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Isaiah 7-8 Sunday, August 1, 2021

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Isaiah 7-8 Sunday, August 1, 2021 Isaiah 7-8 Sunday, August 1, 2021 I. Intro A. Reading Isaiah 7-8 today — historical context in 2 Kings 15-16; 2 Chronicles 27-28 1. Judah — Jotham | Israel — Pekah | Syrai — Rezin | Assyria — Tiglath-pileser 2. Assyria was terrorizing the region — Pekah and Rezin formed an alliance 3. Jotham refused to join, but the alliance wasn’t strong enough without him 4. Jotham died, his son Ahaz took the throne — Pekah and Rezin threatened Ahaz a) “We need Judah against Assyria, we will conquer you and replace you” b) Commonly referred to as the — Syro-Ephraimite War (Ephraim = Israel) 5. Ahaz, at 20 years old, had to make a choice — trust God or find a stronger alliance B. This will be the central theme for the next 30ish chapters and it is relevant for today 1. As God’s people, do we trust Him, His word, and His ways 2. Or, make worldly alliances that promise short-term results but long-term slavery? a) Applies in relationships, careers, social issues, church life, sanctification II. Text A. Isaiah 7:1-9 1. The conflict has begun a) Israel and Syria are coming to replace Ahaz with Tabeel (he is a nobody) b) Ahaz and the whole house of David is afraid 2. Isaiah met with Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field a) One simple message: be careful, be quiet, don’t fear, don’t be anxious b) God says it will not stand , and it will not come to pass c) Boom! The issue is settled. Ahaz simply needs to believe God. 3. Isaiah finishes with vs 9 — if you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all a) Vs 4 was a command to Ahaz, but this you is plural — it addressed all Judah b) This is important for us to take note of — we can be firm in many things (1) Convictions, gifting, resources, relationships, and strategies c) But, God says — the only thing that matters is faith (1) If you are not firm in your faith, you are not firm in anything Isaiah 7-8 Sunday, August 1, 2021 B. Isaiah 7:10-16 1. A little time has passed since the last prophecy, it is now 735 BC a) The Syro-Ephraimite alliance is getting closer to Jerusalem b) Isaiah tells Ahaz, ask the Lord for a sign so you can be confident in trusting God (1) The sign isn’t to prove God’s faithfulness, it is to expose Ahaz’s heart c) Ahaz refuses the offer and aggravates Isaiah 2. Isaiah says, you may not ask for a sign but the Lord will give you a sign anyway a) A child will be born and he will be a symbol that God is with us! b) And before that child turns 13, Israel and Syria will be gone c) 735 - 13 = 722 BC — the year Assyria destroyed Israel 3. Now, why did Ahaz refuse the sign? a) 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles tells us he made other arrangements b) Ahaz gathered up a couple million dollars and brought it to Assyria c) He hired Tiglath-pileser to eliminate the Syro-Ephraimite alliance 4. Here is the problem with hiring your enemy to stop a threat… a) When the threat is gone, your enemy is still your enemy b) Assyria will come for Judah when the alliance is defeated c) And, that is exactly what Isaiah tells Ahaz C. Isaiah 7:17-25 1. Ahaz’s alliance with Assyria will stop the threat, but at great cost a) Assyria won’t stop with Israel and Syria, they will come for Judah too b) They will swarm the land like insects and conquer all the surrounding cities c) So many men will die, fields will overgrow and animals will multiply d) The few people who do survive will eat like kings 2. Let’s jump forward in time 34 years — everything Isaiah said has come true a) Israel/Syria are gone — Ahaz is gone and his son Hezekiah is king b) Assyria has conquered every city in Judah and is now coming for Jerusalem c) A representative from Assyria meets Hezekiah to discuss surrender Isaiah 7-8 Sunday, August 1, 2021 d) Look where they meet: Isaiah 36:2 —And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field. 3. This is where Isaiah told Ahaz to be quiet, do not fear, trust God (Isaiah 7:3) a) Ahaz trusted in worldly alliances instead of God and his son paid the price 4. Your faith, or lack of, impacts future generations a) The alliances and compromises we make now impact our children b) If you fail a faith test God sends your way, your child may have to take it later (1) I see this all the time when a father or mother refuses to walk in obedience (2) Their child picks up that disobedience and struggles as well D. Isaiah 8:1-10 1. There is a lot of discussion around the child in Isaiah 7:14 a) Was it a random child? Was it Ahaz’s son Hezekiah? b) I believe the child is Isaiah’s son Maher-shalal-hash-baz 2. Ahaz was given a sign “God is with you,” but Ahaz chose Assyria over God a) Isaiah’s son reflects that choice — Maher-shalal-hash-baz instead of Immanuel (1) Maher-shalal-hash-baz = speedy spoil, hasty plunder (2) Ahaz would rather have a quick solution than trust God b) This is why we see Immanuel referenced in vs 8,10 (1) It speaks to what could have been (2) They could have had the still waters of God’s presence (3) But, they will get the raging river of foreign nations conquering them 3. But, the prophecy and the child have a larger significance a) Matthew 1:23 tells us that the ultimate fulfillment is Jesus (1) We don’t have a Syro-Ephraimite alliance bearing down on us (2) We have an alliance of sin and death bearing down on us b) Our issues are much worse, but a child was born who will end this war c) His name is Jesus, He is God with us, and He is our great hope! 4. Let’s turn our attention back to Isaiah, what does God tell him to do? Isaiah 7-8 Sunday, August 1, 2021 E. Isaiah 8:11-22 1. The result of an entire generation turning away from God is: a) Darkness fills the land, distress, and hunger are everywhere b) Doom and gloom are the daily reports and everyone complains about leaders c) People seek spiritual answers from the dead but avoid seeking God 2. It is in this generation Isaiah has been called to live, and he should: a) Not walk like these people, avoid conspiracy theories b) Do not live in fear, but live holy lives that contrast the wickedness all around 3. Can you see any parallels with Isaiah’s day and our day? a) Can you see the similar trajectory of cultures that reject God b) Can you see the calling we have to live in the cultures and be salt/light? c) Can you hear Isaiah say “he will become a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling” and also hear Paul and Peter say the same thing (Romans 9:33, 1 Peter 2:8) III. Conclusion A. Our day looks very similar to Isaiah’s — people are walking in thick darkness, but… B. Isaiah 9:2 1. Darkness is never the final word, light is the final word 2. And, we are ambassadors of this light — we carry the message of Immanuel C. Therefore, my final encouragement is this: 1. Do not form alliances with this world to achieve things God has already promised 2. Do not walk in the ways of darkness or busy your life with conspiracy theories 3. Do not live in fear and darkness like the world around you 4. Let the light and love of Christ shine bright in you, for unto us a child is born!.
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