Glory be to the Maker!

Introduction:

Explanation and setting the stage of what is happening in the passage.

the text of the Prism of Sennacherib indicates that the Assyrians took 46 strong cities of Judah and countless unwalled villages, 200,150 people as captives plus cattle, and that some elite troops deserted Hezekiah. Although it is impossible to verify most of Sennacherib’s claims, Isaiah knew that Sennacherib captured many people and devastated many cities in Judah.

Smith, G. V. (2007). . (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 384). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.

v. 1a - Standard introduction to the Message

v. 1b - “What’s wrong with you?”

v. 1b - 5 Isaiah’s Call Out (v. 4 - his grieving)

v. 6 - 11 They had not looked to their Maker

v. 12 - 14 Definite judgment is coming

There are several potential reasons for the reactions noted in the passage:

Some hypothesize that the good news was that (a) Judah has successfully finished all its war preparation; (b) Assyria was lifting its grip on Jerusalem and withdrawing its army to address the Egyptian threat (37:9–10); (c) Hezekiah has decided to pay Sennacherib a large amount of gold and thus appease Sennacherib’s anger (); or (d) the complete withdrawal of Assyrian troops after God killed 185,000 of them in one night (37:36–37).

Smith, G. V. (2007). . (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 384). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.

Problem: The real issue though is that they were NOT looking to their Maker!

Rather than allow the trial to cause them to look to the LORD, they were trusting in their own abilities. Rather than mourning and repenting of the cause of the trial, they were rejoicing in perceived victories; but it is never a victory, if the end result is NOT a greater dependence upon the LORD.

Illustration:

Parent #1 is trying to teach a child a lesson about cleaning up after himself/herself. Parent #2 cleans the child’s room while the child is gone. Parent #1 realizes that when Parent #2 does what is required of the child FOR the child, then the child will not learn the lesson.

In similar ways, the LORD deserves to be looked to. The people, rather than looking to the LORD because of the trial, look to themselves and spend their time rejoicing, as if they were victories.

It is never victorious if there is not a greater dependence upon the LORD.

Proposition: Look to your Maker!

(1) This passage reveals a sinful human condition against the Maker!

a tendency to party rather than consider reality (v. 2 - 3)

a tendency to overlook those who are grieving & warning (v. 4)

a tendency to overlook the liability of the future (unknown) (v. 7) (v. 14)

a tendency to rely on our devices (v. 10 - 11)

Summary/Application:

it is the sinful, human condition to put on a happy face when things should be mourned

we tell people that they just need to keep their heads up

The truth is that we should not transfer glory from the Lord to someone or something else. . But this is the human tendency - “to place trust” or “to give glory” to another. This has a way of anesthetizing us from turning to the LORD.

Example/Illustration:

Emotional hardship (trials) - Often times stress is coped with by turning to things that bring temporary, physical pleasure.

Financial hardship (trials) - Often times financial hardship is dealt with by justifying greater debt or more spending.

Health hardship (trials) - Often times of health hardship are dealt by turning to faith in doctor’s credentials or excessive spending in the pursuit of staying alive.

While each of these may present noble pursuits, none should ever be used as a fix to overlook reality. Most importantly, hardships should cause us to look to our Maker!

Again, it is our sinful tendency to transfer glory to another. It is our sinful tendency to overlook the purpose of these hardships - Look to Him!

(2) Something has to be done because of this sinful human condition against the Maker!

Isaiah grieved the devastation of his people (v. 4)

Isaiah pronounced (by the LORD) death as the means of atonement (v. 14)

So, now, it becomes clear that because they did not look to their Maker, there would be no “atonement” until they died.

Summary/Application:

This aptly illustrates the condition of mankind, in general. Death is the worthy consequence of those who reject the Creator/Source/Sustainer of Life.

In the end, temporary pleasure, more stuff, and human effort cannot prevent the enemy of death from fulfilling his course.

(3) Man’s sinful condition has been defeated by the Maker!

As Isaiah wept bitterly over Israel, Jesus wept.

The death of Christ secured eternal atonement (purge) ,

Summary/Application:

Though this is a sinful condition — to transfer glory to another, to overlook the purpose of hardships, it is one that does not need to dominate our lives because there is one who has lived in such a way that He has paid for this sin, and He has conquered this sin.

Conclusion/Final Application:

(4) The Maker saves men for his glory over this sinful, human condition

(1) God has saved you to make you a new people for his glory (don’t transfer it) -

(2) Remember that this battle must take place in our hearts - (don’t even allow your hearts to be drawn by these glory transfers)

(3) [built on the prior one] Point others to their Maker! -

(4) Believe that your submission manifests where your trust is -

Who or what are you really glorifying in your heart?

Who are you really looking to?