Trust or Bust-Isaiah 7:1-25; 8:1-10

Isaiah, Old Testament, Sermons

Isaiah 7:1-25; 8:1-10

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all”  (Isa 7:9b, NIV, HCSB). “Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm”  (Isa 7:9b, NLT). “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all”  (Isa 7:9b, ESV).

Recap: We may thoroughly know and understand Isaiah 6. The Call: Woe To Me! Send Me! (Isaiah 6:1-8). The Call: Do NOT See, Hear or Understand (Isa 6:9-13). Isaiah 6 is always relevant and practically applicable. It is a mountain peak/turning point in Isaiah.

  • What is the defining moment of your life?
  • Do you “see the Lord”? Know yourself?
  • What is your specific calling?
  • Do you understand the tension, conflict and balance between God’s predestination and man’s free will?

Reflections on Predestination and Free Will (Isa 6:9-10)

 

  • It appears to be contradictory and confounding.
  • Things do not always fall “neatly” into place.
  • Not everything can be comprehensively resolved.
  • Don’t try to avoid/reduce all conflict/tension.
  • Live a holy life in awe of God who loves you.
  • Work things out (Phil 2:12; Ac 20:19).
  • Be patient. Be humble. Be thankful. Be prayerful.
  • Enjoy life with all of its mysteries, tensions, conflicts.

Predestination is a “mystery.” Predestination gives us a magnificent view of a world which was carefully and lovingly planned, and which runs on schedule despite the fact that every sub-atomic particle behaves randomly (seemingly) and every human being makes her own free decisions (truly).

Considerations for sharing on Sunday:

  • The ever gentle grace of God (Isa 1:18) that genuinely desires intimacy with you.
  • Walking in the light of the Lord (Isa 2:5, 22).
  • “Seeing” God (Isa 6:1, 5).
  • Conviction and confession of sin (Isa 6:5).
  • Hearing the call of God (Isa 6:8).
  • Predestination and free will (Isa 6:9-10).
  • Trust God (Isa 7:9b).

Stand firm in faith or f___ (Isa 7:9b)

  • “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all”  (ESV).
  • “If you will not believe, you surely shall not last”  (NASB).
  • “Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm”  (NLT).
  • “If you don’t remain faithful, you won’t remain standing”  (GW).
  • “If your faith does not remain firm, then you will not remain secure”  (NET).
  • “If you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand on”  (MSG).
  • “If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say”  (TLB).
  • “If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established”  (NKJV).
  • “Live by faith, or you won’t live at all.” “If you will not be firm in faith, God cannot make you firm.” “If you will not firm up you will not be confirmed.” “Hold God in doubt, and you’ll not hold out!” “If you’re unsure, you’re insecure!” “Have faith or fail” (or flail/flounder/fall).”

Isaiah 7:1 – 8:10

  1. Chill (7:1-9).
  2. Immanuel (7:10-17).
  3. …Or Be Busted (7:18-25; 8:1-10).

Historical Setting

  • 740 BC: The year King Uzziah died (Isa 6:1). The ministry of Isaiah (Isa 1:1).
  • 734-732: The Syro-Ephraimite war (Isa 7:1). Invasion by Tiglath-Pileser III.
  • The result of this war: “In one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah—because Judah had forsaken the Lord…The men of Israel took captive from their fellow Israelites who were from Judah 200,000 wives, sons and daughters. They also took a great deal of plunder, which they carried back to Samaria” (2 Ch 28:6-8).
  • What Ahaz did: “At that time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria for help” (2 Ch 28:16). “Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria” (2 Ki 16:7-8).

Some Important Dates

  • 740 – King Uzziah died (Isa 6:1).
  • 740-690 – Isaiah’s ministry (Isa 1:1).
  • 735 – Isaiah met Ahaz (Isa 7:3).
  • 734-732 – Syro-Ephraimite war (Isa 7:1, 5-6). Tiglath-Pilesar III, king of Assyria (2 Ki 16:7-9).
  • 732 – Aram/Syria fell to Tiglath-Pilesar III (Isa 7:8a).
  • 722 – Israel fell to Sargon II/Shalmanesser V (Isa 8b-9a; 2 Ki 17:3-6), who are siblings. Their father is T-P III.
  • 712 – Philistia fell to Sargon II.
  • 701 – Attack on Jerusalem by Sennacherib (Isa 36:1), son and sucessor of Sargon II.
  • 671 – Egypt fell to Esarhaddon.
  • 586 – Judah fell to _________.

Chill (Isaiah 7:4a): 4 imperatives

  • Be careful (take care; calm down),
  • Keep calm (be calm; be quiet) and
  • Don’t be afraid (have no fear; do not fear; don’t be afraid).
  • Do not lose heart (do not be fainthearted; do not let your heart be faint; [don’t be] cowardly)…”

“Stop worrying” (NLT). “Listen, calm down. Don’t be afraid. And don’t panic”  (Mss). What is the cause of sin in so many cases (Gen 3:5)? Do we truly trust God (Mt 6:11; Lk 11:3)?

Isaiah 7:1–25: Does faith and simply trusting God make sense to you? Have you, are you, will you trust God?

  1. Was king Ahaz good or evil (2 Ki 16:1-4; 2 Ch 28:1-4)? What crises was he facing (1)? What was Ahaz really afraid of (2, 6)? Since Tabeel was not from the house of David (6), what problem did this constitute for God (2 Sam 7:12–17)?
  2. Why did Yahweh want Isaiah to take his son ( “A remnant will return”) with him to meet Ahaz (3)? Was the outcome already determined? Did Ahaz have a choice? Why or why not? What is the tension (Gen 50:20; Ac 2:23-24)?
  3. What was Isaiah message to Ahaz (4-9)? Notice the 4 imperatives (4a). What is a frequent cause of sin (4; Gen 3:5)? What was God calling Ahaz to do in this difficult situation (4a, 9b)? Do you truly trust God (Mt 6:11; Lk 11:3)?
  4. How great a sign was this intended to be (10-11)? What was Ahaz’s real reason for not wanting a sign (12; 2 Ki 16:7-8)? How can piety become a cover for untrust? How does one try the patience of God (13)?
  5. What “day” is being talked about (18)? How does this relate to the Immanuel sign (14)? When will the promised child be born (15–16)? Why use a word with implications of “virgin” for the child’s mother?
  6. What do 7:17–25 tell us about the results of Ahaz choosing to trust Assyria rather than God?
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