WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:07.020 Good to see you all tonight. Some of you I've maybe never seen before. Some of you it's a long time since I've seen you. 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:13.640 But it's my task to dive into the Sea of Isaiah. 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:20.539 I'm not a regular here at Brunsfield, so I don't know what you've done so far in your seat in Isaiah. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:27.719 But I guess as Esther read chapter 34 and 35 tonight, you're probably glad that it's you that's not preaching. 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:33.460 You may be glad or you may wish there wasn't me that was preaching as well if I don't do a great job on it. 00:00:33.939 --> 00:00:37.179 But this is tough for us. We need to work our way through. 00:00:37.179 --> 00:00:46.679 Let me say what my goal tonight is. My goal tonight is to walk you through the passage, the two passages that we've got tonight. 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:49.799 I think Isaiah does give us some literary aids. 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:55.780 One of the key things that Isaiah seems to do and the commentators suggest is that he's quite good on structure. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:01:03.719 So we'll need to say something about both the structure of the section that the verses are in as well as the chapters themselves. 00:01:04.320 --> 00:01:06.379 Isaiah is quite clear often in his themes. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:09.099 And I don't think we miss much tonight. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:10.439 We shouldn't have missed it. 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:15.900 The theme of judgment in there is chapter 34 and blessing in chapter 35. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:19.579 And so Isaiah gives us some good structural things. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:20.939 So we'll say something about that. 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:27.659 And then we'll have a couple of very clear applications that I'm indebted to Alec Mateer for. 00:01:28.039 --> 00:01:33.579 I don't know if any of you have read his daily walk through the book of Isaiah, but it's very helpful. 00:01:33.759 --> 00:01:37.079 And he's helped me with some two very clear applications. 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:42.400 I've also been helped by my principal at Bible College back in the 80s. 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:46.739 Jeffrey Grogan was the principal at the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow. 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:48.500 Some of you may know of Jeffrey. 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:58.419 He wrote a commentary on Isaiah and he had some helpful things to say as well that I've pinched as we walk our way through it tonight. 00:02:00.019 --> 00:02:02.759 I was only given Isaiah 34 and 35. 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:05.099 I wasn't given Matthew 11. 00:02:05.099 --> 00:02:16.299 But I'm glad you read Matthew 11 because obviously there's a reference in Isaiah 35 that was read where Jesus said, go back. 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:18.280 This is Matthew 11, 4. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:21.299 Jesus replied, go back, report to John what you see and hear. 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:23.639 The blind will receive their sight. 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:25.280 The lame will walk. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:27.120 Those who have leprosy are cured. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:30.180 The deaf will hear and the dead are raised. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:34.400 And the good news is preached to the poor. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:41.780 I think Allerysus once wrote, Jesus is God's righteousness revealed. 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:46.980 The answer to the judgment problem of Isaiah 34 is Jesus. 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:58.460 And the one who gives the blessing that will be ours who are saved people in future glory is all because of Jesus. 00:02:58.460 --> 00:03:03.520 The one who reveals God's righteousness as he lived and walked in Matthew. 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:06.180 As Matthew records in Matthew 11. 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:10.659 Let me pray and then let's work our way through Isaiah 34 and 35. 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:17.219 Lord, thank you for your word read to us and open before us. 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:25.040 We pray, Lord, that you would just help us as we make our way through this tonight and as we seek to apply your word. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:34.199 We thank you, Lord, that your word is your word and it has power to work in our hearts and minds this evening. 00:03:34.459 --> 00:03:37.120 And so, Lord, help us as we turn to it now. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:38.579 In Jesus' name. 00:03:39.459 --> 00:03:39.799 Amen. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:46.719 So if you have Isaiah 34 and Isaiah 35 open, let's go to the first thing. 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:51.359 Isaiah's literary structure helps us, I think. 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:58.320 So I want to just say something briefly about the structure of this part of the book, chapter 28 to chapter 37. 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:06.260 And I want to say something especially about the structure of verses of chapter 34 and 35. 00:04:07.080 --> 00:04:14.020 And so first of all, about this big section, chapter 28 to chapter 37. 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:19.939 You see at the beginning of chapter 33, woe to you. 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:33.460 That is the beginning of the sixth woe or the sixth summons that Isaiah gives from chapter 28 through in this section to chapter 37. 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:37.220 And so we're in the section of the sixth woe. 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:44.700 So it's divided up into two lots of woes, the first three and the second three. 00:04:44.940 --> 00:04:49.500 And so we're obviously at the last of the second three. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:05:03.080 What's really interesting about these woes and particularly the latter three is that Isaiah Earth's roots in reality, 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:06.039 something that the people really knew was going on. 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:12.019 The first three woes were almost just talking in general terms. 00:05:12.219 --> 00:05:20.680 But when we get to these last three, he focuses on the nation of Assyria that is there and then going to attack Judah. 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:28.740 He focuses on Egypt and the alliance that Judah want to have with Egypt. 00:05:29.840 --> 00:05:33.540 And he, if you like, their interim fulfillments. 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:42.879 He says, look, what I'm talking about in general terms, you can actually see what out before you earthed, rooted. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:47.480 In other words, I will do to Assyria what I say I'll do. 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:50.719 And I will do to Egypt what I say I'll do. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:57.899 And I will do to you, Zion, Judah, what I've said I will do. 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:08.879 Somebody put it this way, that Isaiah chooses to use historical narrative as a rock of certainty. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:31.439 And I think the best way that I can put that for you tonight in application terms is to think that what Isaiah wants to do here by rooting what he's saying in the reality of the real situation that the Israelites, those in Judah, were facing as they faced Assyria and as they had alliance with Egypt to try and get rescued, 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:37.319 was that God was saying, listen, you cannot rest in the armies of people. 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.819 And you cannot rest in your own wisdom. 00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:46.000 If you do, you'll fall flat on your face. 00:06:47.920 --> 00:07:00.139 And actually, when we read God's word when it's hard sometimes, having interim fulfillments or having this rock of certainty that this word is true is really important for our lives. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:15.839 What Isaiah does here is to use this technique to fully assure us that what God plans to do, he is able to do because he's working out before them. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:22.219 Or if you like, what he said he will do can be trusted. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:36.560 And so for you and I tonight, although we hope that as the Lord sees the earthly reality of our lives, hopefully we're not like the Assyrians. 00:07:37.940 --> 00:07:39.980 Hopefully we're not like the Egyptians. 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:43.060 And hopefully we're not actually like the Israelites. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:52.199 Hopefully we're like those who are not ready to trust in the armies and political systems or in our own wisdom. 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:59.959 But they'll be ready to trust in his wisdom and in his strength and in his power. 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:09.519 And so these are three woes followed by three other woes of interim fulfillment. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:12.359 I won't bore you with this, but they're also paired. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:17.939 One and three, two and five, and three and six. 00:08:18.919 --> 00:08:31.939 And our summons in our section tonight is part of the longest summons from chapter 33, verse 1 to 35, verse 10. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:41.919 And actually like summons 3 that you find in chapter 29, it's actually wholly visionary and eschatological. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:43.139 It's not earthed. 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:45.200 It's heaven bound. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:48.879 That's what we've got to see as we look at both these chapters. 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:59.879 Heaven bound as far as future judgment is concerned and heaven bound as far as future blessing is concerned as well. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:06.639 Or as somebody put it this way, here we can read historical events only between the lines. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:11.139 But our eyes should be held throughout. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:19.379 Not on the near future, but on the far eschatological future. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:24.860 So there's a word in terms of the structure of chapter 28 to 37. 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:33.799 And then briefly, just something on the word of structure there in chapter 34 and chapter 35. 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:44.319 One of the things that you should note just in terms of, I guess, Isaiah preaching his sermon, as it were, from chapter 33 to chapter 35. 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:48.000 He begins with the woe in verse 1 of chapter 33. 00:09:48.479 --> 00:09:56.419 But then he has his first proclamation, his first bit of preaching, which begins in verse 13 of chapter 33. 00:09:56.419 --> 00:10:00.740 You who are far away, hear what I've done. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:05.799 And you who are near, acknowledge my power. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:14.899 And so chapter 34 then moves in verse 1 to his second proclamation. 00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:17.579 Another, come near. 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:21.679 And this time it's, come near you nations and listen. 00:10:22.339 --> 00:10:25.059 Pay attention you peoples. 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:34.559 And it's his proclamation of this final overthrow of the world in all its hostility to God's rule. 00:10:34.699 --> 00:10:35.219 It's horrible. 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:39.219 And we'll say something about that more when we come to the theme of the chapter. 00:10:40.839 --> 00:10:47.599 As far as the structure of chapter 35 is concerned, then what we get here is this, 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:56.500 at the end of this summons, it moves from this final overthrow of the world in all its hostility to God's rule, 00:10:57.240 --> 00:11:05.200 to the glorious picture of the final exodus, so the final pilgrimage of the Lord's people 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:11.120 to their eternal and blissful destination of Zion. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.299 So there you go. 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:22.759 It's important to get Isaiah's structure, both of chapter 28 to 37 and 34 and 35. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.960 You might not have taken all that in. 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:30.019 I had a number of hours and a week to think about it, 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:35.560 but it might be worth going away, reading those chapters and thinking about that yourselves. 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:41.479 And so the second thing I want to do is just say something that Isaiah is really clear on, 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:44.679 his second literary tool or aid. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:49.319 If his first was structure, then his second is actually to be absolutely crystal clear 00:11:49.319 --> 00:11:56.059 in chapter 34 and chapter 35 exactly what they're all about. 00:11:56.059 --> 00:12:01.219 Judgment and blessing or judgment on the world. 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:06.439 And you'll see why I've hashtagged Edom and blessing for God's people. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:12.099 And you'll see why I've hashtagged Israel on that as we look at it briefly. 00:12:13.359 --> 00:12:17.979 And so let's take chapter 34 in terms of its theme, first of all. 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:21.979 Judgment on the world, hashtag Edom. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:32.100 Well, here is Isaiah's articulating the final overthrow of all the world 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:39.379 in all its hostility to God's rule. 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:44.340 And the fact that Edom comes up as the chapter goes on 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:49.019 is a really interesting wee technique that the prophets began to use. 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:54.819 Edom was a way in shorthand of basically saying, 00:12:55.600 --> 00:13:03.460 this is the highest form of ultimate rebellion and to God's rule. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.539 So that's how extreme it is. 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:09.919 How extreme it is in terms of rebellion against God. 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:14.639 That's really, really important as Isaiah moves from judging the nations 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:17.759 to focusing in this tiny wee nation of Edom. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:20.600 Actually, that tiny wee nation is to highlight 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:24.220 that that was a way the prophets helped us to see really clearly 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:30.039 that this is radical, highlighted, magnified rebellion 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:31.480 against the rule of God. 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:35.779 So therefore, for God to overthrow the world 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:39.919 in all its hostility against his rule is his right. 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:45.379 Even although as Isaiah describes it here, 00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:48.979 it's not a pleasant scene. 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:54.679 In fact, it's a fearful description, isn't it, in verse 3. 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:59.039 The slain will be thrown out 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:03.219 and their dead bodies will send up a stench 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:09.219 and the mountains will be soaked by their blood. 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:10.939 Fearful. 00:14:14.219 --> 00:14:15.480 It's meant to be. 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:20.699 Driving home the point that God's wrath 00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:25.919 will lead to the death of his enemies. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:28.979 It's horrible, isn't it? 00:14:29.199 --> 00:14:31.500 I mean, I don't know if you just even stop at that wee phrase. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:36.479 The mountains will be soaked by their blood 00:14:36.479 --> 00:14:40.360 or the mountains of this world will be dissolved 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:44.360 in the blood of those that God has slain. 00:14:44.439 --> 00:14:44.879 It's horrible. 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:47.459 It's almost like an anathema. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:49.840 It's a fearful description 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:53.460 that God is saying that he has the right 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:56.840 to have a final overthrow of the world 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:59.340 in all its hostility to his rule 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:01.840 because he's God. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:05.780 And because, like the Edomites, 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:10.980 there was this radical, multiplied, intense 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:14.080 arrogance against him. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:16.139 You see it in verse 5. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:19.360 My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens. 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:23.480 See it descends in judgment upon Edom. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.539 The sword of judgment. 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.360 The sword of judgment. 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:29.500 Has fallen in judgment on Edom 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.980 and the people. 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:34.460 They are the people that I have totally destroyed already 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:36.919 because of their anathema, 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:40.059 their antagonistic rebellion 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:42.860 against God. 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:44.700 I think Geoffrey Grogan, 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:48.019 what does he say in his commentary here? 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.539 I've got it. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:48.960 He says, 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:50.639 The inhabitants of Edom 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:54.080 were clearly under divine judgment, 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:56.800 just like sacrificial animals. 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:59.360 Maybe that's why there's so much blood highlighted here. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:03.940 Like them, the Edomites' fate was death. 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:06.300 Yet in one way, 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.540 it's hardly appropriate 00:16:08.540 --> 00:16:12.360 to liken the antagonistic Edomites 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:16.860 to the comparatively docile domestic animals 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:19.700 employed in sacrificial ritual. 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:24.860 But God had the right 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:27.540 to respond to them 00:16:27.540 --> 00:16:29.600 and the right to respond 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:31.220 those who take the stand 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:33.100 that the Edomites took. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.940 Verse 2, of course, 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:38.440 raises the whole issue before us 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.980 of what right does God have 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.540 to have wrath and judgment? 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:43.580 The Lord is angry with all the nations. 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:47.180 His wrath is upon all the armies. 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:50.079 He will totally destroy them 00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:51.919 and give them over to slaughter. 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.679 What right? 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.439 Geoffrey Grogan again, 00:16:55.739 --> 00:16:58.500 as he comments on the word judgment, 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:01.679 says this. 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.500 Verse 5, it says, 00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:05.319 The slaughter of Edom is, 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:07.059 in its moral context, 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:08.440 because of their rebellion. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:14.420 And he wants to say 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:16.420 that divine vengeance here 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:20.259 is not mingled with the malice and evil 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.500 as in the case of human vengeance. 00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:27.340 But it's a quality that in God is divine 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:29.340 and praiseworthy. 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.860 And in the execution of what God does 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:35.620 is honoured and glorified. 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.500 Let me say that again 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.619 because it's really important 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:39.420 when you read a verse like verse 2 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:41.940 and when you see what happens in verse 5 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:43.299 and when you get the sense 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.880 of these mountains being dissolved 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.599 in the blood in verse 3, 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:48.380 we have to remind ourselves 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:50.339 that God's divine vengeance, 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:53.059 God's wrath on all that is evil 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:56.339 and all that is in holy rebellion to him 00:17:56.339 --> 00:18:00.220 is not mingled with the malice and evil 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.480 in the case of human vengeance. 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:04.339 It is a quality that in God 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.819 is divine and praiseworthy. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.019 It's a fearful description. 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:13.319 We meet the antagonistic Edomites 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:17.160 and we see God in his right judgment 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:19.299 and wrath. 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.180 And actually verse 10 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:23.920 is a really interesting verse as well 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.460 in the chapter. 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:27.519 I don't know if you saw the reiteration 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:31.259 of the sort of complete 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:33.420 and permanent destruction phrases. 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.740 Do you see that they are 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:37.980 from generation to generation? 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:42.740 Forever and ever. 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:49.340 There's a permanence about the whole thing. 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.140 Look at it, verse 10. 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:55.080 It will not be quenched day and night. 00:18:56.080 --> 00:18:58.580 It is from generation to generation. 00:18:58.780 --> 00:19:01.740 It will never happen. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:04.700 It will ever pass through again and again. 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:08.420 There's this sense of ongoing, 00:19:08.780 --> 00:19:11.080 permanent, complete destruction. 00:19:14.280 --> 00:19:15.420 It's horrible, isn't it? 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.780 But Isaiah doesn't want us to miss it. 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:21.319 Equally, Isaiah doesn't want us 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.960 to miss chapter 35. 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:25.740 The joy of the redeemed, 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:27.279 as the NIV puts it. 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.899 Or the eternal blessings 00:19:29.899 --> 00:19:31.200 for God's people. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.139 Hashtag Israel. 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.259 There's a blessing. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:35.500 There's a new exodus for them. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.460 They had been through the wilderness. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.740 They had been through 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:44.319 leaving Egypt, 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.480 through the wilderness 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.779 for all those years. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:49.740 They had faced dry and broken 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.879 and barren lands 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:53.259 that seemed to be referred to again here 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.799 in chapter 35. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.940 You probably spotted it 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:58.259 with the idea of streams in the desert 00:19:58.259 --> 00:20:00.039 and bubbling springs 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.819 and desert lands. 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:04.039 But let me say something briefly 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.519 about this sixth summons 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.259 of this glorious picture 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:09.259 of God's final exodus 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:11.480 and pilgrimage for the Lord's people. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:14.500 The eternal, blissful destination of Zion. 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:18.559 The summons began in chapter 33 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:21.559 by a message directly to Zion 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.779 and their king. 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.859 That's what you get 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:25.220 at the end of chapter 33. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:29.799 And then it's contrasted 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:31.880 towards the end of chapter 33 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.720 and into 34 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:34.400 with the eternal destiny 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:36.079 of the saved and the unsaved. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:38.679 And then it seems to, 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:41.019 in chapter 35, 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:43.539 bring itself back to where it began 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.559 with a pilgrim people. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.299 You see them referred to as them 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.779 in verses 1 to 8. 00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:50.740 You see them referred to as they 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.119 in verses 2 and 10. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.960 You see them defined gloriously 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.980 in verses 9 and 10 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:59.339 as the redeemed and the ransomed. 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:03.399 And one commentator says, 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.559 we met the redeemed 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.659 and the ransomed before 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:07.099 in chapter 24. 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:11.699 And in this matching third summons 00:21:11.699 --> 00:21:13.179 in chapter 29, 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.619 here it only contained 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:17.259 an understated reference 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:17.859 to redemption. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.539 But here at the end 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.639 of chapter 35, 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:24.359 we read the story in full. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.779 A protected path, 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:29.099 an assured arrival, 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.720 a safe homecoming, 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:36.019 and unbroken happiness. 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:38.420 Isaiah doesn't want us to miss it. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:41.119 God's just judgment 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:43.460 on a rebellious world. 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:47.420 And God's incredible blessing 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:51.700 for those who are his people. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.480 Well done. 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.000 That was heavy, wasn't it? 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.180 You think it's heavy to listen to? 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.779 It's heavy to preach. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.980 But here are two applications 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.980 that Alec Mateer, 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.599 I think, has helped me with 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:06.900 as we bring these two chapters 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.660 into a conclusion tonight. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:11.079 And the first from his book, 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.299 Isaiah by Day, 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.599 is this thought, 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:17.220 serious passages about divine wrath 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:19.500 and judgment are hard to take. 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:22.980 And this is one of them. 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:25.079 But then listen to what he says. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.900 They're hard to take. 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:35.240 Isaiah doesn't try to spare our feelings. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.700 And we are for the most part, 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:40.319 we for the most part, 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:42.519 don't feel as he did. 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:45.180 If you read Isaiah chapter 21 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.360 in verse 4, 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.299 as Isaiah gets the sense 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.680 of all this that's going on him, 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.420 the way the NIV puts it is, 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:53.740 he said his heart staggered 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.980 and the horror appalled him. 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.740 Mateer says, 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.120 I wonder, 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.640 are our hearts broken 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:05.620 for our lostness 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:07.019 and the lostness of people? 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.800 Especially those who feel 00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:10.500 the blow 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:12.900 of the divine hand. 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:15.680 He says, 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.180 it will come. 00:23:17.280 --> 00:23:17.560 He says, 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:19.100 for the wages of sin is death 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:22.180 and death it will be. 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:26.360 The outpouring of divine exasperation 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:30.740 was once divine patience, 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.960 but now has reached its terminus. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.759 Isaiah's picture 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.759 of the mountains eroded 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:41.140 by the colossal flow 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.379 of blood of the slain, 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.059 as we see, 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.779 is only a picture, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.059 but it will be matched 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.920 by the reality 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:50.019 when that sad day comes. 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:52.920 Mateer says, 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.440 praise God, 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.720 that the company of the saved 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.819 will be innumerable, 00:23:57.819 --> 00:24:00.019 but that does not take away 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.759 from the multitudes 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:03.140 who stand unready, 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.859 unfit, 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:06.599 hopeless 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:08.039 in the valley 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.419 of that eternal decision. 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.500 He then goes on to say, 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:15.859 Jesus didn't hide his face 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:17.740 or ours from it 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.299 in Matthew 25 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.939 and 46. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.399 Nor did John make 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:24.099 any attempts 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.979 to camouflage 00:24:24.979 --> 00:24:26.279 the grim 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.819 procession 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:29.339 to the lake of fire 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:31.059 in Revelation 20. 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:36.019 And then he says this, 00:24:37.719 --> 00:24:39.159 and these are people 00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:39.639 we know, 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:43.319 sometimes people 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:43.899 we love, 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:47.219 always people 00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:49.000 for whom we have 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.719 a responsibility 00:24:49.719 --> 00:24:50.519 in the gospel. 00:24:53.219 --> 00:24:54.059 And then he says, 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.839 today is the day 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.459 to ponder these things, 00:24:58.679 --> 00:25:00.559 but it's also the day 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:04.759 in the light 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.559 of God's word 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:08.139 to look at ourselves, 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.519 to determine 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.720 to flee from sin, 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:16.179 for though in Christ 00:25:16.179 --> 00:25:16.899 the wrath 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:18.639 of the sin-hating God 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.460 with me 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.339 can do nothing. 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.559 Our eternity 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:24.700 is as secure 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:26.319 as if we were already 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.019 on 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.579 before the throne. 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:31.159 Ephesians 2. 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.199 Yet, 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.139 as long as 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.199 he leaves us 00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.759 tarrying 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.679 here on earth, 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.480 our sin 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.199 will then 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.279 bring us death. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.879 Like our ancestors 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.879 in Deuteronomy, 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.519 we face 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.619 the daily choice 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.279 of life 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.000 or death. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.500 To choose good 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.199 and not evil. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.939 To refuse 00:25:55.939 --> 00:25:56.759 disobedience 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.579 and cultivate 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.039 obedience, 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.740 for it is 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.480 the Lord's word, 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.220 his commands, 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.179 which bring life, 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.359 which bring progress, 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.500 which bring blessing 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.359 and inheritance. 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.439 The Holy Spirit, 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:10.980 he says, 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:13.599 is given 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.199 to those 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:16.639 who will be him. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.799 Well, 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.539 that's the application 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.639 on judgment. 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:21.439 He is a slightly 00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:21.899 brighter 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:23.179 application 00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:25.019 on blessing. 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.899 Mateo says this, 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.840 but if the beauty 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:28.740 of Isaiah's words 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.200 and thoughts 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.820 thrill us, 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.060 how great 00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:31.820 is our excitement 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.640 when we realize 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.160 that he is 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:34.100 actually writing 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:35.600 about us. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.840 And here's what 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:37.960 Mateo says. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:40.060 Sometimes even 00:26:40.060 --> 00:26:40.880 Isaiah 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.820 excels himself. 00:26:43.300 --> 00:26:43.920 He was a 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.060 master wordsmith 00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:45.580 and poet. 00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.780 In chapter 35, 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.160 he is at his 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:49.700 highest 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.600 and best. 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:51.840 But then, 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.560 as Mateo says, 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.779 but if the beauty 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.819 of Isaiah's words 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.740 and thoughts 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.659 thrill us, 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.879 how great 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:59.220 is our excitement 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.039 when we realize 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.500 that he is 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.899 writing 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:02.139 about us. 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.619 We 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.440 are the 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.279 enigmatic 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.579 thee 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:09.579 and 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:09.980 them. 00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:12.200 Chapter 1, 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.799 verse 1, 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.419 verse 2 00:27:14.419 --> 00:27:15.419 and 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:15.899 verse 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.940 8. 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.579 Let me just 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.879 read it again 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.179 to you, 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.720 those verses. 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:22.880 verse 1. 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:24.140 The desert 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.880 and the parched 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.860 land will be 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:26.259 glad. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.600 The wilderness 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.240 will rejoice 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.819 and blossom. 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.640 Like the crocus, 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.360 it will burst 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:30.860 into bloom. 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.579 It will rejoice 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.660 and sing for joy. 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.259 The glory of 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.980 Lebanon will be 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.059 given to it. 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.039 The splendor 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.600 of Carmel 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.480 and Sharon. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:39.039 They will see 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.839 the glory 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.799 and splendor 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:42.940 of God. 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:45.960 Lebanon 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.220 commentators 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.019 tell us 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.519 stands for 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.440 natural abundance 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.140 and fertility, 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.019 Carmel for 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.400 order, 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.140 Sharon for 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:52.559 beauty. 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:54.920 We're told 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:56.400 here that 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.000 these things 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.299 can be 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.660 ours. 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:01.840 Verse 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.640 8 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.960 puts it 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.480 this way, 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:04.940 and the 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.519 highway will 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.000 be there. 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.460 It will be 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.920 called the 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.259 way of 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:07.580 holiness. 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.500 The unclean 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:08.860 will not 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:09.480 journey on 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.640 it. 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.480 It will 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.340 be for 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:11.900 those who 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.380 walk in 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:12.720 that way. 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.340 Wicked 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:13.900 fools will 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.320 not go 00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:14.539 there. 00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.000 The lion 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.360 will not 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:15.640 be there 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.039 and so 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.320 on and 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:16.580 so on. 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:16.900 And then 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.220 they, 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.559 verse 9, 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:21.500 they will 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:21.840 not be 00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:22.200 found there, 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:22.640 but the 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.120 redeemed 00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:23.799 will walk 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.620 there and 00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:25.100 the ransom 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.500 will turn 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.220 and they 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.900 will enter 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.400 Zion with 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.160 singing and 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.100 everlasting joy 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:30.259 will crown 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.799 their heads. 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:31.759 Gladness and 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.180 joy will 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.200 overtake them 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.360 and sorrow 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.019 and sighing 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.019 will flee 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.200 away. 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:36.799 What thrill, 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.120 says 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.460 Mathieu, 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.180 should be 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.720 ours to 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.059 know that 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.620 we are 00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.380 the enigmatic 00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:41.259 they and 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.019 them. 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.420 The anonymous 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.700 ones around 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.180 whom the 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.519 poem 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.619 moves 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:48.059 because we 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.539 are the 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:48.940 redeemed. 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.400 We are 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.139 the ransomed 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:52.639 of verses 00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:53.339 9 and 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.700 10. 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:56.160 The 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.680 ransomed 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.299 are those 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.519 whom the 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.220 price has 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.740 been paid 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.059 for. 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.259 The 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.759 redeemed 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.960 are those 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.000 whom the 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.379 Lord, 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.619 the divine 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.639 next of 00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:07.000 kin, 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.579 identified 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.619 himself, 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.559 saying to 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.220 us this. 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.099 This is 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.400 brilliant. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:12.980 It's not 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.579 minus material. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:13.940 That's why 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.079 it's 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.379 brilliant. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.180 The 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.559 redeemed 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:16.859 and the 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.359 ransomed 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:18.240 are those 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.960 who the 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.379 goel, 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.500 the kinsman 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:20.960 redeemer, 00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:21.700 the Lord, 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.319 the divine, 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.139 your divine 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:23.680 next of 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.039 kin, 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.379 has identified 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.299 himself with, 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:27.019 saying this. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:28.740 So, 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.759 what's your 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.139 problem? 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.359 Give it 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:32.720 to me. 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.639 What's 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.119 your need? 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:36.940 I will 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.379 meet it. 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.059 What's 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.559 your burden? 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.339 Lay it 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:41.660 on my 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.099 shoulders. 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.639 That is 00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.119 the way of 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:45.679 the goel, 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:46.559 the 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.139 kingsman 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:47.599 redeemer. 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.239 He 00:29:49.239 --> 00:29:49.779 bears it 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.039 all, 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.479 pays it 00:29:51.479 --> 00:29:51.779 all, 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.279 does it 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.639 all. 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:55.079 He is 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.839 the doer. 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.719 We are 00:29:57.719 --> 00:29:58.519 the 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.019 recipients. 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.719 But now 00:30:02.719 --> 00:30:05.500 that we 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:07.079 know who 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:07.639 the them 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:08.000 and the 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.679 they are, 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.679 follow through 00:30:10.679 --> 00:30:11.319 what Isaiah 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.139 says about 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:12.399 them. 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.460 First, 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.119 whatever our 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:15.779 circumstances 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.220 appear, 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:16.679 you see, 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.599 verse 1, 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:18.879 the desert 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:19.279 and the 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:19.659 parched 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.319 place, 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.799 we can be 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.679 confident 00:30:23.679 --> 00:30:24.939 that we 00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:25.240 will be 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.119 provided for. 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:27.960 Yeah, 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:28.939 we might 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:29.279 need the 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:29.579 eye of 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.019 faith to 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.579 see beyond 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:30.899 what's 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.159 there. 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:33.040 but this 00:30:33.040 --> 00:30:33.519 imagery 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.519 drawn from 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.080 Exodus, 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.900 where this 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.779 menacing 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.460 wilderness 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:41.180 was 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.560 habitual 00:30:42.560 --> 00:30:42.880 in 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.519 hindering 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.740 the 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.220 Israelites 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:48.460 until he 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:48.920 produces 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:50.140 the miraculous 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:51.279 manna 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.880 to feed 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.080 them, 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.480 produces 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.720 the water 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.440 from the 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:57.840 rock 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:59.079 to 00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.559 quench 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.539 our 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.079 thirst. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.359 And so 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:03.919 that desert 00:31:03.919 --> 00:31:04.500 and parched 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:04.980 place, 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.639 we need to 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.000 give to 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.279 him, 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:07.619 knowing that 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:07.899 he can 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.179 give us 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:08.799 his manna 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.819 and that 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.119 he can 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.399 quench 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:11.819 our thirst 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.419 from the 00:31:12.419 --> 00:31:13.059 rock. 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:15.659 Every 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.240 situation, 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:16.779 every 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.399 place, 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:19.299 the glory 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.599 of God 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.139 is present. 00:31:20.419 --> 00:31:20.879 You see it 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.079 there? 00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:22.299 The glory 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:22.619 of God 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.019 ultimately 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.439 will be 00:31:23.439 --> 00:31:24.159 present as 00:31:24.159 --> 00:31:24.659 our great 00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:25.299 blessing on 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:25.859 that day. 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.199 And then 00:31:28.199 --> 00:31:28.480 look at 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:28.859 this 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.699 highway 00:31:29.699 --> 00:31:30.159 that he 00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.779 provides. 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.159 It's this 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:32.959 glorious picture 00:31:32.959 --> 00:31:34.220 of a road 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.220 above the 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.539 wilderness, 00:31:35.939 --> 00:31:36.599 so it's just 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.259 higher than 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.000 everything else 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.500 that we walk 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:39.779 on, 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:40.899 and it's 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.639 our great 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:42.659 blessing. 00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:45.319 For you 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:45.539 and I, 00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:46.059 it's possible 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.659 to run a 00:31:46.659 --> 00:31:47.199 straight line, 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.579 says Matia, 00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.939 from conversion 00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:51.220 to glory. 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.419 That's why 00:31:52.419 --> 00:31:52.740 the highway 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.199 exists. 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.339 And 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:57.799 finally, 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.519 says Matia, 00:31:58.879 --> 00:31:59.619 the end 00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:00.259 is guaranteed. 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.199 The redeemed 00:32:02.199 --> 00:32:02.939 shall come. 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.480 Everything 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.019 that made 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.500 the journey 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.279 a sad 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.139 experience 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:08.939 will take 00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:09.539 legs. 00:32:10.639 --> 00:32:11.179 Every 00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:11.879 unalloyed 00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:12.319 delight 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.179 that slipped 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:13.959 like soap 00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:14.519 out of the 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:14.959 pilgrim's 00:32:14.959 --> 00:32:15.419 grasp 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:16.919 will finally 00:32:16.919 --> 00:32:18.099 be possessed. 00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.339 For Zion 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:21.619 admits 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:22.619 no 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.539 disappointment. 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.159 It's a 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.699 glorious picture, 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:26.079 isn't it? 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.480 I've done 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.059 a poor 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.759 unfolding 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.240 of it 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.699 for you. 00:32:31.439 --> 00:32:31.779 But there 00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.139 you go. 00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:32.919 A structure 00:32:32.919 --> 00:32:33.399 in Isaiah, 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:35.960 the clear 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:36.439 message of 00:32:36.439 --> 00:32:36.879 34, 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.299 the clear 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.819 message of 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.460 35, 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:41.500 a challenge 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.079 to us 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:43.539 about the 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.319 blessing that 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.659 can be 00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:45.119 ours and 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:45.500 others, 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.480 and the 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.139 challenge for 00:32:48.139 --> 00:32:49.399 us as we 00:32:49.399 --> 00:32:50.379 daily face 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:52.060 the thought 00:32:52.060 --> 00:32:53.500 that Isaiah 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.340 34 is 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:55.760 true and 00:32:55.760 --> 00:32:56.100 that God 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.520 has the 00:32:56.520 --> 00:32:57.080 right to 00:32:57.080 --> 00:32:57.920 judge a 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:58.480 fallen world. 00:32:58.600 --> 00:32:59.020 We began 00:32:59.020 --> 00:32:59.860 and I'll 00:32:59.860 --> 00:33:00.900 finish with 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.500 Matthew 11. 00:33:02.760 --> 00:33:03.640 Jesus is 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:04.160 God's 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:04.580 righteousness 00:33:04.580 --> 00:33:05.360 revealed. 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.760 He is the 00:33:06.760 --> 00:33:08.420 champion to 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:08.760 mean that we 00:33:08.760 --> 00:33:09.160 don't need to 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:09.500 face that 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:09.800 judgment. 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.520 And he is 00:33:11.520 --> 00:33:12.020 the giver 00:33:12.020 --> 00:33:13.500 so that we 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.140 can receive 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:15.460 that blessing. 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.440 That's our 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:16.680 Jesus. 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.620 I hope 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.060 he's yours. 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.180 Keep on 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.700 trusting. 00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:20.560 Thank you.