The Banner of the King

Introduction

I was listening to economists discuss aspects of the difficult economy at the moment

1 element taken into consideration is birthrate of nation - healthy economy needs atleast a replacement rate of births

Of course, their outlook is about money & wealth but they made an interesting observation about birthrates

People who have hope for the future have babies and when they don’t see hope they don’t have babies

Their answer is a good economy gives people hope, they have more babies & that improves economy

In part, they are correct - people/nations who have hope have babies

Australia’s birthrate is in decline indicating lack of hope

Good economy will help but its not the answer

One reason I do what I do is because I believe God, through His Word, gives true hope

Not wishful thinking

Not hope built on temporary measures like economics

God gives us hope that exists in the reality of a sin cursed world

God gives us hope that outlasts this sin cursed world

It means that as we look to the hope found in Jesus we can live righteously and joyously in this present age (Titus 2:11-14)

Here God gives us hope to live in this present age

Gives us hope to be faithful, hope to endure trials, hope to grow through discipline

Read Isaiah 11:10-16

We’re talking here about a Kingdom on this earth where Jesus rules in perfection, peace and joy

This Kingdom is followed by the Eternal State (‘heaven’)

Again, our text begins with the words “in that day”

Now those words don’t introduce judgment but deliver hope

He Will Gather His People

Isaiah 11:10-16

From Every Nation

Isa. 11:10

He will be lifted up

Isa. 11:10 is an important transition verse - clearly connected to both before and after

Jesus, Messiah will stand as a banner

Banners had many uses in battle

Mark positions, rallying place, communicate, etc.

He is the one to which people will rally (seek Him)

It’s hard not to hear Jesus’ own words in this verse

John 12:32 “32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.””

Yes, Kingdom will complete promises God made to Israel

Kingdom isn’t only for Israel, it is for the joy of all God’s people

How is He to be lifted before all peoples? The Cross!

John 3:14–15 “14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

It’s not just about hanging on a cross but the results of hanging on a cross

Philippians 2:9 “9 Therefore [having suffered on the cross] God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,”

Forever, He is lifted up, exalted, praised

He will draw to Himself

That lifting up on the cross is effectual - does what is intended

It doesn’t bring the potential for salvation but actually saves

By being lifted up He will draw people from every tribe and nation to Himself

This is part of the mystery of this present age that will climax in His Kingdom

See how quickly this begun through the book of Acts

It is our great commission - to proclaim His salvation through the nations

Gentile inclusion in this Kingdom promised to the Jews is part of the glory of God’s grace

We see it in seed form in the church

Romans 11:19 “19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.””

Unfaithful Israel removed and faithful Gentiles grafted in

God is making for Himself one people of 2 - a special people for Himself (Eph. 2:11-18)

So this is what we will see in eternity (beyond the Kingdom)

Revelation 5:9 “9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,”

We will rejoice in God’s faithfulness to Israel and enjoy the fruits of God’s faithfulness to Israel

Keeping His Promise

Isa. 11:11-16

Dispersed through the whole earth

In Deuteronomy God prophecies of 2 dispersions & 2 regatherings

First happened under Assyria & Babylon & then regathered afterwards (Ezra, Neh.)

Here God speaks of the second

Deuteronomy 28:25 “25 “The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth.”

70 AD God again dispersed Israel thoughout the earth & remain that way today

Regathered from the whole earth

It is clear this regathering and second coming are connected

God not only prophesied of their dispersion but also their regathering

Deut. 30:1-6

God is epmhasising His promise to regather them from every place on earth

Isaiah knows nothing of Israel being replaced by the church or any other group

He expects believing Israel to actually be regathered

Isaiah knows nothing about 10 tribes of Israel being lost

He speaks clearly of both Israel & Judah being regathered

Isa. 11:13 talks about the unity of Israel & Judah

No longer a divided nation but a united nation

As it was under David so it will be under the Root of David

What does this mean for modern day Israel?

Many think formation of modern state of Israel is part fulfilment

Yes & no

Yes, in that God is preparing by establishing a place for them to return to

No, in that now they occupy the land in unbelief

Return Isaiah speaks of isn’t a political return to the land but a spiritual return to the land

That is, they will not return because they are Jews, they will return because they believe God and He brings them back

Last phrase of Isa. 11:10 is glorious

His rest or His resting place is a rich phrase

Same word is translated ‘still waters’ (Ps. 23:2); house/home (Ruth 1:9); resting of the ark (Numb. 10:33); ‘Rest’ of Promised Land (Ps. 95:11)

Messiah is home and where He is there is glory

Again, it’s hard not to hear Jesus’ words about our eternal home

John 14:3 “3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

READ Isaiah 12:1-6

We Will Praise His Name

Isaiah 12:1-6

I Will Praise God

Isa. 12:1-3

He comforts me

First part of this hymn is sung together but as individuals

It’s an expression of each persons responsibility before God

Its sung in contrast to the refrain of the prophecy of Isaiah 10

Isaiah 10:4 “4 Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, And they shall fall among the slain.” For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.”

Now His anger is turned away

Only way for God’s anger to be turned away is if recompense has been made

If the sin has been atoned for

This is a statement that atonement has been made, propitiation has been won

Glory of God is that restitution, reconciliation isn’t just the absence of anger

With God, in the absence of His anger is the presence of His comfort

With forgiveness comes peace with God

Hopelessness, anxiety, angst, anger of sin is removed and in its place our hearts are filled with the love of God

He is my salvation

Warning to Ahaz & to the people in previous messages was a call to trust God & He will save

Ahaz & people refused & instead sought their own way of salvation - only brought ruin

Here the lesson is learned - only God can bring salvation

Doesn’t say God has salvation but God IS salvation

Trust Him and He will save you

You cannot save yourself

So God moves on our behalf to save

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

We Will Call on His Name

Isa. 12:4-6

Praise the Lord

Now the hymn continues in a communal voice

Saved individual sings as a member of the community of the saved

This is one of the beauties of singing in church

We sing individually of what God has done for us

Together our voices join as a choir of the redeemed

This is what will make the songs of eternity so divinely beautiful

To call upon His name isn’t just to use His name

It is to sing of & proclaim the perfect character of our God & Saviour

To call upon His name is to worship Him

Worship Him, not because He needs it but because we do

He is worthy of worship

We need to worship because it rightly focusses our lives

As we see here it is a reminder of how much we have received

Keeps us from using God as our servant

Sing to the Lord

We sing not only of who He is but also what He has done

So much of our passage is a reminder of the Exodus (Isa. 11:15)

Exodus 15:2 “2 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”

We sing of His excellent deeds not only so they will be known in all the earth but also so that we will remember to trust

Isa. 11:6 is a fitting end to this section of Isaiah - Holy One of Israel

Holiness of God has been major theme

In His absolute perfection He is not like us at all

He is above us, more wonderful than we can imagine

Sing to the Lord

Conclusion

Songs we sing and music we play for God here are wonderful

They are meant to give us a taste of the rapture it will be to sing with all of God’s people in His Kingdom and forevermore

Heed the words that God gave to Ahaz & Israel - Trust God & Do Not Fear

God will save His people

Don’t fear the trouble of this world and then seek help from the world

Look up, see a faithful, loving God

Set your focus right by praising God

If You don’t know the comfort of God look to Jesus

If you have not found forgiveness of sins through Jesus then the anger of God is still against you

Through Jesus He will turn His wrath away and You will know His comfort