Isaiah 8 - Assyria the overwhelming flood

1. Introduction

As chapter 7 was about Ahaz putting the faith in the wrong savior, chapter 8 is about putting the fear against the wrong people. God says the only person we should fear is Good Himself.

2. The sign: Maher-shalal-hash-baz (1-4)

God asked Isaiah to name his son "Maher-shalal-hash-baz" meaning "plunder speedeth; spoil hasteth". This refers to the imminent destruction to Israel and Aram by Assyria.  This will happen before Isaiah's son is old enough to say "mother" or "father."   

From history we know that Assyria attacked Aram and Israel between 734-732 BC. King Rezin was killed and Pekah replaced by Hoshea, who killed him. All this happened in less than 2 years from the writing of this prophecy. Eventually, Samaria fell to the Assyrians in another attack in 722 BC, ending the existence of Israel. 

The contemporary of Isaiah, prophet Hosea of Israel, were also told to name his children as a sign against Israel.  His daughter was named "Lo-ruhamah" meaning "not loved" , and his son "Lo-ammi" meaning "not my people." (Hosea 1:6-9).   Am I glad my father is not a Jewish prophet!

3.  The overwhelming flood: Assyria (5-8)

Because the people did not appreciate God's care for them (symbolised by the spring of Shiloah in Jerusalem), God will bring the mighty river of Assyrians which will sweep away Israel and it will overflow into Judah.

Unlike Israel, Judah will not be destroyed but Assyria will only "reach it's neck" (v8). 2 Kings 18:13 described the invasion against Judah 30 years down the road: "And in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them."

Hezekiah barely survived and was able to keep Assyria from entering Jerusalem by buying favor from the Assyrian King, Sennacherib, with gold from the temple. However, it was God who caused the withdrawal of Sennacherib, by sending an angel to kill 185,000 of his men. (2 Kings 19:35) 

4) Fear Only God (9-15)

God asked Isaiah not to walk and think in the ways of the people, and not to be afraid of they are afraid of  (i.e. the wars). Today we are not facing wars, but we are preoccupied with what our world desires -  more power, more money, more pleasure.

But none of these will matter. Once God has decided against a nation (or a person), there's nothing they can do to change it.  "Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us." (v10)

But we are to fear God instead, and to honor him. It's God that is in control of what happens to Israel and Judah.  

To those who fear Him, He is a sanctuary, but to those who rebel, He is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. (v14).  This verse was attributed to Christ in 1 Peter 2:6-8.

5) Listen to God's Word (16-22)

Got asked Isaiah to bind up his testimony and to teach them to his disciples. The Word of the Lord was preserved for us, and we are to read them as what happened to Israel has a lesson for us at a national and at a personal basis.  Today, many people are offended if you share with them the gospel. It is a "rock of offense." Yet, that's what God wants us to continue to do.

Isaiah responded that he will wait upon the Lord and hope in Him. Waiting upon the Lord is like a waiter waiting on a table. The idea is to standby to receive instructions and to obey it. (v17)  This is where Isaiah's focus was going to be, not in the chaos around him or being preoccupied with power or money.

Isaiah's message is not just in what he recorded in pen, but he and his whole family is the testimony and represents God's message to the people. (v18)

Yet the people, especially the leaders, refuse to listen to him, but inquire the mediums and the necromancers. Because of that, they are not enlightened ("no dawn" v20). Everything looks gloomy and hopeless to them, and then they get angry at God for the miserable conditions.

Are we willing to "wait upon the Lord" and serve Him even in uncomfortable situations?

Isaiah 7 - War Between Brothers

I. Introduction

This event happens 4 to 5 years after the death of Uzziah that we read in the previous chapter.  Ahaz has taken over from Jotham as the sole ruler. Pekah felt it was time to force the hand on Judah, for Judah had consistently refused to join forces to defeat the Assyrians.

Pekah partnered with the king of Aram (Syria), Rezin, in his launch against Judah. During the days of Judges, the Israelites were attracted to the gods of the Aram whose capital was Damascus. (Judges 10:6).  But David fought the Arameans and subjugated them. (2 Sam 8:6).

However, after David, the Arameans were always in war with Israel. The famous stories we know are Naaman the Syrian, who was healed of leprosy by Elisha. And also how the horses and chariots of fire came to Elisha rescue when a Syrian army was sent to kill him. This was better than the Lord of the Rings!  (2 Kings 5,6)

Despite being mortal enemies, The Syrians and Israel became allies against the Assyrians. And now they are at the doorsteps of Judah. Ahaz panicked. This is when one of the most beautiful prophecy about the Messiah was given through Isaiah to reassure Ahaz:

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (7:14)

As Pastor Edmund Chan puts it, Chapter 7 deals with the unfounded fear, and chapter 8 deals with the unfounded foolishness. 

a) Confrontation between belief and unbelief (1-9)

When Isaiah started writing this, it appeared that Ephraim and Syria had not yet broken through the Judean defense. It was a time when Ahaz had the opportunity to trust God, even as God gave His promises through Isaiah.

Good asked Isaiah to give assurance to Ahaz and to bring his son, Shear-jashub, along. Shear-jashub means "a remnant will return." God told Ahaz to keep calm because the enemies will not succeed. To God, they are nothing but smoldering stumps.

Despite an alarming and frightful situation, it calls Ahaz to have faith: "If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’” (v9)

However Ahaz chose to walk by sight and not by faith. This is the root of the national crisis.

Are we able to "keep quiet" (v4), walk by faith, and let God take control when something terrible happens?

c) The sign of Immanuel (10-17)

Instead of appealing to God, he appealed to Tiglath-Pileser by giving him the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD to win his favor and protection. (2 Kings 16:7)

Ahaz's lack of faith carries a heavy toll. 2 Chronicles 28:6 recorded that 120,000 men were killed in Judah in a single day, because they had forsaken God. Instead of relying on God, they relied on themselves.

The king of Israel captured 200,000 men, women and children as captives, but sent them back to Judah at the command of the prophet Oded (2 Chronicles 28:8-15)

We know verse 14 speaks of Jesus because the Holy Spirit says so through Matthew: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

d) The devastation from Assyria (18-25)

Assyria is described as a "razor" that will come to shave away the hair and beard of the people in Israel. Shaving the beard is one of the most humiliating thing for a Jew. The Assyrians are known for their cruelty. It is their practice to skin their enemies. The women are stripped naked and marched off to their cities as slaves. Many nations are afraid of the Assyrians and would pay tribute to them to appease them.

Isaiah describes a time when not enough people are left to farm the land, and even a cow and two sheep are enough to produce abundant milk and curds for the few remaining people left. The land will become unmanaged and will be occupied by briers and thorns.

Isaiah 5 - The vineyard and its fruits

I. Introduction

In chapter 3, God testified against the vain and worldly women of Israel.

Here God focused on the rich people ("joined house to house") and those dedicated to life pleasures ("heroes at drinking wine")

God is not against riches or pleasure but in their obsession they became blind to the work of God's hands. God had been taken for granted.

Our memory verse: "What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?" (5:4)  force us to ask ourselves whether we also have taken God's blessings and protection , and whether we are more interested in bearing "wild grapes". What are our wild grapes and what fruits do God expects from us?

Remember what Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" John 15:4-5

Though saved by Grace, Good expects fruits - fruits of the Spirit, fruits of our lips, and fruits of righteousness. 

II. The song of the Beloved and his vineyard (1-7)

The vineyard refers to Israel. It was planted by a "fertile hillside", where God was the provider of everything they need physically. Digging up the stones refer to removing sin from the land, eg, the idolatry from the canaanites before, though Israel never did fully remove them and started to follow their customs. The "choicest vines" refer to the purity and holiness of the law taught to their fathers. Their purpose was to create good wine that bring glory to God.

Despite all the best given, Israel could only yield wild grapes that are dry and sour. How will other people yield anything good for the Lord? Israel is an object lesson that man cannot conquer sin on their own, even through the perfect law given. It emphasises the necessity of a Messiah, Jesus Christ, to be provided for mankind to be saved.

III. Woe to Sinners

Isaiah identified the following errors of the people and declared six "woes" as a warning of coming judgment to them:

"Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field" (v8) - this is about the sin of greed. The person have everything and is not generous to the poor. He ends up alone. God will bring economic disaster on them.

"Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks" (v11) - this is against those who are addicted to the lust of alcohol, and entertainment, but forgets God. God will bring death.

"Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit" (v18) - this is about those who practice deception and wickedness. They not only chase after sin, they are pulling it along and tempting others.  

"Woe to those who call evil good" (v20) - to those who twists moral standards to their own advantage. We justify the wrong when it is convenient or pleasurable to us. 

"Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes" (v21) - to those who are proud and stubborn and who thinks they are right. They are self-confident and don't need counsel from God, from the Word or from other Christians. 

"Woe to those who ... who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent" (v22-23) - this refers to authorities who pervert the justice system for their own advantage for a bribe, and has a reputation for drinking strong drinks.

IV. Terrifying judgment (24-30)

Isaiah summarizes the sin of all these people by saying "they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel."  Man treats the law of God, be it written or the natural moral law such as gender as if it is optional. God doesn't make optional laws. God also knows the sinful man cannot follow His holy laws 100%, which is why His plan was to send a saviour through His son Jesus Christ.

For Judah, their rebellion will end with calamity when Babylon comes to conquer and torture them.

Isaiah 6 - Isaiah's Calling

I. Introduction

This was written in the year King Uzziah died, which is 740 BC.  King Uzziah had leprosy as he entered into the temple to burn incense against the warnings of the priests. God is sitting on a throne and "lifted" up, to signify His unassailable position and authority, and to that everyone must obey without doubt. 

II. Isaiah’s vision of the land (1-5)

We never hear the word "woe is me" any more. If it comes back in popularity, it would probably be used to exclaim a a good thing, like how "wicked", "sick" and "bad" became is used nowadays.

But it would be cool to hear the Y generation say "woe is me, man!" to his friends,  referring to something great that had suddenly happened to him. 

The old English word for woe is "wā." 

That's why the Singaporean Chinese is more progressive.  We say "wa, I win Toto!"

2700 years ago, Isaiah said: "Wā is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (6:5)

I'm sure Isaiah was not using the word "woe" for anything good. "Wicked" and "bad" were also used in the Bible for what it is meant to be.

We are all impressed with Isaiah's righteousness. It puzzles me why he said to himself "woe to me".

I think what Isaiah saw was so awesome in it's majesty (v1-2), the same feeling as when you first look into the Grand Canyon. It makes you want to praise God. But more than that, I think he could feel the Holiness of God.

The three times "Holy, holy, holy" is a superlative in Hebrew to emphasize the holiness of God. 

Even the Seraphim covered this face and feet in the presence of God. The feet usually refers to sin, as in, the life we walk. The head is the glory of the creature. Even for an angel, their holiness and glory pale before the almighty Creator.  When the angel spoke and praised God, it must have been so loud that the foundations shook. 

Some people think that if Jesus were to come again, they will rush up to Him and hug him and give him a high-5. But I think all of us will fall prostrate before him and cry our eyes out for regret of our sins.

That's what Isaiah was doing, and he was a lot more faithful and dedicated to God's work than most of us. Yet, he confessed not only his own sins but even for associating with a sinful community. That would be equivalent to the "worldliness" in us, which we underestimate.

So I think "Woe is me!"  should be a phrase we use more often, when we go to God to pray, and even when we see the beauty of nature that declares the perfection and holiness of our God.

III. The consecration of the prophet (6-7)

We all know that when Isaiah said he was a man of unclean lips, he was being symbolic. It doesn't mean that his only sin is what he said. 

A burning coal that touches his mouth should not be able to forgive his sins. This to is symbolic. But symbolic of what?

Malachi 3:2-3 says, “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”

It's apparent that the burning coal symbolises Christ. He is the true refiner's fire, like the coals that are used to refine gold. But He took upon himself the sin of Isaiah and the whole world and put on himself. Then he took on God's wrath for us. 

God gave Isaiah an IOU with the symbolic coal, that one day the branch will truly take away his sins after he is dead. The Lord Jesus saves man from the past, present and future from their sins past, present and future. 

So where did Isaiah go after he died? He couldn't go to heaven as the IOU hasn't come. I believe he went to Hades, the good part, that is, where Abraham was. (Luke 16:22-26)  Isaiah and the old testament saints waited there until the Lord resurrected. Then they we're taken into heaven. 

We also know that the fiery part of Hades is still filled with the unsaved. They will be there until the end of the the future millennium. (Rev. 20:5)

IV. The prophet’s commission from Jehovah (8-13)

I have two thoughts about the passage from v8 to v13. First, it's about the sadness that some people "keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive."(v9). 

Isaiah had a lot of friends and relatives who disbelieved his warnings. Until the day came when they were killed or exiled by the Babylonians.

How sad this is, if the same refers to our friends and family members. What if week after week, year after year, we share with them the good news; we invite them to church and we gave good Christian examples. They heard and saw, but refused to understand.

We ask "How long, O Lord" (v11) and the Lord did not answer, because the Bible already said that the last hour is here, and is now the last minutes of his coming, and the judgement of the whole world will come.

We can't tell how long they will remain deaf and blind. We can only ask ourselves if we are willing to say "Here I am, send me." (v8)

The second thought I have is on verse 13 "the holy seed is it's stump". The passage says that only 10% of the people will remain (from Babylonian attack), and yet will be burned again and only the holy seed will remain.

I am wondering if the second burning refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70AD, which Jesus predicted (Mat 24). If so, the "holy seed" would mean the Jewish Christians, who would go all over Asia and Europe to tell the good news. 

Jesus said: “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man." (Matt 13:37)

And Peter said: "since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;" (1 Pet 1:23. 

It's because of these holy seed that we are saved today. Praise to God for not forgetting us!

Isaiah 4: The Branch of the Lord

I. Jerusalem the redeemed (4:1)

This verse is more appropriately belong to the end of Chapter 3, where it described men falling by the sword, causing a shortage of men. "Seven women" simply means uncounted number of women looking for a scarce man to be their husband. In those days, unmarried or women without children are considered cursed and was a "reproach" to them.

II. The branch of Jehovah (4:2)

"In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel."

The "branch of the Lord" often refers to the coming of the Messiah. See Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12.  The Messiah will come twice and often the prophets do not explain this. We are able to understand it better because we know that the first coming has passed and we know which Messianic prophecies came true in His first coming.

When Jesus came the first time, he wasn't "beautiful and glorious."  In fact, Isaiah said in 53:2 about his first coming:  "he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." 

But in his second coming, he will come on a white horse with majesty and power. (Rev. 19:11-16) After He has defeated the nations at the battle of Armageddon, Jesus will set up His headquarters in Jerusalem. Israel will become the apex of perfection in all areas - politics, social, agriculture, technology and so on. The "fruit" of the land includes all these and become the pride and honor for all the Armageddon survivors. 

This perfect governance of Christ from Israel will last 1000 years, before Satan is released and cause another rebellion. At that time, God will destroy the whole world and re-create a new world and new Jerusalem.

Peter also described the "day of the Lord", but he did not explain that there's a 1000 year period between the coming of the Lord and the destruction:

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodiesb will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." (2 Party 3:10)

The two passages could be combined this way to make the story complete:  "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, [and] in that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel [for 1000 years], and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."

III. The escaped of Israel—the remnant (4:3-4)

In the 1000 years of Jesus' rule in Jerusalem, the inhabitants will be called Holy, and this is through the purification by "burning" of those who rejects Christ. At this time, everyone who remains will submit to Christ and confess Him as their savior; they are not sinless, but will be forgiven just like we are.

IV. Protection and guidance for the New Zion (4:5-6)

The whole Mount Zion and "her assemblies" (the areas across the current Temple Mount) will be miraculously protected from harsh weather and there will always be light even at night.

Isaiah 3 - Political and Social Sins

I. The wages of sin (v1-11)

God has decided to take away all support from Jerusalem from Judah. They will be on their own. Judah will be on a downhill slope, leading to the siege and conquest by the Babylonians 140 years from the time of prophecy.  During the siege, they will be left without food and water. In Jeremiah, women was described to have eaten their own babies to survive.  

Judah was proud and self-confident, but God will humble them. All the high ranking people -  in military, politics or religions - could not help the people.  They will sell each other out, when the oppression became too terrible. They will look for someone who is rich and can lead, but no one will have anything, and no one will be willing to lead. Everyone will be occupied by preserving themselves.

"I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them" (v4) may be referring to the inexperience kings that will be ruling Judah in the days leading to the exile. After Hezekiah, all the subsequent kings were younger than 23 years old. Manasseh was twelve (2 Kings 21:1) and Josiah was only eight (2 Kings 22:1).  

Judah had sinned openly, like the people of Sodom. They have brought their own ruins. However those who remained righteous will be preserved.  (v10,11)

Applications: Our existence requires the support from the hand of God. If God were to remove His hands, we won't be able to survive as we are prone to self-destruction. Jesus is the bread of life and the living water that never runs dry, and He has offered them to us who believe, and they will never be taken away.  (John 6:48)

II. Judgment of the rulers (v12-15)

In verse 12, God accuse these "infants" (inexperience) and "women" (weak) kings for oppression and for misleading the people. God will stand up and judge them, for they have destroyed the "vineyard", which refers to the people that God had planted in Israel. They have caused great oppression to the poor ("grinding the face of the poor" - v15) 

Applications: Leaders hold a high level of accountability to the people whom they lead. They must answer to God for any abuse or corruption during their term. 

III. Indictment of vain and worldly women (v16-26)

The "daughters of Zion" probably refers to the wives and daughters of the leaders and the rich, who adorn themselves with jewelry and clothes bought from corrupted money.  So God will bring diseases that bring baldness ("scab") and expose their dignity ("secret parts").   It was well known that the Assyrians will strip their prisoners and make them walk to exile. 

All the jewelry will be robbed by the invaders and all their fortunes and luxuries will be overturned and reversed. All their men (husbands, fathers) will be killed in the battle and there will be great mourning.

Applications: This reminds women of the faith to wear humbly and not boast, for their honor is not external but internal. As said in 1 Peter 3:3-4:

"Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."