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Book of Isaiah Chapter 8 “Which Way Do I Go?”

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Book of Isaiah Chapter 8 “Which Way Do I Go?” Book of Isaiah Chapter 8 “Which Way Do I Go?” “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will wait for him.” Isaiah 8:17 Main Idea: People travel to their eternal destiny by two paths—one of light and one of darkness. Putting our Faith in a False Hope 1. Phase one: Assyria comes to the rescue. “So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” Ahaz also took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasures of the king's house and sent a present to the king of Assyria. And the king of Assyria listened to him. The king of Assyria marched up against Damascus and took it, carrying its people captive to Kir, and he killed Rezin.” 2 Kings 16:7-9 • “Maher-shalal-hashbaz” — Speeding to the Plunder, Hurrying the Spoil 2. Phase two: Assyria comes to destroy. • Verse 6, the flowing water of Shiloah (pool outside of Jerusalem) • The King of Assyria is compared to a great overflowing river. (v. 8) 3. Phase three: Assyria will be destroyed. • Immanuel —God with us • The rest of the chapter is devoted to showing how God is with us. The Way of Immanuel — The Way of Light 1. A life in God’s grip. (v. 8) 2. A life listening to God’s word. (v. 11) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 3. A life apart from the crowd. (v. 12) “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17 4. A life of fear and fearlessness (vv. 12-13) “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” Matthew 10:29 5. A life lived resting in the true sanctuary (v. 14) 6. A life guided by God’s laws. (v. 16) “In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:4 7. A life spent inquiring of God. (v. 19) “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 8. A life of faith in the Lord. (v. 17) The Way of Darkness 1. A life spent rejecting God’s provision. (v. 6) “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13 2. A life spent mocking the trouble of others. (v. 6) 3. A life stumbling over the goodness of God. (vv. 14-15) “Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone.” Romans 9:32 4. A life spent rejecting true spiritual guidance. (vv. 19-20) “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 5. A life spent in spiritual famine and restless wondering. (v. 21) The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” Job 1:7 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none.” Matthew 12:43 6. A life spent in darkness now, and into eternity. “Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41 “And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 Questions for Further Reflection: 1. How do we trust in the false hopes of today? 2. Examine your life; where do you see the handprints of Immanuel? 3. Where do you see the handprints of the world? Notes adapted from “Exalting Jesus in Isaiah, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary” by Andrew M. Davis, Ph.D. .
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