Isaiah, Part 14
God’s promises give strength to His people
Isaiah 37:21-38
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons! We are so glad you have chosen to be here today!
-- Last week, we celebrated the marvelous truth that Jesus is risen
-- Because He Lives (just sang) is the reason we gather here today
-- I believe it was a service that honored Him alone – and for that I’m grateful
- Today, we dive back into our Isaiah series by looking at part of Chapter 37
-- I want to highlight a few thoughts from the weekly devotional (bulletin)
- When we seek the Lord's wisdom, help, guidance, etc., we must be sure:
• We are on solid ground with Him
• This means we have spent time in prayer to confess our sins
• This is what ensures our relationship with Him is right
- Then we will be able to have our prayers answered:
• His answer is how He ministers to us and delivers us when in need
• CH: However, it also means we will be receptive to listening to Him
• It’s hard to hear what God says when you’ve decided what He should say
- Want to give you a two verses to chew on as we go through this today:
• Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.”
• 2 Tim 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
-- OT/NT: Consistent messaging and encouragement to rely on God’s word
-- Need us to keep these verses in mind over the coming weeks … ok?
- Read Isaiah 37:21-38 / PRAY
- Setup:
• King Hezekiah and Israel are soon to be under attack (HW: Ch 36/37)
• He has sought the Lord through prayer to rescue, to provide, to help
• This is the response that comes, through Isaiah (~701 BC)
Point 1 – God reinforces His promises to His people
- Unpack: King Sennacherib wants to raid the holy city to take it for himself
-- Need us to see how specific God is when He answers Hezekiah’s plea for help
-- APP: Very little ambiguity here – and the same applies to us if we will ask
- He says that this king would flee Jerusalem (v22)
-- Term “virgin daughter” is a reference to him not being able to attack Jerusalem
-- Hebrew: bethulah; a virgin, think of a bride on her wedding night
-- God reveals he would also be mocked (laughs) for his attempt
-- Hebrew: nua rosh achar; to shake the head behind your back (ridicule)
- Why? Because he has mocked God; the Holy One over all things (v23)
-- This king has heaped insults on God; claimed God’s abilities as His own
-- APP: He thought of his accomplishments being stronger than God’s authority
- Just look at how he speaks about his own conquests – desires to: (vv24-25)
• To conquer all mountains (nations)
• Cut down the tallest trees (peoples)
• Reaching the farthest parts of the Earth (territory hound)
• Dig and drink from new wells (establish his own civilizations)
• Dry up the rivers of Egypt (removed a regions natural resources)
-- Yet he misses a simple truth: It was God who allowed this to happen! (See v26)
-- It was God who ordained this to take place to discipline rebellious people!
- TR: God delivers a very basic truth that we cannot miss today …
Point 2 – When pushed, God will answer a mocker!
- Simply stated: God charges the Assyrian king with ignorance!
-- He misses the very simplest truths (that many deny today also)
-- Assyria was being used by God to strengthen other rebellious nations
- God was allowing Assyria to become strong to discipline others! (v27)
-- Before you ask: Yes! God uses people/nations to carry out His purposes!
- Missed Truth: Not only was God sovereign over Assyria, but all nations!
-- He says (v28), “But I know you well – where you stay and when you …”
-- He knows even the ways that Assyria, and King Sennacherib, has rebelled
-- Specifically, the ways they have sought themselves and their honor, first!
- APP: Truth is, they’ve ignored God’s gifts, His authority, & His power
-- Instead, they’ve chosen to marvel at their own accomplishments …
-- They celebrated their success in this world as if these were theirs!
- Therefore, the judgment placed on this king and his land will be swift!
-- He will lead them (like a horse, see visual) back to where they came from (v29)
-- They will have no authority in Jerusalem, or power against Israel
- Take a pause … Consider: Where do you need God’s assurance right now, today?
-- APP: See this: This is how He answers those who seek Him in prayer!
- God is speaking clearly to Hezekiah through Isaiah … (be encouraged)
-- Turning to Hezekiah, God gives him a clear word of His protection to come
- TR: He gives Isaiah a message for the king - but one for His people also!
Point 3 – God gives a song of protection for His people
- Remember Proverbs 25:2 from earlier … it is His glory to conceal the truth
-- It is our treasure (as heirs of His) to dig in and find the truth for ourselves!
- Think of it like hiding easter eggs … or waiting until Christmas to give a gift
-- As the giver, you are overjoyed to present it to someone you care about
-- This is exactly what the Lord does for us, through the inspiration of His Word
- God tells them how they will proceed from this day on (proof): (vv30-32)
• This year they will eat only what grows from the ground naturally
• Next year they will enjoy the offspring of what they had this year
• The year after they would plant (shows growth) and harvest
• The remnant of those who survive will GROW and EXPAND!
- Even the answers to prayers are clear - and they mean what they say! (vv33-38)
• The Assyrian King would not attack or defeat Jerusalem
• He would most certainly NOT be able to enter this protected city
• He would quickly return to his own land, by the quickest way possible
-- Why? Because the city (people) would be defended by God (sovereign will)!
BIG IDEA
- Deliverance, or protection from an enemy, is the joy of the Lord to give!
-- KNOW: God delights in having His children come and find comfort
-- He wants us to find a place of safety within Him (give us hope)
-- However, remember the beginning, we have to be right with Him first!
-- Security is one of the greatest promises we’ll ever have (ref: the empty tomb!)
- Take this home: When we call upon God for deliverance, 1 of 2 things happens:
1. Either God miraculously delivers us from our situation, or,
2. He gives us the ability to walk through (or withstand) the temptation to sin
-- 1 Corinthians 10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
- No matter what we are facing, the result is in what God can and will do!
-- If we turn to Him, He is faithful to deliver us because only He is able!
-- Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
- King Hezekiah knew to see God when all seemed improbable to overcome
-- QUES: Where are still trying to do things your own way and not turn to Him?
- Pray
