Sunday 05:19:13

Two weeks ago we went through Isaiah’s vision. He saw God, seated on His throne, exalted and in all his majesty. But Isaiah was so struck by God’s fearsome holiness, that he was undone before him. Instead of striking Isaiah, or casting him out of His presence, God took away his sin and called Isaiah into His work. Last week we talked about how, even in the midst of chaos, God is the majestic sovereign. He provides strength for His people. Because He gives us strength, even in the midst of trouble, we can rejoice. You’ve been through the tough part of Isaiah – all of God’s judgment on the nations – and the whole earth. Chapters 1-35: Isaiah prophesied about the rise of Assyria and how God would use Assyria to punish the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Chapters 36-39: Isaiah recorded Assyria’s fall and warned about the future rise of Babylon, who would come take Judah captive. Chapters 40-66: Isaiah prophesies about the end of the Babylonian captivity of Judah. Isaiah 40:1-2 – From punishment to comfort. v. 1 – “comfort, comfort” – repeated for emphasis – “great comfort.” The tone changes so much that it has caused some to debate that the rest of the book must have been written by someone else – and some of the prophecies are so specific – God calls out Cyrus the Persian by name, to defeat the Babylonians and allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem – 160 years before it happens. It’s so specific, some people think it must have been written after those things took place. Those are people who do not believe that God foretold the future through Isaiah. We are not those people. God is promising a comfort and rest for His people. “Hard service” probably refers to her time in Babylonian captivity. “sin… paid for” by enduring the punishment of the Babylonian captivity – God said he would use the captivity to remove their sin and to turn the Israelites back to him. God’s punishment through the Babylonian exile will last 70 years. This is a prophesy of its end in 539 B.C. when Cyrus the Persian would unite the Persians and Medes and allowed the Israelites to return to their land in 538 B.C. But, as with many prophesies, this one has multiple fulfillments – ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This one also prefigures all of our salvation. God gives us this prophesy and these events in history so we can see understand and marvel at His salvation for us: comfort, rest from struggle, our sin paid for, receiving from the Lord. Isaiah 40:3-5 – “voice calling in the desert” – a reference to John the Baptist. “The glory of the Lord revealed and all mankind will see it.” - quoted by Luke about the birth of Jesus. The glory of the Lord also seen in Jesus’ death and resurrection and in his return. But also in the redeemed. Isaiah 40:6-8 – the glory and power of people are passing. The kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon will not last. But God is everlasting, unending. He is forever. He will outlast every man, every kingdom, every world power. God is the everlasting God. Isaiah 40:9-11 v. 9 – “Here is your God” – declared to the people who would return from Israel, but also applies to the first coming of Christ and His second coming. v. 10 – “Sovereign Lord” – two words that mean “Lord” are used together: Yahweh Adonai He is the Lord of Lords. He rules with power and strength, His people are his “reward and recompense” He fought for them and won them, like a warrior-king who won the spoils of victory. v. 11 – How does He rule over His people? Like a shepherd. He tends them, gathers them in his arms, carries them close to his heart, and gently leads them. Which is God, the fearsome king who rules in strength and power – Is He the warrior-king? Or is he like a shepherd Who cares for His flock? Isaiah portrays God as a Shepherd-King – fierce in strength, power, authority and majesty. Yet, loving, kind, and tender toward His people. Do you know this? It’s important to get both. He is the Warrior-King Who is sovereign, powerful, clothed in awesome power and authority over everything. And, He is your Shepherd – gathers you, carries you close to his heart, gently leads you. Can you believe how tenderly this describes God? I preach this to myself all the time. When I’m anxious or when I am tempted to get my security or significance from other people, I tell myself, “Wait, The God of the universe, the Sovereign King over all, the Majesty of heaven cares for you like a shepherd.” God’s care for me flows from His majesty and glory. Knowing that He is both powerful and tender makes Him even more glorious, even more majestic. It makes a bigger impact in your life. It helps you escape from anxiousness and worry. It also helps you escape from the sin of seeking other people’s approval over God’s approval. “If God cares for me, if He loves me, if He accepted me and wants me, then what else do I need?” Isaiah 40:25-27 – God calls out the stars, knows each by name. Stars we cannot even see, God knows their names and calls each one of them. His power and might sustain the stars. Isaiah 40:28-31 v. 28 – “Everlasting God”, “Creator of the ends of the earth”. He is inexhaustible. “No one can fathom his understanding” v. 29 – The God who sustains the stars gives strength to His people. v. 31 – Those who hope in him are renewed in strength. This is not hoping like “this may not happen”. This is “faithing.” Knowing that God is Who He says He is, and having experienced His strength before, I am confident that God will give me strength.