The Book of Isaiah, Part 1: The Vision Introduced: Children in Rebellion
Survey of the Old Testament Prophetic Books • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
The Series
The Book of Isaiah
Part 1
The Vision Introduced: Children in Rebellion
Text - Isaiah 1.1
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Background
Background
Who was Isaiah
Who was Isaiah
Isaiah was a prophet in Judah who prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Uzziah’s reign - 783-740 bc
also called, Azariah
records - 2 Kings 15.1-7; 2 Chronicles 26.1-23
Jotham’s reign - 756-741 bc
he was co-regent with his father for a time
records - 2 Kings 15.32-38; 2 Chronicles 27.1-9
Ahaz’s reign - 741-715 bc
records - 2 Kings 16.1-20; 2 Chronicles 28.1-27
Hezekiah’s reign - 715-687 bc
records - 2 Kings 18.1-20.21; 2 Chronicles 29.1-32.33
Isaiah’s ministry most likely began in the year of King Uzziah’s death - Isaiah 6:1 “1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.”
It is said that his ministry extend up to 58 years, one of the longest for a prophet of his type
Tradition says that Manasseh, King Hezekiah’s successor, killed Isaiah by having him sawn in half (Heb. 11:37)
Warren W. Wiersbe
The Vision of Isaiah
The Vision of Isaiah
Vision is the name given by Isaiah to the entire message from God written in this book.
The vision begins with a summon for heaven and earth to witness against Judah Jerusalem’s sin against God, (Isa 1.2) and ends with a renewed heaven and earth. (Isa 66.1)
The vision begins with Jerusalem corrupted by sin and rebellion (Isa 1.8), and ends with a new Jerusalem, a joy and delight of the whole earth (Isa 65.17-19).
The vision deals with the people of Israel in his time, right down to the endtime and the things that will bring history to a close and usher in eternity.
The Book of Isaiah
The Book of Isaiah
The whole book is in 66 chapters, equal to all the books of the Bible.
The whole book is attributed to one author, Isaiah.
The Book can be divided into two -
Main Idea
Main Idea
The Book of Isaiah opens up with Israel in rebellion against God.
Not that this was something new - Israel has been on and off of this condition for generations.
Main Points
Main Points
Chapter 1 of Isaiah can be be divided into three main ideas -
God’s indictment against Judah and Jerusalem
The consequences of Judah and Jerusalem’s sins
God’s solutions offered to Judah and Jerusalem and His ultimate goal
The indictment - God accuses Judah and Jerusalem of terrible sins
The indictment - God accuses Judah and Jerusalem of terrible sins
Tradition says that Manasseh, King Hezekiah’s successor, killed Isaiah by having him sawn in half (Heb. 11:37)
Warren W. Wiersbe
The indictment
The indictment
2 Listen, heavens, and hear, earth; For the Lord has spoken: “Sons I have raised and brought up, But they have revolted against Me.
3 “An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”
4 Oh, sinful nation, People weighed down with guilt, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the Lord, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him.
God calls for heaven and earth to witness against his “children”
God calls for heaven and earth to witness against his “children”
To call for witness indicates -
the message being delivered is of great importance - Deut 30.19-20 (Moses’s last message to Israel in the wilderness)
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
the message (warning) is true and will not change - Deut 4.25-28 (Moses’ warning to Israel)
25 “When you father children and have grandchildren, and you grow old in the land, and you act corruptly, and make an idol in the form of anything, and do what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God to provoke Him to anger,
26 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that you will certainly perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to take possession of it. You will not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed.
27 The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you.
28 There you will serve gods, the work of human hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear, nor eat nor smell anything.
To call for heaven and earth to witness indicates -
they represent the whole creation
these are faithful witnesses of God - the whole creation is completely obedient to the laws of God to which they were subjected by the Creator
God’s accusations
God’s accusations
His children have rebelled against Him (Isa 1.2)
revolted/rebellled - to break away from, behave as acriminal, become disloyal
Israel does not know her “owner” and “master”
in contrast to the ox and donkey (Isa 1.3)
Israel was ignorant of her God
Israel did not understand the value of the relationship between her and God
The results of their “ignorance” (Isa 1.4)
They have abandoned the LORD
They have despised the Holy One of Israel
They have turned away from Him
God’s message for us today -
God’s message for us today -
Ignorance is a dangerous disposition -
Ignorance is a dangerous disposition -
ignorance can lead us to rebellion against God
note - rebellious children are ignorant of their parents’ love for them
ignorance leads us away from God
ignorance causes us to do things that offend and grieve God - Jeremiah 9.3
3 “They bend their tongues like their bows; Lies and not truth prevail in the land; For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” declares the Lord.
22 “For My people are foolish, They do not know Me; They are foolish children And have no understanding. They are skillful at doing evil, But they do not know how to do good.”
ignorance can lead to destruction -
Let us not remain ignorant of God -
Let us not remain ignorant of God -
let us know the LORD - so we will know how to become a people for Him - holy and righteous people
the times of ignorance is over! - Acts 17.30
we are now under the New Covenant - where everyone knows God - Jeremiah 31.33-34
33 “For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord: “I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
34 They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.”
Note - you cannot become part of the New Covenant of God and remain ignorant of Him!
The result of their sins - Judah and Jerusalem are corrupted
The result of their sins - Judah and Jerusalem are corrupted
The results of their sins
The results of their sins
General description - the whole nation is sick - Isaiah 1.5-6
General description - the whole nation is sick - Isaiah 1.5-6
5 Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The entire head is sick And the entire heart is faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in it, Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds; Not pressed out nor bandaged, Nor softened with oil.
Because of her rebellion, Israel is sick in the head and heart
head - seat of knowledge and intellect
heart - seat of affection
this is the corrupting effect of sin
Because of her rebellion, Israel is wounded from head to toe!
this is the result of God’s punishment
note - Job was sick from head to toe, but not because he was punished by God
Israels’s wounds are a result of -
the corrupting effect of sin, and
the punishments inflicted by God
1. The land is desolate - Isaiah 1.7-9
1. The land is desolate - Isaiah 1.7-9
7 Your land is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire; As for your fields, strangers are devouring them in front of you; It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.
8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a city under watch.
9 If the Lord of armies Had not left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah.
Desolation caused by other countries attacking the land for its produce
wasteland - uninhabited, wilderness not worth cultivating
A shelter in a vineyard
unprotected place in the field
Israel is exposed to her enemies!
God’s mercy is the only thing that preserves them from total destruction
God’s message here
God’s message here
Sin (rebellion) exposes your life from enemy attacks
Sin (rebellion) exposes your life from enemy attacks
it removes your God-given protection
it exposes your weakest parts to the enemy
Sin exposes your most important parts to the enemy - your heart and your head!
Guard your heart and mind
Guard your heart and mind
fill your mind with the knowledge of God’s truth
fill your heart with the things of God
by prayer - Philippians 4.7
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
with the word of God - Heb 8.10
10 “For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel After those days, declares the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, And write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, And they shall be My people.
2. Their sacrifices and burnt offerings have become worthless and abominable - Isaiah 1.10-15
2. Their sacrifices and burnt offerings have become worthless and abominable - Isaiah 1.10-15
10 Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Listen to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah!
11 “What are your many sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fattened cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats.
12 “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courtyards?
13 “Do not go on bringing your worthless offerings, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the proclamation of an assembly— I cannot endure wrongdoing and the festive assembly.
14 “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of bearing them.
15 “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are covered with blood.
God is no longer pleased
with their sacrifices and offerings
with their presence in His courtyard
with their incense
with their festivities
God has hidden His eyes
God is not listening anymore
God’s message for us here
God’s message for us here
Beware lest your prayers, praise and worship become worthless to God
Beware lest your prayers, praise and worship become worthless to God
God’s pleasure is not measured by -
our tears
our joy in singing
our loud voices
our presence
God’s pleasure is confirmed by -
His glorious presence - holiness is expressed and revered
His speaking - the Truth is proclaimed
Our good standing before God does not depend on our works, or our feelings -
Our good standing before God does not depend on our works, or our feelings -
it depends on God’s satisfaction
3. Jerusalem has become a prostitute - Isaiah 1.21-23
3. Jerusalem has become a prostitute - Isaiah 1.21-23
21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once dwelt in her, But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become waste matter, Your drink diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after gifts. They do not obtain justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow’s case come before them.
Notice Jerusalem’s degradation -
from faithful to prostitute
from dwelling place of righteousness to dwelling place of murderers
from being valuable (silver) to worthless (waste, dross)
from being pure to becoming diluted
God’s message for us today
God’s message for us today
Ignorance (of God) can turn a faithful Christian into a prostitute!
Ignorance (of God) can turn a faithful Christian into a prostitute!
prostitute - having relations with other idols
We are to be devoted to Christ alone - 2 Cor 11.3-4
3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well!
Ignorance of God’s word can turn the pure Christian into diluted believer
Ignorance of God’s word can turn the pure Christian into diluted believer
diluted - lessened in flavor, strength, brilliance, and value
weak Christians
less salty believers
The solutions - God offers solutions and declares His ultimate goal
The solutions - God offers solutions and declares His ultimate goal
God offered them solutions
God offered them solutions
If they want to please God in their sacrifices - Isa 1.16-17
If they want to please God in their sacrifices - Isa 1.16-17
16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil,
17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case.
God’s message here
God’s message here
Sacrifices without good works is abominable to God
Sacrifices without good works is abominable to God
Believing and trusting in the sacrificial work of Christ for your salvation, but not producing the good works that God wants to see in us - that is unacceptable before God!
If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
Believe Christ and live the righteous life by faith!
Believe Christ and live the righteous life by faith!
the just (righteous) shall live by faith!
If they want to continue to live before their God - Isa 1.18-20
If they want to continue to live before their God - Isa 1.18-20
18 “Come now, and let us debate your case,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
19 “If you are willing and obedient, You will eat the best of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
What God wants from His people - be willing and obedient
willing - inclined towards the things of God
obedient - paying attention to God and His word
God’s message for us
God’s message for us
Our purity and sinlessness before God is not the result of our human efforts
Our purity and sinlessness before God is not the result of our human efforts
it is the result of God imparting righteousness to us
because we are willing and obedient to Him - that’s faith in Him
God declares His ultimate goal in Israel’s situation
God declares His ultimate goal in Israel’s situation
Concerning His enemies - Isaiah 1.24
Concerning His enemies - Isaiah 1.24
24 Therefore the Lord God of armies, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, “Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries, And avenge Myself on My enemies.
adversaries and enemies - those who will not stop their rebellion against Him!
God will be satisfied when His enemies receive the punishment for their sins.
According to their deeds, so will He repay:
Wrath to His adversaries, retribution to His enemies;
To the coastlands He will deal retribution.
“Behold, it is written before Me:
I will not keep silent, but I will repay;
I will even repay into their laps,
Both your own wrongdoings and the wrongdoings of your fathers together,” says the Lord.
“Because they have burned incense on the mountains
And scorned Me on the hills,
Therefore I will measure their former work into their laps.”
Concerning His people - Isa 1.25-27
Concerning His people - Isa 1.25-27
25 “I will also turn My hand against you, And smelt away your impurities as with lye; And I will remove all your slag.
26 “Then I will restore your judges as at first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city.”
27 Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness.
God will turn His hand against Israel -
He will punish Israel for their sins committed
God’s punishment on His people results in restoration, not destruction!
they will be purified
they will be restored to former conditions
they will be called by a new name
God’s message for us here
God’s message for us here
When God disciplines you -
When God disciplines you -
do not despair
do not run away
it is to remove your impurities!
it is to restore you into a better condition
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are punished by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He punishes every son whom He accepts.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
11 For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Concerning those who continue in their sin and rebellion - Isa 1.28-31
Concerning those who continue in their sin and rebellion - Isa 1.28-31
28 But wrongdoers and sinners together will be broken, And those who abandon the Lord will come to an end.
29 You certainly will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed by the gardens which you have chosen.
30 For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers away, Or like a garden that has no water.
31 The strong man will become like flax fiber, And his work a spark. So they shall both burn together And there will be no one to extinguish them.
God will bring them to total destruction
God will bring them to shame
Conclusion
Conclusion
As children of God, let us know that our heavenly Father is a dedicated, loving Father.
God is committed to our well-being!
God is committed to protect and save us
not only from our enemies’but also from our own sins and ignorance!
As believers of God, let us have a balanced understanding of our God
God is a kind God
God is also a God of wrath
But even if God is angry, you can rest assured it is for your benefit!
Song
Great is Thy faithfulness!
What a Faithful God have I
