God’s Grace to the Proud-Isaiah 15-16

Isaiah, Old Testament, Sermons

“In love [hesed] a throne will be established; in faithfulness [‘emeth] a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice [mishpat] and speeds the cause of righteousness [tsedeq]. We have heard of Moab’s pride—how great is her arrogance!—of her conceit, her pride and her insolence; but her boasts are empty” (Isa 16:5-6, NIV). “My heart weeps for Moab” (Isa 15:5, NLT). “Therefore I will weep bitterly…” (Isa 16:9, NASB).

Key Question: Will you trust God with joy and thanksgiving, or will you insist on your own way, which is pride and arrogance? (Isaiah 16:5 vs. 16:6)

A pastor and seminary professor outed on Ashley Madison commits suicide. This devastating story was in the news recently. Ashley Madison is a website for those who are seeking to have affairs secretly. Dr. John Gibson is a 56 year old Baptist pastor and seminary professor. On Aug 24, hackers released the names of those who visited Ashley Madison. His name was on the list. His wife returned home one day and discovered that he had committed suicide. He has a long history of depression and sexual addiction. The question is: Can God’s grace reach far enough to cover the shame of a pastor secretly seeking to have affairs? [Since the hacking and release of names, it is estimated that at least 400 church leaders (pastors, elders, staff, deacons, etc.) will be or have resigned. (Source: My Pastor Is on the Ashley Madison List.)

Some sobering reflections regarding pride:

  • Not a single day/hour passes where pride does not rear its ugly head (Gen 4:7).
  • God humbles the proud, not necessarily by actively doing so, but by simply letting one’s pride play itself out (Jas 1:15).
  • Refusing to humble ourselves before God is the essence of sin.
  • “As long as you are proud you cannot know God.” C.S. Lewis.
  • “If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” C.S. Lewis.

Recap: God WILL End Arrogance (Isaiah 13). God WILL Humble the Proud (Isaiah 14). How do you overcome pride?

  • The gospel should always humble you.
  • Pride kills faith; it rejects the way of faith and trusting God (Isa 7:9b, 11).
  • Pursue joy and gratitude (Gal 5:22; 1 Th 5:18).
  • Serve those who can’t repay you.
  • Embrace those whose pride offends you.
  • Humbly learn, study, apply and teach Isaiah.
  • You do not need to always be right or to always have the last word.
  • Let others “win,” chew you out and blow up at you without retaliating.

If only others just knew how wonderful I am! “What could your miseries have in common with mine? My situation is unique, unheard of since the beginning of time. The person who can love me as I can love is still to be born. No one has ever had more talent for loving. I was born to be the best friend that ever existed. I would leave this life with apprehension if I knew a better man than me. Show me a better man than me, a heart more loving, more tender, more sensitive. Posterity will honor me because it is my due. I rejoice in myself. My consolation lies in my self-esteem. If there were a single enlightened government in Europe, it would have erected statues to me.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778).

Pride is a killer. It is the opposite of faith. It is the very negation of the way of faith. Faith and pride cannot coexist. Pride destroys security now in the face of life’s threats (Isa 16:5-6), as well of eternal hope and joy (Isa 25:9-10). Why? It is because when a solution of faith is offered, pride invariably says, “NO.” When a heavenly banquet is prepared and offered, pride refuses it. Pride is a “go-ot-alone” principle and a “do it my way” philosophy. Faith and pride cannot co-habit. Nothing demoralizes, diminishes and destroys a church faster than pride. There is denominational pride (look at how good our church is) and domestic pride (look at how well our kids are doing). There is professional (I have a great job) and personal pride (I can handle this). Pride is the ultimate expression of salvation by works. It is practical atheism. Pride is stubborn rather than amenable, digging our heels in instead of being open to reason. Just as there is no way we can serve both God and mammon, so there is no way we can (openly or secretly) believe in our personal omnicompetence and at the same time believe in Jesus as the Savior of sinners.

In the Bible what does Babylon symbolize? (Gen 12, Isa 13-14, Jer 51-52, Rev 17-19)

  • Human/worldly g____, po___ and sp______.
  • Human de______ toward God.
  • P____ and a________.
  • Thinking, living and acting as though you are ___.
  • To people: F___ from her (Jer 51:6; Rev 18:4).
  • She WILL be d________ (Isa 13:19; 21:9; Jer 51:1-46; 52:1-64; Rev 14:8; 16:19; 18:2).

(glory, power, splendor, defiance, pride, arrogance, God, Flee, destroyed)

Some important dates:

  • 740 – King Uzziah d___ (Isa 6:1).
  • 740-680 – Isaiah’s ministry (Isa 1:1).
  • 735 – Isaiah met Ahaz (Isa 7:3).
  • 734-732 – Syro-Ephraimite war (Isa 7:1ff). Tiglath-Pilesar III.
  • 732 – Aram/Syria fell to Tiglath-Pilesar III (Isa 17:1; 7:7-9). Died 727.
  • 722 – Israel fell to Sargon II (Isa 17:3; 7:7-9).
  • 715 – King Ahaz died (Isa 14:28).
  • 712 – Philistia fell to Sargon II (Isa 14:30).
  • 711 – Moab fell to Sargon II (Isaiah 15-16).
  • 701 – Attack on Jerusalem by Sennacherib (Isa 14:25; 37:36-38).
  • 671 – Egypt fell to Esarhaddon. [Sennacherib was killed by his sons (Isa 37:38; 2 Ki 19:37).]
  • 586 – Judah fell to Babylon.

A Prophecy Against Moab (Isaiah 15-16): God Grieves Over the Proud

  1. The lament (15:1-9). A crescendo of horror:
  2. Wailing (1-4).
  3. Flight (5-8).
  4. Death (9).
  5. The plea (16:1-4a): Give us refuge.
  6. The answer (16:4b-5): Hesed.
  7. The explanation (16:6-12): Pride rejects grace.
  8. The announcement (16:13-14): Ruin in 3 years.

Love, faithfulness, justice, righteousness (Isa 16:5) expresses and characterizes what this king is like

  • Love (hesed) [250x]. No single English word conveys its full meaning in Hebrew: love, mercy, grace, kindness, loyalty, compassion, steadfast love, loving kindness, reliability. A self-giving love. A passionate undying devotion from a superior to an inferior, especially when undeserved.
  • Faithfulness (‘emeth). Truth, trustworthiness, genuine without pretense, fidelity, true to every promise.
  • Justice (mishpat). Judge (shaphat): Put things to right by authoritative pronouncement. Proper divine order.
  • Righteousness (tsedeq). This king will unfailingly do what is right.

References:

  1. Isaiah Bible Study with John Oswalt – 30 one hour lectures. Delivered at the Francis Asbury Society, 2012. Session 8 is on chapters 15-16 on Moab.
  2. Smith, Gary V. Isaiah 1-39. The New American Commentary: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture. B & H Publishing Group. Noshville, TN. 2007. 143-149.
  3. Motyer, J. Alec. Isaiah. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. IVP. Downers Grove, IL, USA. 1999.
  4. Webb, Barry G. The Message of Isaiah: On Eagles’ Wings. The Bible Speaks Today. IVP. Downers Grove, IL, USA. 1997.
  5. Kidner, Derek. New Bible Commentary. IVP. Downers Grove, IL, USA. 1994.
  6. Ortlund Jr., Raymond C. Isaiah: God Saves Sinners. Preaching The Word. Crossway books. Wheaton, IL, USA. 1995. (Book. 50 audio sermons on Isaiah by Ray Ortlund.)
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