. By recording the fact that Jesus was born from a virgin, Mary, he said that Jesus was the real Messiah.
Matt. 1:22,23
However, why is the “Immanuel” prophecy recorded here? As I mentioned a little while ago this sign was a sign that if you depended upon God then you would be taken care of. It should be a sign that God is going to shatter the coalition of the enemies, Ephraim and Aram. What does it mean that he will be called “Immanuel”? (14)
It is said that from ancient times this passage has been an extremely difficult passage. The famous English preacher, Charles Spurgeon, said that in the Bible this passage is one of the most difficult passages. It is that difficult of a passage to understand. What is so difficult is it is not clear to understand who the virgin is that appears here and who the boy is. That is bound to be. It is unthinkable that a virgin would become pregnant. Therefore, it can be said that this sign will not occur in that age. It is the most logical to interpret this as a prophecy about the Messiah’s birth from a virgin in the course of time.
However, a prophecy speaks about the situation that they are in and at the same time it is about something that is to occur in the future. Therefore, it is usual to think that God was speaking to them in the situation that Ahaz was in also. Well then, what is the meaning of this prophecy in the situation that it was spoken in?
Lots of scholars think that this virgin does not mean a virgin that has never known a man, but means a young lady and this is Isaiah’s wife, “the prophetess” that appears in 8:3. If that is the case, it can be interpreted that the child that was born from this young lady is “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz”. (8:3) This name “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz” (8:3) means “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil.” This refers to Assyria. If you think this way, it is certainly consistent with content of the passage.
Vs. 15 to 17
“Before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings” (16) King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel whom Ahaz dreaded “will be laid to waste”. (16) Isaiah prophesized this in 735 B.C. 2 or 3 years later in 732 Assyria attacked and plundered Aram. 10 years later in 722 B.C. next Assyria attacked and plundered Israel. It happened exactly as Isaiah prophesized here.
This is the sign. Isaiah wanted to proclaim through the birth of “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz” (8:3) that Ahaz, that Judah, that the house of David would be taken care of. At the same time he wanted to prophesize that perfect salvation is not in “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz” (8:3) but in the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ who would in time be born from the mother Mary.
This is the real salvation. For Ahaz it was certainly a threat to be attacked by Ephraim and Aram. He thought at all costs he wanted to be saved from that so he sought the help of the northern huge nation of Assyria. By this he thought he was secure. However, this wasn’t the real solution. On the surface it looked like by asking Assyria for help that they had victory over the coalition of Aram and Ephraim. However, the real danger was yet to come. An incident in which today’s friends are tomorrow’s enemies occurs. This Assyria will attack and torture them. Our solutions are always like this. On the surface even if it looks like we have victory, in the next moment it is the cause of being bound hand and foot.
Proverbs 29:25
The real solution is not in people, but in the Lord, not in our flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. It is in God, “Immanuel”, who was born as a man. This is the sign.

III. Immanuel (vs. 18-25)
The reason why we can say that this is the real solution is given in verses 18 to 25. Here the result of Ahaz asking help from not God, but Assyria is recorded. First look at verses 18 and 19.
Vs. 18, 19
Here Isaiah is prophesying not only putting Assyria, but has Egypt too in the horizon. So far Judah and Northern Israel’s history of war was with the neighboring countries a kind of skirmish. This next war is not on the same level. Their opponents are huge countries. From the South is Egypt and the North is Assyria. Egypt, “flies”, (18) and Assyria, “bees”, (18) are going to attack Judah.
Vs. 20
Here the King of Assyria’s cruelty is described. They shaved the hair off of living people. Such forcible shaving was considered to be a great insult. They did such cruel things as gouging out their eyes, and capturing and deporting them tied together by putting crooked hooks through their tongues.
Vs. 21, 22
Here many citizens become prisoners and are killed so the livestock and food will be in surplus.
Vs. 23-25
Because the whole land is full of briers and thorns, no matter how much you cultivate the land, you won’t be able to harvest any agriculture. Whether they want to or not they will have to go out hunting.
This is the result of Judah not seeking help from God, but seeking human strength. If we seek help by fleshly strength that we can see it seem like it maybe a temporary solution, but, however, in the course of time it causes us to be in the situation where we are bound by hand and foot. The thing that should save us, rather results in us being tormented. Therefore, this is not the real solution. The real solution is “Immanuel”, God with us.
However, it is unthinkable that a completely Holy God would live in the midst of man. Just as light cannot fellowship with darkness, it is unthinkable that a Holy God can fellowship with filthy mankind. However, God did this by Jesus Christ. The Holy God was born into this world as a human being. A true God and a true man became completely one in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. By Jesus becoming Immanuel this became a reality. To say it more clearly, this Jesus did this by being crucified on the cross and dyeing for our sins, and three days later rising again. Here is our salvation. This salvation is nothing like being saved from the coalition of Aram and Ephraim or the Assyrian empire. It is salvation from Satan’s power to thrust us into eternal damnation and salvation from the root of all evil, sin. It guides us from eternal destruction to eternal life, being with God. If so, it will save us from all the problems we have. Jesus can save us from all problems and troubles.
There is a famous hymn “Jesus Loves me! This I know”.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
*Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.*

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Our Lord Jesus in order to set us free, wash away our sin and open the gates of heaven up to us bled and died on the cross. If that is how much our Lord Jesus loves us, what do we need to be fearful about? The Lord who was crucified on the cross and died, prays intercessory prayers for you. You have nothing to fear. What you need to do is only live for him. Then you will be set free from all your problems, fears, and uncertainties and you will gain real peace through Him.
Right now at the prayer meetings we are studying the life of Joseph. Joseph who was sold by his brothers came to Egypt. The reason that he was successful in his master, Potiphar’s house was because “the LORD was with Joseph”. (Genesis 39:2) “The LORD was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2) so no matter what he did, he prospered.
Also, when he was falsely charged and put in prison too, he found favor in the prison warden’s eyes and he was blessed by being put in charge of all the prisoners in that prison. “The LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Genesis 39:23) Even when we think we are abandoned by everyone and in prison, the Lord is with us. If the Lord is with us, no matter what happens, the Lord watches over us, and blesses us. This is the key to success in our lives.
In the Gospel of Matthew if you look at the verses that say that the Lord is with us, then you will understand this.
The first time Matt.1:23
The last time 28:20
The middle 18:20
Immanuel who saved us from our sin, is Immanuel who answers our prayer, also who encourages in evangelism, Immanuel who supports us is always with us.
As for salvation from our sin, also as for prayers, then as for evangelism, God who is with us is now too with each and every one of us. Therefore, even if we are embracing problems, don’t worry, don’t fret, just pray. God will be with you and give you a solution. Our Lord Jesus as the God Emmanuel will spread out his wings and protect you from the enemy, and save you from your troubles. Is there anyone who is worrying about their sin? You should repent. If you repent, the Lord will be with you, and purify you from all evil. Are you feeling troubles in evangelism? Are you distressed because no matter how many times you invite people to church, they don’t come or they don’t seem able to believe? The God Immanuel is always with us until the end of the world. You “will call him Immanuel.” (14) This is what God has given us as a sign of salvation.

Apply it to our lives
* Are you seeking a sign? What sign?

* Think about whether you have had an experience of depending upon something else than God or an experience of depending upon God?

*In what area of your life are you desiring the Lord to be with you in? For forgiveness of sin? Or in prayer? Or in evangelism? Or in some other area? No matter in what area, let’s believe that the Lord is with us and pray.

Today let’s start chapter 7 of Isaiah. This is a passage that we looked at last year during Advent, but let’s look at it again within the context of what we have studied from chapter 1 on. When we look at it in this way, we will be able to see it in a completely new light. Today I would like to talk about “being still before God”, the title of this message, from this passage.

I. King Ahaz’s is shaken (Vs. 1, 2)
Please look at verses 1 and 2. Verse 1 says, “When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.” Isaiah was commissioned as a prophet in the year that King Uzziah died. Right after that King Uzziah’s son, Jotham, also died. Jotham’s son, Ahaz, was enthroned as king. This was about 735 B.C. About that time a huge event occurred. Aram and Israel attacked Jerusalem. Aram is Syria, a huge country north of its neighboring country, Northern Israel. Judah is a very small country. All of Judah is about the size of Japan’s Shikoku. If this small of a country is attacked, it is very easily taken. However, if we look at this verse, “they could not overpower it.” (1)
The background of this passage is recorded in II Chronicles 28. If you look at it, Aram and Israel attacked Judah, caused great damage, and took many of Judeans as prisoners and brought them back to their countries, Syria and Samaria. However, when Israel returned to Samaria, the prophet, Obed, appeared. What the prophet says is recorded in II Chronicles 28:9 to 11. “Because the LORD, the God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches to heaven. And now you intend to make the women of Judah and Jerusalem your slaves. But aren’t you also guilty of sins against the LORD your God? Now listen to me! Send back your fellow Israelites you have taken as prisoners, for the LORD’s fierce anger rests on you.”
Israel was originally one country. However in 931 B.C. it was divided into Northern Israel and Southern Judah. Therefore, it was unthinkable that Israel would attack Judah. The prophet, Obed, exclaims, “Aren’t you also guilty of sins against the LORD your God?” He warns them that if they do such things, the Lord’s fierce anger will come upon them. Therefore, they should send back their fellow Israelites that they had taken as prisoners. Therefore, Israel sent them back to Judah. This is what is meant by “they could not overpower it.” (1)
However, verse 2 says, “Now the house of David was told, ‘Aram has allied itself with Epharim’; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.” When the news came to Ahaz and the people of Judah, “the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken.” (2) The trees of the forest when there is no wind stand quietly, but when there is even a little wind blowing, each bough on every tree is shaken by the wind and is constantly on the move. As the wind gradually becomes stronger, the sound becomes louder. “The hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.” (2) It is like how we are shaken when we meet troubles in our life or when something happens that we would never dream of happening. When we meet such troubles, our hearts are badly shaken up. We try to do this or that in order to get a hold on ourselves, but it is difficult to control ourselves. We fall into confusion. Ahaz also was like this. He too also tried to get a hold on his shaken heart by requesting help from the country, Assyria and tried to eliminate the problem.
This is human thinking. When some kind of problem occurs, man on the spot talks about solutions and plans for survival. Just like buying instant food at the convenient store, on the spot they try to put the gods of survival in their hands. However this may just bring a temporary solution, but is not the real solution. Judah seeking help from Assyria may have helped them survive the dangerous spot they were in, but afterwards the real danger will come. An event like “Yesterday’s friend is tomorrow’s enemy” occurs. They are threatened by Assyria. By Ahaz making an alliance with Assyria, it certainly looks consistent, but this was repaid back in much greater amount to them 30 years later.

II. Keep calm (vs. 3,4)
Verses 3 and 4 are the solution. Please look at there verses.
The Lord tells Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz.” (3) “Shear-Jashub” (3) means “the remnant will return”. This is a sign for Judah. It is a sign of how Judah will be kept in the midst of such a severe danger. It is a promise of salvation and life for the faithful beyond the imminent doom of the unfaithful. Judah may suffer, but a remnant will remain. Isaiah was to take his “son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.” (3) That was because Ahaz was there.
This “aqueduct of the Upper Pool” (3) was on the outside of the Jerusalem wall was the aqueduct that brought the water from the upper pool in the valley of Gihon to the west side of the city of Jerusalem. The reason Ahaz is here is he heard that “Aram has allied itself with Epharim” (2) and thought that the first thing they should do would be to destroy this aqueduct. Frightened, Ahaz had decided to inspect the water supply to his city rather than to look to the real Supply of his strength. Here we can see he is shaken. Then Isaiah says to him, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering subs of firewood-because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah.” (4)
“Be careful” (4) means “pay attention”. It does not mean to be alert for an attack by the enemy, but “be careful” (4), pay attention to how you should act in such a situation; “be careful” (4), pay attention to how you should respond. Also, “be calm” (4) does not mean that against such an enemy attack they should take some kind of action, but that they should “be calm” (4) and put their hope in the Lord who take action and take care of the problem. “Don’t be afraid” (4) means to not worry, to stand strongly. In Ahaz’s heart, by joining hands with Assyria in order to protect themselves from the Northern powers he would act like an honorable politician. However, Isaiah didn’t see him that way. Ahaz was like someone holding on tight to a tiger’s tail. Here the problem is clear. Salvation is either by faith or by works. You are either saved by depending on the Lord or by the works of shrewd political bets. Isaiah said to depend on the Lord and be saved.
If you look well at this passage you will see that the central thing that is being said is to “be calm”. (4) In other words, to depend on the Lord is to “be calm”. (4) However, this is very difficult to do. When everyone is in a commotion it is easy to be stirred up with everyone. It is difficult to oppose it and “be calm”. (4) It could be that we are not looking at what we should be looking at. We are looking at the difficult situation in front of us. If we aren’t looking at something greater than this, then we can’t “be calm”. (4)
This word “be calm” (4) originally means “to put one’s self completely in something” like water. If you put yourself completely in something like water then you can “be calm”. (4) That something is God. There are times when we see or hear things that trouble us. Also there are times when we get involved in such difficulties. However, we shouldn’t put ourselves completely in such things, but put ourselves completely in God. That is being clam. Lot’s of things happen before our eyes, many things pass through our ears, but we shouldn’t be interested in such things, but put all of our attention on God. In the temple in Nikko there are the honorable monkeys. Those monkeys, “See no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil.” They cover their eyes, mouth, and ears with both hands. During their adolescence there are many temptations, but they shut out all these things by not looking at them. When we put ourselves completely in the situations around us, we are stirred up by uncertainties and being shaken, but when we are completely in God, we can go out in conquest. This is difficult to do by our reasoning. There are times when it is necessary that we need to depend on God even when it denies our reasoning.
When we are tired or are having a difficult time, we go to the hot springs then it really feels good. There are many different hot springs like Sakuyama hot springs or Aoki hot springs. When we put our bodies completely in the water at the hot springs, our hearts become warm. It is just like a baby in her mother’s womb. It feels so good. A scholar said that is man’s original form of peacefulness. However, the hot springs isn’t enough for man to be peaceful. To put ourselves completely in God and to have confidence that no matter what happens that God will surely watch over us will bring us real peace. When King Ahaz faced the trouble of Epharim and Aram attacking, he thought if he joined hands with Assyria, then he would be saved. However, not like this, not looking further away, but looking at God that we can’t see and putting ourselves completely in him is necessary.

III. God is our strength (vs. 4-9)
Thirdly, let’s look at the reason why depending upon God is the real solution. Please look at verses 4 to 9. The first reason is because God is almighty. “Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood- because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah.” (4)
Isaiah told Ahaz, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid.” (4) and then Isaiah tells him what the two countries he fears are like. He says they are nothing more than “two smoldering stubs of firewood”. (4) They are not a powerful roaring fire burning well, but the smoldering stubs are burning with such little strength that you can hardly tell if they are burning or not burning. In man’s eyes not matter how they look, before God they are nothing more than a smothering stub with no power.
When we run into a problem the real problem is we look at the problem. We take it upon ourselves. When we do that the problem becomes a big pressure that knocks us down. Franklin Roosevelt who was a president that used a wheel chair, was famous for his words, “The only one thing that must be feared is fear itself.” There is only one thing that we must fear, that is fear itself. If we look at the problem itself, then we become fearful. However, if we look at God, if we put ourselves completely in God, the problem looks small. That is because God is almighty. If we look at problems from God’s eyes, they are nothing more than smoldering stubs.

There is an American movie called Cinderella Man. It is a human drama movie based upon a legendary pro-boxer, James Braddock who earnestly tried to seize a chance for his family who was in despairing poverty during the Great Depression of 1929. He had been injured from game after game of exhaustion. He had his boxing license temporarily revoked. Then James who lost his job boxing, lived with his wife and kids while working daily manual work as longshoreman. Their lives were poor with verily enough money to buy food. Finally, thanks to a last-minute cancellation by another boxer, he was given a chance to box in just one game and make a little money for his family. From then he fought up the ranks to obtain a right to fight in the one time only world heavy weight championship against Max Baer, the champ, who reportedly had killed at least two men in the ring. Baer was thought to be invincible. However, no matter how much James was hit, he continued to the 15th round without being knocked out. James defeated Baer to become the heavyweight champion of the world. He won because he didn’t see his opponent like a huge bear. He won because of the words that his wife spoke to him before the game rang in his heart. She proclaimed, “Don’t forget who you are. You are the pride of New Jersey, the star of people’s hopes. You are the children’s hero, and you are the champion of my heart. James J. Barrdock, please come home.” James didn’t look at his opponent as if he was a bear. He fought with voice of his wife and the people in his heart.
God who is with us is stronger than anything in this world. If we put ourselves in this almighty God, God will fight for us. And he will do as the Bible promises. Therefore, let’s put ourselves in God’s hands, and hold onto the promises of the Word of God, and by God face the difficulties we have.
The second reason is in verses 5 to 7.
Vs. 5-7
“It” (8) is Aram’s and Ephraim’s wrong. They tried to dethrone Ahaz and put in a king that would do everything that they said. They were going to “make the son of Tabeel king.” (6) However, “It will not take place, it will not happen.” (7) Instead what is written in verse 8 will happen. “For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.”
This means Aram and Ephraim who were very prideful would be shattered. Within 65 years Ephraim was shattered! As was expected, this actually occurred. Isaiah prophesized this from 735 B.C. to 734 B.C.. but many years later Assyria attacked Aram and 10 years later attacked Ephraim. In other words, Assyrian attacked North Israel and destroyed it. Then he took many of its citizens to Assyria also he sent many foreigners from the lands that Assyria had conquered to Israel. Their intermarriage with the few Israelite who had not been deported resulted in the “Samaritans” and, marked the end of Ephairm as a separate nation. In the New Testament there are many stories about the Samaritans for example the Samaritan Woman or the Good Samaritan. These Samariatans were born at this time when the foreigners that where in Assyria came to Northern Israel and intermarried with them. If you look at Ezra 4:10 you will see that the Assyrian King, Ashurbanipal, deported and settled many foreigners in Northern Israel which became Samaria. This happened 65 years after Isaiah gave this prophecy in 669 B.C. In this way Ephairm was “shattered to be a people.” (8)
When we see like this that God’s prophecies are all fulfilled, we think again that the Bible is awesome and at the same time, we know that the Almighty God is working in places that we don’t realize. Therefore. we must believe. Before God be calm, depend on God, and God will stand us up.
Unfortunately Ahaz didn’t depend upon God, but Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah, was not like that. He was different from Ahaz and depended on the Lord from his heart. In 701 B.C. when the Assyrian King, Sennacherib, sent his supreme commander, his chief officer, and his field commander to Hezzekiah, it was thought that Jerusalem was at the point of falling. Hezekiah, of course repaired all the broken sections of the wall around the city, made large numbers of weapons and shields and blocked off the water from the springs outside of the city, but more than anything he depended upon God. To trust in God does not mean that if you pray and if you believe that you don’t have anything. You need to do your best and face the troubles. However, you can’t win by just doing your best. Fundamentally it is necessary to depend upon God. The conditions at that time are recorded in Isaiah 36 and 37. As it says being calm before God is the main point. Please open your Bibles to 37:14.
Hezekiah received a letter for the Assyria saying that Assyria is going to attack because Judah has rebelled against Assyria by refusing to pay the expected tribute. He also says that Judah says that God will save them, but there is no such country like that and Yahweh is nothing. When he received the letter he sent a messenger to Isaiah and asked him to pray for them. Then he too, “went up to the temple of the LORD” (Isaiah 37:14) and then spread the letter out in front of God and prayed, “Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib as sent to insult the living God…Now, O LORD our God deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.” (37::17-20) To put yourself completely in God is this. It is to pray.
God heard this prayer of Hezekiah. When the people got up the morning after the Assyrian army attacked, “there were all the dead bodies!” (Isaiah 37:36) We see in the Bible that “The angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. (37:36) Those who were still alive fled and returned to Nineveh with Sennacherib, king of Assyria. Later, “One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer cut him down the sword.” (37:38) At last the country of Assyria fell.
This is what God does. These 185,000 people died in one night. This is because “the angel of the LORD went out and put” (37:36) them to death. In reality they didn’t know how their enemy was going to be knocked down. God did it. It wasn’t just because the Assyrians had bad luck, but it was because Hezekiah in the midst of troubles, prayed. It was because Hezekiah who had put himself completely in God, prayed. Hezekiah followed Isaiah’s message and returned to God, was calm, and cut himself off from all that was shaking. He didn’t think about how he was in front of God, or how the country was, but he said, “God, I will depend upon you.” God accepted him because he relied on God. When we become serious like this before God, God will answer our dependence upon him. God will certainly answer our dependence upon him. We who believe this should not be completely in our problems, but put ourselves completely in the promises of God. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever–present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Applying it to our lives
1. Now what are you afraid of? How are you going to solve that?

2. Do you believe that God is almighty and that he is working for you? What does it mean to you to be calm before you?

Today we will start chapter 6. Today let’s study how Isaiah was commissioned to be a prophet. Isaiah had already spoken the word of God as a prophet, but his work as a full-dressed prophet is from chapter six on. Here he receives a commission from God, and begins his work as a full-dressed prophet. It can be said that chapters 1 to 5 are the general remarks or introduction to the whole book of Isaiah. Today let’s study three things about Isaiah’s commission.

I. I am ruined (Vs. 1-5)
First please look at verses 1-5. Here is says, “In the year that King Uzziah died”. (1) Isaiah was commissioned “in the year that King Uzziah died”. (1) It is difficult to know the exact year that King Uzziah died, but it was about 740 B.C. If you look at II Chronicles 26:15, you can see what kind of king King Uzziah was.
II Chronicles 26:16
King Uzziah was a very outstanding king and ruled over Judah for a period extending over 52 years so his name resounded over a great distance. In the year that this great King Uzziah died Isaiah was commissioned. In this year he saw a vision. It was a vision of “the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted.” (1) Here a contrast can be seen. It is a contrast between God and King Uzziah. King Uzziah who so respected and trusted, died and was removed from the throne. He is contrasted with the real king, the Lord who is “seated on a throne, high and exalted.” (1) This means that who Isaiah should depend upon is not King Uzziah, but the Lord. If you look at II Chronicles 26::2 you will see that it was Isaiah that wrote about the great works of King Uzziah. It is thought that as Isaiah was writing about the greatness of the works of King Uzziah, that he began to put his expectations in him. I think when he saw that the King Uzziah had died and was removed from the throne and that the Lord is “seated on a throne, high and exalted”, (1) he realized that it was the Lord, God, whom he should really be trusting.
Next, let’s look at what the Lord who is “seated on a throne, high and exalted” (1) is like. “The train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” (1-5)

First of all, “The train of his robe filled the temple.” (1) This was a long flowing robe of a king that symbolizes his authority and power. “The train of his robe filled the temple” (1) means that the King of Kings has authority, power and rule over the entire temple. The human kings die and are dethroned, but the real King, the Lord is “high and exalted” (1) and reigns as the supreme power and authority.
Next it says, “Above him were seraphs”. (2) Seraphs are heavenly beings that serve the Lord. Seraph is the origin for the word that means burning in Hebrew. Therefore, it is thought that it is a heavenly being that performs works concerning consecration. Each seraph had six wings. “With two winds they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.” (2) How interesting they look! I’m not very good at drawing, but I think it would be interesting to draw them. The reason that they look like this is because they couldn’t look at directly God. God is so holy and so glorious that they couldn’t look directly at him. “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”(3) Here the Seraphs say ”Holy, holy, holy” three times showing that the Lord is that holy. It is possible to say that it shows that the trinity, but by saying it this way it stresses strongly the holiness of God. This word for “Holy” originally had the meaning of consecration. It is completely different from the things that were created. It can’t be put on the same level. It is completely heterogeneous. This holiness cannot be expressed by any words in this world. “At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” (5) This shows the presence of God. It is the brilliance of God’s glory. God is so holy that the entire temple shook and was filled with smoke.
Isaiah was touched by this holiness and his words are recorded in verse 5.
Vs. 5
This word “Woe” (5) is the same word that he said to the people of Judah. It has the meaning of “something　that　is　detested”　or　a　”warning　that　there　will　be trouble if they do something”. Isaiah says this word to himself. “Woe to me I am so detestable and trouble will come upon me.” When Isaiah was touched by the overwhelming holiness of God, he was shown his own filthiness. He was so sinful that he couldn’t stand there any longer. Moreover, he said, “I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.” (5) He is confessing that he is completely unfit to be prophet that proclaims God’s Word.
This is the beginning of Isaiah as a prophet. As long as he was saying, “You are”, he was a child. It is by saying not “That person is” or “This person is”, but “I am unclean” that we can begin the work of the Lord.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) “The poor in spirit” are hearts just like this. In contrast to the spiritually proud and self-sufficient they realize how miserably poor they are spiritually. The word that is used for “poor” is not the poverty at the level of having clothes, but not having money to buy more clothes. This “poor” is at the level of being miserably poor to the point of having no food or home, of being homeless. That is how poor of a condition the person is spiritually. Such a person has come to realize this before God. Jesus says that such a person is blessed. That is because “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt: 5:3)
The French philosopher, ideologist, mathematician, and biologist, Blaise Pascal was a precocious genius, and his ability was in many fields, but a large part of the huge amount of papers that he left are said to have been written after he fell off his horse and in the midst of suffering on his sick bed where he met his Lord Jesus. Among such writings are the famous words, “In our hearts is a vacuum that only the real God can fill”. He was able to say such a thing because in the midst of his sufferings, he realized that he himself was no good. He could not live without God. He felt that without God he could not accomplish anything. Jesus is saying that such people are blessed. God’s glory, power, and strength come upon such people.
Isaiah experienced this. When he was faced with the overwhelming holiness of the Lord, he had to exclaim, “Woe to me!…I am ruined.” (5) However, by this experience he took the first step in being commissioned as a prophet. This experience of realizing that not “You are”, but “I am unclean” is necessary for preaching the Word of God as a real prophet. When Isaiah saw the Lord who is seated in heaven “high and exalted” (1) and his eyes were surrounded by God’s holiness, for the first time he was able to have such a heart.
We are the same. When we look at others and say, “That person is…” or “This person is…” it is difficult for our hearts to be moved. To be moved we have to stand before the absolute God, and realize how unclean we are.
One person that I know is a very good golfer. This person is always bragging about his good golfing. However, when this golfer met a pro-golfer he couldn’t brag anymore. You can’t brag about your golfing in front of Tiger Woods. You can’t brag about you baseball technique in front of Ichiro. This is the same. We can’t brag about our righteousness before the completely holy God. By being touch by this holiness for the first time we can be broken, and humbled. This is the first step in entering into the Lord’s work.

II. Send me (Vs. 6-8)
The second point is that even if we are unclean, the Lord will purify us. Please look at verses 6 to 8.
When Isaiah was touched by the Lord’s holiness, he was overcome with the feelings of “I am ruined” (5) “I am unclean”. Just then one of the seraphs flew to him “with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.” (6) The seraph touched Isaiah’s lips with the coal and said, “See this has touched your lips; you guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (7)
By the one way grace of God, Isaiah’s sin was purified. This was not by Isaiah’s strength. Salvation comes outside of us. By being touched by the burning coals from the altar, Isaiah’s guilt was taken away and his sin was atoned for. This means the salvation of sin by the cross of Christ. For on top of the altar was the sacrificed animal offering as an atonement of sin. Our sin is forgiven by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ whom God gave. This is the only way. It is by the one way grace of God. The coals for the altar touched Isaiah so his guilt was taken away and his sin atoned for.
It was then that Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (8) Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!” (8)
This means that the people who are sent out for the Lord, who go out for him are those who have experienced God’s grace. They are people who have experienced the one way forgiveness of God. The people that work for God are not people that are perfect with no weak points or people that have an abundance of gifts. If that was the case, no one could be sent out. We are all imperfect. However, anyone even though he is imperfect, if he is a person that knows God’s grace, and has experienced that by the one way grace of God, that his sin is forgiven, then he can be sent out. That’s because it is a work of grace. Only those that know the grace of God can share that grace with other people.
Within ourselves there is someplace the feeling that we have to be perfect in order to serve the Lord. That is not true. No matter how imperfect we are, if we have received the grace of God who took away our guilt and atoned for our sin, we can go out to do the work of the Lord. It is an excuse to say that we can’t serve because we are not proper yet. It doesn’t matter whether you are proper or not. That is because serving is a work of grace. If our sin is forgiven by the one way grace of God, by the faith of believing in Christ, then we will feel like we earnestly want to serve. Like Isaiah we can say, “Here am I. Send me!” (8)
It was the same when Jesus called Peter. In Luke 5 we can see that Jesus said to Peter who had fished all night, but didn’t catch even one fish, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4) Peter thought it was useless because he had fished all night and hadn’t caught anything, but he answered, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5) When he did that, “they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” (Luke 5:6) When Peter saw that he said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8) He realized his uncleanliness and weaknesses. However, to this Peter Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” (Luke 5:10)
The pastor of Grace Chapel in New York, Leslie B. Flynn called Peter “a person like the sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee always has waves. Sometimes when you think it is quiet and in the next moment it all at once outrageous waves appear. To say that Peter is like the Sea of Galilee means that Peter is always opposite of what you expect. He’s told to be quiet and he is noisy. He’s told to stay awake and he goes to sleep. He’s told to sleep and he gets up. If you tell him to have courage and he is subservient and he withdraws. He’s told to move forward and he shrinks back. Jesus called such a Peter. Jesus called Peter not because he was a perfect person. Jesus called Peter fully knowing that Peter was not perfect and he knowing what was going to happen after that. Peter’s name was originally Simon, but Jesus renamed him Peter which means rock. In the Gospels, Peter was anything but a rock. He was impulsive and unstable. In Acts, he was a pillar of the early church. Jesus named him not for what he was but for what, by God’s grace, he would become. He was changed into a rock.
The decisive event was that he denied Jesus saying he didn’t know him three times before the rooster crowed. When it happened just as Jesus said it would, he remembered Jesus’ words and went outside and cried. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, they your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31, 32)
When Peter met the risen Lord Jesus he experienced the Lord’s forgiveness. “’Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord you know all thing; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:17)
Peter denied Jesus three times, but Peter whose sin was forgiven and knew the grace of the cross, was changed into a person that responded to the Lord’s love by giving his life According to legend, Peter who evangelized in Rome by the persecution of the Roman emperor Nero, he was crucified on the cross. He didn’t think that he was worthy of being killed in the same way as Jesus so it is said that he was hung upside down on the cross.

The Christian life is not what your doctrine is, nor how long you have lived your Christian live, nor how much you have served the church, but the Christian life is what God through Jesus Christ has done for us. It is nothing more than the greatness of the grace that we have received. When we know the greatness of this grace, we can rise up and earnestly want to respond to the calling.

III. There is a remnant (Vs. 9-13)
Lastly let’s look at verses 9 to 13. Isaiah says, “Here I am. Send me!” (8) Then the Lord says the words in verses 9 and 10.
Vs. 9, 10
This is a very peculiar command. God’s prophecy is spoken so that the people are informed of the Word, and it is spoken so that they will respond by listening and following it, but here is the opposite. It is so that the hearts of those who hear will be hardened; “never perceiving” (9) and they won’t be healed. The Lord knows who will believe, and who will not believe, who will be hardened and not receive him. Even so he is giving all people a chance to be saved. He is giving them a chance to repent. Even though God knows that they will become hardened and not receive Him, and that they will be judged, still he speaks to them. That is because God is faithful to them. He wants to give them every chance to repent. Then until the very end with patience, He speaks.
Romans 9:22
God bears with great patience.
In verse 11 Isaiah asks, “For how long, O Lord?” If I was Isaiah, I’d say “Then there is no meaning in me talking. Prophecy has no meaning.” However, Isaiah didn’t say that. He said, “For how long, O Lord?” (11) He knew that this wouldn’t go on forever. The Lord answered his question in verses 11 to 13
Vs. 11-13
This is about the Babylonian exile. About 100 years after this prophecy of Isaiah these words are actually fulfilled. Babylon attacked Judah, and deported them to their own country. Also this became a reality in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was destroyed by Rome. The Jews were scattered throughout the world. However, God once again gathered them together. From all over the world the Jews gathered and built a country in Palestine. This is the Republic of Israel. Then at the end of the world, like when they were demolished by Babylon, like when they were destroyed by Rome, the Great tribulation will come. How this will happen is recorded in verse 13. Let’s read it together.

“The holy seed will be the stump in the land” (13) is the remnant. God will judge them so that they will be made holy. But that is not to destroy them. Through this they will be purified, repent, and return to the Lord. For that purpose God is throughout this saving “the stump in the land”. (13) There is a remnant. Until the end of the world, until the day of the Lord’s coming, they will firmly follow the faith. There is always a promised people that follow God.
Our hope is here. When we look around us, Christians are very few, but God is in this preparing a remnant. Even if the situation in front of our eyes looks completely dark, there is light of hope shining. By that an amazing work is being accomplished. God does this. Let’s believe. Let’s not doubt and complain and miss God’s blessings, but keep our eyes fixed on that hope, and wait expectantly for what God will accomplish.

Applying this to our lives

1. Are you standing before the Holy God? Are you having an experience like Isaiah of crying, “I am ruined”?

2. Have you experienced God’s one way grace (salvation)? When the Lord says, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” how will you respond?

In the passage we looked at last time Isaiah sang the song of the vineyard. The master of the vineyard “had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines.” (1, 2) However, “it yielded only bad fruit.” (2) “And he looked for justice, (mishpat) but saw bloodshed; (mispah) for righteousness, (sedaqah) but heard cries of distress. (seaqah). The grapes which symbolize the Israelites looked on the outside like a good grape, but the inside was completely different, just like these words sound the same, but are completely different things. In today’s　passage　Isaiah　is　describing　in　detail　what　the　fruit　of　the　bad　grapes　are　like.　　Isaiah　repeats six times the word “Woe” (8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22) as he talks.
”Woe”　is　a　translation　of　a　word　that　means　”something　that　is　detested”　or　a　”warning　that　there　will　be trouble if they do something”. In Matthew when Jesus talks to the Pharisees and scholars of the law, he says, “Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” (Matt. 23:13) It is the same word. This word is used 50 times in the Old Testament of which 21 times are used by Isaiah. It is a warning of judgment and punishment. It often points to the groaning of the sadness of the heart. God looks at the sin of Israel and is lamenting sadly over them groaning “woe”, “woe”… Today I would like to talk about three things concerning what was hurting the Lord about Israel.

I. Seek the things in heaven (vs. 8-17)
First look at verses 8 to 17. Here two of the six “woes” appear. The first is in verses 8 to 10. This is a lament against Israel’s greediness.
Lev. 25:23
Land in Israel could only be leased, never sold, because land had been permanently assigned to individual families. That was because it was fundamentally God’s land and was given to them from God. However, feelings of greediness caused them to break the law, sell their homes and land, and treasure riches. About this God says, “Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants.” (9) No matter how much sweat and work the farmer puts in, the land will not be able give forth a harvest. “A ten-acre vineyard will produce only a bath of wine, a homer of seed only an ephah of grain.” (10) A large piece of land will only produce a small harvest and even though a lot of seeds are planted, it will produce only a small harvest. This is because of greediness.
Colossians 3:5
That is was God detests. It is sin. No matter how greedy man is, if God doesn’t grant it, it can never be obtained.
Here it says, “till no space is left”. (8) Japanese are good at this. Japan’s land is small so they try to use the small land as effectively as possible and in order not to waste it “no space is left”. Therefore, when a house is built, it is built as close to the legal size allowed, and there is hardly any distance between it and the neighbor’s house. Having no space left is a wonderful thing, but at times to do things roughly, not in detail, is necessary. When we look at the Bible, Israel is advised that when only a small amount of wheat is harvested, to harvest it roughly. That was so that the poor could eat too. Ruth could gather up the leftover grain so she and Naomi had enough to eat. If Boaz was stingy, and harvested till there was no space left, then such poor people would not have been able to eat. It is easy of have an image of doing things roughly as being irresponsible, but sometimes it is important to do things roughly, and be generous.
Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” There are times when it is necessary that we leave space, and with a generous giving heart do even what seems wasteful.
The second “woe” is verses 11 and 12
Vs. 11, 12
This is living for pleasure. They were drinking strong alcohol from morning on. Usually you drink at night. After a day of work, you rest leisurely. You drink to take away the tiredness of the day. However, they were drinking from the morning on. Not only that but, “they have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine.” (12) They are addicted to pleasure. They weren’t living a life of remembering the grace that God had poured out on them, but drank alcohol all day, and partied. By seeking such exciting things, they weren’t able to think about God’s grace and greatness.
Verses 13 and 14 tell us how God will deal with this type of people.
Vs. 13, 14
“Therefore, my people will go into exile…will be parched with thirst.” (13) Here the reason is given as “for lack of understanding” (13) This means that this will happen because they have no understanding of God. Even if you hear God’s Word, but amuse yourself by drinking, you can’t make spiritual decisions, and then you are spiritually “parched with thirst” (13) and are in the condition of being a slave. This just as it says happened when Israel was taken into exile by Babylon. However, these types of things happen because they do not believe in God. They don’t worship God as God. They don’t make God as God but make people as god.
However, they didn’t understand this. They couldn’t readily recognize this. It was because they were drinking and were addicted to pleasure. They only sought after sensational and exciting things so towards God they lacked understanding. We if anything have the tendency to seek after sensational things. Therefore, such things are over flowing around us. Things like television, advertisements, and publicity are such things. We don’t have to think about anything as they flow past us. However, to study the Word of God uses our head. Patience is needed. It’s work. These messages on the book of Isaiah too from chapter 1 to here have taken 2 months. At the prayer meetings our study of the book of Genesis will soon be over, but it has taken over a year. It really takes time. However, there is no way we can go around it. No matter how hard it is by facing it and studying a little at a time, we can begin to eat solid food. If not, we “will be parched with thirst”. (13) Spiritually we will fall into the condition of being spiritually thirsty. When the church also only searches after sensational things and neglects doing its real job, listening to the Word of God, then it becomes spiritually “parched with thirst.” (13) Not just messages that are easy to listen to, but by closely listening to the Word of God from the whole Bible, and applying it to our lives, we can be spiritually well fed.
The common factor in these two “woes” is that they were spiritually insensitive. They didn’t search after God, but after the things of this world. However, what is important is to fear God and follow his commandments.

II. Treasure the Lord’s Word (Vs. 18-24)
Next let’s look at the next four “woes”, the things that God detests. First look at verses 18 and 19.
This is insulting God. They say, “If you say God is going to judge us, please judge us. See nothing is happening. Ha ha ha!”
II Peter 3:3, 4
This is what they were doing. They dared to speak badly of God, and challenged God.
Verse 18 is a sight like we see at Japanese festivals. Crowds of people carry a cart (mikoshi) on their shoulders, and pull floats (dashi) is just like this. They like this “draw sin (and wickedness) along” (18) They say that this is the god that watches over them. It’s a festival! Festival time! Etc. This is nothing more than blaspheming God.
Then the fourth “Woe” is in verse 20.
Vs. 20
This is reversing one’s sense of values. They make the values of the Bible bad and the values of man good. For example, in America now they are deciding on the preliminary candidates for the presidential election. The issues that always comes up there are homosexuality and abortion. The reason that such issues come up at elections because some candidates have reversed their sense of values. American’s spirit was founded upon the Bible, so even now there are a lot of people who live by the values of the Bible. However, gradually liberal thinking arose and such values were shaken. For example, homosexuality is clearly sin according to Leviticus and Deuteronomy and also Romans. However, liberalists claimed that to not accept homosexuality too strict and prejudiced and unkind. Homosexuals have rights too and their rights should be recognized. Thus such reversing of values occurred. This is one of the causes of confusion in modern society. Values are reversed and evil is called good and good is called evil.
Next is the fifth “woe”. Please look at verse 21.
Vs. 21
This is the people who arm themselves with theories in order to change bad to good. For example, if we use the earlier example of homosexuality, from the medical point of view it is a sickness and or from heredity and makes it theoretically correct. What is behind this is pride. They “are wise in their own eyes.” (21) There is no way that these people can be saved.
Proverbs 26:12
If a person doesn’t understand, he can be taught to understand. However, a person that thinks that he is right, no matter what you say to him, he doesn’t understand. “There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Proverbs 26:12)
Next is the last “woe”. Please look at verses 22 and 23.
Vs. 22,23
In Japan there is a wrong trend of thought that appreciates being a good drinker as being masculine. They say that if you don’t drink, then you are not a man. There is a tendency to justify their drinking. It was the same in the age of Isaiah. Drinking was thought to be the cool thing to do. Moreover, those who were boasting were conceivably the judges who were supposed to be just. However, they “acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.” (23) Just like a really intoxicated drunk he has lost his ability to make proper judgments. Here this is being criticized. If he has no hesitation in taking a bribe and his conscious isn’t hurt by bending justice, then his heart must be completely drunk. There is no other explanation. Such people are in God’s eyes woeful people. The cause given in verse 24 as to why they are morally detestable, openly insult God, reverse their sense of values, and rather arm themselves with theories to make sin good, and their judgment is bended is a result of alcohol.
Vs. 24
That is because “they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.” (24) The reason that in Japan that things happen to spurn God is because “they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty” (24) They have spurned the teaching of the Lord. “They have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty” (24) so they depend upon material things, have pride, and make their own thinking the correct way. This is the problem. Think about it. In our society, how many people are seeking to know the teaching of the Lord? The other day some men from the Gideon society which passes out Bibles to schools and hospitals came and I listened to what they had to say. Even though they try to pass out the Bibles, the students are cold so they don’t take their hands out of their pockets to accept and take the Bibles. Therefore, they decided to stop passing them out during the cold season and after it becomes a little warmer to pass them out. However, it is not because they are cold. It is because their hearts are cold. It is because “they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.” (24) “Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw…so their roots will decay, and their flowers blow away like dust.” (24) If we want to make our society that we live in into a healthy order, this is where we have to begin. In other words, we have to stop boasting about our wisdom, and listen to the Lord’s teaching. We have to treasure “the word of the Holy One of Israel.” (24)

III. Being led by God (vs. 25-30)
Lastly, let’s look at what kind of judgment is going to come upon those who only search after the things of this world and reject God. Please look at verses 25 and 26.
Vs. 25,26
“The mountains shake” in verse 25 is a huge earthquake. Israel turned their backs on God, insulted God, and “are wise in their own eyes” (21) “Therefore, the LORD’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised…He whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily! ” (25,26) They will be attacked. “Their roar is like that of a lion, they roar like young lions; they growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue. In that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks at the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be darkened by the clouds.” (29,30)
This is the capture and exile of Babylon. The army of Babylon came roaring like a lion and like young lions they seized Israel, and they were in a tragic situation. Also in the end of the world during the Great Tribulation this will occur. God will come like a lion that seizes its prey and judge heavily those who opposed God and those who are god in their own eyes.
Therefore, we must live thinking not about things in this world that are just for the moment, but about the eternal things of heaven. We need to humble ourselves and listen and follow God’s teaching. If not, someday the judgment of God will come upon us.
Up until now all the way through Isaiah which we are studying, without fail there the hope of recovery is always spoken about. Along with the declaration about God’s judgment upon Israel’s sin always after that it talked about the recovery. Even so it is not so here. It ends with God’s judgment. This is what Isaiah wanted to say. He is angry towards Judah who wasn’t able to repent. He is saying that even though I have said this much don’t you still not understand. Since God says that he will bring recovery, why don’t repent? If you don’t repent then judgment will come. It will be like this. He is declaring God’s judgment upon them. He wanted to bring an end to things.
However, to prophesy is not that kind of thing. When you prophesy you don’t say what you want to say, but you say what the Lord is saying. He realizes this in chapter 6. There he received his commission as a prophet and his work as a full-dressed prophet. There one thing is shown to him. That is up until now, he who had preached “You are in trouble” was the one that was really unclean. Then he by having the experience of having his mouth touched by a live coal from the altar is consecrated, and he rises as a real prophet. Then he is used on a much larger scale as a prophet. Therefore, it can be said that from here on is his changing point as a prophet. From here on he doesn’t say what he wants to say, but is changed into being pulled by the Lord to speak.
In our live of faith it is the same. In our walk of faith we don’t say what we want to say or what we want to do, but say what the Lord is saying, and do what the Lord desires. Our life of faith is being led by the pull of the Lord’s hand. Such a change in value is what God desires of us. For Isaiah, this is the turning point here. This means that we with an obedient heart while listening and obeying the Word of God, let’s be a person of faith that pleases God by preparing ourselves fittingly.

Let’s apply it to our lives
 Do you desire the things of heaven? What do you have the most interest in now? What is blocking you from desiring the things of heaven?

 Is your faith sensational or emotional? Or is it one that listens to and follows the Lord’s teaching?

 Among the 6 things that God detests, is there any that can be seen inside you? If so, what is that?