日: 2014年1月21日

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

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

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

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

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

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

Applying it to our lives

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Applying this to our lives

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today let’s study Isaiah 5. Today’s message title is taken from verse 1. Isaiah preached the Word of the Lord as a prophet. Here he is using a vineyard as a metaphor for the spiritual condition of Israel. Not only that, he is not just talking, but is using the metaphor of the vineyard too. Today through this love song, let’s look at three points of how much God loves Israel.
1. Let’s look at the expectations God had for Israel.
2. Let’s look at how Israel responded to God’s expectations.
3. Let’s look at what we need to do to bear good fruit.

I. God’s expectations (vs. 1,2)
First, let’s look at the expectations God had for Israel. Let’s look at verse 1 and the beginning of verse 2.
This passage we can understand well just by reading it. There is a master who has a vineyard. He cultivated grapes. He worked hard at tilling the soil, and planted good grape seedlings. Moreover, he put a fence around them to protect them. He prepared what was needed to make wine when the grapes are harvested. This expression, “a fertile hillside”, expresses the richness of the land. Palestine has fertile hills of terra rossa, a type of red clay soil produced by the weathering of limestone. It is a popular soil type for wine production. However, this does not mean that the land as it was was a good field. To be a good field, it had to be taken good care of. Therefore, this master of the vineyard “dug it up and cleared it of stones, and planted it with the choicest of vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes.” (2)
This was extraordinary care. It is not easy to remove rocks and stones. Also, with the stones that are removed he put up a stone wall around the vineyard, and with the left over stones built a watchtower. Watching over the vineyard was a hard job too. Especially during the important harvest season they had to watch over the vineyard 24 hours a day. Also he “cut out a winepress.” (2) A wine press was actually a wine vat. The grapes were trampled and the juice flowed into the wine vat where it was retained and stored until fermentation had begun. So that it can be used for a long time, it is cut out of stone. He took good care of the vineyard. He “cut out a winepress as well.” (2) The words, “as well” express how much he worked. That is how much he worked to produce the wine.
Here the vineyard is Israel and the master who worked so hard in caring for the vineyard is God. That is how much God loved Israel. We hear often that the God of the Old Testament is a fearful God and the God of the New Testament is a loving God. However, that is not so. The God of the Bible is consistently a loving God. If we look at how God appears in this passage we can see that God is a loving God. A person who thinks that God is fearful has assumed that himself. In reality that is not so. God no matter what loves us and for Israel worked so hard to care for them and bring them up.
God loved Israel so much because “he looked for a crop of good grapes” (2) from his vineyard. He “looked for good” (4) delicious grapes. He looked forward to the crop for a long time for them. Verse 2 expresses well the feelings of the master, “he looked for a crop of good grapes.”
Someplace, I don’t remember where, but I ate at a restaurant that served prime Japanese beef. On the entrance to the restaurant was a funny notice. “This restaurant uses prime Japanese beef. Our special cows are raised listening to classical music and receiving massages daily.” This restaurant’s cows were raised listening to classical music everyday! Moreover, they get massages! Isn’t that too luxurious? Underneath the notice there was an explanation. “The meat of cows that have been raised listening to classical music is of high quality and tender.” When I saw the explanation, I wondered if it was really true or not, but more than that I felt the owner’s deep drive, motivation and enthusiasm. I thought that he went that far to get the prime meat. That is how much expectation he had for the meat.
Ephesians 1:3-6
Here it says, God “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) God even “chose us in him before the creation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4) This was “to the praise of his glorious grace.” (Ephesians 1:6) So that God’s glory would be praised, before we were born, “before the creation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) God chose us to be saved. God’s thoughts and feelings are strongly communicated to us. How much are we aware of God’s thoughts and feelings? Is there a possibility that we take our salvation and or the fact that we can worship every week at church as an ordinary thing and are not answering God’s expectation?
I think that probably the Ephesians were in such a condition. The temple to Artemis was there and the town was full of magicians and heathen idols and so at best just not losing their faith was about all they could do, but in reality God had high expectations for the Ephesians. Thus that was probably why people with big names like Paul, Timothy and John were sent to this church. It is said that many of the 7 churches that appear in Revelations were born out of the evangelism of the Ephesian church. This church didn’t just stop at local evangelism and church planting, but God had high expectations for them. In the same way God has expectations for us. If you look at us, we are like the countrymen of Galilee and we may be small and you may wonder what we could ever do. However, God wants this small Galilean country church to respond to God’s commission and become a church that shoulders the responsibility of worldwide missions.
Before pro baseball Dragons team player Mr. Nakamura was famous, the manager at that time, Mr. Hoshino said to him, “I will make you the number 1 player in Japan.” At that time I don’t where or how many possibilities he found, anyway he was just burning with those words.
Mr. Nakamura thought, “Even if I’m not worthy of it, the manager said that he would make me the number 1 player in Japan. The manager expects that much from me.” When he thought about that he was so happy and he went to the ground earlier than any other player, and practiced later than any other player. Now he is famous for his enthusiasm and his fighting spirit to make a comeback after all injuries.
If you think that no one expects anything from you, then it is natural to have no ambition, but if you know that someone is expecting something from you then you feel you have to make strenuous efforts. God finds the possibilities within us, and is excitedly waiting. Let’s receive the blessing of God and rise up to meet God’s expectations.

II. God’s despair (vs.2-4)
Let’s look at how Israel responded to God’s expectations. Please look at verses 2 to 4.
Contrary to God’s high expectations, the vineyard only yielded bad grapes. The grapes failed to mature and they spoiled. Even though the master took such good care of the vineyard and had expected good grapes, they were bad grapes. The words of the master, “but it yield only bad fruit.” (2) reveals the regret and mortification of the master.
Therefore, the Lord asks the people of Jerusalem and Judah to stand as a judge between God and his vineyard, Israel.
Verses 3,4
Even though the master did more than what anyone could say was necessary, he asked, “why were the grapes it yielded so bad that they couldn’t be used for food? Did I do something wrong? Is there something that I didn’t do? If there is something please tell me.” Of course the answer is No. There is nothing. The way God related to Israel was perfect. He took good care of the vineyard. He wasn’t lacking in anyway. If so, then why were the grapes bad? The answer is in verse 7.
Here it says, “He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.” (7) These words “justice” and “bloodshed” and “righteousness” and “distress” are not necessarily contradictory words. Isaiah is using a play on words to make his point. The words for “justice” and “bloodshed” (mishpat and mispah) sound alike. So do those for “righteousness” (sedaqah) and “distress” (seagah). They sound alike, but their meanings are completely different. In other words, even though they look like what God was expecting, their insides were completely different. This was the problem. In reality they weren’t like God’s expectations, but they looked like they were. This was the problem.
There is a person that I know well, Maruya Sensei who wrote the book, “What a healthy faith is”. In this book he explains why this type of things happens. He explains this by using the word “Acting Spiritual”. Even though the person is not really spiritual, he thinks of himself as spiritual and acts that way. To be spiritual is to do the will of God. Even though he is not doing the will of God and is in reality separated from the will of God, he has a preconceived idea and image of what spirituality is so he has a misunderstanding of spirituality. Then such spiritual acting becomes habitual and unconscious and he lives a life of faith by the understanding of his own gospel. Like this it is difficult for him to mature. There is also the possibility that he will fall to spiritual decay. He is in the same condition of being on the surface like a good grape, but the inside is bad.
Israel became unable to bear good fruit. They thought they were receiving the grace of God and shut themselves up into consciousness of elite grace and while receiving grace they left such a walk. Then they bore only bad grapes. No matter how much effort you make in your own strength, you can’t bear the “justice” and “righteousness” that God expects.
The master of the vineyard is expecting good grapes. He desired good grapes. That is what he expected from the vineyard. This is the meaning of the vineyard’s existence.

III. The true vine (vs. 5,6)
Let’s look at how we can bear good grapes. Look at verses 5 and 6.
Here the conclusion of the master of the vineyard is stated. “Now I will tell you” (5) God had asked if there was anything that he had failed to do, but there is nothing so next God says that he will tell them what he is going to do. “I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled.” (5) This means that outside enemies will come. They were protected because of God’s protection. Even so they did not recognize that and did things that denied God so there was no reason to have a vineyard. Therefore, God says, “I will take away its hedge and it will be destroyed. I will break down its wall and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there.” (5,6) Therefore, we won’t be able to walk there. Even though because God cultivates we are able to live contentedly, God won’t do that anymore. More terrible is “I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” (6) Rain is a symbol of life. The sun rising and the rain falling is necessary for us to be able to feel comfortable. If there is no rain, then plants can’t grow and live. This rain will not fall. We will face God’s judgment like this.
Incidentally, this parable of the vineyard Jesus talked about to the Jewish leaders. Please open your Bibles to Matthew 21:33-44. When the Jewish leader heard this parable they must have known clearly that this was the contents of the Old Testament in Isaiah 5. They knew that the farmers were themselves and the servants were the prophets. When the landowner sent the servants to the farmers, they beat the servants and killed them. When the Jewish leaders heard this, their faces darkened with hostility and anger. Then in verses 37-39 the landowner sends his son and the farmers kill him. When the leaders hear this they couldn’t take it.
Because of what has happened, the landowner “will bring those wretches to a wretched end.” (Matthew 21:41) This is what is written in Isaiah 5. Then what God will do is written in verse 43. “Therefore, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
If Israel does not meet God’s expectations and produce only bad grapes then God would remove the kingdom of God from them and give the kingdom of God to a people that will bear fruit. Those people are the Gentiles. The Jews weren’t able to believe in God easily so God took away his grace and gave it to the Gentiles. As a result God’s kingdom has now come to us. This means that in order for us to produce the fruit that God expects, we need to believe in Jesus Christ, accept him and walk following the Word of God.
John 15:5
Jesus is the vine. We are the branches. Just as the branch must remain in the vine in order to bear fruit, we too must remain in the vine, Christ, or else we can’t bear fruit. No matter how much we try, we can’t please God. On the contrary we do what mustn’t do. For such people like us, the vine, Jesus, died on the cross. The vine, Jesus, was cut. Then the place where we were cut off at is grafted into Jesus, the trunk, in the place where Jesus was cut off at. The life of Jesus began flowing into us. By this life, we can grow lots of fruit. In other words, only by the living fellowship of Jesus, can we produce fruit.
What a wonderful promise! Even though by our own strength we can only produce bad fruit, by fellowshipping with Jesus, by the life of Jesus we can have good grapes. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) We can have these fruit.
Abraham Lincoln soon after becoming an adult is said to have become neurotic. However, by being support by God he was able to put his life on the right track and was resolved to live for God and for man. Also Mrs. Curie after her husband’s tragic death, gave her life to God and through scientific study discovered radiation and made a huge contribution to the scientific world. William Booth, the founder of the Salvation army, never lost his passion for the lost, but made his decision for ministry more and more steadfast.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5) Us too, let’s abide in Jesus, and let’s produce not pretend fruit, but the real fruit.
A little while ago on a gardening program on T.V. a professional gardener said, “By talking to your plants, you can prompt the plants growth.” This plant was a Creeping Charlie, a kind of inside plant, but the commentator said, “By talking to the leaves nicely, patting them, and talking to them, you can nurse its self esteem.”
We are Creeping Charlies. God is always speaking to us. He is always encouraging us, and patting us on the back. Let’s always hear God’s encouraging voice, and feel God’s expectations, and put our roots deep into the Word of God, and fellowship with the living God and be a person with abundant fruit.

Let’s apply it to our lives
1. What is God expecting of you? What is necessary for you to meet God’s expectations?

2. What kind of fruit are you producing? Good grapes? Bad grapes? What do you think is necessary for you to produce good grapes?

Today I would like to talk from 3:16 through the whole fourth chapter about “God who purifies”. The result of Israel “trusting in mere humans who have but a breath in their nostrils” (2:22) was that the Lord removed everything that had supplied and supported them. God removed things like “all supplies of food and all supplies of water”, (3:1) “the hero and the warrior”, (3:2) and “the judge and the prophet”. (3:2) Judah became confused and devastated. However that was not the end. God takes the filth away from Israel and purifies them. Today I would like to talk about the restoration of Israel.
Today I would like to talk about 3 aspects of purification by God.
1. God does not look at the surface, but at the heart.
2. God removes pride.
3. God purifies such filth.

I. Make the insides beautiful (vs. 3:16-23)
First let’s look at the point that God looks at our insides. Please look at verse 16 to 23. First look at verse 16.
Here God is comparing Israel to a sexy woman.　In chapter one Israel was compared to a wife, but here is compared to a sexy woman. These women are “haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.“ (3:16) “Walking with outstretched necks” (3:16) means to walk putting on airs. To walk “flirting with their eyes” (3:16) means they walk using their eyes to draw men’s attention “Strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles” (3:16) describes them as appearing to be trying to catch men’s interest. Of course they are wearing make up and jewels. In verse 17 it says, “Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald.” God is going to remove their finery and make up.
In verses 18 to 23 there is a list of a lot of the finery. In all there are 21 items. “the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the earrings and bracelets and veils, the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings and nose rings, the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.” There was a lot！ They were wearing that much finery.
The problem was not that they desired beauty. Desiring beauty is an instinct that humans have been given and an order of creation. When the first man Adam and Eve fell to sin, they realized they were nude and thought it was shameful. Therefore, they sewed fig leaves together and made skirts. God made clothes for them out of animal skins and put them on them. Also Abraham gave to Rebekah who was his promised son, Isaac’s, bride to be, “gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing” (Genesis 24:53) and “a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets” (Genesis 24:22) Also when we look at the book of Ruth, in order to gain an heir, she sends her daughter in law to Boaz wearing perfume and her best clothes. Therefore, finery and accessories are not in themselves bad. Wearing them is also not a sin. If they are used right, they are sources of blessings and joy and thankfulness.
The problem is how they appeared on the outside and how they looked in the hidden inside was imbalanced. “The women of Zion” (3:16) more than doing the will of God, they worked hard to be seen well by decorating themselves. They lived in luxury. This was the problem. The root of the problem was as it says in verse 16, they “are haughty”. They were proud. They were prideful and they were only interested in themselves. They were God’s people while their hearts were filled with things of the world more than God.
Isaiah discerned that the root of evil is pride. It might be better said as self-conceit. A person’s pride is seen in too much sexual desire and in a luxurious life attitude. “Flirting with their eyes, strutting along,” (3:16) “headbands” (3:17) and “bracelets” (3:17) are unique and are used only here in the Old Testament. I think that Isaiah was expressing how prideful, and bloated in self-conceit they were through these words.
However, God didn’t want Zion’s self conceit to be satisfied by adorning themselves with such finery. God desires that our pride be broken down and that we love God and man. I Peter 3: 3, 4 say, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quest spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Having a good looking heart is what we must desire.
What is your standard for beauty? “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. “ (I Samuel 16:7) We must desire a heart that pleases the Lord. “It should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quest spirit.” (I Peter 3:4)

II. Pride will be broken down (vs. 3:24-4:1)
The second point is that pride will be broken down. Please look at verses 3:24 to 4:1.
In 3:24 “Instead of” is used five times. This expresses that compared with the present situation how great a calamitous condition it will be. “The women of Zion” (3:16) had their hearts absorbed only in beauty and gorgeousness that is seen with the eyes and they didn’t depend upon God. “Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion;” (3:17) and remove their accessories. They will appear like a real calamity.
This was fulfilled about 100 years later when Judah was captured and deported by Babylon. At the time the jewelry that the women of Judah were wearing and all valuables were all confiscated. Also the people who were wearing perfume couldn’t take a bath for days so they smelled foul. Instead of wearing a sash, they were tied and led away to Babylon by ropes. Then their beautiful hair was cut and they became bald. Instead of fine clothing, they wore sackcloth to show sadness. Their beauty was completely lost.
That’s not all. In verses 25 and 26 it says, “Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.” The men that the women had desired will fall in battle and many will die. “The gates” (26) is the place where the government administered, what we call the town hall. There information about the soldiers killed in action came and came and so the people there will lament and mourning will spread over the whole town. Like this Zion, “destitute, will sit on the ground.” (3:26) Zion will be completely devastated.
Please look at 4:1
As a result of many warriors falling in battle only a few men are left. The ratio is 7 women to 1 man. If this happens, the women are in a bind. They don’t care what the man is like. They just want to get married. Then they tell the guy if they can get married, that he doesn’t have to worry about providing for them. They will take care of that by themselves. Just marry me! The reason that they are so anxious to get married is given here in their plea, “Take away our disgrace!” (4:1) Through marriage they wanted to keep their honor.
Even though marriage is not everything in our life, for these women it was everything. This was the only way they could find hope. In Old Testament times marriage and birth were signs of God’s blessing. Without them they thought they fell behind others. They wanted to be married somehow even if it was in appearance only. From this too we can see that they tried to varnish themselves outwardly.
Thus, the things that they took pride in were all things that you wear on yourself. They are all things that are useless in adorning your inner side. They lived taking pride in these things. When they took pride in such things, God judged them and removed such things from them. Then this brought devastation and lamenting. We need to turn from such vain living to God who gives us life, and abundant mercy and who watches over us, and become humble before God.

III. You will be called holy (4:2-6)
By the way, God doesn’t just judge Jerusalem that is filthy with unbelief, disobedience and idolatry. God through redemption and making her holy makes the city worthy to be a city of God. This is written in 4:2 to 6
Isaiah 4:2-6
“In that day” (4:2) is the last days, when the Lord comes again. “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.” (4:2) Here, God’s plan of salvation is expressed as “the Branch of the Lord”. (4:2) “The Branch” is a Messianic title. At Christmas we studied this, but in 11:1 it says, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Also Jeremiah 23:5 also says, “’The days are coming declares the LORD, ‘when I will rise up to David a righteous Branch.’” These are about the Lord Jesus Christ who will come in the course of time. In that day, all people’s pride will be shattered, an absolutely desperate devastation will cover the world, but the Messiah that God sends, “the Branch” (4:2) (Christ) is “beautiful and glorious, and” (4:2) by the grace of God “the survivors of Israel” (4:2) will abundantly eat the produce of the land.
Here again the words, “the survivors of Israel” (4:2) appear again. This is the same as “those who are left” in verse 3. This “remnant” is a consistent and important theme throughout Isaiah. It will appear over and over again. (1:8-9, 4:2,3, 6:13; 10:20-22; 11:11,16; 28:5; 37:31-32; 46:3; 49:6) It can also be seen in the name of Isaiah’s eldest son who was named Shear-Jashub. The name Shear-Jashub means “a remnant will return”. While Israel was a people of God, they forgot God, rebelled against God and weren’t able to escape the judgment of God. However, that wasn’t the end. God by his grace left a “remnant”, who returned from the deported land so that the real God’s people never die out. Through the care of God, they can always continue to walk the road as God’s people.
That’s right. The purpose of God’s judgment on Israel was not to destroy her, but for their recovery. By such a judgment, their filth will be washed away and they will be made holy. However, there are only a few people that are left there. Please look at verse 3.
Here it says, they “will be called holy”. (4:3) This is awesome. They “will be called holy” (4:3) means that they holy. In other words, they as holy people will inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore, here it says, “all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.” (4:3) This is a wonderful promise.
Jesus upon returning in triumph from casting out demons, and performing many miracles said to his disciples, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your name is written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20)
It is important that your name is written in the book of life. It is more important than casting out demons or sickness being healed. That’s because no matter many demons leave or sickness are healed, if it isn’t connected with eternal life then it has no meaning. Whether or not our names are written in the book of life is the most important thing in our life.
Chloroform, an anesthetic, was founded by and first used clinically by the English doctor James Simpson. In 1947 he used it for the first time in surgery. By it those who had surgery were set free from pain and agony. Someone asked him, “What is the greatest discovery you have ever made?” He thought that Simpson would answer, “the discovery of chloroform”, but contrary to his expectation, Simpson answered, “My greatest discovery was that I found Jesus Christ as my Savior.” To find Jesus Christ as his Savior was the greatest joy in his life.
In our lives there are many kinds of joy: sicknesses are healed, our job is decided upon, we marry a good person, we pass an entrance exam, a problem is solved, we get something we desired, etc. However, in our lifetime the greatest joy is finding Jesus Christ and having our names recorded in the book of life. There is no greater joy than this.
“The Branch of the LORD” (4:2) does this. “In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious” (4:2) and all people’s pride will be shattered. However, a remnant will be left there. They “will be called holy” (4:3) They are the people whose names are written in the book of life.
Then the Lord will perfectly watch over these remaining people. Please look at verses 6 and7.
In the great tribulation which will occur in the last days, God will severely bring judgment in order to remove the filth from Zion. In the midst of this there will be a remnant that repent and turn to the Lord. Such a remnant will in the midst of God’s severe judgment, will not be destroyed. This is because the Lord himself “will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.” (4:2) Then the Lord will create there “a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night.” (4:5) Then during the day it will protect them from the burning sunshine and at night it will become a pillar of fire that will protect them from the cold. Also “it will be a shelter and shade” (4:6) and protect them. This “shelter” (4:6) is like the ozone that protects the earth from ultraviolet rays. It intercepts harmful things and protects what is in it. God will be their “shelter” (4:6) and also is their “shade” (4:6) and protects all who are under it. God will be their shade and also will be their shelter so God will protect them from all kinds of harm. Please open your Bibles to Psalm 91.
Psalm 91:1,4,5,9
Corrie Ten Boom who wrote the book, “The Hiding Place” during World War II was sent to a German Concentration camp as a political criminal and she experienced the Lord becoming her hiding place just like these words say. By many unexplainable miracles she was saved from there. She had by nature a very timid personality. She was such a coward that if a caterpillar appeared in front of her she screamed. However the Lord became her hiding place so even in the face of death, she was able to be surrounded by peace.
The Lord is our “refuge and hiding place” (4:6) so no matter what difficulties we are in, let’s leave all in the hands of the Lord, and in the peace of the Lord we can be restful. When sicknesses or accidents that you never thought about or trials over shadow you do you fall into despair and complain to God? No matter how difficult a trial, just like a father would never abandon his child, God would never leave us, or desert us. Rather, in the midst of the trial he will watch over us and give us a huge hope and encouragement. Therefore, in our lives there are big and little trials, but no matter what kind of trials come our way, let’s hold on to the promises of the Word of God, always depend on the Lord, and continue to walk the road of faith. Someday you too “will be called holy”. (4:3)
Applying it to our lives
1. What accessories are you using? Are they “outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes”? (I Peter 3:3) Or are they from your inner self like “a gentle and quiet spirit”? (I Peter 3:4)

2. Do you believe the Lord is your “refuge and hiding place”? (4:6) What trials and troubles are you facing now? What does it mean to you to believe in the Lord’s promises?

Today let’s study together the third chapter of Isaiah. Today’s title is “God who removes”. At the end of chapter 2 Isaiah says, “Stop trusting in mere humans who have but a breath in their nostrils” (2:22) In today’s passage in order to show that there is no value in trusting in such humans, everything that had supplied and supported them is removed.
Today I would like to talk about three aspects of the “God who removes”.
1. God removes “both supply and support”. (1)
2. The result of depending on the wrong things is that tragedy and confusion come upon the whole country.
3. However, even in the midst of this, those who repent receive the grace of God.

I. God who removes (vs. 1-3)
First please look at verses 1 to 3.
Here it says, “all supplies of food and all supplies of water.” (1) “All supplies of food and all supplies of water” (1) are the things in our life that we can’t do without. Everyday we eat as if it is the normal thing. We drink as if it is the normal thing. In reality such food and drink is given to us by God. Even so we think that we got them by our own strength and we think we can live without God so God will take away all food and water.
That’s not all. In verse 2 it says, “the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder.” “The hero and the warrior” (2) refers to military leaders and soldiers. In Japan too there is the National Defense force and by these people we have protection against attacks from surrounding countries. Then there are “the judge and the prophet”. (2) The judges are the politicians. The prophets point the way. I don’t know for sure what is meant by prophets. I don’t know if it was the result of Israel not depending on God, but depending on man and so consequently there was no need for the prophets and so they were removed. Or maybe the prophets themselves became degraded so they were removed. I don’t know. Here they are listed with the judges so this probably refers to the prophets that had a voice in the decision of the direction the country goes. These people were also removed. For the country and for the church to have such leaders removed the unification of the whole is lost and should be a cause of concern. Such people will be removed.
Next is “the diviner and the elder”. It is interesting that the diviner would be paired with the elder. The diviner and elder share the common ground of giving a feeling of peace and security. Man has such feelings of uneasiness. The diviners and elders listen to such anxieties, and show the way. Young men and women have such anxieties about the future. They don’t know what kind of job they should take. They worry about dating and what to do about marriage. They have such anxieties and the diviners and elders give answers to their uncertainties. The diviners are very different from the elders, but they are both very respected so people can go to them for counseling. Such people will be removed.
Next, are “the captain of fifty and the man of rank”. (3) “The captain of fifty” is like a policeman and “the man of rank” (3) is like the people who work in public offices. These types of people are there so we can live with ease, but they will be removed.
Next, are “the counselor, (and) skilled craftsman”. These are people with skills. They are skilled workers like architects, civil engineers, and industrial technicians. Today that would be like scientists. Japan is especially a skilled country. With this technology we are fighting in the world. If all these technicians were removed, everything will disappear. Such technicians will be removed.
Then the “clever enchanter” is removed. These are those who make idols and also those who make curses.
God says that he will remove each one of these people. This was fulfilled later by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Please look at II Kings 24:14
II Kings 24:14
The prophecy came true when the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar “carried all Jerusalem into exile” (II Kings 24:14) to Babylon in 605 B.C. However, this is not just a prophecy of the deportation by Babylon, but is also a prophecy about the age at the end of the world. When the time called the Great Tribulation comes, such people will be removed.
This happens because man does not depend upon God, but man. They depend on what they can see. Judah’s mistake was the camouflaged “supply and support” they depended on. (1) In the chapter before Isaiah warns, “Stop trusting in mere humans who have but a breath in their nostrils” (2:22) This is the problem. Man confounded God and the things that God made. In time more than God they depended on such things and made light of God. When they should have depended upon God, they depended upon fleshly things. We have lost our original relationship with God.

II. The result of depending on the wrong things (vs. 4-7)
Let’s look at what happens, the result, of depending on such supplies and supports. Please look at verses 4 to 7.
Tragic things will occur in Judah as the result of the removal of all the things which the people of Judah depended on. The leaders who govern Judah will change. Immature leaders with no experience will be made leaders. “Mere youths” (4) will become their officials. This is not slandering young people. This “youth” refers less to the age of youth as to the lack of experience, to immaturity, to not having ability and attributes. Children who have no interest in anything but themselves will govern the country so the country will fall into confusion.
As a result “people will oppress each other”. (5) “The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.” (6) Respect and reliance will disappear. Fighting will never cease. Then like verse 6 says people will cry out that it doesn’t matter who it is they just want someone to govern this confused world. Here it says, “A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, ‘You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!’” (6) “Cloak” was a sign of material fluency. In a collapsing society, someone who has as little as a decent suit of clothes will seem prosperous enough to be made a ruler. Just because he has a cloak they ask him to become their leader. However, when they try to draft such a person to be a leader, he will reply that his wealth is only an illusion. He has no better answers than they have for the situation. Both the person who is asked and the person who asks say they have no ability and ambition so there’s no possibility that they can do it, and run away from the situation. “But in that day he will cry out, ‘I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people.’” (7) No matter what happens, no one will take responsibility for it. Because people depended on other people, and in things of this world more than God, the country was confused and it invited a tragic result.

III. It will be well with the righteous (vs. 8-15)
The third point is that the solution to this problem is to repent and turn to the Lord. Please look at verses 8 to 15.
Here the cause is given as to why society is in disorder, people’s hearts are uneasy, and the whole town is ruined. That is because they defied God. “Their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.” (8)
Proverbs 14:34
People turned their backs on God and were living selfishly. That was the problem. Insolent man calls this freedom. That is far from freedom, but is a ship with out an anchor. It is instable like a kite without a string. Then from this time on people begin living life drifting about.
Such people are like verse 9 and don’t think their sin is shameful. Like the people of Sodom in Genesis 19, they don’t try to hide their sin. In Genesis 19 the people of Sodom go to Lot and tell him to bring out the two messengers of God to them. The men of Sodom said that they wanted to know them. This “to know” means sexually. For a man to know a man sexually refers to homosexual acts. They weren’t ashamed to say such things and said it boldly.
However, to such an Israel God speaks words of encouragement. That is verses 10 and 11. Let’s read them together.
That means that even so still “it will be well with” (10) those who follow the Lord God. That is because before the Lord they are “paid back” (11) for their deed of repenting of their sin. In other words, they can receive the grace of God. However, the wicked who defy the Lord God will receive disaster. That is because just as the righteous will “be paid back” (11) for “their deeds”, the wicked will receive the appropriate judgment for the evil they have done.
Romans 2:6-8
Therefore, we must repent of our sin, the condition of turning our backs on God, and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and also as our Lord. Then we must depend not upon people, but upon God. That is the meaning of a righteous person. This type of person “will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” (10) That is because Romans 3:23, 24 makes the following promise.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
All men are sinners and can’t by their own power or effort be justified. (Romans 3:24) There is no other way that we can be justified except by believing in God’s son Jesus Christ. No matter how much effort we make, or how much good we do, we can’t compensate for our own sin. It is only by believing in Jesus Christ who died on the cross and who became our redemption that we can be forgiven of our sin and be justified. We have to accept God’s salvation.
Our real problem is that when a problem occurs we try to deal with it ourselves. By our own strength we try to solve the problem. You will know whether you are trying to solve problems by your own strength by whether you are always tired and disgusted or not. When you try to solve problems by your own strength you fall into such a condition. However, God desires that you stop trying to do something about the problem and trust in God.
No matter how bad the situation, God can change the situation completely. No matter how much it looks like your life has no hope, God can bring hope. When we are sinking in our problems, God will raise us up by the strength that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and solve the problems.
George Muller who was named “the person of faith” in his lifetime took care of 9,975 orphans. During that time thousands of times there wasn’t enough money and food. However, when he felt the pressure of needs, he didn’t tell anyone about the needs, and just prayed. Then God always for sure met the need.
This happened from May 1864 until the next May. In the orphanage there were 15 big cisterns, but because of a drought the water in the water cisterns ran dry. 10 kiloliters were needed everyday for the 300 children. 9 deep wells also ran dry. On top of that a spring, that until then had never dried up even once, almost all its water quit springing up.
George Muller prayed together with all the staff and children. They prayed to God who controls the weather too, “Please send rain!” Contrary to their earnest prayers, it didn’t rain at all. However, God instead of providing rain, moved some people’s hearts and the necessary water was given. First, a farmer that had a well, helped them. When his water ran short, next a different farmer shared water from the creek that ran through his field. Such people willingly cooperated even though they had never been asked to do so. Until the rain fell and the cistern filled with water, there was not a day when the necessary water was not given.
“Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” (10) “It will be well with them,” (10) that believe in Jesus and live depending upon God. “They will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” (10)
How about you? When you have a problem, how do you deal with it? Do you try to solve it by your strength? It is sad, but more than being loving, we tend to be cold to others. More than living overflowing in joy, we feel defeated, depressed, and disappointed. More than having peace, we are tense, and feel pressure. More than having perseverance, we demand and complain, and take out our frustrations on other things and people. More than being kind to others, we do everything for ourselves. More than being a good models, we feel that don’t have any good in us. More than having the manner of a kind heart, we hit the other person with anger and complaints. It is because we can’t solve things in our own strength.
Psalm 55:22
Let’s leave everything in God’s hands. Trust in the Lord. Stop depending upon your effort. Let’s completely leave your life in the hands of the Lord. If so, the Lord will give us fruits in our hearts.
The problem is when we are going to do this. If we postpone doing so, there are times when someday is deadly. “Someday I’ll go to the dentist. Someday I’ll have the surgery. Someday I’ll spend enough time with my family. Someday I’ll be a more earnest Christian. Someday I’ll be actively involved in the work of the church. Someday…” While we are thinking this, there will be a time when someday does not come.
The important thing is now. Now believe in the Lord. Now decide to leave all in the hands of the Lord. If you do that now, this minute, the grace of the Lord’s salvation will begin.

Let’s apply it to our lives!

1. What are you depending on? Does it have more of a grip on your heart than God?

2. When you have problems, how do you deal with them? Are you trying to solve them by your own strength? What is hindering you from depending upon God?