For Ahaz: two options

For Ahaz: two options

• For Ahaz: two options

• The small powers: Ephraim, Syria, Philistia, Moab, Edom
• The great power: Assyria (Babylon)

• For Isaiah: one option: Immanuel

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

• Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

• Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

A remnant shall return (Shear-Jashub),

• A remnant shall return (Shear-Jashub),

• Will return to the Mighty God

Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

• Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

• Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name…sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things…great is the Holy One of Israel.

Can we really trust Yahweh? Completely?

• Can we really trust Yahweh? Completely?

• We need to know God’s plans for the future...for the nations.

First Series of Five: Isaiah 13-20

• First Series of Five: Isaiah 13-20

• Each begins with ‘an oracle’ (Heb massa’)

• Second Series of Five: Isaiah 21-23

• Third Series of Five: Isaiah 24-27

Babylon: symbol of all the great superpowers of that day, and our day. (Note: Assyria was the actual threat).

• Babylon: symbol of all the great superpowers of that day, and our day. (Note: Assyria was the actual threat).

• Babylon’s ‘Day’ meets the ‘Day of the LORD’ (Yahweh).

• Babylon’s King meets the King of Israel (Yahweh).

Isaiah 14:27 ‘For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

• Isaiah 14:27 ‘For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

• Babylon is destined to fall; no superpower solution will work.

Year 715. Envoys sent (v 32) to Hezekiah?

• Year 715. Envoys sent (v 32) to Hezekiah?

• Proposal: an anti-Assyrian coalition (like chapter 7, Rezin and Pekah)

The LORD has established Zion (not Nineveh, or Ashdod) and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.

• The LORD has established Zion (not Nineveh, or Ashdod) and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.

• Chapters 36-39. This is what happened in the time of Hezekiah (Immanuel).

• Foreshadows the real Immanuel, and the Zion that is Above

Lament: 15:5; 16:9,11

• Lament: 15:5; 16:9,11

• Appeal to Judah for refuge

• 16:1-2 the appeal
• 16:3-4a content of the appeal
• 16:4b-5 promise of a Davidic King who will reign in justice (is this originally Hezekiah?)

• Lesson: Look to a Son of David, God’s king; find refuge in Zion, God’s city.

Chapter 7: ‘Ask the LORD for a sign’. Ahaz refused.

• Chapter 7: ‘Ask the LORD for a sign’. Ahaz refused.

• The sign: Immanuel (7:14).

• The point: trust Yahweh, and do not fear.

‘In that day’ (17:4-9)

• ‘In that day’ (17:4-9)

• History: divided into two great eras

• Day of Man
• Day of LORD (Yahweh).

• Human solutions are all tied to ‘this day’. Divine solutions when God brings in ‘that day’

‘Land of whirring wings’ (Cush)

• ‘Land of whirring wings’ (Cush)

• 715 Ethiopian king Piankhi tried to organise a coalition against Assyria.

• Conclusion: (18:3-7)

• All people of the world called to observe (v 3)
• Yahweh ‘rests quietly’ (v 4).
• Gifts will be brought to the Lord Almighty (LORD of Armies) (v 7)

Egypt’s strengths mocked (19:1-10)

• Egypt’s strengths mocked (19:1-10)

• Egypt’s leaders (wise men) scorned (19:11-17)

Jerusalem becomes the centre of the world.

• Jerusalem becomes the centre of the world.

• Israel’s language (the language of Canaan) is spoken.

• Yahweh is worshipped in every place.

• Yahweh delivers (even Egypt and Assyria) from their enemies.

• Yahweh heals all diseases

• Yahweh blesses ALL the nations (Abraham’s promise)

God’s reminder: don’t trust the Egyptians.

• God’s reminder: don’t trust the Egyptians.

• King of Assyria will come and lead them away ‘barefoot and naked’ into exile.

• Conclusion: Egypt is no solution.

Again, five oracles (see headings ‘an oracle’)

• Again, five oracles (see headings ‘an oracle’)

• Much more enigmatic. Not always clear from the title.

• Conclusions seem ‘beyond history’

Babylon: the rebellious Southern part of Assyria.

• Babylon: the rebellious Southern part of Assyria.

• Normally, lush and beautiful (Hanging Gardens).

• Hekekiah (ch 39) tempted to trust Merodach-Baladan.

• 21:8-10 Watchman: Babylon has fallen.

Another ‘small nation’.

• Another ‘small nation’.

• Another report from the Watchman.

• Question: will there be a morning (after this dark night?)

• Answer: Yes (Assyria will be defeated), but another night will surely come (Babylon).

• Lesson: no hope in human events.

Again, no help from any human source

• Again, no help from any human source

The end of self-sufficiency.

• The end of self-sufficiency.

• 21:1-14. The self-sufficient city faces disaster

• 21:15-19. The self-sufficient man (Shebna) is ‘hurled away’.

• 21:20-25. A new leader, Eliakim (Key of David) offers some hope.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.

• Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.

• And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king…said.

Lessons about history: Yahweh has a Day

• Lessons about history: Yahweh has a Day

• Lessons about God: Yahweh is both compassionate and sovereign.

• Lessons about worldly powers: they will fail.

• Lessons about the people of God: find refuge in God alone, and God will bless ALL nations through you (Abraham’s covenant. Gen 12).

A Mighty Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

• A Mighty Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

• Our helper He, amid the flood, of mortal ills prevailing;

• For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe. His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate.

• On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing

• Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing

• Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.

• Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name, from age to age the same.

• And He must win the battle.

And though the world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us.

• And though the world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us.

• We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.

• The Prince of Darkness grim; we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

• One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

• That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

• The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;

• Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still.

• His kingdom is forever.