Chapter 7 - The Fear of Man

Chapter 7 of Isaiah opens with a message to king Ahaz. In Israel at this time, as in most times, there was war and rumors of war. Ahaz's heart was troubled, for he feared the loss of his power and wealth.

Isaiah 7:1-2 (HCSB) This took place during the reign of Ahaz, son of Jotham, son of Uzziah king of Judah: Rezin king of Aram, along with Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel, waged war against Jerusalem, but he could not succeed. When it became known to the house of David that Aram had occupied Ephraim, the heart of Ahaz and the hearts of his people trembled like trees of a forest shaking in the wind.

The pagan king of Aram and his ally, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel took Ephraim but were unable to conquer Jerusalem. When Ahaz heard that Ephraim had fallen, "the heart of Ahaz and the hearts of his people trembled like trees of a forest shaking in the wind." What a word picture we have, especially this time of year, when the wind blows and the trees shake, and the leaves fall. In this world, we will have trouble, but fear not - Christ has overcome the world! Our flesh may shake in fear, but we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken: Hebrews 12:27-29 (HCSB) "This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Beginning in verse 3, YHWH tells Isaiah what to say to Ahaz. Isaiah 7:4-6 (HCSB) Say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Don’t be afraid or cowardly because of these two smoldering stubs of firebrands, the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and the son of Remaliah. For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted harm against you. They say, ‘Let us go up against Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it for ourselves. Then we can install Tabeel’s son as king in it.’”

God, Who is Lord of all, tells weak-in-knees Ahaz to not fear these raging kings that wage war against him; comparing them to "smoldering stubs of firebrands." What a contrast with God Himself, Who is a consuming fire! YHWH reveals what was planned - terrorize the southern kingdom, conquer it, and install their stooge as king. If your kingdom is of this world, madmen such as these will come and steal and destroy and you should fear. If your kingdom is in Christ, these madmen may kill the body but they cannot kill the soul - you are secure in Christ Jesus!

Isaiah 7:7-9 (HCSB) This is what the Lord GOD says: It will not happen; it will not occur. The head of Aram is Damascus, the head of Damascus is Rezin (within 65 years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people), the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.

See what YHWH tells Ahaz - these raging madmen will fail. Judah will not fall. He also reveals that the king of the northern kingdom is connected to the pagan nations, not connected to Him. In the light of this enormous conspiracy against Judah, YHWH tells Ahaz that he will fail if he is not firm in his faith. In other words, trust in God and not in chariots and horses. So it for us - the Lord our God is our strong tower of refuge, the ruler of the kingdom that cannot be shaken.

When your world is shaking, look to Christ!

Chapter 6 - Holy, Holy, Holy

Isaiah Chapter 6

This is a familiar scene, filled with awe as Isaiah reveals a scene from heaven, where the glory of God is overwhelming; Isaiah struggles with words to portray what he has seen. The three-times holy reinforces the unbroachable gap between Creator and creature. Holy refers to being set apart from something. Natural man cannot approach God any more than a fish can approach an eagle. The eagle can swoop low and snatch up a fish; so God in Christ was brought low in order to snatch up sinners.

A side note: in verse 1 we read that robe of God filled the temple. The Hebrew word is "seam" - as of the seam of His robe fills the temple. Again, I see this as indicating God is simply beyond our comprehension. We can understand Him in part, but full knowledge of Him is beyond us.

Isaiah 6:4 (HCSB) "The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices." I think the author of Hebrews was pondering this when the Spirit gave him this: Hebrews 12:25-29 (HCSB) "Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven. This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Isaiah was undone, ruined, because he was "a man of unclean lips in a nation of unclean lips." A Scripture reference to this is Exodus 6:12 & 30, where Moses tries to excuse himself from service to God in speaking to Israel (verse 12) and to Pharaoh (verse 30) because he is a man of uncircumcised lips. The remedy for Moses and the nation of Israel was not for the males to be circumcised in the flesh, but for them all to be circumcised of the heart (Deut 10:16), which would be done by God. The remedy for Isaiah was to have his lips cleansed with fire - both of these point to the regeneration by the Spirit, wherein we are cleansed from sin by the imputed righteousness of God and circumcised without human hands.

Isaiah, called of God, agrees to serve Him - no excuses. Here we read of encouragement to gospel preachers.

Isaiah 6:9-10 (HCSB) "And He replied: Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Dull the minds of these people; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed."

Contrary to the disciples of Osteen, Hybels, Warren, and the SBC leadership, those who proclaim the gospel of Christ are not to be concerned with the opinions and responses of sinful man; we are to be faithful to the One Who called us.

Isaiah didn't shrink back but did ask, "for how long, Lord?" Isaiah 6:11-12 (HCSB) "And He replied: Until cities lie in ruins without inhabitants, houses are without people, the land is ruined and desolate, and the LORD drives the people far away, leaving great emptiness in the land."

YHWH will drive the people out, leaving the land empty and the house of Israel desolate. So we are to be consistent and faithful in preaching His Word, even if people are driven away and the temporal signs of wealth fall away.

Isaiah 6:13 (HCSB) "Though a tenth will remain in the land, it will be burned again. Like the terebinth or the oak that leaves a stump when felled, the holy seed is the stump."

A tenth (remnant) will still be in the land, as Paul wrote: Romans 11:5 (HCSB) "In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace." But though a remnant remains, "the land it will be burned again" - the judgment of God will consume all, as when He returns to judge the nations and make all things new.

Peter agrees: 2 Peter 3:10-13 (HCSB) "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that ⌊day⌋ the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, ⌊it is clear⌋ what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell."

No matter what goes on in this age, on this earth, our call is be fixed in Christ, focused on Christ, holy in conduct (not like the world!) and godliness (like Christ!) as we wait for and EARNESTLY desire His return.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 (HCSB) "Therefore encourage one another with these words."

Chapter 5 - Therefore ...

The last section of Isaiah chapter 5 pronounces the judgments in response to the woes of the preceding section. Two long verses begin with "Therefore" and go on to reveal YHWH's judgment for disobedience.

Isaiah 5:24-25 (HCSB) Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes straw and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will become like something rotten and their blossoms will blow away like dust, for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts, and they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the LORD’s anger burns against His people. He raised His hand against them and struck them; the mountains quaked, and their corpses were like garbage in the streets. In all this, His anger is not removed, and His hand is still raised ⌊to strike⌋.

Verse 24 shows us that these people who had the oracles of God and advantages no other nation did, rejected His instructions and despised His holy Word. Recall the scene when young Josiah was exposed to the Scriptures (2 Chron 34) - national Israel had suffered under countless worthless kings and the book of the law had been lost! It was found when Josiah was a young man and his response was remarkable, for he did what we would expect any leader of God's people to do. But he was the exception, not the rule.

And the Lord's anger burned against national Israel and He struck them so that their corpses were like overturned garbage cans in the street. When Isaiah wrote this, the hand of God was still raised against them. This is a stark contrast to the picture of YHWH leading them out of Egypt by His strong arm. Now that arm was against them and they were unable to stand.

Then we see that God turns His attention to the Gentiles: Isaiah 5:26 (HCSB) He raises a signal flag for the distant nations and whistles for them from the ends of the earth. Look—how quickly and swiftly they come!

When those who have been given ears to hear are called, they come! From before the foundation of the world, people from every nation, tribe, and tongue were chosen to be among the redeemed. Isaiah was one of several prophets who shed light on this.

The rest of this chapter describes the true covenant people of God. Isaiah 5:27-29 (HCSB) None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose and no sandal strap broken. Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows strung. Their horses’ hooves are like flint; their ⌊chariot⌋ wheels are like a whirlwind. Their roaring is like a lion’s; they roar like young lions; they growl and seize their prey and carry ⌊it⌋ off, and no one can rescue ⌊it⌋.

His people don't grow weary, etc. because He holds them up and causes them to walk in His ways. And the gates of hell cannot defeat us!

Isaiah 5:30 (HCSB) On that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. When one looks at the land, there will be darkness and distress; light will be obscured by clouds.

On the day when Christ returns, victory will be ours. The people of the world will be in distress. The only hope for man is in the God-man, Christ Jesus. He came to save sinners - but when He comes the second time, it will not be to deal with sin. No second chances. He is coming. Are you ready?