The Promise of Joy

Curtis Gordon

Tidings of Joy • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Isaiah 8:19–9:7

Christmas

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Read: Isaiah 9:1-5

Introduction

Introduction:

It was a normal ordinary day in Paris when some several attackers claiming to be ISIS began a coordinated terrorist assault that left 130 people dead and 494 wounded. 400 miles away Davide Martello a German Street Performer heard about the attack loaded up his grand piano on a trailer and drove the 400 miles through the night to a concert hall in Paris - the site of the deadlist attack.

He unloaded his piano and began to play John Lennon’s song “Imagine.”

In despair I bowed my head:

Later when interviewed he told reporters he “wanted to be there to try and comfort, and offer a sign of hope.” (Hall, 2015 )

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

The songwriter Mr. Longfellow wrote in his understanding and empathetic style a description of the way the people of Isaiah’s day were feeling, HOPELESS - In need of a hope bringer

In despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

It seems that at times of the greatest darkest - hope shines the brightest.

What is hope?

Longfellow was in a state of hopelessness.

Paris was in a place of hopelessness.

Israel was facing a dark time of no hope, no joy.

That’s when God says - I will let those who are in a dark place see the light - and that light will be greater than their darkness.

He says to Longfellow - Ring the bells louder - Which is why he would write

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peach on earth, goodwill to men. So what about Israel - God says to Israel through the prophet Isaiah -

"God's intended last word is never judgement. His intended last word is hope" Dr. John Oswalt Study of Isaiah session 6 1:40

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Hope came as

The Promise of Light - in a world of darkness and despair (Last time )

The Promise of Joy - Joy from deliverance by the Great Liberator (Today )

The Promise of A Son - A King of all kings (Next time )

Today we want to discover the joy that can be seen even in times of great despair and sorrow.

Hope seen in The Promise of Joy

There seems to be the promise of An increasing joy.

It seems that at times of the greatest darkest - hope shines the brightest.

Now there is controversy over over the first clause and how to translate and interpret it.

One side is the KJV and Massoretic text. Using the phrase, “Not increased their joy”

The Massoretic Text - “the standard or traditional Hebrew text of the Bible, as preserved by the Masoretes, (Mass-or-eats) a group of rabbinic scholars active ca. 600–950 CE…The Masoretic Text of the Bible…forms the primary basis for most English Bible translations.” Bruce M. Metzger, “Masoretic Text,” ed. Mark Allan Powell, The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) (New York: HarperCollins, 2011), 610.

On the other side are modern translations NKJV, ESV, NIV they omit the word, “not” which has precedence as the margin of the Masoretic text has an alternative reading that omits the word, “not.”

Most scholars who take a textual viewpoint of this passage say the KJV is most accurate. However many people question if that is the best view.

Those who side with the Masoretic and KJV - say the way to interpret this verse is like this - Because Matthew quotes part of this prophecy in it was fulfilled or being fulfilled at that time.

“Thou [God] hast multiplied the nation [the Roman Empire], and not increased the joy: they [the oppressed Jews] joy before thee...

I have two main issues with this -

I have two main issues with this - Matthew is strangely silent on this clause in the prophecy he quotes. And it almost sounds contradictory - there is no increased joy and then it goes on to describe the joy.Let me just say - I agree with the way the KJV has translated it - and here is why.There is oppression - bondage — freedom is a thing of the past. There are exorbitant taxes, - but that is not the end of the story. We aren’t left there. Someone is coming who will end this oppression, who will bring great joy. This joy will increase. We are given an illustrated journey of the increase of this joy.

Matthew is strangely silent on this clause in the prophecy he quotes.

And it almost sounds contradictory - there is no increased joy and then it goes on to describe the joy.

It was a normal ordinary day in Paris when some several attackers claiming to be ISIS began a coordinated terrorist assault that left 130 people dead and 494 wounded. 400 miles away Davide Martello heard about the attack loaded up his grand piano on a trailer and drove the 400 miles through the night to a concert hall in Paris - the site of the deadlist attack.

Let me just say - I agree with the way the KJV has translated it - and here is why.

There is oppression - bondage — freedom is a thing of the past. There are exorbitant taxes, - but that is not the end of the story. We aren’t left there.

Someone is coming who will end this oppression, who will bring great joy. This joy will increase.

We are given an illustrated journey of the increase of this joy.

First, we have a Celebratory Joy - Isaiah 9:3b

He unloaded his piano and began to play John Lennon’s song “Imagine.”

The joy of the Lord like the “joy in harvest” If anyone knows how to celebrate it is the Jewish nation. They love to rejoice and know how to have a good time doing it.

This joy is probably referring to the rejoicing that accompanied the “Feast of Tabernacles” or “Sukkot” or what later became known as “Pentecost”

Sukkot is the only Levitical feast on which God outright commands us to rejoice. ( , ) For that reason, it is often called the season of our joy. It was usually rejoicing and celebrating when the Harvest was over.

Not only do we have a celebratory joy we also see a powerful victory.

Later when interviewd he told reporters he “wanted to be there to try and comfort, and offer a sign of hope.” (Hall, 2015 )

Switch the above two - and insert a section about how only God can bring hope - maybe define hope here or use this as part of the conclusion.

While not necessarily a terrorist attack - the people of Isiah’s day were in a time of oppression and darkness. It was a time of hopelessness.

The songwriter Mr. Longfellow wrote in his understanding and empathetic style a description of the way the people of Isaiah’s day were feeling,

The songwriter Mr. Longfellow wrote in his understanding and empathetic style a description of the way the people of Isaiah’s day were feeling, HOPELESS - In need of a hope bringer

In despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

It seems that at times of the greatest darkest - hope shines the brightest.

What is hope? Longfellow was in a state of hopelessness. Paris was in a place of hopelessness. Israel was facing a dark time of no hope, no joy.

That’s when God says - I will let those who are in a dark place see the light - and that light will be greater than their darkness.

He says to Longfellow - Ring the bells louder - Which is why he would write

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peach on earth, goodwill to men.

Switch the above two - and insert a section about how only God can bring hope - maybe define hope here or use this as part of the conclusion.

So what about Israel - God says to Israel through the prophet Isaiah -

"God's intended last word is never judgement. His intended last word is hope" Dr. John Oswalt Study of Isaiah session 6 1:40

Hope came as:

The Promise of Light - in a world of darkness and despair (Last time )

The Promise of Joy - Joy from deliverance by the Great Liberator (Today )

The Promise of A Son - A King of all kings (Next time )

Today we want to discover the joy that can be seen even in times of great despair and sorrow.

Hope seen in The Promise of Joy

There seems to be the promise of An increasing joy.

Now there is controversy over over the first clause and how to translate and interpret it.

One side is the KJV and Massoretic text. Using the phrase, “Not increased their joy”

Bruce M. Metzger, “Masoretic Text,” ed. Mark Allan Powell, The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) (New York: HarperCollins, 2011), 610.

Most scholars who take a textual viewpoint of this passage say the KJV is most accurate.

However many people question if that is the best view.

Those who side with the Masoretic and KJV - say the way to interpret this verse is like this - Because Matthew quotes part of this prophecy in it was fulfilled or being fulfilled at that time.

“Thou [God] hast multiplied the nation [the Roman Empire], and not increased the joy: they [the oppressed Jews] joy before thee...

I have two main issues with this -

Matthew is strangely silent on this clause in the prophecy he quotes.

And it almost sounds contradictory - there is no increased joy and then it goes on to describe the joy.

Let me just say - I agree with the way the KJV has translated it - and here is why.

There is oppression - bondage — freedom is a thing of the past. There are exorbitant taxes, - but that is not the end of the story. We aren’t left there.

Someone is coming who will end this oppression, who will bring great joy.

This joy will increase. We are given an illustrated journey of the increase of this joy.

First, we have a Celebratory Joy -

Joy of the Lord like the “joy in harvest”

If anyone knows how to celebrate it is the Jewish nation. They love to rejoice and know how to have a good time doing it.

This joy is probably referring to the rejoicing that accompanied the “Feast of Tabernacles” or “Sukkot” or what later became known as “Pentecost”

Sukkot is the only Levitical feast on which God outright commands us to rejoice. (, ) For that reason it is often called the season of our joy.

It was usually rejoicing and celebrating when the Harvest was over.

Not only do we have a celebratory joy we also see a powerful victory.

Second, we have a Victorious Joy -

As the rejoicing of the conqueror who divides the spoil.

This begins a short section that refers to the end of military oppression.

talks about the victory over the oppressor as an accomplished fact.

It’s likened to Gideon’s victory over the Midianites -

What Isaiah is telling us - the victory is going to be so victorious that it is as good as done and was accomplished with a few little against a massive army and overpowering them.

It is speaking of the end of oppression - The yoke, the staff, and the rod - are talking of methods of subjecting the people - these are rendered useless as in the day of Midian - when God delivered through Gideon ( )

It is speaking of the end of warfare - These weapons can be burned for fuel of fire for heating and cooking.

It’s not just celebratory and victorious joy - look how this joy is accomplished.

Third, we have a Peaceful Joy -

I love how God’s battle strategy is so different from human strategy and problem-solving.

Napoleon and his battle strategy cost the blood of millions.

Second, we have a Victorious Joy - Isaiah 9:3c

It is estimated that 5–7 million died at the hands of Napoleon in his attempt to conquer the world. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars_casualties ]

Hitler was even worse -

It is estimated by some that as many as 8 million people died at the hands of Adolf Hitler. [ https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/documenting-numbers-of-victims-of-the-holocaust-and-nazi-persecution ]

Many millions more have died at the hands of ruthless, heartless, and barbaric military might in their attempt to conquer kingdoms, domains, and countries.

Massive amounts of might, money, and men have been sacrificed all for power, control, and domain.

But God’s plan?

How was God going to bring about this promise of JOY!?

Not by some military might or power but in an unassuming, defenseless, helpless way

That’s how he begins verse “For unto us a child is born, unto us, a son is given.”

Not some great Goliath, not some Napoleon who with brawn and brains they strategically attacked and defeated their foes

But a little child a Son. - I remember the first time each of my three boys was placed in my arms. I remember feeling so proud, happy, scared, and many other emotions washed over me. But I was struck with how fragile that little life was. He couldn’t reach for a bottle to let me know he was hungry. He couldn’t scoot the other direction when he squirmed to close to the edge of the bed. He didn’t even know the dangers that surrounded him every moment of every day -

A child, a baby, a defenseless, innocent, baby - this is God’s plan???

But this was no ordinary child, this was no ordinary SON.

This was (and we will deal with this more in-depth next week) WONDERFUL - COUNSELOR, THE MIGHT GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE of PEACE!!!!

This child would bring LIGHT

This Child would bring JOY - isn’t that what the Heavenly Host told the Shepherds - “I BRING YOU TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY!!!”

9:1-2. Prophecy of Immanuel as the great light. Prediction was made that He would providentially appear in dark, despised Galilee, 1. This was the very territory of Zebulun and Naphtali which was first plunged into gloom by the ravaging armies of Tiglath-pileser (732 b.c.). Here the radiant light of the Messiah, who made His headquarters in Galilee (), shone. 9:3-5. Prophecy of Immanuel as the great liberator. He would multiply the nation and increase its joy, 3. He would liberate the nation from all its oppressors and foes, supernaturally (cf. ; ), but in terrible final conflict, 5. This prophecy had application to the increase of the nation after the Babylonian Captivity and its victories in Maccabean times; but it will find its final fulfillment in Armageddon and the restoration of the kingdom over Israel (). 9:6-7. Prophecy of Immanuel as the great Lord. The humanity ('a child is born') as well as the deity ('Mighty God') of Immanuel are foretold. His government is described as prosperous, peaceful, Davidic, righteous, eternal, and sure, 6-7. His messianic titles are given: (1) Wonderful Counselor, giving counsel which alone can save man from sin; (2) Mighty God, Deity in the special character of a champion in battle; (3) Everlasting Father, both as the possessor of eternity and the author of eternal life (Heb. 'father of eternity'); (4) Prince of Peace, the ruler who will bring about a warless world in the coming kingdom. The Davidic covenant () will be executed in the Kingdom Age, which in turn will merge into the eternal state by authority of the Lord's zeal; for He will perform these wondrous promises of ultimate blessing for Israel and the world. Merrill Frederick Unger and Gary N. Larson, The New Unger's Bible Handbook, Revised and Updated ed. (Chicago: Moody, 1966), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 261.

It is estimated that 5,000,000–7,000,000 died at the hands of Napoleon in his attempt to conquer the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars_casualties

It is estimated by some that as many as 8 million people died at the hands of Adolf Hitler

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/documenting-numbers-of-victims-of-the-holocaust-and-nazi-persecution

That is something to have hope about - Lennon’s song was empty hollow words, It was like bringing a box of not so dark darkness to a dark room and try to light it.

As the rejoicing of the conqueror who divides the spoil.

This begins a short section that refers to the end of military oppression.

talks about the victory over the oppressor as an accomplished fact.

It’s likened to Gideon’s victory over the Midianites - What Isaiah is telling us -

the victory is going to be so victorious that it is as good as done and was accomplished with a few little against a massive army and overpowering them.

It is speaking of the end of warfare - These weapons can be burned for fuel of fire for heating and cooking.

It’s not just celebratory and victorious joy - look how this joy is accomplished.

Longfellow was on the right track - We don’t give up hope because God is still alive

Third, we have a Peaceful Joy -

I love how God’s battle strategy is so different from human strategy and problem-solving.

Napoleon and his battle strategy cost the blood of millions. It is estimated that 5–7 million died at the hands of Napoleon in his attempt to conquer the world. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars_casualties ]

Hitler was even worse - It is estimated by some that as many as 8 million people died at the hands of Adolf Hitler. [ https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/documenting-numbers-of-victims-of-the-holocaust-and-nazi-persecution ]

Many millions more have died at the hands of ruthless, heartless, and barbaric military might in their attempt to conquer kingdoms, domains, and countries.

Massive amounts of might, money, and men have been sacrificed all for power, control, and domain. But God’s plan? How was God going to bring about this promise of JOY!?

Not by some military might or power but in an unassuming, defenseless, helpless way

That’s how he begins verse “For unto us a child is born, unto us, a son is given.”

Not some great Goliath, not some Napoleon who with brawn and brains they strategically attacked and defeated their foes but a little child a Son. -

I remember the first time each of my three boys was placed in my arms. I remember feeling so proud, happy, scared, and many other emotions washed over me. But I was struck with how fragile that little life was. He couldn’t reach for a bottle to let me know he was hungry. He couldn’t scoot the other direction when he squirmed to close to the edge of the bed. He didn’t even know the dangers that surrounded him every moment of every day - A child, a baby, a defenseless, innocent, baby - this is God’s plan???

But this was no ordinary child, this was no ordinary SON.

This was (and we will deal with this more in-depth next week) WONDERFUL - COUNSELOR, THE MIGHT GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE of PEACE!!!!

This child would bring LIGHT

This Child would bring JOY - isn’t that what the Heavenly Host told the Shepherds - “I BRING YOU TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY!!!”

That is something to have hope about - Lennon’s song was empty hollow words, It was like bringing a box of not so dark darkness to a dark room and try to light it.

Longfellow was on the right track - We don’t give up hope because God is still alive

But I would add today that we can have more than hope - WE CAN REJOICE - FOR OUR PEACE HAS COME!!!

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