Study 16 Presentation The Story also talks about five movements that take part in God’s Story: Movement 1: The Story of the Garden (Genesis 1-11) Movement 2: The Story of Israel (Genesis 12 – Malachi) Movement 3: The Story of Jesus (Matthew – John) Movement 4: The Story of the Church (Acts – Jude) Movement 5: The Story of a New Garden (Revelation) The Beginning of the End (of the Kingdom of Israel) Timeless Truth: God deals with disobedience, but His compassion never ends • Evil continues from the leadership of the kings over God’s people • Assyrian Army shows it power by marching against Samaria and deporting the Israelites to exile under Assyrian power • Reason why? Continued worship of false gods (apostasy) – they sinned against God God’s Prophets and Messengers “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” (2 Kings 17:13) Now with the kingdom of Israel in exile – who is left? TRIBE OF JUDAH!! A Little bit about the Assyrian Army -Very Successful at military expansion -Ruthless and quite powerful in terrorizing those they conquered -Deportation of thousands from Israel to ensure against organized rebellion -Openly threatened the kingdom of Judah to the south (Hezekiah was king at the time) King Hezekiah -He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as His Father David had done. (2 Kings 18:3) -Hezekiah destroys idolatry in Judah -Keep in mind this is the remnant from which Jesus would one day come! -Lord was with Hezekiah – success came His way – he rebelled the king of Assyria and didn’t serve Him “The Story” – Pages 221 - 223 -King of Assyria taunts kingdom of Judah -King Sennacherib sends commander to intimidate Hezekiah -Assyrian commander openly says for the people to not trust in Hezekiah – for Assyria will have the final victory “The Story” – Pages 221 - 223 -Hezekiah turns to Isaiah for wisdom as he knows Judah is clearly outnumbered -Isaiah reassures Hezekiah that God would dispose of the Assyrian king and army! -Hezekiah prays before God for victory (2 Kings 19) A Prophet’s Response -Isaiah prophesies King Sennacherib’s fall. (Also found in Isaiah 37) -Even though Assyria captures many of Judah’s fortified cities (2 Kings 18), God will ultimately deliver Jerusalem (2 Kings 19) God’s Response through Isaiah - “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.” (2 Kings 19:32-34) What happens that very night? -An angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrian army. -Sennacherib departs and goes back home to Nineveh. -God keeps His promise and covenant he made through the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah! -Even though Jerusalem will fall, God will have the final word of victory for His people! Isaiah – God’s mighty prophet -Began his work in Jerusalem in 740BC -Helped King Hezekiah greatly in standing up to the Assyrian threats of exile -Reign as prophet would last nearly 60 years Importance of Isaiah’s Ministry -His own calling found in Isaiah 6 (pg 224-225 of “The Story”) -Announces that Jerusalem will fall in Isaiah 3 (pg 225-226 of “The Story”) -Prophecies that God longs to have compassion on them and that they would return home from Babylon to rebuild their nation in Isaiah 14 (pg 226-227 of “The Story”) Importance of Isaiah’s Ministry -Isaiah speaks of a day when the Lord will give relief from suffering and exile in Isaiah 49 (pg 227-228 of “The Story”) -Isaiah then speak about ushering in a glorious kingdom that is without end – God’s great plan and promise of a suffering servant – the Messiah – Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53 (pg 228-230 of “The Story”) How does chapter 16 conclude? -Hezekiah dies and is buried -Manasseh takes reign and doesn’t follow the faithful example of his father -God’s people endure a time of hardship, betrayals, and compromise as they wait upon the Lord to bring His promised plan to completion! Applications • The prophecies of Isaiah strengthen your faith in an all-knowing God. • Isaiah describes the Messiah so clearly that the people of Israel and the whole world could recognize Jesus as the One. • The saving work of God involves his plan all along to reconcile helpless, rebellious sinners to Himself. • Because of the work of the Messiah, believers do not need to fear condemnation before God. • God deals with disobedience, but His compassion never ends. Isaiah 53:3-6 (ESV) 3He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one— to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. .