Isaiah 9:18 - 21
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What is he saying?
What is he saying?
(v. 18) Wickedness is likened to a consuming fire
(v. 19 - 21) Wrath of the Lord is described as dark self-destruction
The story is told that the Eskimos have a manner in which they kill wolves. They take a sharp knife and freeze animal blood on the outside of it. Over and over again, they layer the outside with layers of blood that become frozen. The wolf comes and licks the blood of this animal. Eventually, the wolf works his way through the layers of frozen blood and, never realizing, begins to lick the sharp blade. Soon, the wolf is drinking his own blood, never realize that he is actually bleeding himself to death.
In like manner, the wrath of God
Why is he saying this?
Why is he saying this?
This judgment against Israel is ultimately because they have not trusted in the Lord. ()
What’s the principle?
What’s the principle?
Wickedness consumes a people who reject the Lord, and the token of this wickedness is that people attempt to satisfy themselves at the expense of their own brethren.
Illustration:
The story is told that the Eskimos have a manner in which they kill wolves. They take a sharp knife and freeze animal blood on the outside of it. Over and over again, they layer the outside with layers of blood that become frozen. The wolf comes and licks the blood of this animal. Eventually, the wolf works his way through the layers of frozen blood and, never realizing, begins to lick the sharp blade. Soon, the wolf is drinking his own blood, never realize that he is actually bleeding himself to death.
In like manner, the wrath of God is noted here; but what stands out is how people who have chosen to trust in themselves are actually choosing self-destruction. When men and women choose against the Lord, they choose against each other as well. It is only a matter of time until the self-destruction begins. [Consider the first murder: Cain/Abel]
How does this principle apply?
How does this principle apply?
We see this with mankind, in general. - Because man rejects God, he is given over to his own lusts - this leads to a misuse of other mankind.
An individual who is an unbeliever, who has never trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord will find true joy and satisfaction in the One who suffered the wrath of God on his or her behalf.
Some of you have adult children whom you feel as though they merely use you all of the time. They seem to be under the dark wrath of God in their lives. You would do well to encourage their trust in the Lord.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
We see this within the people of God as well. Some people of the household of faith are so selfish with their love, and so skeptical of others that they bite and devour one another. This reveals that they are not under the Holy Spirit’s control; but rather they are under the influence of their flesh.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
It is indeed liberating to trust the Lord, and the Lord’s liberation allows us to be in right relationship with mankind and with our brethren. Have you considered that your problem with others may not actually be them, but it may actually stem from a lack of trust in the Lord?
What keeps me from this principle?
What keeps me from this principle?
Our lust is to constantly be filled; but we are people who are unable to see that trusting in ourselves will always leave us hungry. This manifests the sinful nature of the Fall.
Illustration: Several years ago, we went to Mackinac Island with the senior saints. It was a joyful occasion for sure. During that trip we went to a large mansion on the island where we were served buffet foods. It was spectacular! When we arrived the line for the regular food was a little long, so I decided to begin with the dessert buffet. One or two other seniors thought the same thing too. Though I ate my dessert first, it did not satisfy my hunger. I needed some kind of protein.
Similarly, there are people who are blind to the fact that they are trusting in themselves and they will always come up hungry.
The parent today feels that if she can just be the perfect parent, then she can feel good about herself. What you don’t see is that you are devouring your children by the pressure you are putting on them. It is ultimately self-destructive.
The career man today feels that if he can just make himself stand out a little more at work, then the promotion will bring him a sense of self-worth. What you don’t see is that you are devouring your energy and possibly other co-workers for your own ambition. You will leave hungry.
The Christian in the church today feels that if he can just pretend like he has no sin to battle with, then maybe people will think highly of him. What you don’t see is that you are serving the god of your own image. You will devour anything and anyone that may get in the way. You too will leave hungry.
These empty behaviors reveal our sinful nature. It is a nature with which we all battle, and from which we must be delivered. We cry with the Apostle Paul in
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Where is Christ?
Where is Christ?
This passage points us to Christ in several ways:
(1) Christ is the One who perfectly trusted in His Father
(2) Christ is the One who suffered the wrath of God for us
(3) “Lord of hosts” is the verse that most directly connects us to Jesus Christ.
This name is typically used of the prophets during Israel’s divided state and failure
This name serves as a reminder that though Israel had failed on earth, the Lord is still able to and will accomplish his purposes by his heavenly hosts.
The reference “hosts” is speaking of “heavenly hosts”
Illustration:
There was a man who served the Lord faithfully. During the course of his service, another nation realized that this faithful servant of the Lord was key to the nation which he served. So, the plan made by the other nation was to come surround the home and particular city of this faithful servant of the Lord. Unbenounced to the household of this servant of the Lord, the army took their places during the night, and in the morning one of the household servants came crying to this faithful man of the Lord, “What are we going to do?” It was then that Elisha said
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
There was yet one other quite distinct time when the Lord revealed the heavenly hosts.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
You see, Jesus is King, and he is conducted into this world by His armies. He comes to redeem people so that they could be put in right relationship with God and in right relationship with each other. ; ,
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Illustration:
Margret Semenov shared a testimony in our church a few weeks ago about how the gospel of Christ has changed her life as a Christian. How do we know this has taken place? We see the fruit of her love when she speaks to visitors in the coffee shop…when she sits with people that others may avoid…when her words are compassionate and gracious towards others....
How you and I interact with each other, how we speak of each other, how we treat one another - is a token of our faith. It either reveals that we are trusting what God has done in Christ for us or that we are trusting in ourselves.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
If you’re really satisfied in Jesus, you will not need to try to be satisfied by gossiping about others.
If you’re really satisfied in Jesus, you will not need to try to be satisfied by avoiding that ignorant person.
If you’re really satisfied in Jesus, you will have the grace of God flowing forth from you towards those who have not earned it from you.
When our soul is satisfied in Christ, we will cease to attempt to find satisfaction at the expense of those around us. We will cease to be cantankerous, moody, edgy, unappeasable people.