BIG IDEA:
FAITH IN THE LORD IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD /
UNBELIEF RESPONDS TO CRISIS WITH FEARFUL PANIC THAT ENDS IN DEFEAT
INTRODUCTION:
Palm Sunday seems like it has arrived especially early this year. The Prophet Zechariah spoke of the entrance of the Messiah King into Jerusalem to usher in a reign of peace:
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zech. 9:9-10
Back in our text in Isaiah, we are still immersed in the days of conflict with the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem. But we are beginning a new section of this important prophetic book – chapters 7-12 which are called the Book of Immanuel = God With Us. Isaiah looks forward to the coming of the Messiah King as that child born into a world of sin and conflict who will ultimately reign in peace:
“Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Is. 7:14
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” Is. 9:6-7
Today we will focus more on the historical context that provides the background for these precious promises. King Ahaz finds himself in a time of crisis and must decide Whom he will trust?
– The arm of the flesh represented by turning to Assyria for help, or
– The God of the Covenant who has done so much for His people Israel in the past
Van Parunak: Later in the book, Isaiah again directly counsels a king of Judah, in ch. 36-39. The two episodes invite close comparison with each other. We shall note points of contact as we study this episode, and then return to this chapter when we reach ch. 36. There, the king is Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz; Assyria is threatening Judah rather than Israel; and importantly, Hezekiah responds in faith rather than fear. Thus the pervasive theme is, “Trust in the Lord, not in man.” . . . God graciously invites Ahaz to ask for confirmation of this call to faith. Similarly, in ch. 38, Hezekiah asks for a sign (v. 22), and the Lord moves the shadow on the sundial backwards (v. 8).
We face times of crisis as well. We need our faith strengthened so that we don’t give in to the fearful panic of unbelief. Worry, anxiety, stress – all are just different names for the sin of Unbelief — failing to put our confidence in the Lord and rest in Him. We can learn much from Isaiah’s encounter with King Ahaz. Just as we saw last week from chap. 6, a negative response to God’s revelation further hardens one’s heart. May God’s Word find good soil in our hearts this morning.
FAITH IN THE LORD IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD /
UNBELIEF RESPONDS TO CRISIS WITH FEARFUL PANIC THAT ENDS IN DEFEAT
4 WAYS TO REINFORCE THE NECESSITY OF FAITH
I. (:1) HISTORY LESSON — THE VICTORY OF FAITH MUST FEED ON PAST EXPERIENCES OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS – THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SIGN OF IMMANUEL /
THE FEARFUL PANIC OF UNBELIEF REJECTS THE LESSONS OF HISTORY
A. Historical Background of Wicked King Ahaz – the wicked are given opportunity to believe!
“Now it came about in the days of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah,” about 735 BC
Kings of Judah had varying degrees of godliness – Jotham – 2 Chron. 27:2-6 / Ahaz / Hezekiah (29:2) – Ahaz had a wicked track record
2 Chron. 28:1-4 very young when he took over the throne; no better than the wicked kings of the southern kingdom; led the nation into idol worship; burned his sons in fire
Van Parunak: It seems most straightforward to locate this after the initial successes of Syria and Ephraim against the countryside (2 Chr 28). They now move to attack the capital. It’s not clear whether Ahaz has already sent his appeal to Assyria for help (in which case Isaiah is condemning that action), or whether he is contemplating it (in which case Isaiah is warning against it).
B. Historical Background of Political Alliance Between Syria and Israel
“that Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel,”
The Syro-Ephraimite War —
Must understand the threat from the nation of Assyria – the rising, dominant world power at the time; remember their previous history with the prophet Jonah – one generation had responded in repentance in the city of Nineveh … but by now, they have sunk back into their wicked ways of conquering other nations in outrageous and abusive forms of cruelty
C. Historical Background of Previous Unsuccessful Invasion of Jerusalem
“went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not conquer it.”
2 Kings 16:5 glosses over the details of this first invasion just as Isaiah does here:
“Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to wage war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.”
Doesn’t sound unsuccessful when you read the story in 2 Chronicles 28:5-15
Difficult to get all of the chronology pieced together from these different accounts
II. (:2-4a) COMMAND — THE VICTORY OF FAITH MUST LOOK TO GOD WITH COURAGE / THE FEARFUL PANIC OF UNBELIEF TREMBLES AT THE IMMEDIATE CRISIS
A. (:2) Immediate Crisis Can Stir Up Fear – Imminent Second Invasion
“When it was reported to the house of David, saying, ‘The Arameans have camped in Ephraim,’ his heart and the hearts of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake with the wind.’”
Van Parunak: Ahaz has no thought of seeking the Lord. His mind is full of his plan to take refuge with Assyria. But his fear shows that this plan is not bringing him great peace.
He had good reason to fear – his troops had been depleted in the previous battle; now the Arameans have returned to finish him off
Look how the people feed off of the confidence level of their leader
B. (:3) Intervention by the Word of God
1. Gracious Ministry of the Lord – Taking initiative to reach out to Ahaz in his moment of crisis
“Then the LORD said to Isaiah, ‘Go out now to meet Ahaz,’”
Not an easy thing to deliver God’s message to the King; had to put your big boy pants on; required faith and courage on the part of Isaiah
The king certainly did not welcome Isaiah with open arms – had no interest in seeking God’s counsel; did not appreciate being confronted with his lack of faith
2. Gifted Messengers of the Lord – The Prophet and his son = Word Incarnate
“you and your son Shear-jashub,” = “a remnant shall return”
Surprising to see God send the son with the prophet – very unusual
Motyer: So certain was Isaiah of coming events that he was prepared for the word to “become flesh” in the person of his first son. Shear-Jashub was thus an “acted oracle”, a visual aid bringing home the word of God that much more clearly. He was also, by giving double expression to the word – sight as well as sound – making its fulfillment doubly sure.
3. God-Ordained Meeting Place – Strategic for the coming invasion
“at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway to the fuller’s field,”
C. (:4a) Imperative to Choose Faith Over Fear – 4 Commands
“and say to him,” Sense of urgency, earnestness, passion – Borgman
1. Two Positive Commands
a. “Take Care” הִשָּׁמֵ֙ר keep watch, guard yourself
Borgman: “Take heed;” warning not to trust in self or man; Deut. 4:15: Joshua 23:11; we are tempted to trust in the arm of flesh; Heb. 3:12;
1 Samuel 19:2 “So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”
b. “Be Calm” וְהַשְׁקֵ֜ט be quiet, undisturbed; only NT usage
Borgman: Rest! Is. 30:15 “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing.”
Is. 57:20-21 “But the wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet (rest). And its waters toss up refuse and mud. ‘There is not peace’, says my God, ‘for the wicked.’”
Motyer: “Be careful to do nothing.” The issue was not one of politics but of faith. If only Ahaz could be persuaded to do nothing, to keep clear of compromising alliances, the Lord could be trusted to keep his promises to David and to deal with the Assyrian threat (as indeed he ultimately did; see 37:36-38). The issue is as clear-cut as that: will Ahaz seek salvation by works (politics, alliances) or by simple trust in divine promises?
This exhortation would be similar to “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”
2. Two Negative Commands
a. “Have no fear” most common command of Jesus in the NT
Genesis 15:1 to Abraham: After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.
Genesis 26:24 to Isaac: And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.”
Genesis 46:3 to Jacob: “And He said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.’”
To Moses, to Joshua, etc.
Deuteronomy 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.”
Isaiah 8:12 “you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.”
Isaiah 35:4 “Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.’”
Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Borgman: the call not to fear is always related to some aspect of God’s character and what He will do for you; look away from the danger to the one who has all power to deliver you from all danger; Matt. 10:28 – only fear God
b. “Do Not be fainthearted” –weak of heart
Deut. 20:3-4 “Hear O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
Borgman: these 4 commands are all faith words; Rev. 21:8 – God casts the cowardly into hell; the opposite of faith is “cowardly and unbelieving”; instead be stout hearted; put your trust in God; should stir us up to take risks for God
III. (:4b-9a) ENCOURAGEMENT — THE VICTORY OF FAITH MUST BE REINFORCED WITH GODLY ENCOURAGEMENT /
THE FEARFUL PANIC OF UNBELIEF CANNOT SEE PAST THE PRESSURE OF THE PRESENT CRISIS
3 Encouragements to Trust God in the Present Crisis:
A. (:4b) Understand the Limitations of God’s Enemies – Smoke Without Fire
“because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, on account of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and the son of Remaliah.”
Two blazing sticks pulled out of the fire that could be used as torches … but have burned down to the point where they are just smoldering – more smoke than fire left
Psalm 2 – we see “The kings of the earth take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’” How does that work out for them?? Lord not impressed by their fierce anger – makes fun of them
B. (:5-7) Understand Whose Plans Get Carried Out
“Because Aram, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has planned evil against you, saying, ‘Let us go up against Judah and terrorize it, and make for ourselves a breach in its walls, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,’ thus says the Lord God, ‘It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass.’”
Prov. 19:21 “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.”
Ps. 33:10-12 “the Lord nullifies the counsel [plans] of the nations” – don’t worry about the evil plans of the nations today
James 4:13-17 – we see the plans of self-sufficient, self-confident worldly business executives – making plans to add to their stockpile of wealth – “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”
C. (:8-9a) Understand Who Governs with Ultimate Authority
1. Authority Structure in Syria
“For the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin (now within another 65 years Ephraim will be shattered, so that it is no longer a people),”
God raises up nations and brings them down in defeat; Ephraim won’t be around much longer
Rom. 13:1 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
Daniel 4 – King Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the hard way “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes . . . He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”
If you fail to recognize God as your ultimate Head and Sovereign, you are destined for destruction; align yourself in submission under the supreme sovereign; don’t try to maintain control of your life in rebellion against God
Motyer: the 65 year reference (735-670 BC) is to the fact that in 671 Esarhaddon imported foreign settlers into the area of the former northern kingdom (cf. 2 Ki. 17:24; 2 Ch. 33:11; Ezr. 4:2). At that point those deported after the fall of Samaria (722 BC) were bereft of a land to return to and thus finally ceased as a sovereign people.
2. Authority Structure in the Northern Kingdom – Israel
“and the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.”
3. Authority Structure in Judah – God’s Kingdom – by application: in the Church
Unspoken – but implied
IV. (:9b) WARNING — THE VICTORY OF FAITH MUST RESPOND TO DIVINE WARNINGS /
THE FEARFUL PANIC OF UNBELIEF HARDENS THE HEART ON THE PATH TO CERTAIN DEFEAT
“If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.”
Play on words here – different forms of the same word
Beall: The Hebrew has a beautiful word play here, as the Qal and Hiphil of the same verb are used in juxtaposition to one another (Wnmea’te al{ yKi Wnymia]t; al{ ~ai “if you do not believe, surely you will not be established”).
2 Sam. 7:16 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”
Think of the warnings in the Book of Hebrews about the need for perseverance in the faith
CONCLUSION:
4 WAYS TO REINFORCE THE NECESSITY OF FAITH
– History Lesson
– Command
– Encouragement
– Warning
1 John 5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”