Book of Isaiah Liner Notes.Indd

BY RYAN MALONE • ORIGINAL ARMSTRONG AUDITORIUM CAST RECORDING • SOUNDTRACK LINER NOTES

SINGING CAST (in order of appearance) Assyrian Soldiers: Harley Breth, Anthony Maree Tolis, Jennifer Trebels | Male Inhabitants of Palace Administrator Eliakim �� Joshua Sloan Chibarirwe, Michael Davis, Christopher Eames, Jerusalem, Levites: Finance Minister Shebna �� James Brandon Jordan Ellis, Justin Goodearl, Caleb Heerma, Edwin Dan Burns, Scott Heerma, Zechariah Henderson, Jessie Recorder Joah �� Conner Brown Trebels, Tyler Verbout, Sean Welsh, Gianni Welsh Hester, Steve Hercus,Daniel Sam Livingston, Arnfield, David Seth Brandon,Malone, Queen Mother Abi �� Laura Turgeon (solo 2), Dan Westerbaan (solo 1), Justin Yocum Joseph Short, Reese Zoellner | Youth Inhabitants of Queen Mother’s Lady 1 �� Rachel Hyde Jerusalem: Spencer Falk, Noah Hilliker, Luke Hyde, Deepika Azariah, Tara Hyde, Megan Jenkins, Williams Jenkins, Queen Mother’s Lady 2 �� Jamie Hawkins Female Inhabitants of Jerusalem: Calela Brooks, Melissa Barreiro, Carolyn Coats, Olivia Jacquelynn Locher, Skye Malone, Nathaniel Morley, King Hezekiah�� Mark Jenkins Culpepper, Brandi Davis, Becky Falk, Aimee Goulet, Michal Orleans, Brett Williams �� Ezekiel Malone Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah’s Son) Maggie Hilliker, Grace Marquez, Sarah Privratsky, �� Albert Clarke Shearjashub (Isaiah’s Son) Paula Powell, Panayi Tolis, Danielle Underwood, Orchestra: Ryan Malone (keyboards), Hephzibah (Isaiah’s Daughter) �� Amy Flurry Ansley Welsh | Female Levites: Jessica Brandon, Prophetess (Isaiah’s Wife) �� Paula Malone Emily Burns, Rachel Culpepper, Brooke Davis, Corinne Eldon Matlick (horn), Jeff Kidwell (trombone), Prophet Isaiah �� Ryan Malone Eagle, Lindsy Eagle, Tasha Eagle, Sarah Evans, Valerie RogerParthena Owens Owens (percussion), (flute), David Densi Price Rushing (oboe), (violin 1), Assyrian Rabshakeh �� Shane Granger Jenkins, Christy McCarty, Heather Morley, Paula Pow- Sam Formicola (violin 2), Royce McLarry (viola), King Sennacherib ��Joel Hilliker ell, Jordy Rouzer, Katelynn Smedley, Emma Smithies, James Shelley (cello), Michael Geib (acoustic bass) LIBRETTO (Joah) Poor Anathoth is heard, Now only one nation So Laish is deterred, Can stop an invasion, ACT ONE To keep our great country alive. (Shebna) And ready to attack our city, We know they can save, 1. OVERTURE / KING’S TREASURES (Eliakim)he in Nob And shall Gebim stay. and Madmenah fly away. Though we once were their slaves, Orchestra (Joah) There is one place left to take, (Eliakim)In the shadow of Egypt we thrive! 2. THE ROD OF GOD’S ANGER Against our city and its holy hill. Isaiah the prophet, Isa. 8:7-8; 10:5-7, 28-32 (Joah)(Eliakim) Until And toward soon hisour fist place, will shake With a voice like a trumpet, This king will turn his face, Warned us against this alliance. (Eliakim) Urgent news we bring. We would carve out our tomb, (Shebna) Tidings for our king For this in God’s view (Joah) Reports of rising waters from the north. (Eliakim)And see Hehis cannot greed for comprehend Zion soon fulfilled. (Shebna) His tide shall overthrow The violence he intends, For he is just God’s tool. HowIs an couldact of wegreat forget defiance. (Eliakim) But by the hand of God he is sent forth: (Shebna) But deep within his heart, The three years that he went The lands in which they flow, He yearns and thirsts for war, Through our city completely unclothed? Assyria, it is the rod And no shoes on his feet, Of the anger and fury of Almighty God: As he roamed through the streets, Assyria, it is the staff (All) To fight and cut off nations not a few! On our minds this truth was imposed. Of God’s strong indignation and wrath 3. A SURE ALLIANCE How Egypt would soon be exposed. All nations that stand in its path, Isa. 20; 22:16; 30:2; 58:1 They are driven away like the chaff! Despite the temptations (Shebna) There’s no help in nations To Aiath they are come, Assyria’s net Assyria so soon would lay bare, (Shebna) And passed into Migron, As our maps are reshaped, (Joah) At Michmash their munitions have amassed, And our hosts cannot face it alone. We can see no escape. (Eliakim) This mighty entourage, WithoutIs a serious any threat! aid In Geba, it has lodged. Our foe will invade, (Joah) For they have now traversed And our city will be overthrown. Yes,If we a heedsure this,alliance then we would beware! the mountain pass. Is what we need. A sure alliance We are agreed. Is what we need. But only with our God can we succeed. A sure alliance (Eliakim)(Shebna) SoAnd Ramah’s Gallim’s filled daughter with dread, For this I plead. (Joah) criesSaul’s out Gibeah from has the fled, fray, So from this threat our city can be freed. But why should we fear, When the temple is here? Are withered by the gales on which they soar. I send unto this king God’s presence is right in our midst. Now we pray this humble gesture God’s house will endure, (Abi, Ladies) The proud will fall to woe Will be met with high esteem. Thus it keeps us secure. When the lofty are brought low To fend off an invasion, Do we think we will cease to exist? God will level every mountain, hill and tower. So our city ever stands, So why would we need Egypt to assist? (Lady 2) The vain He will disgrace; We will yield to his taxation (Lady 1) The haughty He’ll abase; We will pay what he demands,

4. REVIVE THE SPIRIT OF THE HUMBLE Isa. 57:15; 66:1-2; 64:6, 8; 45:9; 2:11-12, 14-15; (Lady(Abi) So 2) putWe yourare His trust sons; in HisHe isexalted our Father. power! 6. HISTORY AND PROPHECY 26:4-5 (Lady 1) We are the clay; He is the potter. Isa. 30:8; Isa. 41:22 (Abi) We are all the work of His hands. (Abi) (Lady 2) How can the vessel think itself greater— (Baz) Salvation is not found (Lady 1) Greater than He who is its Creator? Father can you tell us, On tabernacle grounds, (Abi) Which of us can question His plans? What it is you do? Just because they bear a sacred name. They say you are a prophet. The hearts of those who tremble Is that why you’re a writer too? Become God’s holy temple, 5. PAY WHAT HE DEMANDS One man can be the house of His acclaim. 2 Kings 18:14-16 (Jashub) Some prophets never write their words,

Though in heaven He resides, (Joah) (Baz) But Father writes down everything In the lowly He abides: To fend off an invasion, (Prophetess)(Hephzibah) TheirWhat’s preaching more, he will writes suffice, it twice. Their humble hearts the places of His rest. So our city ever stands, He writes it on the tablet, He writes it here again, Though He made the hosts on high, Here is his taxation; (Baz) You write it here, then write it there; Yet one can catch His eye, These are his demands. Father, do explain.

(Hezekiah) (Isaiah) ReviveThe afflicted, the spirit smitten, of the broken humble and oppressed. Give the vessels made of silver A prophet has a mission Revive the spirit of the meek. That the sanctuary stores, When he receives a vision, So you revive the eyes of the Eternal, The gold upon each pillar, To state it in the ears of everyone. For you revive the spirit that He seeks. And the gold upon the doors. When he obtains a message, For this is what I added Then he proclaims the presage, We are all unclean. To the beauty of that place, And when it happens, then his job is done, What righteousness we glean If it keeps our city planted, Amounts to soiled rags and nothing more. These goods can be replaced. He might write it on a table We are carried off by sin, So everyone is able As leaves upon the wind And many other treasures To understand what God will bring to pass. But then what God has willed, Now speaking of the latter days: And the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. And everything he wrote is in the past. There are certain things I write, Hereafter is fulfilled, That will only happen later; But the prophecy They have no present equal, ThouFor the shalt people weep shall no more;dwell in Zion at Jerusalem! God gives to me I don’t write them on the table, He will be very gracious unto thee. Is not confined to history. But only in this book At the voice of thy cry, Yes, much of this will happen once again. These words will be conveyed; when He shall hear it, For there will be Denoted by the phrase: He will answer thee. Duality, “In that day” Thine eyes shall see thy teachers, In present day reality. And thine ears shall hear a word And so I must preserve it with the pen. behind thee saying: 7. THIS IS THE WAY This current information Isa. 11:6-7, 9; 29:18-19; 30:19-21; 44:23 Holds latter revelation. Sing,“This Ois ye the heavens, way! Walk for yethe in Lord it.” hath done it; So I write it on a table, and in a book. (Hephzibah) The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, These historical depictions (Baz) And the leopard with the kid; Break forth into singing, ye mountains; Contain their own predictions, (Jashub) The calf, the young lion OShout, forest ye and lower every parts tree of therein. the Earth! and the fatling together For the Eternal hath redeemed Jacob, (Jashub/Baz) shall be led by a little child. WhatSo in bothwill bethe the past outcome? and future we can look! (Hephzibah) The cow and the bear shall feed, What will soon result? and their young ones shall lie down together. And glorified Himself in Israel! Just look into the former things. (Hephzibah/Prophetess) And the lion 8. PARADE OF TRIBUTE Its record now consult. shall eat straw like the ox. Adapted from Sennacherib’s Prism; Isa. 14:16-17 It shows us what shall happen, Reveals the latter end, (Prophetess) (Assyrian Army) It tells tomorrow’s stories, They shall not hurt, nor destroy, The future it portends, in all my holy mountain; OSennacherib, king of Earth’s our four mighty quarters king! Now as you see with the knowledge of the Lord WeSennacherib, are your brave your praisesupporters, we sing! This history, asFor the the waters Earth shallcover be the filled sea. Remember that it’s prophecy A preview and a pattern it portrays. And in that day shall the deaf WhoSennacherib, is the favorite your tribute king among we bring! the gods? Not kept for mere hear the words of the Book; Posterity, And in that day then the eyes of the blind A mighty man beyond belief, It gives the future clarity— shall see out of darkness. AmongOur loving the shepherdprinces he merciful is chief, and wise! What’s destined to befall the latter days. The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord,

O may our perfect hero now arise! His zeal to be the guardian of truth— And how my record stands as undefeated. I partake of every treasure His love of justice loudly we report. I’m undefeated. That the cities I defeated have in store.

(Solo 2) Who else performs such pious acts? With the goods they have to offer, (Solo 1) WhoSuch elseare the lends undisputed such generous facts! support? So none can stand against my iron will! ButAnd regardless I fill our nation’s of their coffers tribute I want more. EveryI alone rank possess we have my shrewdness is grander, and my skill! Jerusalem eventually will fall into my grip. He graciously gives aid unto his poor, Every guard like a commander, (Rabshakeh) This indomitable conqueror will And destitute who populate his reich. For our training and our tactics are advanced. take what’s rightly his. Yet he’s the mighty king by whom With such uncommon soldiers, (Sennacherib) And we will not stop trying The insolent will be consumed, There’s no army that is bolder, (Rabshakeh) Until on the mount of Zion With lightning all the wicked he will strike. For the power of our weapons is enhanced. Every one of our formations (Sennacherib) And their Hezekiah is defeated. (Solo 2) Behold the bounteous tribute from the center to each wing, (Both) Our great nation’s flag is flying Jerusalem’s throne has paid, Could take a city by itself and give the fatal sting. (All) (Solo 1) We humbly lay it before you, All the others are defenseless He is defeated. (Both) This pageantry on parade. Because every soldier senses No tribute that he offers us That regarding all my princes Will ever see my global lust defeated. (Rabshakeh) Everyone is like a king, He is defeated. He makes the Earth to tremble, We’re undefeated. And every kingdom shakes, He makes the world a wilderness, We’re undefeated. Jerusalem is now within my sights! Each nation’s will he breaks. All other gods are smashed or charred, I’ll exalt my throne above Mount Zion’s heights! No other king is like him, All other kings and nobles are defeated. 10. COME TO THE WATERS He is utterly unique, They are defeated. Isa. 33:16; 55:1; 48:21; 49:8, 10-11; 58:11; Give your strength unto him, Behold I gather eggs from every nest, 41:17-18; 35:1, 6-7; 44:3-4 Or he will make you weak, Give him your attention, (Hephzibah) (Sennacherib,And see there’s Rabshakeh, not a one who Assyrian dares Army) protest! Many have gathered outside of these gates, We seek Jerusalem Preventing Jerusalem’s fall. For he prepares to speak! At the charge of our king, 9. UNDEFEATED We seek Jerusalem They have shut off each spring Isa. 10:8-14; 14:13 This is our prey! That serves those outside of this wall. For its destruction is what we seek; (Sennacherib) Jerusalem,It stands in we our seek way! to make its glory cease. For keeping Mount Zion secure. Undefeated. Jerusalem will never know the path to peace. ThoughInfinite wisdomour foes aboundsmay be nigh, from the throne I’m undefeated. Their wells will be dry, See what my mighty hand has done, (Sennacherib) Now see how at my leisure

But our waters will always be sure! Come to the waters God has in store. Come to the waters, and thirst no more. So His Spirit descends For this cause I have been sent: Come to the waters that He will give. OnAnd the floods children which of the men; driest lands drank. ToThis speak is our to king’s all your intent! people in their tongue Come to the waters. They will spring up as trees on the bank. For they’ll face intoxication Freely partake and live. On their own elimination, And our king will make them feast Crossing the deserts our ancestors faced, 11. ASSYRIAN TAUNT on their own dung. They never were taken by drought: Isa. 36:4-20 Jerusalem, your fate To a plentiful rock, (Rabshakeh) Should make your people quiver, AndOur Lordfrom ledit the His waters flock gushed out. I, the Rabshakeh, the general From Sennacherib the great, Of Sennacherib the venerable, There’s no god who can deliver. God has assured us His guidance is near: Have come here with a message for your king. The faith your monarch claims, Our day of salvation comes soon; Our battle cry has sounded; Do not let this persuade you, When the way of His mountain Your conviction brings you shame; Is marked by His fountains— To what alliance can your city cling? It has already betrayed you. The path the Eternal has hewn. We have you all surrounded! Your army offers no defense, But make peace with me, and open these gates, Souls that are thirsty and bones that are dry Then you shall see what goodness awaits. Will be watered and washed like a garden, All forces are exceedingly outmanned. God guides and delivers AndNo treaty if you gives lean onyou Egypt’s confidence, staff— Pure water from your well. With unending rivers— A piece of wood that’s snapped in half— FullYour of own grain fig and tree, wine, your own vine, The testament of His great pardon. Its jagged edge will pierce right through your hand. With plenty you will dwell. But if you say you trust your God, God will respond when the arid cry out What kind of shield is that facade? Hamath had its gods, He will neither forsake nor be cruel, Arphad had its idols, He gives streams in the hills, You have no coalition That could not face these odds: ToYour counter king confined our ambition, your Lord to just one altar. They’re just rocks with sacred titles. And turns wilderness into a pool. Sepharvaim’s groves Each valley He fills, Samaria’s divinities, (Eliakim)Your God isIn on your our own side tongue to make please you falter! converse, Could not defend their troves, (Joah) For our learning is diverse. Nor fend off our hostilities. The lame shall leap—leap like the doe! (Shebna) But speak not in the language TillThe it tongue blooms of like the thedumb rose, will shout! of the Jews. Their deities did not defend their land, In the desert streams flow (Joah) They need not overhear, what’s— So how can yours protect you from my hand?

JustWhen as the our glory God pouredof God isout poured drink out!for the parched, (Eliakim) What’s meant for kingly ears! (Rabshakeh) Your pitiful request—HA!—I refuse! (Eliakim) To the king! 12. TRAVAIL The voices that praised the Eternal of Hosts, Isa. 37:3; 26:17-18; 66:9 Her pangs have turned her pale; Shook the doors, and shook their posts. HerHow sorrow long she makes travails! her languish. (Abi) Like a woman in travail All her strength has failed. spectacular, sweet-smelling smoke. When the birth draws near All our strength has failed. And filled all the house with I have unclean lips and an impure tongue, (Abi) Her strength will often fade AndI replied, I’ve seen “Woe the is me!Lord, for I am undone, (LadyTill it1) disappears, Before the final moments of strain, so His graciousness I must invoke.” (Lady 2) When wearied by the pain. ACT TWO (Isaiah) (Abi) So our city starts to faint 13. HERE AM I In her great distress; Isa. 6:1-8; 1:18; 50:4; Prov. 25:11 Intending to cleanse my iniquity (Lady 1) She cries out in her hour of despair. HeThen set one on myof the mouth seraphim flew unto me, (Lady 2) Her trouble, (Isaiah) a coal from the altar that glowed. (Lady 1) her rebuke The same year that our king Uzziah died, A new zeal within me had suddenly surged, (Lady 2) And her weariness I saw the Eternal enthroned on high, For he said that (Abi) Are more than she can bear. A breathtaking vision, all my transgressions were purged, supremely sublime and splendid. My sins once as crimson, (Abi, Ladies, Women) With glorious garments this Being was clothed, were now made as white as the snow. So much heaviness that there is... Then I heard the Eternal enquire from His throne: No strength to bring them forth, And into the temple these priestly robes descended No strength which can deliver From heaven, the hem of His skirt overflowed (Isaiah, Levitical Chorus) Mothers in travail. “Whom shall I send, and for us who shall go?” No strength she has within, The bright, shining seraphim ministered there; No strength that we can give her. Now standing above this magnificent chair, (Isaiah) (Abi, Ladies) All her strength has failed. this mercy seat framed. And I, Isaiah, uttered this eager plea: OfA fiery their sight six wings, under over which their was faces were two, (Abi) O Eternal she cries out A pair covered their feet, In her day of gloom Here“Here am am I.” I, send me! (Lady 1) She wonders when her labor will end. And one to another From this calling I replied: (Lady 2) Will You bring her to the birth theseand with luminous two wings angels they exclaimed: flew. “I will not draw back; Just to shut the womb? I will volunteer; (Abi, Ladies) She cannot comprehend. (Isaiah, Levitical Chorus) I will go where I’m required. Holy, holy, holy Here am I.” (Abi Ladies, Women) Eternal Lord of Hosts! Her sweat combines with tears, Holy, holy, holy, God gave me the tongue Exhaustion brings forth anguish— All Earth is full of His glory! and the ear of the learned, That I might proclaim an encouraging word, God will break off our enemy’s yoke. As only a shepherd can guard, to those who are weary and faint, Like the slaughter of Midian, ToI gather water My I lead flock them in My arms, HereA word am fitly I, to spoken hear your complaint: At the order of Gideon, And make them to lie down at ease. God will stir up a scourge for our foe, Here am I. And as Egypt was drowned, From no mission will I hide. When the waters came down, I will sign my name; God will break off our enemy’s yoke. HisBe strong! right hand Fear is not! holding you, I will walk by faith; BeholdBehold! He Your is comingGod! soon. I will step with valiant stride, Fear not a man Here am I. Who fades like the grass Behold, your God! Whose breath is contained in his nose. The mighty one! Your oppressor’s great fury, Behold your God! 14. A SURE ALLIANCE (Reprise) Is no cause for worry, Behold He comes! Isa. 37:4-6; 2:22; 10:24-27; 40:7; 41:10-13; God will break off our enemy’s yoke. The path is forged! 51:12-13 The way is paved! A sure alliance we now possess. Behold your God! (Eliakim) Urgent news we bring. Your sure alliance I now profess: Behold He comes to save! (Shebna) Tidings from our king, (Joah) Requesting that you pray on our behalf. With His courage and His comfort we are blessed. He holds oceans in his hand, (Shebna) Assyria approached, It is your Messiah! He comes to Zion! Measures heavens with a span, (Joah) The Lord has been reproached, He calculates the dust of the Earth, (Eliakim) Against the living God 15. COMFORT MY PEOPLE/BEHOLD YOUR GOD! He balances and weighs, Isa. 35:3-4; 40:1-2, 6, 12-15, 17-18, 22, 25-26, 28; Hills and mountains in his scales, 66:13 He knows their every measure, height and girth. (Joah)how theySo will have our laughed! God be moved? (Eliakim) And will He now reprove “Comfort my people,” For who can be His guide, The blasphemy their general declares? Says your God. From whom is God advised? (Shebna) Alliances we lack to fend off an attack, “Comfort Jerusalem. And who can be His cunning counselor? (All) We come to you now asking for your prayers. Declare with a voice strong but smooth, For who has formed His thoughts? As only a mother can soothe. From whom has God been taught? (Isaiah) Their sins are forgiven, And who directs the Spirit of The Lord? Be not afraid, Their warfare has come to an end.” And be not dismayed Your Creator has no equal or limit, By the words the Assyrian spoke. “Strengthen my people,” His strength has no contraint. He blasphemed God’s name, Says your God. He is never tired or weary, But God brings him to shame, “Strengthen the feeble knees. Never is He faint. As locusts we appear Every single taunt. And open now your eyes, To the God whom we revere, He sits above the circle of the world, Where the cosmos He extends (Sennacherib)He spread it before The Lord! Behold how He defies Like a curtain without ends, Think not the God you serve The living God he brazenly defames! And like a tent the heavens are unfurled. Can rescue or preserve Every single word and Your city which my hosts have now enclosed. EveryI spread single it before burden, You, Lord! Now lift your eyes on high, Jerusalem is trapped How I laid them bare. Behold the starry skies, And Zion’s strength is sapped, Our God created everything in sight. Your dynasty and throne shall be deposed. Every single want, Their number He can claim, EveryI spread single it before taunt. You, Lord! He calls them all by name, All nations I laid waste, I show You every care Their gods I have disgraced— O hear my urgent prayer.

SoHe theholds nations them areby thea drop greatness of a bucket, of His might! The power of all lands, IsThis given fate to your my Godhands, and you will not avoid! AllI spread nations it before they laid You, waste, Lord! They are valued less than nothing. Their gods they have disgraced— TheirAnd dust worth upon of nothe avail. scale! Mere lifeless idols made of stones and trees. Their rulers I have utterly destroyed! Now save us from his hand— LikeGo spread Telassar it before or Gozan, your or Lord! Rezeph, Eden, Haran, You’re the only God who can— 16. SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD The realms whose gods could not withstand Isa. 37:10-20; 26:8-11, 13 my sword, The kings of Hamath and Hena, (Isaiah)So all nations worship you upon their knees! (Prophetess) Sepharvaim, Arphad and Ivah, If You show the wicked favor, The king received the scroll, Have perished as will you and your Lord He never will be just; Describing threats so bold, He will not behold your glory, Designed to make the bravest men afraid. (Hezekiah) If he lays us in the dust. What parchment did record, Lord God of Israel, Let him behold You, God, To Heaven these words soared, ’Mid cherubim You dwell, And rightly be ashamed, Smite him with your zeal, There You have set Your throne; He spreadtook it toit beforethe temple, The Lord. and he prayed! AndWhere You, mighty O God, hosts alone are singing Your great worth! Every single word and Created all in heaven and in Earth. WeConsume have waited him with for yourYou, Lord,flame! Every single burden, For justice we inquire, How he laid them bare. Eternal, bend Your ear. To see Your fame remembered, He spread it before The Lord. That You, O Lord, may hear This is our soul’s desire. Every single want, The blasphemy the enemy proclaims. Other lords have ruled us, Other masters than our God, I have seen your tears, But only You we mention, How I have walked before You, AndRemember never turned now, I pray!away. Remember how we’ve prospered. ForSee Ihealing add to your is forgiveness life fifteen years.” And only You we laud! Remember now, my part. The Lord has borne our grief, Every single phrase, The service I accomplished, Because of His affliction, EveryWe spread single it praise,before You, Lord! He offers us relief. Your works beyond compare His wounds for our transgressions, Your honor we declare I did with all my heart! Our sins can be repealed, I repaired the temple doors. His stripes for our offenses, IThe gathered first year every of myLevite reign, And by them we are healed! We spread it before You, Lord! to cleanse Your holy courts. 17. HEALING IS FORGIVENESS In three days you go to God’s holy place, 2 Kings 20:5; 2 Chron. 29:3, 15, 25; 31:1, 20-21; As David had ordained. With your life restored you will celebrate His grace. Isa. 9:6-7; 37:21, 35; 38:1-6; 57:16-18; Isa. 53:5 IWe restored sacrificed his priestlywith music, orders, Your joy we then regained. And as regards Jerusalem, (Isaiah) The fervent prayers you did extend The sickness now upon you I shattered every idol This is what our God did state: According to The Lord, I cut down every grove, “For David’s and My sake, For the future you’ve neglected, I leveled every high place, Now death is your reward. That You and I both loathe. Your house is not in order, Then healing came upon us, This holy city I will defend!” That only You can give, 18. I WILL DEFEND THIS CITY You must produce an heir, For healing is forgiveness, Isa. 37:29, 33-35; 10:12, 16-17 BeforeSo find Godyourself ends a your wife; life. (Isaiah) For this rule He has established, By this, O Lord, we live! “I will defend this city, His government and peace, Forgive me! I will defend; This dynasty of David, (Isaiah)And heal me! In my enduring pity, Forever shall increase. Before I left your court I will descend.” Until Messiah’s coming, My exit was cut short, Thus says The Lord, Your God and Friend, The mighty Prince of Peace, For answers came from Heaven, which I heard “I will defend this city, The everlasting Father, The Lord reversed my path, My city I will defend.” For He reversed His wrath. The God of your father David spoke this word: “In this place, on this ground, (Hezekiah)Whose throne shall never cease! Not one soldier shall be found; “I have heard your prayer,

Remember, O Eternal! Not one bulwark will he breach! Not one footprint, not one shield, Time’s passage it declares. He lives today as a thousand years, Not one arrow will he wield, (Prophetess) I send burning to his camp, The shadow could go forward, And fits a thousand years into tomorrow. ForNot yourone rampart city is a lamp,will he reach! Or backward ten degrees, 20. THE LIVING Whichever he selected, Isa. 38:10-20 And the glory of My name, Would follow God’s decrees. And your light shall be as fires! (Hezekiah) Now forward seemed too easy, I said amid my prime, Shall confront him like a flame, Time always went that way, The middle of my days, “BySo he the burns way likethat thornshe came, and briers!” (Hezekiah) So change the sun’s direction; I go before my time, He will go back home in shame To the gates of the grave. There I hasten his demise. (Prophetess) This wonder God displayed: My life has been deprived For My scourge I will impart, Reverse the course of day! The remainder of my years. For the stoutness of his heart. For He inhabits eternity, How could I be revived, I will smite his haughty eyes. In an everlasting place; When death so quickly nears? I will drive him where he goes, He is enthroned amid infinity, For My hook is in his nose, Outside of time and space. In the land of the living And my bridle in his lips, I shall not see The Lord. Yes, regardless of his pride, What are ten degrees one way Denied of all perceiving He’s the horse on which I ride, I behold my God no more. For a Being who existed, Nor can my eyes regard BeforeOr fifteen time years had to begun? come The others who now rest— And his power I eclipse!” He can pause the sun in orbit; The men whose tombs I join. 19. HE INHABITS ETERNITY He can make the day stand still; All this my prayers expressed. 2 Kings 20:9-10; Isa. 57:15; Psa. 90:4 He can turn the shadow backward The grave cannot praise You; (Prophetess) And death cannot extol You; God gave the king two choices TheAccording Ancient to of His Days, will! the great I Am Those who descend to the tomb To be a wondrous sign, Cannot hope for Your truth. To prove his prayer was answered, But the living shall praise You. Through a miracle of time. NoHas measure no beginning, can delay has noHim, end! And proclaim the mercy You have shown; Or hinder His endeavors As a father would teach his children, (Isaiah) When a lifetime is an instant I will make your faithfulness known! Behold, your father’s palace, And a moment can last forever. The shadow on its stairs, Gone are yesterday’s tears, My house would be uprooted— Reveals the Earth’s rotation; And every future sorrow; As a shepherd’s tent removed. My life was with the weaver: 21. PASS OVER Why trust in Egypt to defend? Who would cut me from the loom. Isa. 37:36; 31:1, 3-6, 8-9 They are not gods, but only men. From day to night you end me. I pondered this till dawn (Prophetess) Assyria falls by a sword When You entered as a lion When Egypt kept God’s people slaves, NotTheir forged horses by are men, not but spirit, by The rather Lord. flesh. To shatter every bone. Our history shows how God did save, All treaties fail when God’s hand is outstretched. To His blazing wrath this land would feel exposure. I chirped as cranes and swallows, So through encampments of the foe, O turn unto The Lord who speaks these words, I moaned as the dove; The chief of all their strength He smote. My eyes were soon exhausted When the angel of death passed over To those who try to burn us, For how long they looked above. ThisAnd withcity is your God’s own furnace, eyes witness His acclaim! O Lord, in my oppression, But all of Israel who obeyed You gave a wondrous sign. The voice of God, they safely stayed And healing my transgression, Within each guarded house as their enclosure. And Zion is His fire and His flame, The shed blood of a spotless Lamb, 22. DEFEATED Distinguished them from heathen camps: Isa. 37:22-25; 10:15; 14:12-16 You pledged Your life for mine! And the angel of death passed over. (Sennacherib) RecoveryBy this, O YouLord, give, men live! Our God will hover, Hezekiah I extorted, You made my spirit whole! Like the birds So his goods would be imported, For my good You gave me bitterness, Whose wings will cover And he thought he was submitting to my yoke. ThenAnd life rescued unto my me soul! from death. Those they serve; But my demands were not adjusted You granted me forgiveness, He will pass over Since for more my heart had lusted He will preserve. So then his beloved city I would choke. Yes, he paid me all this tribute (Hezekiah,And paid my Levitical fatal debt! Chorus) Now on this night the angel so my greed would be assuaged, of the Lord Eternal But I trapped his city anyway Therefore we will sing, Went forth and smote like birds within a cage. InThe joyful Lord adoration, is my salvation! in the camp of the Assyrian, Yet with force our camp was raided, On instruments of strings. Just before my troops invaded; Each day that we are living, Just like Lucifer degraded Our voices we will rouse, ByOne threats hundred our and Lord eighty is not five dismayed thousand men. From the war he tried to wage. To praise The Lord Eternal, And guarding, growling unafraid, Upon His prey our God is like a lion. Defeated. Behold your God who now descends, He was defeated. Within His holy house! Jerusalem He now defends, Like lightning down he went, To dust was his descent.

And fights for His beloved hill, Mount Zion. Though many high ambitions he had sworn, 24. WE SEEK JERUSALEM He now is chided, ridiculed, and scorned. Isa. 62:1-5, 12; 51:3, 16; 2:2-3; 66:20 (Hephzibah,Will stir the heartsHezekiah) of those in flight, How the virgin, Zion’s daughter, (Hephzibah) Our city once called Desolate, Must be laughing at my slaughter, Is now his wedded wife. And Jerusalem now shakes her head at me. (Isaiah) He calls His people “Hephzibah”— (Hephzibah)And show them that their trek is soon complete! Who truly have I taunted, And in their throngs Who truly has responded, Their joyous songs Could it be this nation’s God I cannot see? For(Hezekiah) the maiden Your he Lord did andchoose, King’s delight! Will speed the place for which they long, By the multitude of chariots (Prophetess)(Isaiah) As a bridegroom So your Builder filled shall with rejoice, joy my strength was set upon (Hephzibah, Isaiah) The heights of every mountain even unto Lebanon. (Hephzibah)For He has married you! I have cut down every cedar, Though we were called Forsaken, (Isaiah)Till melody When and our gladness immortality fill our is streets! granted. I have conquered every border, Our God gives us a name (Hezekiah) From this place, the heavens I have dried up every river, shall be planted, And yet all my strength is gone, (Prophetess, Hephzibah) From New Jerusalem, ForThat righteousness signifies our radiance,and justice, Defeated. OurThat city represents shall be oursought, fame! (All) From here the universe shall be expanded I am defeated. God’s vast Creation has no end! Was I the one who ruled, (Hephzibah, Hezekiah) We seek New Jerusalem, They come to see our brightness, Was I the sharp genius in command? We seek Jerusalem, Or just thesome sharpened fleshly tool? axe within his hand? For this we pray! Was I the demigod? (All)They come to be taught! God’s Holy City is what we seek; Or just the mortal rod? “We seek Jerusalem,” This is the way! Was I the mighty power in command? Many will say, We seek your laws, Or just the simple staff within his hand? “We seek Jerusalem, ThisJerusalem! is our journey’s lofty cause, Show us the way! For God’s instruction 23. WEDDING CELEBRATION Is what we seek; Jerusalem! Orchestra Jerusalem! We seek your perfect path to peace! We seek your perfect path to peace.” 25. BEHOLD YOUR GOD! (Finale) Isa. 40:3-5; 9-11; 35:8, 10; Isa. 25:8 (Hephzibah) And from the heights (Abi) The voice is crying out, Our city lights The desert hears his shout, (Ladies) The wilderness can hear Tell Jerusalem this news! (Prophetess, Hephzibah) New labor and work the prophet’s call. Lift your voice with strength! will He command. (Jashub) A path will be prepared, Unto the cities of Judah, now say: (Baz) A highway will be there, (Isaiah) He gives everlasting joys, Behold, your God! (Hephzibah)(Hezekiah) Our And oppressors from our hearts He destroys! The mighty one! (Eliakim)(Isaiah Family) Every Presenting valley he will our raise, Messiah unto all! Behold your God! (Hezekiah) He wipes away all tears, (Shebna) Every hill he will erase, Behold He comes! (Prophetess)He makes all All sadness our sorrow flee! disappears, The path is forged! (Eliakim) He will make the crooked straight, The way is paved! (Joah) And thelevel rocky every places mountain plain, like a field. Behold your God! (All Four) And death is swallowed up in victory! Executive Producer ��Gerald Flurry Behold He comes to save! Executive Producers � Stephen Flurry, Andrew Locher Producer �� Ryan Malone (Company)(All Three) Until The Lord’s glory is revealed! (Hezekiah) Behold your loving God, Vocal Coaches �� Paula Malone, Mark Jenkins The voice of him who brings good tidings, He holds a shepherd’s rod, Rehearsal Pianists �� Mark Jenkins, Elyssia Lancaster Bring these hopeful words to Zion: (Hephzibah) And comes to govern Recording Engineer �� Ken Sarkey Logo Design �� Elyssia Lancaster, Shout it from the highest mountain, with a mighty hand. �� Steve Hercus, Brooke Davis Be not afraid! (Prophetess) The arm of God The Lord, The voice of him who brings good tidings, Comes with a rich reward; #IsaiahMusical