カテゴリー: Isaiah

Today let’s look at the 14th chapter of Isaiah. The title of today’s message is “God who gives rest”. In verse 7 it says, “All the lands are at rest and at peace.” Verse 3 says “On the day the LORD gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you.” The word “rest” in verse 7 and the word “relief” in verse 3 are the same Hebrew word. God gives us such rest and relief.
From chapter 13 Isaiah starts on a new theme. From there on is a prophecy against the neighboring countries. The first to appear was Babylon. Babylon is more than one country, but symbolizes all powers that are enemies to God. In other words, it is about the “Great Babylon”. The prophecy about the judgment of God on Babylon is recorded in chapter 13 and this chapter.
In verse 1 the reason for God’s judgment upon Babylon is given That is because Israel is chosen by God. Israel is chosen by God so according to this promise Israel will be set free from Babylon and God “will settle them in their own land.” (1) Today let’s look at 3 points about this.

I. God who gives us rest (vs. 1-8)
First God gives us rest. This is in verses 1 to 8, but first let’s look at verse 1.
Here it says, “once again”. (1) This shows that this has happened once before. This is the event of the Exodus. Before they were slaves in Egypt for 430 years, but God raised up his servant, Moses, who set them free. In just the same way as that time, God “will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.” (1) This was fulfilled 176 years after (538 B.C.) Isaiah gave this prophecy in 715 B.C. God by the Persian King Cyrus set them free from the hand of Babylon and they were able to return to their home land, Jerusalem. Isaiah prophesized this in 715 B.C. In verse 28 it says “This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died.“ King Ahaz died in 539 B.C. Therefore, 176 years after Isaiah made this prophecy it was fulfilled.
Verse 2 tells us what happened at that time. The people from the countries that had oppressed Israel before and made the Israelites captive to them will reversely live under the control of Israel. Verse 3 tells us how this will happen. “The LORD gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you.” (3)
Here the word “relief” appears. The same word appears in verse 4 where it is translated “rest”. The Lord will give them “relief”, “rest” from their “sufferings and turmoil and from the harsh labor.” (3)
“On that day” (3) they will take up the taunt of verses 4 to 8 “against the king of Babylon.” (4) In verse 8 it says, “now that you have been laid low.” “You” (8) is Babylon. “The junipers and the cedars of Lebanon gloat over” Babylon. (8) Before Babylon cut down the junipers and cedars of Lebanon not because the wood was necessary, but they were just being violent. When the life of nature is cut down and destroyed violently, how sad nature must be! Babylon is ruined so such destruction deceases. Therefore, the “junipers and the cedars of Lebanon gloat over” Babylon. (8) Babylon who was so violent and destructive fell because “the LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.” (5) The Lord judged Babylon, and saved Israel that was suffering under the oppression of Babylon. The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.” (1)

II. How you have fallen from heaven! (vs. 9-15)
Secondly let’s look at what the problem of the enemy, Satan, is. Let’s look at verses 9 to 15. First look at verses 9 to 11.
“The realm of the dead below” and “the spirits of the departed” is the spiritual world. It is the world after death. It is the place where God judges. The King of Babylon goes down to there. Then the spirits of the dead will all declare to the King of Babylon, ”’You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us.’ All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you.” (10,11)
What a terrible picture! Babylon that was an all powerful empire has died, gone to the realm of the dead, and has gone down to the world where the spirits of the dead are lost and suffering. Glorious people go down there. Their pride is destroyed. Everything has been brought down. They have lost all. There are “maggots…and worms.” (11) Jesus said about this world, “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. “(Mark 9:48) “Where” is in the verse before, hell. It is a place of endless destruction. This is hell, “the realm of the dead below” (9)
Next please look at verses 12 to 15.
Here too, it is written that Babylon will be brought down “to the depths of the pit.” (15) If you look at this passage well, you will see that this is more about the spirit that is at work behind the King of Babylon, the ringleader who was the power behind the King Babylon, more than it is about the King of Babylon himself. This is the “morning star, son of the dawn.” (12) The Hebrew for this expression is helel. This word is used in the Old Testament in this passage only. It was translated “lucifer (“light-bearer”) in the Latin Vulgate. Lucifer was the Latin name for the planet Venus, the brightest object in the sky apart from the sun and moon, appearing sometimes as the evening, sometimes as the morning star. Lucifer is a “light-bearer” so “the morning star” is a shining angel. Lucifer was the in the highest position, the head of the angels. This Lucifer rebelled against God so he was “cast down to the earth”. (12) This is Satan, the Devil. This is the origin of the devil. People often say that if God made everything on heaven and earth then he also made Satan. This is wrong. God didn’t make Satan. God made good angels. Everything that God made was “good”. However, God made the angels like man with a free will. Then Lucifer was prideful and aspired to be like God. He rebelled against God so he was “cast down to the earth”. (12) Lucifer, the “morning star, son of the dawn” (12), the head of the angels was “cast down to the earth”. (12)
There are only two passages in the Bible where it is written that Lucifer is shining. That is in this passage and in Ezekiel 28:12-17.
Ezekiel 28:12-17
“You” (Ezekiel 28:12) is ”the king of Tyre””. (Ezekiel 28:12) Correctly said, it is Satan who was the power working behind the King of Tyre. In Ezekiel 28:13 it says, “You were in Eden”. He was there from the time God made the heaven and the earth. Here it says about Lucifer, “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” (Ezekiel 28:12) “Every precious stone adorned you.” This is what Lucifer was like before he fell. Lucifer was a light-bearer, shinning like precious stones, beautiful. He was “the model of perfection…and perfect in beauty.” (Ezekiel 28:12) He was “anointed as a guardian cherub…on the holy mount of God.” (Ezekiel 28:14) The guardian cherubs were also angels. He had one of the highest positions as an angel so we can see that this passage is talking about something greater than the King of Tyre. “you were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.” (Ezekiel 28:15) This Lucifer sinned. This “morning star, son of the dawn” (12) like Venus was brightly shining, but he sinned and was “cast down to the earth”. (12)
The cause of this problem is given in verses 13 and 14.
Vs. 13,14
The reason Lucifer was “cast down to the earth” (12) was because he was prideful. In his heart he thought, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will make myself like the Most high.” (13,14) Lucifer was trying to make himself like God. Trying to be like God in and of itself is not a problem. Jesus too said in Matt. 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Also I Peter 1:16 says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” To be perfect like God, to be holy like God, to become like God is important. The problem is the purpose for becoming like God. This is the point. It depends on the motive. Lucifer wasn’t worshipping God as God, and becoming like God as a follower of God, but the problem was he wanted to make himself like God and sit enthroned as god.
Before when Satan tempted Eve, he said, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5) This means that from the moment you eat this you will become like God. You won’t have to take any orders from God. You will be free to decide everything on your own, and you will be able to freely do anything you want to do. In other words, you will be independent of God, make your own decisions, and do things by your own wisdom. In this way you will be like God. This is the problem. That is because originally man was made in the image of God. He was made to to worship God, believe in God, to follow God, to have fellowship with God. However, if man doesn’t listen to God, and lives his own selfish way, then he will lose his original purpose, and will lose his way. This is the essence of sin: to not need God, to believe in yourself, to decide things by yourself, to live by your own thinking, to live the way you want to, to be like God. This is the difference between those who believe in God and those who do not believe in God. Those who don’t believe in Jesus make themselves like God. That is the same as Lucifer. This thinking comes from Satan.
If you look at verses 13 and 14, you will notice that the word “I” appears 5 times. “I” is the essence of sin. It is the reason that Lucifer who was shining with jewels was “cast down to the earth.” (12) The problem with sin is that “I” is in the center of it. There is another word like it: pride. Pride too “I” is in the center of it. To not make God the center of your life, but to make “I” the center is sIn and it is prIde.
Jesus came to set us free from sin. Then he died on the cross.
Philippians 2:6-8
Christ was not selfish. He gave himself up. He “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:7-8) This is how those that are set free from sin should be. They should strive to have a heart like this. Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3,4) The way that those who have been set free from sin should walk is by doing “nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3,4)
To do that we have to get rid of our self. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Take up your cross and follow Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and give himself for me.”” (Gal. 2:20) To live with God as your God is the key to a really blessed life. This a life of trusting in God and giving the glory back to God
If you have in your heart the thinking of Lucifer, “I will ascend to heaven.” (13) or “I will make myself like the Most High.” (14), please repent. That thinking is rebelling against God. God will surely destroy that pride. Like God will bring down Satan who was the power that was behind the king Babylon” to the depths of the pit” (15) God will depose of the prideful.

III. The God of victory (Vs. 16-23)
The third point is that God will have victory over the enemy, Satan. Please look at verses 16 to 23. First look at verses 16 to 21.
No matter how much “the man” (16) shakes the earth, and “made the kingdoms tremble” (16) No matter if he “made the world a desert” (16), or whether he “overthrew its cities.” (16) Even if he would not let the captives return home, in the end he will be cast out of his tomb. He will be like the people who were “pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit.” (19) He will be “like a corpse trampled underfoot.” (19) This is written about the Babylon King, but is talking about Satan who is the force behind him. Without fail Satan will be destroyed. He has “been cast down to earth.” (12) He will be brought down from the earth to hell. That is Satan’s fate. Verse 19 says, “But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch.” “Branch” has appeared before. It is a symbol of the Messiah. It is a title of Jesus Christ. This is not just a branch, but a “rejected branch” (19) It doesn’t have any fruit, nor any flowers. It just takes away the nourishment that should be going to the tree. It has no purpose. It doesn’t bear any fruit so it is an unneeded branch. It is “a rejected branch”. (19) This is the anti-Christ. The anti-Christ will be cast out of his tomb “like a rejected branch.” (19) He will without fail be destroyed.
In verses 22 and 23 his judgment is described.
Vs. 22, 23
Awesome! Here there is a “broom of destruction”. (23) God is going to sweep the king of Babylon and all who belong to him “with the broom of destruction.” (23) In the present age we have vacuums, so maybe it is like a vacuum vacuuming everything up. God will sweep “with the broom of destruction.” (23) and will make it “into a place for owls.”(23) It will be completely changed into “swampland”. (23)
God will do this to Babylon and also to Satan who is the power working behind Babylon. “The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.” (1) God will confront all powers that get in the way, and completely destroy them.
Lastly, let’s look at Revelations 12:9 to 11
Rev. 12:9-11
“His angels” are evil spirits. The head of the evil spirits is Satan. Satan and the evil spirits are not the same. The devil is called Satan. The evil spirits were originally angels. Both the evil spirits and Satan will be “hurled down”. (Rev. 12:10) At that time there will be a loud voice saying, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.” (Rev. 12:10)
“The accuser of our brothers” is a title for Satan. Satan accuses us “day and night”. (Rev. 12:10) He accuses us and makes us feel guilty. He tempts us and we sin. Then on top of it, he makes us feel guilty over it. He works hard day and night causing us Christians to sin. He tries to bring us down by tempting us in every possible way. Then when we sin he next makes us feel guilty for it. How we can fight Satan is given in verse 11.
Vs. 11
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Rev. 12:11) The way to overcome Satan is by “the blood of the Lamb and by the word of…testimony”, (Rev. 12:11) the Word of God. By depending upon the promises of God’s Word and “the blood of the Lamb,” (Rev. 12:11) we can have victory over Satan. No matter how hard Satan tries to make us feel guilty or tries to pull us away from God, we can tell Satan that Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins on the cross. Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross and washed away all of our past sins, our present sins, and all the sins that we will commit in the future. God had that much compassion for me and gave me grace. This is the grace of “the blood of the Lamb,” (Rev. 12:11) By “the blood of the Lamb,” (Rev. 12:11) we can have victory over Satan.
God has compassion on you. By “the blood of the Lamb,” (Rev. 12:11) God redeemed you. You are loved by God. No matter how guilty Satan makes you feel, he can’t separate you from the love of God. You can have victory over Satan by “the blood of the Lamb.” (Rev. 12:11) God desires that you depend upon God, and live humbly before God. That is how a Christian can respond to God’s grace and mercy.
Applying it to our lives
 In your heart do you have self centered thinking of “I….I….I…”How can you serve others?

 Do you struggle and are you bothered by your sin? If you are sinning, please repent and receive the blood of the cross of Jesus and be forgiven. Let’s be thankful for the huge love of God through Christ.

Today let’s look at the whole 13th chapter of Isaiah. Verse 1 says, “a prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw”. Up until now Isaiah has spoken words against the Southern kingdom of Judah or Northern Israel. However, from here on until chapter 23 are words of prophecy against the surrounding neighboring countries of Israel. The first to appear is Babylon. In the world at that time the first country to threaten Israel was Assyria. Babylon hadn’t come to the front yet. Even so the prophecy against Babylon is spoken first. That is because the prophecies that Isaiah spoke weren’t just a coverage of the situation at that time, but is by looking at the whole Bible or all of human history what will occur. This means that Babylon is very important.
We can see this also by how much Babylon is mentioned throughout the whole Bible. In the whole Bible it is mentioned 294 times. Next to Jerusalem it is the second largely mentioned, 294 times. From that frequency we also can see how important Babylon was. Babylon is mentioned from the beginning of the Bible to the end of the Bible. The first time that Babylon is mentioned is in Genesis 11 in the story of Babel. After the Ark of Noah in the new beginning of human history, the first town to rebel against God was Babel. This is Babylon. “As man moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.” (Genesis 11:2) In Shinar which in Babylonia they tried to build a tall “tower that reaches to the heavens.” (Genesis 11:4) God saw this, “confused the language of the whole word” (Genesis 11:9) and scattered the people “from there over all the earth.” (Genesis 11:8) The town was called Babel. This was way before the city of Jerusalem appears in the Bible. The last time it appears is in Revelations chapter 17 and 18. In Rev. 17:5 it is the name “BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” In 18:2 it says, “With a mighty voice she shouted: ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.” This is greater than one country and is symbolic of the world that is opposed to God. Isaiah begins the message of judgment not only upon the Babylon of his age, but upon the nations. This is because according to the view point of the end times Babylon which is representative of God’s enemy, Satan, will definitely be destroyed. This Babylon is greater than the Babylon of Isaiah’s age and includes all the nations and peoples that oppose God. Today I would like to talk about three things concerning this “prophecy against Babylon.” (1)

I. God uses all peoples as his tools of judgment (Vs. 1-5)
The first point is that God uses the kings of the Gentile nations in order to destroy Babylon. Please look at verses 2 and 3.
“Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them” (2) is a banner on a pole that is placed on a hill as a signal for gathering troops as a sign of war starting so this means to put the Lord’s banner “on a bare hilltop” (2) so that it can be seen well. “Them” is all of God’s army. In these verses a summons is given to those powerful and warlike nations who God would make use of as instruments of his wrath for the Destruction of Babylon. The Medes (17) in conjunction with the Persians under the command of Cyrus destroyed the Babylonian monarchy. “Nations massing together” in verse 4 refers to the collation of the Medes and the Persians. They are beckoned “to enter the gates of the nobles,” (4) in other words, Babylon is here called “the gates of the nobles” (2) because of the abundance of noblemen’s houses that were in it. They were richly furnished so they would invite the enemy to come in hopes of a rich booty. “The gates of the nobles” were strong and well guarded so it was thought that no one could enter them. However, they would not be able to prevent those who come with the commission to execute God’s judgments. The Persian King Cyrus destroyed Babylon which was considered to be impossible to be destroyed in 539 B.C. Not only “the gates of the nobles” (2), but “the whole land” (5) is doomed to destruction. Not only that but Babylon was taken without bloodshed. They entered Babylon through the water ways and took the city.
That’s amazing! Babylon who was considered unconquerable was destroyed! In reality Babylon flourished the most of all the world empires. It is recorded as one of the most prosperous countries in history, but Babylon was destroyed! Nothing is absolute. The freeway structure that was said to be strong enough to withstand anything in the Osaka earthquake lost all credibility. The nuclear plant that was said to be absolutely safe was destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami. Even now we are living with its immeasurable effects. Nothing is absolute. Only God is absolute. Japan will never be destroyed. We all think that the second financially strong country in the world could never be destroyed. However, we don’t know. There are no absolutes. The great country of America could never be destroyed. However, we don’t know. If we look at history, any great country can be destroyed. Rising and falling are repeated over and over again in history. Babylon was no exception. Babylon who was considered unconquerable was destroyed.

To do this God used King Cyrus. In verse 3 it says, “I have commanded my holy ones; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath-those who rejoice in my triumph.” “My holy ones” are those set apart to carry out God’s will. Here the reference is probably to the Persians under Cyrus the Great. In 45:1 the Lord calls Cyrus, “his anointed”. Just like before when the Lord used Assyria to punish Northern Israel, God uses the Persian King Cyrus to judge the prideful Babylon. Even though he is a heathen King, God uses him as his servant and tool. Cyrus was originally a heathen. He worshipped idols. Even so he was the Lord’s tool and was used to judge Babylon. He not only destroyed Babylon, but he set God’s people free. He set Israel free after 70 years in captivity by Babylon. He sent them back to their native country in Jerusalem. He was their liberator.
To think that God only uses Christians is a big mistake. He uses non Christians too. Because a person is a heathen, because he does idol worship does not mean he cannot be used by God. It is wrong to think that what a non Christian says has no meaning, that he is of no use, that there is no reason to have a relationship with him. We must not say things like that or look down on such people. God at times uses non Christians. God in order to fulfill his will at times uses such people as his tools. This means that you and I too can be used by God. If heathens and non Christians can be used, it is only natural that Christians who are God’s servant will be used much more by Him. For example, if you are as stubborn as a donkey or have a brain full of rocks, you will still be definitely used by the Lord.
However, in verse 5 it says, “They come from faraway lands, and from the ends of the heavens-the LORD and the weapons of his wrath-to destroy the whole country.” Here it says, “They come from faraway lands, and from the ends of the heavens” (5), but both Persia and Medes were not faraway lands. They were neighbors. They were the countries in front of Babylon’s eyes and nose. They were not coming “from faraway lands, and from the ends of the heavens” (5) Verse 5 is not just referring to the destruction of Babylon, but as I said earlier the destruction of all powers who are opposed to God which are symbolized by Babylon. Revelations 17 and 18 is such a prophecy. This is a prophecy about the end of the world in the far future about the final judgment of God. At that time God’s tool will be the antichrist, the beast. Rev. 17:16, 17 says, “The beast (the antichrist) and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. (Babylon) They will bring her to ruin and leaver her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.” God give the antichrist, the beast power to rule. By doing this they believe in the antichrist, and in the end “God’s words are fulfilled.” (Rev. 17:17) To do that God uses the antichrist, the beast. Let’s remember that God like this uses many different things as his too. Also as being nothing more than a tool of God, we need to follow God and be humble so that we will become a vessel that God uses.

II. God destroys sinful man (vs. 6-16)
God destroys sinful man. Let’s look at verses 6 to 16. First let’s read verses 6 to 8.
As I said before, “the day of the LORD” (6) is the age of tribulation at the end of the world. This refers to God’s judgment and the time when God’s wrath is poured out on the world that rejects Christ. On that day destruction will come “from the Almighty.” (6) Everyone “will go limp, everyman’s heart will melt. Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor.” (7)
This is described in verse 9.
Verses 9-12
These are all things that will occur during the tribulation at the end of the world. This will especially occur during the last 3 years of the Great Tribulation. At that time God’s “wrath and fierce anger” (9) will come upon this world. It is “a cruel day” (9) By God’s “wrath and fierce anger” (9) He will “make the land desolate and destroy the winners within it.” (10) God “will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins.” (11). If God is love, we wonder why he would do such a thing, but God’s love is God’s righteousness. God’s love comes from his characteristics as being perfectly holy. God is perfectly righteous and He is perfectly holy so he can’t just leave unrighteousness and filth sitting around. He judges righteously. However, so that we are not judged, God sent his only son to this world. Through that he showed his love so the Bible says, “Here is love”. Therefore, God does not leave unrighteousness there forever more. Without fail a time of judgment will come. Jesus himself says this.
Luke 21:23-27
“The heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Luke 21:26) Changes on the earth and in the heavens will take place. The stars in the heavens will give no light and the sun and the moon will lose their light and it will be dark. At that time the Son will come in shinning glory. In other words these are the things that will occur just before Jesus’ return. Isaiah is prophesying about what will happen at this time. At this time this prophecy will occur just as it says. This is to “destroy the sinners.” (9) It is to “put an end to the arrogance of the haughty” (11) who are enemies of Christ, and “humble the pride of the ruthless.” (11)
Therefore, look at verse 12. “I will make man scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir.” (12) This means the population of the whole world will decrease. At the beginning of tribulation, one fourth of people on the earth will die from the “sword, famine and plagues.” (Rev. 6:8) A third of the rivers will turn bitter and many people will die from the water “that had become bitter.” (Rev. 8:11) A fearful army comes and “a third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.” (Rev. 9:18) “The sun was given power to scorch people with fire” (Rev. 16:8) and many people die. In this way the population of the whole world decreases. Man becomes “scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir.” (12) The Jews will also go through these times. Jeremiah calls this “a time of trouble for Jacob.” (Jeremiah 30:7) In the midst of these troubles the Jews will see who they pierced. In the midst of their troubles they will repent and turn to the Lord. They will receive Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah. Then the Word of God that all of Israel will be saved is fulfilled.
God doesn’t leave evil sitting there forever. A day of righteous judgment will come. The only way to be saved from his wrath is to believe in Jesus Christ whom God sent to this world.
John 5:24
Here it promises that if we believe we “will not be condemned.” (John 5:24) Those who hear the Words of Christ, and believe in God who sent Christ will have “eternal life and will not be condemned.” (John 5:24) They have “crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) From the moment we believe we receive God’s righteousness and God’s forgiveness, and we taken care of so we “will not be condemned.” (John 5:24) What a wonderful promise!
In verse 13 it says, “Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.” (13) However, those who believe in the Lord Jesus will be given a kingdom that will not be shaken. Please receive this kingdom. Please your security in this kingdom.

III. There is no other God than the Lord (Vs. 17-22)
Therefore, the third point is to look to Christ and be saved. Please look at verses 17 to 19. These verses tell us what became of Babylon who had God’s judgment come upon them.
This is a prophecy that Babylon will be destroyed by the coalition of the Medes and Persia. This became a reality in 539 B.C. Isaiah prophesized this “in the year King Ahaz died” (14:28) which was 715 B.C. This means that Isaiah prophesized something correctly that happened 176 years later. In Japan that would be like someone in the Age of Edo prophesying something about something in the present Heisei age. It is amazing that Isaiah prophesized this completely correctly! Not only that, but please look at Isaiah 45:1. Here it tells us what the name of the Persian King will be in that age. “This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus.” (45:1)
Of course, Cyrus hadn’t been yet. It is 176 years before the event. Even though he wasn’t even born yet, Isaiah is proclaiming the name of Cyrus! The fact that Isaiah could clearly proclaim the future is evidence that God is the real God and that God can do anything. God is all knowing and all mighty. He knows everything and can do anything. That is why the Bible is the Word of God. It is proof. Please open your Bibles to Isaiah 41:23.
Only God can proclaim what is to occur in the future. By this God shows us that He is God.
Also please open your Bibles to 45:21 and 22.
Other religious books have good things written in them too. They even have things written in them that sounds like the truth. However, the Bible is unique in that the future is written clearly. Only God can know the future accurately. If this prophecy didn’t occur, then it wouldn’t be truth. It wouldn’t be something we could put our faith in. It is not a prophecy that could taken anyway we would like to take it. It is clear; “Cyrus” (45:1) There is no one that can tell us the future before it happens except the God of the Bible, the God of Israel.
Let’s look at Isaiah 46:9, 10
This is the God that we believe in. Let’s leave everything in the hands of this God. Everything that happens is in the hands of God. Your past, your present, your future are all in the hands of God. Therefore, let’s leave everything in His hands. That’s because he knows everything and can do everything. God knows what is going to happen in the future. He has eyes to see the future. Let’s give our lives to the God. When we don’t know our future or we can’t see ahead, we feel uncertain. We worry. However, God knows what’s ahead. He knows everything so it is only natural that we leave everything in his hand. By leaving everything in his hands we can have real contentment and peace.
Please look at verse 19 to the end of the chapter.
This is describing the complete destruction of Babylon. This says Babylon “will never be inhabited.” (20) This is prophesying that Babylon will be deserted. “No Arab will pitch is tent there, no shepherd will rest his flocks there. But desert creatures will lie there.” (20,21) That’s how ruined it will be. As this prophesy says Babylon was gradually destroyed and almost totally destroyed for the last time by Persia in 478 B.C. Then in 330 B.C. the city was completely destroyed, deserted and fell into complete disrepair and ruin, and has remained that way ever since. The enemies of Christ will be completely over thrown, and ruined to the point that they are deserted by man.
Rev. 18:2
Therefore, we need to fear and believe in the one and only God. We need to live in humility before God. Even flourishing Babylon was destroyed. What we need to believe in, be sheltered in, keep our eyes on constantly is God who no matter what will never be destroyed. He has promised us the kingdom of heaven. Let’s receive this kingdom that will never be shaken no matter what happens. Let’s live putting all our assurance in this. This is what God desires of us.

Today let’s look at Isaiah 12. Verse 2 which are words of praise by those who are saved says, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. “ God is my salvation.
Today I would like to talk about three things from these words of praise.
1. God is our salvation.
2. The joy of those who are saved.
3. Those who are saved will proclaim that salvation to the whole world.

I. God is our salvation (vs. 1,2)
First please look at verses 1 and 2.
Here too it says, “In that day” (1). “In that day” is one of the key words of Isaiah. I have talked about this several times, but this is a prophecy both about an event that will occur in Isaiah’s age and at the same time is about what will happen in the last days. “In that day you will say; ‘I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.’” (1)
These are words of praise to God. Although the Lord was angry with them, God’s anger has turned away and God has comforted them. This is the prophecy of the Babylonian captivity in the age of Isaiah. Israel turned their back on God and walked their own selfish road so God sent the country of Babylon and destroyed them. Then they were captured and deported to Babylon where they stayed for 70 years. That was in 586 B.C. Isaiah prophesized this around 730 B.C. so this happened about 150 years after Isaiah gave this prophecy. Northern Israel had already been destroyed by Assyria. That was in 722 B.C. In the age of Isaiah Northern Israel was destroyed. In the Southern Kingdom of Judah there were comparatively good kings so it lasted a little longer. However, the Southern Kingdom also became prideful and turned their back on God so at last they were destroyed. However, that was the judgment of God to chastise Israel. God chastised them so they would repent and return to God.
Hebrews 12:7, 8
They were chastised because God loved Israel. God chastised them so that in their agony they would repent and turn to God. 70 years later under the Persian King Cyrus who was also ruling Babylon, the Israelites were able to return to Jerusalem. God’s anger had turned away and God comforted them.

While talking about the far future and while talking about the end times, this is prophesying about the events of the Tribulation. Israel didn’t repent and accept the salvation of God readily so God by the power of the anti-Christ gives them pain. In other words, this is about the age of Tribulation. That was pain like they had never experienced. It was so painful that they desired their own death. In the midst of it many people died, but a remnant remained. They are the “remnant”. In the midst of the pain they receive Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior. Like this the Words of the Bible that all of Israel will be saved will be fulfilled. A time will come when Israel will be encouraged. God’s anger is not to ruin them, but so that they will be saved. God loves them so much that He is jealous for them so he has anger. As a result of that anger they will be saved. Then God’s anger will be turned away and He will comfort them. Please open your Bibles to II Cor. 7:9 to 10.
II Cor. 7:9, 10
Paul so that people in Corinth would repent wrote a letter “with great frankness.” (II Cor. 7:4) The Corinthians that read the letter were very sorrowful, but their sorrow led them to repentance. Therefore, Paul says, “now I am happy…because your sorrow led you to repentance.” (II Cor. 7:9) “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (II Cor. 7:10) There are two kinds of sorrow, Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation… but worldly sorrow brings death.” (II Cor. 7:10) The comfort that is spoken about in Isaiah is this Godly sorrow. From that sorrow comfort is born. God gives the Israelites who turned their backs upon God, pain. To chastise them God sent chastisement. However, God’s anger will turn away and God will comfort Israel.
God will comfort you too. By not following the will of God and trying to get your own way and your own thinking, you will have painful experiences, and be sorrowful, but this will bring repentance, and you will receive real comfort.
Then “you will say…’Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.’” (1, 2)
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.” (2) In Hebrew this, “God is my salvation” (2) is Joshua which means “Yahweh is salvation”. This is Jesus in Greek. Jesus means “Yahweh is salvation.” Jesus is salvation. Jesus is Lord, the Messiah, the Christ. It is the creator God who expresses Himself as “I am who am I am”. Salvation is brought about by depending on this Jesus. We depend on the Lord so we have no fear. We don’t have to worry. We don’t have uncertainties. Also we don’t have complaints or dissatisfactions. This is because Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is salvation. He was put on the cross and atoned for us who should have just been destroyed in the depths of hell. Therefore, by trusting in him, we don’t have to be afraid of anything.
To”trust” (2) means to “lay on the ground with our arms spread wide open“. It means to leave everything in the hands of God. It is to say to God that He can do anything he wants to with us. To trust means to give our whole self to God. It is to trust God with all our temporal concerns, not doubting but believing that He will make all work for our good. If we have such a trust, then we have nothing to fear. Those who have God for their salvation can enjoy holy security and serenity of mind.
F.B. Meyer said, “Faith is a bucket.” Faith as a bucket is drawn up from the wells of Jesus. From the wells of salvation we draw up the buckets of faith so we have nothing to fear.
“The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (2) The word used here for “LORD” (2) is “Yah”. “Yah” is the contraction of Yahweh, and both signify his eternity and unchangeableness, which are a great comfort to those that depend upon him as their strength. Here “The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (2) expresses　great joy. “The LORD, the LORD himself…has become my salvation.” (2)
Jesus has become our salvation. He died on the cross in our place for our sin of which we could do nothing about except be destroyed by it. By his death on the cross those who believe in Him have their sin forgiven. Jesus is salvation. The source of our salvation is in Jesus who died on the cross. Those who accept the salvation of Jesus have nothing to fear. They are overflowing with praise and joy. If you give everything to God, and trust in him, the Lord will give you salvation.

II. The wells of salvation (vs. 3)
The second point is about the joy of salvation. Please look at verse 3. If you experience the salvation of the Lord, you will be overflowing in joy.
In this verse we can feel the joy of the Israelites as they draw the water. You probably know the song, “Ｍayim Mayim“ which means “water, water” in Hebrew. It is a folk dance. The dance was created in 1937 for a festival to celebrate the discovery of water in the desert after a seven-year search. In 1948 the country of Israel was established and whenever wells were built, while remembering the events of the Exodus, the people made a circle around wells and danced. After the war the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers introduced this song to Japan to help rebuild their fields of burnt down cities and towns.　In time in 1963 the Jew, Mrs. Gurit Kadman taught the Jewish dance when she was in Japan and the Ministry of Education put it into the school curriculum so it began to be danced throughout Japan. However, originally it was a song of joy for drawing “water from the wells of salvation.” (3) The words of the song come from this verse, Isaiah 12:3. How great a joy it was to drill a well in the desert where there is nothing and hit water and draw the water up!
Here it says, “draw water from the wells of salvation.” (3) Before I said this, but “salvation” is “Joshua”. In other words, it is Jesus. Jesus is the well of salvation. From Jesus we can “draw water from the wells of salvation.” (3)
Let’s open our Bibles to John 7:37 to 39.
John 7:37-39
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” (John 7:37, 38) “The festival” (John 7:37) is the Festival of Tabernacles. This was to remember that before when Israel left Egypt during the 40 years going towards the promise land they lived in tents and to be thankful to the Lord that during that time He provided all they needed.
According to Lev. 23:33-36, the Festival of Tabernacles was to last for 7 days. Up until the last day every day the priests drew water from the pool of Siloam. In a procession they returned to the temple, where the water was taken in procession once around the altar and then the water was poured out as a libation at the morning sacrifice. This was a time of great joy. This joy was associated with Isaiah 12:3. On the seventh day when the priest returned to the temple the procession continued seven times around the altar. Then trumpets sounded 21 times and the water was poured out as a libation. There was great rejoicing.
The Festival of Tabernacles started on the Sabbath. Then on the eighth day the following Sabbath, they were to “hold a sacred assembly…It is the closing assembly.” (Lev. 23:36) Jesus “on the last and greatest day of the festival” (John 7:37) “said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” (John 7:37, 38) The question is whether the last and greatest day of the festival refers to the seventh day of the festival when there was the greatest amount of rejoicing as the water was carried around the seven times or if this was the closing assembly which was held on the eighth day which was the Sabbath. Some people think that because it was the Sabbath it was called the greatest day of the festival.
The eighth day was the closing ceremony marking the close of the Festival of Tabernacles which celebrated the Lord’s provision during the 40 years in the desert. Therefore, on the eighth day the priest did not draw water, but brought the water container to the temple empty. He did this because this expressed that their life in the desert was over and they were entering the Promised Land. In the Promised Land there was plenty of water so they would not need to be given water supernaturally. The Promised Land is rest.
If the eighth day, the Sabbath, was day that Jesus stood up and said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37, 38) then Jesus is saying that He is the source of living water, the real (Sabbath) rest. By drawing water up from the well of Jesus, we can receive a filling of real rest. This is not just a thirsty throat or physical thirst, but we will be healed of spiritual thirst too. Only the Messiah can do this. This Messiah came and healed everything including our thirsty hearts. This Messiah is Jesus.
Jesus heals our thirst. Before Jesus testified to the Samarian woman that he was the well of salvation.
John 4:13-14
The physical world always gives us thirst. Various advertisements inspire us to buy and make us buy goods. However, even if we buy it for the moment we are satisfied, but again soon we are thirsty. No matter how much we buy we can’t be satisfied. It is like a lake with no depth. With things of the physical world we are still thirsty. Some time ago I heard the testimony of Arthur Holland. He said that he had experienced all various kinds of pleasures of this world, but they were never able to give him fulfillment. Even if he gained temporary fulfillment, he still became thirsty again. When he was fulfilled by the things that you see with your eyes he became thirsty again. However, Jesus gave him living water so that he was never thirsty again. Anyone who is thirsty, who doesn’t want to be thirsty again always is talking about their discontentment and complaints. If we want to be set free from such a life we are told by Jesus to come to him and drink. “The wells of salvation” (3) is Jesus. Let’s remember that Jesus is the real “wells of salvation” (3)

III. Proclaim what he has done (Vs. 4-6)
The third point is that the people who have drawn water from the well of Jesus, will not just keep it within themselves, but will proclaim it “among the nations.” (4) Please look at verses 4 to 6.
“In that day” (4) is used here again. In verse 1 it says, “In that day you will say”. This “you” is in the singular form. It is a personal praise. In verse 14 it says again, “In that day you will say”. However, this “you” is in the plural form. It develops into praises by a group. The personal praise is “I will praise you, LORD” (1), but the group hymn is “Give praise to the LORD” (4) It becomes “Give praise” (4) “proclaim” (4) and “make known” (4)
Those who praise the Lord with out fail will feel like they have to tell other people about Him. They will “make known among the nations what he has done”. (4) Just going to church and singing hymns and saying “hallelujah” and “Praise the Lord!” is not just praise. Singing is only just one way of praising the Lord. Even when we don’t sing songs, we can praise the Lord. Even when it doesn’t become words, we can praise the Lord. It is wonderful to praise the Lord by songs, but you can also praise the Lord by your behavior. There are times when without words, by your behavior that you can praise the Lord. By payer you can praise the Lord. By testimonies, by evangelism you can praise the Lord. Praising isn’t only just coming to church and being a part of the worship service. Praising, proclaiming his name, making “known among the nations what he has done” (4) are all ways of praising the Lord.
The other day at the annual meeting of the Missionary Training Center a pastor said quietly, “We can’t go to the mission field and evangelize ourselves, but I’m so happy that we can take part in the grace of world missions by praying for the Missionary Training Center and by giving. I thought that this is really true. There are many ways that we can praise. We can show thankfulness. Here we are recommended to “give praise to the LORD” (4) by making ““known among the nations what he has done”. (4)
Those who praise the Lord can’t be quiet. They think that they want to tell as many people as possible about how great God is. They want to say “Hallelujah” “Give praise to the Lord.” (4) The Lord is wonderful so “make known among the nations what he has done.” (4) If you do that then you too will become someone who praises the Lord. That is what this is saying here.
That day is coming. Even people who today don’t feel like praising God will when that day comes want to praise the Lord. A day will come when all mouths will confess the Lord and bow in worship. I said that it is prophesized that that day will come at the end of the world. However, personally I don’t think that is in the distant future. I feel that that day is just around the corner. It is not unbelievable that Jesus Christ could come any time. We are living in such an age. It may be tonight. It may be tomorrow. It may be within the year. It is not so far away. Are you prepared for it? Can you say, ”Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (4-6) Hallelujah!
The Lord has become your salvation. With joy you have drawn “water from the wells of salvation.” (3) Let’s praise this wonderful God and “let this be known to all the world.” (5)

Applying it to our lives
* Are you depending on the Lord? Are you giving thanks to the Lord and are you overflowing in praise like the Israelites? What are you afraid of and what are you worrying about?

* Are you thirsty? How are you healing that thirst? Are you drawing water from Jesus, the well of salvation?

* Are you making known the joy of salvation to other people? What wonderful things has the Lord done for you?

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.