A Promise from God
Isaiah 7:1-25
Introduction
- Lots to cover tonight – prayerfully we will get through it all with God’s help
- On Sunday we saw God’s commissioning to Isaiah and how he responded
- We discussed the importance of responding in the same manner; without fail
- Because God is our protector, we must be willing to trust Him always
- Tonight, we’ll see just how easily it is to fail in this – and see how God provides
- Read Isaiah 7:1-25 / Pray
Point 1 – It’s easy to give up (v1-9)
- The Jews, hearing that all was now lost decided to just give up; lacked faith
- Their lacking in faith is why Isaiah is being sent to them – to remind them of it
- How many today have had a crisis of faith? Or continue to have them now?
- Ahaz, out of his own fear, referred to these “attackers” as princes; as idols
- Perhaps he would have even bowed down before them to save his own skin?
- In the most simplest terms, he was about to practice idolatry … false worship
-- They were almost practicing adultary because it was practice of being unfaithful
-- They had been faithful to God, and then the circumstances changed so Ahaz looked to worship something else (Ahaz assumed a defeatist attitude)
- His lack of faith as a leader, caused a stir to which Isaiah had to correct him
- Isaiah says plainly these are burnt out stubs of wood; expelled; spent
- Ahaz is determined to surrender right them; because his trust in God is gone
- Because the Jews heard a rumor, they decided to give up everything for lost
- APP: We must be careful not to do the same thing (expound …)
- We cannot give up because the times get tough; nor can we surrender out of fear
- Remember the story of Jesus calming the storm? Go to Matthew 8:23-27; Read
-- First: We see Jesus is asleep – he is at peace, he is calm, he could be tired
-- Second: The disciples turn to Jesus out of fear; without confidence
-- Third: Jesus not only calms the storm; but rebukes their lack of faith
- Why? Because we are to live solely in the peace of God through all things
- To do otherwise is detestable to God and something we must avoid
- Isaiah is assuring these people to stand fast, hold onto the promise of God
- When the winds blow and the threats come, our FAITH is what holds us firm
- TRANS: I believe sometimes, God needs to be direct so that we will get it
Point 2 – God gives us a sign (v10-16)
- Ahaz and his court have a serious problem here … they are pretending to honor God but everything about their actions is the opposite
- These people did not trust God to provide, and this grieves the Lord
- Their distrust of God is no different than us trying to get into the driver’s seat
- Their distrust of God is no different than our attempts to control situations
- v9: “If you do not stand firm in your faith; you will not stand at all”
- Is our faith strengthened every day? It should be. Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- APP: If you live your live on sinking sand you will eventually be consumed
- If you hear the Word of God and do not let it in; you’ll never strengthen yourself
- We must, as believers, spend time hearing and doing – so that we can be strong
- Ahaz hears a rumor, and he’s already prepared to sell the farm and give up
- But God, in his mercy and grace will not be outdone and gives us a direct sign
- If ever there was a tie in that is crystal clear to the NT and Jesus arrival it’s this
- v14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
- Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
- Matthew did not choose these words; was fulfilling God’s prophecy from Isaiah
- Look at verse 16 – This verse says that before this Messiah is able to reject the wrong and the right, the land of the two kings will be laid waste
- Isaiah 8:4 discusses this later also … “Before the boy knows how to say ’My father’ or ’My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
- Turn to and read Jeremiah 49:23-29
- Jeremiah sees the identical vision years later and also proclaims its destruction
- Interesting enough … where is Paul journeying too when he encounters Jesus?
- The OT and NT tie-in again is spectacular here; and centers around God’s desire
- A Messiah is promised to us to deliver and bring us out of judgment and wrath
- This same messiah is given to us so that we can rejoice and be reconciled to God
- But are we living 24/7 in a state of thankfulness because of it – or something else
- Isaiah speaks that He will grow up like other kids, eat the same diet, enjoy the same things – yet when He is older and is able to distinguish right from wrong He will follow in the ways of God and refuse the evil path
- God gives a promise to all, even though Ahaz rejects it, and hopes are raised
- APP: So, if thinking about a coming Savior raised hopes of these believers; how much more should ours be raised if we already have a Savior!
Point 3 – Encouragement to Live (v17-25)
- This is a key admonition for the church as well as an encouragement to church
- v17 is a warning if we will not move forward, then we will incur wrath
- There is a threat of plagues, a barrenness to the land, and a choking out of life
- Agriculture will cease to exist and sorrow will come upon those who neglect the salavation that is provided by God.
- If we remain unfruitful under Grace, the Lord will remove the ability for fruit
- Revelation 20:15 says, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
- The rejection felt by those who deny God will be unreversable
- The challenge though is for those God calls to answer Him to avoid this
- The deeper challenge is not only to choose to live for Him, but to have peace in the knowledge that God provides security
- Remember the rebuke Jesus gives the disciples in the boat – it is the same as the beginning of chapter 7 with Isaiah telling the people NOT to worry
- Pray
