WEBVTT

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 Isaiah chapter 40.

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 So we're going to read the beginning and the end of Isaiah 40.

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 So you can follow along.

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 Isaiah 40 starting in verse 1.

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 Let us hear God's words.

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 Comfort, comfort my people, said your God.

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 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed,

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 that her sin has been paid for.

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 That she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

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 A voice of one calling.

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 In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord.

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 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

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 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low.

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 The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

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 A voice says, cry out.

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 A voice says, cry out.

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 And I said, what shall I cry?

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 All people are like grass and their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

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 The grass withers, the grass withers, the flowers fall because of the breath of the Lord blows on them.

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 Surely the people are grass.

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 The grass withers, the flowers fall.

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 But the word of the Lord endures forever.

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 Let's turn to the end of Isaiah 40 verse 25.

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 And we'll read to the end.

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 Verse 25.

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 So to whom will you compare me?

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 Or who is my equal?

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 Says the Holy One.

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 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens.

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 Who created all these?

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 He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.

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 Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

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 Why do you complain, Jacob?

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 Why do you say, Israel, my way is hidden from the Lord.

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 My cause is disregarded by my God.

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 Do you not know?

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 Have you not heard?

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 The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.

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 He will not grow tired or weary.

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 And his understanding no one can fathom.

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 He gives strength to the weary.

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 Increases the power of the weak.

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 Even youths grow tired and weary.

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 Young men stumble and fall.

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 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

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 They will soar on wings like eagles.

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 They will run and not grow weary.

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 They will walk and not be faint.

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 Well, you can keep your Bibles open there.

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 Stephen, if you'd like to come up.

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 I'm just going to ask you a couple of things.

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 I know I didn't tell you this, but don't worry.

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 It won't be anything too dangerous.

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 And then we'll pray for you.

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 But you've been here a number of times before.

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 But the last time, 2019, before COVID.

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 But so just very briefly, how has the last couple of years been for you guys and your family?

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 Yeah.

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 Any updates?

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 So four years, right?

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 So let's see.

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 In four years, let's see how many got married.

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 So five children.

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 All four married now.

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 Last one was married in October.

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 So that's the most recent.

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 Added some grandchildren.

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 So here I'm a grandfather now.

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 I feel very young.

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 So five grandchildren.

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 So they started.

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 When did they start coming?

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 Did I have those before?

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 Some of them.

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 Yeah.

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 No, no.

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 They're all recent.

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 So since 2021 or so.

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 Because they're just over two years.

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 So five of them now with two different families.

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 And continuing to teach at the seminary.

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 And continuing to try to meet my promises, right?

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 Of writing and all that kind of stuff.

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 Okay.

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 And your wife, Karen?

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 Yes.

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 Yeah.

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 She's doing fine.

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 She's still working, you know, enjoying the grandkids.

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 And then also working as the clinic director at the seminary.

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 So COVID was a lot of fun where she had to do all this testing.

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 And so she kept the seminary going during that time.

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 Yeah.

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 Well, it's great to have you with us.

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 I'm just going to pray for you.

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 And then we'll listen.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father God, thank you for your gifts to us.

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 Thank you for the gift of Steve.

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 For his understanding.

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 And we pray that you will fill him with your Holy Spirit.

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 Give him strength for today.

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 And strength for this coming week.

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 For all us, the teaching he will do.

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 Father, may he be blessed.

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 And may we this morning be blessed as we hear your word through him to us today.

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 Encourage us.

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 And build us all up.

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 And it's in Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Thanks very much.

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 Thank you.

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 All right.

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 Well, just great to be with you.

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 And as we were just reading that passage, Isaiah 40, you can turn there.

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 That's what we're going to look at this morning together.

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 I've entitled this just to look at this passage.

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 There's lots in this passage.

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 So no fear.

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 We'll run through it.

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 We'll run through it quickly.

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 But it's important to see the entire passage.

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 And we'll put it in context and so on.

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 But I've entitled this message, Renewing Our Confidence in Our Promise-Making and Keeping God.

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 And you sort of say, well, why is this a promise-making and keeping passage?

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 Well, we'll find that out.

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 Right?

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 So we'll look at that.

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 But we're renewing our confidence in God.

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 Right?

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 Now, why are we needing to do that?

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 Well, if we listen to all the polls and pundits and what is reported, right?

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 We live, all of us are experiencing, we're told, a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression, right?

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 We've come through three years of COVID and we're still living on the effects of that, right?

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 And we look at the world scene and there's a lot of anxiety over, is there World War III coming?

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 Is there challenges before us in our nation's world, country, challenges globally and so on?

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 And of course, we need to always, as Christians, be reminded that we need to find our confidence in the Lord.

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 We need to constantly go back to his word and remind ourselves that he is the sovereign Lord who's in charge.

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 That he is the one who not only makes promises but keeps promises.

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 And our lives can be lived even in the midst of anxiety and depression and turmoil by trusting him

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 and knowing that he is working out all of his purposes.

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 We are part of those purposes and those purposes are centered in the Lord Jesus.

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 Well, where can we be reminded of these great truths?

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 Well, a lot of places in scripture we could turn to.

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 Isaiah 40 is where we're going to go.

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 It's one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

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 It's also one that was made famous by Handel's Messiah, right?

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 So if you've enjoyed Handel's Messiah, Isaiah 40 runs through that great oratorio.

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 And it's also, now this, you may have not seen this movie, I don't know, but Chariots of Fire, right?

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 Did everyone see Chariots of Fire?

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 Chariots of Fire, 1981.

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 So that is a while ago.

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 But that great movie, it's classic, right?

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 Because it presents track and field and running, right?

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 That's the sport of the Bible, if you didn't know.

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 It's not soccer or football or anything else.

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 Everywhere you have track and field.

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 But that Chariots of Fire, the contrast between Harold Abrahams, who was running for England in the 100 meters,

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 and Eric Liddell, the famous Scottish missionary that won the Olympics in the 1920s

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 and then eventually served in China as a missionary and lost his life there, right?

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 And in the passage in that movie, he wouldn't run on Sunday.

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 That was part of the movie.

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 And he was in France.

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 It was the Paris Olympics.

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 And he was standing in the pulpit on Sunday and he was reading Isaiah 40, right?

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 So if you haven't seen that movie, you need to look at that.

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 And as he's reading this passage, it goes off to those who are stumbling and falling.

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 And he says, those who renew their strength in the Lord.

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 It's a great passage.

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 It reminds you of who God is and his glory.

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 And that's why we're going to look at this passage this morning.

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 Now, we're going to look at it in three steps, right?

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 So if you're taking notes or you do that, we'll look at it first.

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 So as you approach Scripture, and Johnny, I know, teaches you this,

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 and the church here, right?

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 But as you approach any particular passage, so we're looking at Isaiah 40,

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 you've got to always set it in context, don't you?

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 You always have to sort of say, what's the context of this passage?

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 Not only in Isaiah, right?

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 So it's part of the entire prophecy of Isaiah.

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 It's not just free-floating.

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 It's actually part of a whole section, a whole.

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 But it's also part of the Old Testament, right?

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 There's a lot that's already taught in the Old Testament prior to Isaiah 40.

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 So to understand this text properly, right, we have to understand its placement in Isaiah,

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 and in some sense, the Old Testament.

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 So that's the first thing we want to make some brief comments about,

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 remind you a little bit about where this passage fits in the Bible.

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 And then secondly, turn to Isaiah itself.

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 And we'll have to run through that, but get some sense of the flow of the text.

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 It's all one text that is laying out for the people of God who God is,

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 and asking them questions and calling them to trust in God as creator and Lord and promise maker and keeper.

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 And then we want to just see how this passage, ultimately for us as Christians,

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 we read the Bible as Christians.

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 We don't just read Isaiah and sort of leave it there.

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 We have to see how it has been brought to fulfillment in Christ, right?

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 We read this as Christians in light of what Jesus has accomplished.

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 So those are the three areas to set it in context,

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 to run through the text to see what it is saying in light of that context,

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 and to see how it has been brought to fulfillment in Christ,

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 and in many ways will serve for us as greater incentive to believe,

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 greater confidence to have,

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 greater trust that we can have in the sovereign God

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 who is working out his purposes for his church in the Lord Jesus, right?

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 So let's look first at the first area, setting context.

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 Isaiah 40, right?

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 Where is it in Isaiah?

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 Where is it in the Old Testament, right?

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 So if you know anything about Isaiah, right?

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 Isaiah is one of those prophets that writes after the coming of David, right?

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 So we got everything from creation through the fall,

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 through the promises of God centered in the coming of a Redeemer,

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 and all of that now centered in Israel,

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 and the coming of David, and so on.

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 He writes 700 years before Christ.

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 So it's a long time before even the New Testament era.

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 And at this time in the nation of Israel, right?

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 Israel as a nation is divided, right?

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 It's got Israel to the north, Judah to the south,

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 and at this period of time, Isaiah lives in the time

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 when those ten northern tribes,

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 he is going to witness the entire destruction of those ten tribes.

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 The superpower of the day is Assyria.

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 And you read a lot about Assyria in the book of Isaiah,

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 and Assyria will wipe out the ten northern tribes.

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 They will never, ever exist again.

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 And so all you'll be left with is the two southern tribes,

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 Judah and Benjamin.

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 That's what will eventually constitute Israel.

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 That moves into the time of the New Testament.

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 And Isaiah will also anticipate,

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 and we'll see this in this chapter,

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 you'll anticipate the Babylonian exile.

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 That's still, from his time,

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 130 or so years down the road.

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 So he's living in a crucial era.

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 Assyria is going to wipe away the north.

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 The southern tribes eventually will experience the loss of those ten tribes,

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 and they will then anticipate that they will go to exile.

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 That they will then be preserved,

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 and of course they eventually come back.

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 And then we then have 400 years of silence,

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 and then the coming of the Lord Jesus.

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 So that's sort of the time of Isaiah, right?

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 He writes over four kings of the north and the south.

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 You see him particularly, early on in the book,

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 deal with Ahaz.

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 Ahaz, the king of the north where he is then,

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 or the king of the south where he is Isaiah 7,

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 and he's interacting with Ahaz,

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 and then eventually Hezekiah.

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 And both of these kings,

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 as most of the kings of Israel,

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 were useless.

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 All the kings of the north,

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 not one good one.

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 Maybe a few in the south that were okay.

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 Hezekiah was okay.

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 Yet they always refused to trust God.

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 They always refused to trust His promises,

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 and eventually destruction comes to their house.

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 Destruction comes to the nation.

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 And in chapter 40,

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 we particularly see God giving comfort

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 in light of the failure of Hezekiah.

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 So we'll come back to that just in a moment.

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 Now, at this point in time,

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 as you can say,

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 the north is divided from the south.

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 The nation is in total disarray.

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 So if you read the first five chapters of Isaiah,

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 there's nothing good said about Israel.

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 Religious leaders, the kings, the people,

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 are all under judgment.

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 And that's why Isaiah 6,

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 you're probably familiar with Isaiah 6,

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 Isaiah's called to ministry.

00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.980
 What does Isaiah see?

00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:21.540
 Why is he called to ministry in chapter 6

00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:23.240
 versus chapter 1?

00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:26.279
 I think you'd begin with this call to ministry in chapter 1.

00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:31.580
 But no, after five chapters of the nation in total destruction,

00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:35.779
 the only hope for the nation is Isaiah 6.

00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.340
 And what's Isaiah 6 about?

00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:39.460
 Isaiah goes into the temple,

00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:41.360
 and he sees the Lord.

00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.080
 Right?

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.279
 The only hope for Israel,

00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:45.139
 and of course this runs through the entire book,

00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.600
 all of the Old Testament prophets,

00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.480
 the only hope for Israel

00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:52.379
 is that God himself does something.

00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:55.159
 God himself saves them.

00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:58.139
 God himself will act on their behalf.

00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:01.519
 God himself will keep his promises.

00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.680
 That's the only hope for the nation.

00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:06.100
 The Holy One who's high and lifted up.

00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:07.879
 And of course that theme and that truth

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:10.580
 is going to come into Isaiah 40 strongly.

00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:12.980
 The only hope for the nation

00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:16.240
 is that God will rescue his people,

00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:17.600
 keep his promises,

00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:20.400
 and in this point in Isaiah,

00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.560
 it's important to see,

00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:24.060
 so I understand that you're studying now

00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:25.580
 Genesis 12 through 50.

00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:29.180
 And you're entitling your Genesis 12 through 50

00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:30.620
 about the promises of God,

00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.700
 that promised seed.

00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.660
 All the way back from Genesis 3.15,

00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:36.400
 you have the promise of a Redeemer.

00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:38.759
 And by the time you get to Isaiah,

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:41.319
 that promise of the Redeemer

00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:43.580
 has taken on a lot of definition.

00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.580
 And ultimately, the promise of a Redeemer

00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:50.279
 is the promise of a coming king.

00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:54.819
 A coming king who will come from David's line.

00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:57.559
 And this is why the Davidic house is so important.

00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:01.279
 The Davidic house, out of David's line,

00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.399
 will come the promised one,

00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.640
 the promised seed.

00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:08.980
 You have to have David's house existing.

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:12.420
 Otherwise, the promises of God

00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:14.680
 will not be realized and fulfilled.

00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:16.280
 And all that's very important

00:17:16.280 --> 00:17:20.240
 as we then zero in on Isaiah 40, right?

00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:23.259
 So here's the context of Isaiah,

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.520
 something of his time.

00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:26.840
 Here's something of, in some sense,

00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:29.120
 the larger context of the Lord

00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:30.840
 who must come and rescue his people.

00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:34.019
 He must provide the seed, the king.

00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:37.419
 And this is why, as we approach Isaiah 40,

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:40.359
 one other last sort of introductory point to realize

00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:43.359
 is that you must not read Isaiah 40

00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:48.779
 isolated from the larger chapters that precede it.

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.159
 Right?

00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.240
 That sort of makes sense.

00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:52.299
 But we often, right, in Isaiah 40,

00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.379
 we just start with verse 1.

00:17:55.199 --> 00:17:57.659
 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:59.680
 But you have to ask the question,

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:04.900
 why is God calling the people to,

00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:06.820
 someone to say comfort to them?

00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:11.640
 Comfort assumes that something is in distress.

00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:14.519
 God is in verse 1 saying,

00:18:15.060 --> 00:18:16.620
 and we'll see just in a moment here,

00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.960
 where he says comfort, comfort.

00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:20.240
 These are what we call imperatives.

00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:21.140
 These are commands.

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.600
 God is commanding for someone

00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:26.440
 to give comfort to the nation.

00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:29.460
 And that's why we'll have three voices

00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.360
 that give comfort.

00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:33.820
 But why is there the need for comfort?

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.500
 Well, chapter 39

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:38.980
 is why the reason for comfort.

00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:43.279
 So we often divide when we read the Bible.

00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:45.559
 We break it up into chapters and verses.

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:48.480
 But of course, that's all later added, isn't it?

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.940
 The book of Isaiah is a book.

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:53.559
 And we then have to sort of look at,

00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.539
 as we read the book,

00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:56.039
 how it unfolds,

00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:57.500
 and how it is put together,

00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.279
 and so on.

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.900
 And chapter 39

00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:03.080
 is crucial to link to chapter 40.

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:05.779
 And what's going on in chapter 39?

00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:07.480
 Well, just look at 39,

00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:09.240
 verse 3,

00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:10.940
 and then verse 5,

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.500
 and so on.

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.779
 We'll just set the context here

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.080
 of chapter 39.

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.940
 Hezekiah is the king.

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:19.059
 And Hezekiah, right,

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:21.460
 is refusing to trust God.

00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.779
 And what is he doing?

00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:27.519
 He's making alliances with Babylon.

00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:30.019
 Now, Babylon is not yet the superpower,

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:33.100
 but Babylon is on the rise.

00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.720
 And instead of trusting the Lord,

00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:37.940
 he's making alliances with Babylon.

00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:40.779
 He's trusting them more than trusting God.

00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:44.379
 And so he opens up his entire palace

00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:45.700
 to the Babylonians.

00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:47.279
 They come in,

00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:49.200
 and he's showing them all that he has.

00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:50.819
 He's showing them all of his military

00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.539
 and all of his,

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.700
 you know,

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.759
 what's in the nation.

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:56.720
 And this is where the Lord then comes,

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.420
 right,

00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:59.139
 in verse 3 of Isaiah 39,

00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.039
 and he says,

00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.859
 what did these men say?

00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.059
 Where did they come from?

00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:03.539
 Right,

00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.799
 so Isaiah's coming and saying,

00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.539
 what's going on here?

00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.859
 Who are you letting into this kingdom?

00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.680
 And the prophet says,

00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.039
 well,

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.980
 the prophet then asked in verse 4,

00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.299
 what did they see in your place?

00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:14.319
 And Hezekiah says,

00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.720
 they saw everything.

00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.379
 There's nothing among the treasures

00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:18.319
 that I did not show them.

00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.579
 And then verse 5,

00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:22.920
 and this is what will lead to the need for comfort.

00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:26.059
 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah,

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.420
 hear the word of the Lord Almighty.

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.579
 The time will surely come

00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:31.659
 when everything in your palace

00:20:31.659 --> 00:20:33.920
 and all that your fathers have stored up

00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.500
 until this day

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.879
 will be carried off to Babylon,

00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.180
 right?

00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.480
 So here is the prediction

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:39.420
 of what will happen

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.700
 130 years later.

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:43.320
 Because you have done this,

00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:45.740
 you will eventually

00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.420
 be carried off to Babylon.

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.620
 All of Israel,

00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:50.120
 the two southern tribes

00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:52.220
 will eventually be put into exile.

00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:54.200
 Nothing will be left,

00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.140
 he says in verse 6,

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.580
 says the Lord.

00:20:56.840 --> 00:20:57.920
 And some of your descendants,

00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.060
 your own flesh and blood,

00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.440
 who you will be born to,

00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.279
 you will be taken away.

00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.380
 They will become eunuchs

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.720
 in the palace of the king of Babylon,

00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.120
 right?

00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.360
 Now you say,

00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.420
 why is that so serious?

00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.600
 This is why you have to understand

00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:10.019
 the context of this passage

00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.039
 and see the context

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.980
 of the Old Testament, right?

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:15.299
 Hezekiah is part of the Davidic house,

00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.480
 right?

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:20.839
 The hope of the entire promise of God

00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:22.180
 is tied to the coming

00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:24.680
 of the Davidic king, right?

00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:27.839
 If the Davidic house is destroyed,

00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:30.199
 there's no king.

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.359
 That's why this is,

00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.139
 you know,

00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:35.679
 a huge issue here, right?

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.699
 So God is saying to Isaiah,

00:21:38.199 --> 00:21:39.259
 because of what you've done,

00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:39.799
 Hezekiah,

00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.720
 the whole Davidic house

00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.679
 is going to be destroyed.

00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.779
 You're going to be taken off

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.319
 into Babylon,

00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:47.599
 you're going into exile,

00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.179
 and then of course,

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.779
 if the Davidic house is destroyed,

00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:52.259
 then the question comes,

00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:55.559
 are God's promises good?

00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:59.159
 Will God keep His word

00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.240
 that He has promised

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.259
 all the way back

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.419
 from Genesis 3.15

00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:04.500
 that there's coming a Redeemer?

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.779
 Will that actually happen?

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.899
 And if it doesn't happen,

00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.720
 then is God trustworthy?

00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.619
 Have the nations won?

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:14.419
 Has God been defeated?

00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.220
 Right?

00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:17.819
 Has His word ultimately failed?

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.279
 Now that's what's raising

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.159
 the issue here,

00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:21.819
 and of course,

00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.359
 that will make a lot of sense

00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:25.319
 of why Isaiah 40

00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:27.819
 will then start with comfort.

00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:30.460
 Give comfort to Israel

00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:33.159
 because God's promises

00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:34.200
 have not failed.

00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.559
 The nation has failed.

00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.439
 Hezekiah has failed.

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.799
 Ultimately, the nation

00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:41.019
 will be taken into exile.

00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.659
 It'll look like everything

00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:43.379
 has failed.

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:46.500
 Yet, God has not failed.

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.299
 God will keep His promises.

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.460
 And that's what Isaiah 40

00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:53.099
 is all about, right?

00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:54.839
 So that's why we have to have

00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:56.439
 this larger context here.

00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.839
 So when we come to Isaiah 40 now,

00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.459
 right, so we've set the context.

00:23:00.699 --> 00:23:01.759
 Comfort, comfort my people

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.740
 now is set in the context of

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.839
 is the God of Israel

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.539
 the true God?

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.459
 Is the God of Israel

00:23:08.459 --> 00:23:09.699
 the one who can keep His promises?

00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.500
 Is the God of Israel

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.939
 really going to defeat

00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:14.099
 the superpowers

00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.539
 and the nations

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:17.339
 and bring all of His

00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:19.599
 saving promises to pass?

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:21.500
 Or is He not?

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.319
 Now, it's interesting

00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.819
 to look at Hezekiah's response.

00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:27.379
 This rings so true

00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:30.059
 to our leaders.

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.019
 It doesn't seem Hezekiah

00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.980
 is just a typical leader, right?

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.359
 The word of the Lord

00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.500
 you have spoken is good,

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.419
 he says in verse 8.

00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.759
 Hezekiah replied,

00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.519
 for he thought

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:39.159
 there will be peace

00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:40.359
 and security in my lifetime.

00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.359
 What a witless,

00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.639
 feckless leader, isn't he?

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.439
 What is he saying here?

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:45.799
 He's saying,

00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:48.059
 oh, the nation will be destroyed.

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.659
 That's great.

00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:50.039
 At least it won't happen to me.

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.579
 We'll push it off

00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.619
 to the next generation.

00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.179
 We'll push it off

00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:57.119
 to the 130 years later

00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:57.740
 and so on.

00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:59.599
 What a wicked king.

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.339
 Yet in the midst of that,

00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:01.960
 he's no different

00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.079
 than Ahaz earlier on

00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.480
 and so on,

00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.279
 in the midst of that,

00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:06.960
 God says to the people of Israel,

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.419
 ah, there's going to be comfort.

00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.079
 But your comfort

00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.339
 is not going to be found

00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.240
 in Hezekiah.

00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:14.039
 It's not going to be found

00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.039
 in the kings.

00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.139
 It's going to be found

00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.220
 in the Lord

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.960
 who will provide

00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.320
 the king.

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.180
 And so on, right?

00:24:21.280 --> 00:24:23.140
 Now, let's turn to Isaiah 40.

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.820
 So that's sort of the context.

00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.560
 Important to see that

00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:28.300
 as we then think about

00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:30.040
 what now Isaiah 40

00:24:30.040 --> 00:24:31.759
 is all about, right?

00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.560
 So in the midst of

00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:34.900
 God saying,

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.320
 the whole Davidic house

00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:36.900
 will be destroyed.

00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:38.580
 Nothing will be left

00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:40.340
 in 39.6.

00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.740
 All of that will be taken off.

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.779
 Now we have,

00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:45.420
 and this text moves

00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.559
 in the sense of sort of

00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:49.319
 four kind of steps, right?

00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.680
 Verse 1 and 2

00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:53.740
 gives you God's command

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:56.200
 for someone to speak

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.079
 comfort to Israel, right?

00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:58.819
 So that's what we have

00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:00.019
 in verse 1 and 2, right?

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.759
 There's a command that's given.

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:04.079
 Give comfort to the people

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:05.279
 in the midst

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:07.920
 of what now will happen

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:10.279
 in the future to them, right?

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:12.480
 Then in verses 3,

00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:15.220
 ultimately through 11, right?

00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.940
 We have voices,

00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:18.839
 three voices that now

00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:20.839
 come to the surface

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.059
 and give comfort.

00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:25.279
 And three messages of comfort

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.339
 that they give.

00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:29.139
 And the third message of comfort

00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:31.099
 will ultimately be a comfort

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:33.440
 to behold God.

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.259
 Trust in Him.

00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.759
 Trust in the One

00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:38.660
 who is the Sovereign Lord,

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:41.040
 Creator and Lord of the nations

00:25:41.040 --> 00:25:42.800
 that will not fail.

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.240
 And so we then move

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:47.100
 in verses 12 through 24

00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:50.340
 to really a glorious presentation

00:25:50.340 --> 00:25:51.560
 of the God of the Bible.

00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.700
 The God who is Creator.

00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.720
 The God who has power.

00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.720
 The God who has wisdom.

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.380
 The God who has no rivals

00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.019
 and so on.

00:25:57.040 --> 00:25:58.259
 And this is why this passage

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.100
 is so famous

00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.700
 for its presentation

00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:02.140
 of the glory of God.

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.500
 But it's functioning here

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.980
 to give comfort

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.080
 to the nation of Israel.

00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.460
 Behold your God.

00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:09.039
 This God who is

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.419
 the Creator and Lord

00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.619
 and the Promise Maker

00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:13.179
 and the Promise Keeper.

00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:15.419
 And then the chapter

00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.240
 will conclude

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:18.079
 where Johnny's already read

00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:20.019
 from 25 to the following

00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:21.559
 where questions are asked.

00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:24.559
 Questions that are calling

00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.839
 the nation of Israel

00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.319
 to faith,

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.059
 to trust,

00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.879
 to confidence, right?

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.460
 And this is what they will

00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:34.159
 ultimately need to go back to.

00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:35.100
 So, you know,

00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:37.040
 later on when they're in Babylon,

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:40.019
 later on when 130 years later

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.880
 all of this occurs,

00:26:41.300 --> 00:26:42.460
 they'll go back to this

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.880
 and say, right,

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.660
 to whom will we compare God to?

00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:47.220
 And God will keep His promises.

00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.540
 It's looking pretty bad,

00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.980
 but He is the one

00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:51.519
 who will be faithful and true.

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.560
 We're going to have to wait.

00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:54.040
 We're going to have to be patient.

00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.380
 We're going to have to,

00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.440
 even though we're weak

00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.720
 and we have no strength,

00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:59.380
 we're going to have to renew that

00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:02.500
 by trusting in the Lord.

00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.140
 Right?

00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:06.160
 Well, that's how the chapter 40 moves.

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.799
 And let's now just run through that

00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:11.880
 and get some sense of this glorious text.

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.880
 So verse 1 and 2,

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:16.359
 God is now in light of His judgment

00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:18.259
 upon Hezekiah

00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:20.220
 and ultimately the nation of Israel,

00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.940
 the destruction of the Davidic house,

00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.660
 He says,

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.640
 He calls for comfort.

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.160
 So He says,

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.920
 Comfort, comfort my people.

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.720
 This is a command.

00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:30.960
 Someone come and give comfort to my people

00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:34.299
 in light of this message of judgment.

00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:36.059
 Speak tenderly to them.

00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.680
 Proclaim to them

00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:40.860
 that their hard service has been completed.

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.960
 Their sin has been paid for.

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:45.880
 That they've received from the Lord's hand

00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:47.980
 double for all their sins.

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:50.079
 I mean, it's setting you up for now

00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:51.720
 these voices that come.

00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.559
 God says,

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:56.099
 I may have announced judgment upon them,

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.179
 but give comfort

00:27:57.179 --> 00:27:59.659
 that my promises will not fail.

00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:01.799
 My people will experience

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.659
 not only deliverance,

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.220
 right,

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.779
 from that which will occur

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.299
 in terms of the Babylonian exile,

00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:09.079
 but they will receive

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:11.200
 the forgiveness of sins.

00:28:11.399 --> 00:28:11.519
 Right?

00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:14.359
 I will bring double forgiveness.

00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:16.019
 I will bring grace to them.

00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.200
 Right?

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.480
 There's a message already of

00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:19.940
 I will be the faithful God

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:21.240
 who keeps my promises

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.920
 and so on.

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.440
 Now, ultimately for us,

00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.960
 obviously this is now fulfilled

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:27.240
 many, many, many years later

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.319
 in the coming of Christ.

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.779
 The dawning of the new covenant.

00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:31.940
 But that's what's being anticipated here.

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.180
 Now,

00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.400
 we then move to these voices.

00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:37.359
 So verses 3 through 11

00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.339
 give us three voices.

00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.460
 So God has said,

00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.680
 somebody now give comfort.

00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.819
 And three voices emerge

00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:47.759
 that now give messages of comfort.

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.279
 And all of these messages of comfort

00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.460
 is centered in,

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:53.119
 God will keep His promises.

00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.920
 So the first voice,

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.559
 verse 3,

00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.619
 verse 3 through 5,

00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.680
 a voice of one calling in the desert,

00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:00.240
 or a voice of one calling,

00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:00.700
 it says,

00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:01.599
 in the desert,

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.920
 and here's the voice,

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.480
 in the desert,

00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:05.079
 prepare the way for the Lord.

00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.920
 Make straight in the wilderness

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:08.119
 a highway for our God.

00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.960
 Every valley shall be raised up,

00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:11.460
 every mountain and hill made low,

00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:13.339
 the rough ground shall be level,

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:15.779
 the rugged places plain,

00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:19.000
 and the Lord in all of His glory

00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.759
 will be seen.

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.379
 And all of mankind together

00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.420
 will see it.

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.200
 For the mouth of the Lord

00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.839
 has spoken.

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.059
 Well,

00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:27.359
 that's the first voice of comfort.

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.220
 Give comfort to the people.

00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.539
 The Davidic house will be destroyed.

00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:32.879
 Give comfort.

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.899
 What's the first word of comfort?

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.480
 The first word of comfort is

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.720
 the Lord's coming.

00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:39.180
 That's what he's saying here.

00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:40.099
 In the desert,

00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:42.460
 prepare the way for the Lord.

00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:45.079
 The first voice of comfort says,

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.019
 the Lord is coming.

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.500
 The Lord will keep His promises.

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:49.059
 And the imagery here

00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:51.100
 is that He will make straight

00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.600
 in the wilderness

00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.640
 a highway for our God.

00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:54.299
 There's Exodus imagery.

00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.220
 So you go back,

00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.519
 only Israelite would think

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:57.980
 of the Exodus.

00:29:58.380 --> 00:30:00.620
 Just as God freed the nation

00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:02.259
 out of Egypt in the past,

00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.779
 He will ultimately bring

00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:05.299
 a new deliverance,

00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.380
 a new Exodus.

00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.000
 It's going to look bad,

00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:09.700
 but God will bring salvation

00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.480
 to His people,

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.259
 and He will come to them

00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.740
 in the wilderness

00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:14.279
 and He will keep His promises

00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.759
 and He will raise,

00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:18.160
 these mountains will be made low,

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.420
 the roads will be made plain.

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:20.680
 I mean,

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:22.120
 this speaks of God's certainty

00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.680
 of this, right?

00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.700
 God will come.

00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:25.000
 God will rescue His people.

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.779
 And what will we see?

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.460
 In the end,

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.059
 you will see the glory

00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:32.039
 of the Lord revealed.

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.380
 It doesn't look like

00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:35.460
 God's glory is being revealed now.

00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.200
 It looks like the nations

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.380
 are ruling over everything.

00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:41.380
 But God will display His glory,

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:41.680
 right?

00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.120
 Well,

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.960
 even as we will come back

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.940
 to the fulfillment of this,

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.880
 but even in the New Testament,

00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.740
 you're reminded of this,

00:30:46.800 --> 00:30:46.920
 right?

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:48.020
 How this is brought to fulfillment

00:30:48.020 --> 00:30:48.720
 in John the Baptist,

00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:49.320
 right?

00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.600
 This is what's quoted

00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.120
 in the New Testament,

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.340
 right?

00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:53.400
 After many of those long years,

00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:53.800
 right?

00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.640
 Who's John the Baptist?

00:30:54.760 --> 00:30:55.640
 The John the Baptist

00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.860
 is the one who announces,

00:30:57.300 --> 00:30:57.820
 finally,

00:30:59.260 --> 00:31:00.800
 the way is made plain.

00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:02.500
 The Lord has come,

00:31:02.780 --> 00:31:02.980
 right?

00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:04.560
 The glory of God

00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:05.480
 has now been revealed

00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.060
 in Him,

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.779
 and so on.

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:08.339
 But this is the first voice

00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:08.839
 of comfort,

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.700
 reminding them

00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:12.740
 that God will save His people.

00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.839
 God will come.

00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.240
 And then,

00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:14.779
 of course,

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.879
 in verse 6 through 8,

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.059
 a second voice arises.

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:20.059
 And the second voice arises

00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.940
 centered in

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:23.460
 God's word will not fail.

00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:24.799
 And of course,

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.940
 it's important to say that

00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:28.419
 because in light of chapter 39,

00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.679
 with the anticipation

00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.559
 of the destruction

00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.240
 of the Davidic house,

00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:32.419
 it looks like God's word

00:31:32.419 --> 00:31:32.859
 will fail.

00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.639
 But God says,

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.000
 nope,

00:31:35.479 --> 00:31:37.279
 it may look like it,

00:31:37.659 --> 00:31:38.779
 but my promises

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.599
 will never fail.

00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:39.939
 Right?

00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.399
 And so that's why

00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:41.240
 we read in verse 6,

00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.579
 a voice says,

00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.079
 cry out,

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.979
 and I say,

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:47.059
 what message of comfort

00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:47.500
 do I give?

00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:48.219
 What do I cry?

00:31:49.219 --> 00:31:49.579
 Well,

00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:51.000
 all men are like grass.

00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:53.139
 Their glory is like

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.119
 the flowers of the field.

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.759
 The grass withers,

00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:56.839
 the flowers fall

00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:57.579
 because the breath

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.759
 of the Lord blows on them.

00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.679
 Surely,

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.779
 the people are grass.

00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:02.960
 the grass withers

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:05.039
 and the flowers fall.

00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.099
 Just think of that

00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.339
 in the context of Hezekiah.

00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:10.779
 This witless king.

00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.180
 Right?

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.839
 He's the one

00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:14.059
 who doesn't trust God's word.

00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:14.639
 Right?

00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:15.680
 He's the one

00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.879
 who comes and goes.

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.720
 You look all over

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.839
 the history of the nation.

00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.160
 Right?

00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.279
 Men come,

00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.019
 men go,

00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.619
 we come,

00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.379
 we are all,

00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:23.879
 you know,

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:25.180
 the springtime,

00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:25.980
 the flowers come,

00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:26.359
 fall,

00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.180
 they all go down

00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:29.740
 and we are so transient.

00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:31.059
 We are just creatures.

00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:32.700
 The word,

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:33.900
 our word fails.

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.279
 Ahaz earlier on,

00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:36.019
 his word failed.

00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.799
 Hezekiah fails.

00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.000
 Our,

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.420
 constantly in the Old Testament,

00:32:38.620 --> 00:32:40.579
 our human word always fails,

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.200
 but,

00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.059
 verse 8,

00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.819
 the grass withers,

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.059
 the flowers fall,

00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:48.200
 but the word of our God

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.660
 stands forever.

00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.099
 Right?

00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.220
 Again,

00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:51.940
 context here,

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.120
 right?

00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:53.480
 What is this word ultimately?

00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.980
 This word is a gospel word.

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.400
 Right?

00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:58.400
 This word is the promise

00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.700
 of a coming king.

00:33:00.320 --> 00:33:01.960
 This word is the promise

00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:03.180
 of the Davidic house.

00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:04.980
 May look like it's destroyed,

00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:06.140
 but there will come

00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:09.080
 out of that house.

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.960
 There will come

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.840
 a true seed.

00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:12.160
 There will come

00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.820
 the root

00:33:12.820 --> 00:33:13.780
 and the branch.

00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.920
 Isaiah speaks of that

00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:15.720
 in other contexts.

00:33:15.780 --> 00:33:15.880
 Right?

00:33:16.080 --> 00:33:16.940
 This word of God

00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:17.820
 that will never fail

00:33:17.820 --> 00:33:18.700
 is the promises

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.259
 of the covenant.

00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:20.780
 It's the promises

00:33:20.780 --> 00:33:21.800
 that God has made

00:33:21.800 --> 00:33:23.000
 all the way back

00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.280
 to Genesis 3.15

00:33:24.280 --> 00:33:24.960
 through Abraham

00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.740
 and through Israel

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.320
 and so on.

00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:26.480
 Right?

00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.640
 That's the word

00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:28.839
 that looks like

00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.640
 it's about to fail,

00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.180
 but it will never fail.

00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:33.620
 And then a third voice

00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:34.279
 arises.

00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:34.779
 Right?

00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.259
 A third voice arises

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.900
 in verses 9 to 11.

00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.360
 Right?

00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:38.940
 This is now

00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:39.900
 a third word of comfort.

00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.539
 So the first word

00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:40.940
 of comfort

00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:42.539
 is the Lord is coming

00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.160
 and will display

00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:43.660
 his glory.

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.720
 He will not

00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:46.000
 abandon his people.

00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.660
 Second voice

00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:48.120
 of comfort.

00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.079
 God's word

00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.759
 will never fail.

00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.000
 The third voice

00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.400
 of comfort.

00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.180
 Verse 9.

00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:52.819
 You who bring

00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.360
 good tidings

00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:53.880
 to Zion,

00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.519
 to Jerusalem,

00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.720
 go up

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.279
 on a high mountain.

00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:56.920
 You who bring

00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.400
 good tidings

00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:57.940
 to Jerusalem,

00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:58.879
 lift up

00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.619
 your voice.

00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:00.000
 Right?

00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.420
 So here's

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.980
 the third voice.

00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:01.319
 Right?

00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:03.019
 What are you

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.839
 to announce

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.639
 to Israel?

00:34:04.879 --> 00:34:05.079
 Right?

00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.079
 Well,

00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:06.799
 you are to lift

00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.559
 up your voice.

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.599
 You are to say

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.340
 to Judah,

00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:11.440
 behold,

00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:12.440
 you're God.

00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.639
 So the third voice

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.860
 says not only

00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.579
 the first voice,

00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:16.739
 right?

00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.460
 The way the Lord

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.900
 will come.

00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.119
 God's promises

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.719
 will not fail.

00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.239
 Second voice.

00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:20.880
 The third voice

00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.099
 says,

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.639
 lock to God.

00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:24.559
 Look to his glory.

00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.759
 Look to who he is.

00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.739
 Remind yourself

00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:28.059
 of the God

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:29.159
 who is the creator

00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:29.879
 and the Lord.

00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:30.920
 He has no rivals.

00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:32.059
 You can trust him.

00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:33.319
 Behold your God.

00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.199
 Here is your God.

00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.079
 See,

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.579
 the sovereign Lord

00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.559
 comes with power.

00:34:37.719 --> 00:34:38.659
 His arm rules

00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:39.179
 for him.

00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:39.839
 See,

00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:40.679
 his reward

00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.339
 is with him.

00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.579
 His recompense

00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.500
 accompanies him.

00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.619
 And then you have

00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.500
 this verse 11.

00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.440
 He tends

00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:47.819
 his flock

00:34:47.819 --> 00:34:48.579
 like a shepherd.

00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.339
 He gathers

00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:51.299
 the lambs

00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:52.039
 in his arms.

00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.900
 He carries them

00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.840
 close to his heart.

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.840
 He gently leads

00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:55.739
 those who have young.

00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:55.940
 I mean,

00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:57.119
 this is a constant theme

00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:59.239
 that is in the Old Testament,

00:34:59.380 --> 00:34:59.519
 right?

00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.119
 The God,

00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:00.960
 behold your God,

00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:02.119
 the God who is sovereign

00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:03.179
 but also the shepherd.

00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:05.119
 The God who is

00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:06.420
 the Lord of the nation,

00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.679
 the creator of the universe,

00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.380
 but also

00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:10.099
 the one who cares

00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.099
 for his people,

00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:12.519
 the shepherd of his people,

00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.079
 the one

00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:14.300
 who will keep

00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:15.259
 his word

00:35:15.259 --> 00:35:15.900
 fully,

00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.239
 right?

00:35:16.279 --> 00:35:16.420
 Well,

00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.759
 that's the voices

00:35:17.759 --> 00:35:18.599
 that give message

00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.279
 of comfort.

00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.840
 The Lord is coming.

00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:22.240
 His word will not fail.

00:35:22.760 --> 00:35:23.860
 The shepherd of Israel

00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:24.880
 will keep

00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:26.059
 what he has said.

00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:27.160
 And of course,

00:35:27.300 --> 00:35:28.300
 this is what they

00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:30.200
 must take to heart

00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:31.519
 as the years

00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.220
 will unfold,

00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.700
 as they go into exile,

00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.519
 as they think

00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.960
 the days look dark.

00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:36.920
 They'll have to

00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:38.019
 remind themselves

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:39.240
 of these truths,

00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.160
 this message,

00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:40.920
 and so on.

00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.120
 Now,

00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.320
 on the heels

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.480
 of that third voice,

00:35:44.200 --> 00:35:45.300
 we then have

00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.440
 this majestic

00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.620
 presentation of God,

00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.000
 God.

00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.219
 Right?

00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:48.940
 So,

00:35:49.119 --> 00:35:50.880
 in verse 9,

00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:52.259
 behold your God,

00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.480
 that's really

00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.279
 what we get

00:35:54.279 --> 00:35:56.099
 in verses 12

00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:57.319
 through 24.

00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.099
 Right?

00:35:58.339 --> 00:35:58.920
 And really,

00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.819
 in this area,

00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.679
 we have God

00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:02.699
 presented as creator,

00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:04.500
 as the sovereign

00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.440
 Lord of history,

00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.739
 as the one

00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:08.059
 who is the designer,

00:36:08.279 --> 00:36:08.980
 the one who rules

00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:09.659
 over nations,

00:36:09.859 --> 00:36:10.839
 the one who can be

00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:12.359
 fully and completely

00:36:12.359 --> 00:36:13.319
 trusted.

00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:13.659
 Right?

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.279
 So,

00:36:14.319 --> 00:36:14.759
 let's just run

00:36:14.760 --> 00:36:15.620
 through this quickly

00:36:15.620 --> 00:36:16.800
 as we look

00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:18.200
 at the presentation

00:36:18.200 --> 00:36:18.760
 of God.

00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:20.040
 Verses 12-14

00:36:20.040 --> 00:36:21.260
 gives us the creator

00:36:21.260 --> 00:36:22.960
 who has all power

00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.800
 and wisdom.

00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.100
 And what's that?

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.180
 How's that helping

00:36:26.180 --> 00:36:27.040
 the, you know,

00:36:27.100 --> 00:36:28.060
 serving here?

00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:28.320
 Well,

00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:29.180
 if he has all power

00:36:29.180 --> 00:36:29.560
 and wisdom,

00:36:29.620 --> 00:36:30.200
 you can trust him.

00:36:31.040 --> 00:36:31.820
 He can do something

00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:32.260
 for you.

00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.560
 He can meet your need.

00:36:33.660 --> 00:36:33.820
 Right?

00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:35.320
 He can ultimately

00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:36.340
 bring salvation.

00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:36.940
 Right?

00:36:37.140 --> 00:36:37.340
 So,

00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:37.860
 it says here,

00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.580
 who is measured,

00:36:38.680 --> 00:36:39.260
 in verse 12,

00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:41.060
 the waters in the hollow

00:36:41.060 --> 00:36:41.780
 of his hand,

00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:43.180
 or with the breath

00:36:43.180 --> 00:36:43.980
 of his hand,

00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:45.340
 marked off,

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:47.019
 or the word here

00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.420
 is fine-tuned the heavens.

00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.860
 He designed the heavens

00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:52.199
 so specifically.

00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.460
 Fine-tuned it.

00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:53.679
 Right?

00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:54.699
 Who has held

00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:55.639
 the dust of the earth

00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.300
 in a basket

00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:57.780
 or weighed the mountains

00:36:57.780 --> 00:36:58.740
 on the scales?

00:36:59.820 --> 00:37:01.400
 The hills in a balance.

00:37:01.559 --> 00:37:01.699
 Right?

00:37:01.740 --> 00:37:01.860
 So,

00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.480
 that's power.

00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:03.760
 Who is the God

00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.880
 who has created

00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:05.579
 and designed

00:37:05.579 --> 00:37:06.360
 and purposed

00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:07.619
 and who weighs all things?

00:37:07.719 --> 00:37:08.579
 It speaks of his

00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.599
 mighty power.

00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:09.900
 Right?

00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:11.179
 And then it turns

00:37:11.179 --> 00:37:11.800
 in verse 13

00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:12.460
 to his wisdom.

00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:14.539
 Who has understood?

00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.659
 The same word understood

00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.500
 is where we had

00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:17.539
 that marked off.

00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:18.139
 Fine-tuned.

00:37:18.240 --> 00:37:19.500
 Who's fine-tuned

00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.380
 the mind of the Lord?

00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:22.000
 And of course,

00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.940
 the answer is no one.

00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:23.539
 Right?

00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:25.260
 Who's instructed him?

00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:26.599
 Whom did the Lord

00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:28.139
 consult to enlighten him

00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:28.900
 or who taught him

00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:29.579
 the right way?

00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.840
 Who was it that

00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.820
 taught him knowledge

00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:32.559
 or showed him

00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.980
 the path of understanding?

00:37:34.139 --> 00:37:34.519
 And of course,

00:37:34.579 --> 00:37:35.500
 the answer is no one.

00:37:35.579 --> 00:37:35.659
 Right?

00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:37.280
 How is it functioning here

00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:37.920
 to give comfort?

00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.139
 Right?

00:37:38.780 --> 00:37:39.159
 It's functioning

00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:39.760
 to give comfort

00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:41.780
 your ways.

00:37:42.040 --> 00:37:42.580
 You may think,

00:37:43.060 --> 00:37:43.220
 right,

00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:43.860
 as you look at

00:37:43.860 --> 00:37:45.200
 what's happening

00:37:45.200 --> 00:37:45.820
 in the nation,

00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:46.480
 it looks like

00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:47.260
 everything's lost,

00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.420
 but you're going

00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.080
 to have to trust God.

00:37:49.160 --> 00:37:49.940
 He knows what he's doing.

00:37:50.060 --> 00:37:50.140
 Right?

00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:50.860
 Very similar to what

00:37:50.860 --> 00:37:51.580
 he does with Job.

00:37:52.060 --> 00:37:52.240
 Right?

00:37:52.700 --> 00:37:53.940
 As Job goes through

00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:54.760
 difficulties,

00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.720
 what does God say

00:37:55.720 --> 00:37:56.160
 to Job?

00:37:56.660 --> 00:37:57.280
 Who are you, Job?

00:37:58.400 --> 00:37:58.960
 Who are you?

00:37:59.100 --> 00:38:00.100
 Did you design

00:38:00.100 --> 00:38:00.500
 the universe?

00:38:00.760 --> 00:38:01.680
 Do you not know,

00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.200
 you know,

00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:02.680
 do you not,

00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.540
 the one who made

00:38:03.540 --> 00:38:04.080
 all these things?

00:38:04.240 --> 00:38:05.060
 Do you not know

00:38:05.060 --> 00:38:06.200
 that what I have done,

00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:07.080
 I know what I'm doing,

00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:07.940
 you can trust me,

00:38:08.259 --> 00:38:09.199
 I'm the one who

00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:10.019
 designed things,

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.639
 I'm the one who

00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:11.440
 rules over things,

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.319
 my understanding

00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:13.059
 is not limited,

00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:14.299
 I'm not dependent

00:38:14.299 --> 00:38:15.900
 upon the latest,

00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:16.500
 you know,

00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:17.159
 in scholarship

00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:18.119
 and tell me

00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.099
 what I need to do.

00:38:19.219 --> 00:38:19.400
 No,

00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.840
 you can trust me.

00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:21.059
 Right?

00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.579
 That my promises

00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:22.880
 are good,

00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:23.460
 that's how this

00:38:23.460 --> 00:38:24.179
 is functioning.

00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.799
 It's to give incentive

00:38:25.799 --> 00:38:26.500
 for the nation

00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.659
 of Israel to say,

00:38:28.279 --> 00:38:28.699
 yeah,

00:38:28.699 --> 00:38:29.299
 we're going to

00:38:29.299 --> 00:38:30.159
 have to trust you,

00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:31.039
 you are good

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.659
 on your word,

00:38:32.019 --> 00:38:32.799
 you are the one

00:38:32.799 --> 00:38:33.579
 who can bring it

00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:33.920
 about.

00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:34.380
 Right?

00:38:34.799 --> 00:38:35.299
 And then in

00:38:35.300 --> 00:38:36.660
 verses 15 to 17,

00:38:36.660 --> 00:38:37.360
 we have another

00:38:37.360 --> 00:38:38.460
 sort of building

00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.480
 on this presentation

00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.140
 of God.

00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:40.800
 Behold,

00:38:41.560 --> 00:38:42.400
 the nations

00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:43.140
 are a drop

00:38:43.140 --> 00:38:43.600
 in the bucket.

00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:44.780
 And of course,

00:38:44.820 --> 00:38:45.260
 that's going to be

00:38:45.260 --> 00:38:45.920
 important for the

00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.519
 Israel to know,

00:38:46.580 --> 00:38:46.760
 right?

00:38:47.260 --> 00:38:48.240
 Assyria will destroy

00:38:48.240 --> 00:38:48.740
 the north.

00:38:49.660 --> 00:38:50.900
 Babylon down the road

00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:52.380
 is going to exile

00:38:52.380 --> 00:38:52.960
 the south.

00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:54.100
 It looks like

00:38:54.100 --> 00:38:55.060
 those nations

00:38:55.060 --> 00:38:56.880
 have all power.

00:38:57.760 --> 00:38:58.620
 But you need

00:38:58.620 --> 00:38:59.340
 to be reminded,

00:39:00.200 --> 00:39:01.240
 they may rise,

00:39:01.660 --> 00:39:02.240
 but they're going

00:39:02.240 --> 00:39:02.720
 to fall.

00:39:03.080 --> 00:39:03.200
 Right?

00:39:03.199 --> 00:39:04.359
 The nations

00:39:04.359 --> 00:39:05.500
 are a drop

00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:06.839
 in the bucket.

00:39:07.779 --> 00:39:08.379
 They're regarded

00:39:08.379 --> 00:39:09.339
 as dust in the scales.

00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:10.500
 They may speak

00:39:10.500 --> 00:39:11.500
 with a loud voice

00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:12.059
 now,

00:39:12.619 --> 00:39:13.519
 but eventually

00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:14.679
 Assyria will be

00:39:14.679 --> 00:39:15.519
 a blip on the

00:39:15.519 --> 00:39:16.239
 screen of history.

00:39:17.299 --> 00:39:18.199
 Babylon will be

00:39:18.199 --> 00:39:18.699
 no more.

00:39:19.759 --> 00:39:19.960
 Right?

00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:20.639
 As you walk

00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:21.419
 through history,

00:39:21.559 --> 00:39:21.699
 right?

00:39:22.319 --> 00:39:22.859
 Persia,

00:39:23.259 --> 00:39:23.779
 Greece,

00:39:24.379 --> 00:39:24.939
 Rome,

00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:27.079
 the United Kingdom,

00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:28.199
 the United States,

00:39:28.319 --> 00:39:28.419
 I mean,

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.219
 China,

00:39:29.399 --> 00:39:29.500
 I mean,

00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:30.219
 all of these are

00:39:30.219 --> 00:39:30.859
 blips on the

00:39:30.859 --> 00:39:31.519
 screen of history.

00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.840
 Nations are

00:39:32.840 --> 00:39:33.340
 like a drop

00:39:33.340 --> 00:39:33.820
 in the bucket.

00:39:34.179 --> 00:39:34.739
 They're regarded

00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:35.880
 as dust in the scales.

00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:37.400
 He weighs the islands

00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:38.000
 as though they

00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:38.980
 are fine dust.

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.300
 Lebanon is not

00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:41.079
 sufficient for

00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:41.759
 altar fires,

00:39:42.000 --> 00:39:43.000
 nor animals enough

00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.900
 for burnt offerings.

00:39:44.219 --> 00:39:44.739
 Before him,

00:39:44.780 --> 00:39:45.619
 all the nations

00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:46.699
 are as nothing.

00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.759
 And they're regarded

00:39:48.759 --> 00:39:50.259
 by him as

00:39:50.259 --> 00:39:50.840
 worthless,

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:51.759
 less than nothing.

00:39:51.840 --> 00:39:51.940
 Now,

00:39:52.139 --> 00:39:52.639
 if you were to ask

00:39:52.639 --> 00:39:53.119
 the nations

00:39:53.119 --> 00:39:53.759
 who they think

00:39:53.759 --> 00:39:54.119
 they are,

00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:56.000
 they will be

00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:56.500
 very proud

00:39:56.500 --> 00:39:56.920
 and they'll tell

00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:57.440
 you we're everything.

00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:59.300
 But in the big

00:39:59.300 --> 00:40:00.000
 scheme of things,

00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:00.259
 right,

00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:01.099
 they're nothing.

00:40:01.099 --> 00:40:02.360
 The Lord is even

00:40:02.360 --> 00:40:03.480
 using those nations

00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.380
 to bring about

00:40:04.380 --> 00:40:05.599
 his purposes.

00:40:05.759 --> 00:40:06.799
 He uses Assyria

00:40:06.799 --> 00:40:07.880
 to bring his purposes

00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:08.119
 about.

00:40:08.179 --> 00:40:08.960
 He uses Babylon

00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:09.860
 to bring his purposes

00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:10.139
 about.

00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:11.839
 And so on and so on,

00:40:11.860 --> 00:40:12.059
 right?

00:40:12.319 --> 00:40:13.219
 And so you have,

00:40:13.420 --> 00:40:13.619
 again,

00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:14.799
 this majestic

00:40:14.799 --> 00:40:15.619
 presentation,

00:40:15.839 --> 00:40:16.819
 this God who is

00:40:16.819 --> 00:40:17.400
 the one who's

00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:18.480
 in control of history

00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:20.199
 functioning to give

00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:22.199
 comfort to the nation.

00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:23.779
 And then verse 18

00:40:23.779 --> 00:40:24.460
 and 20,

00:40:24.940 --> 00:40:25.719
 you just have

00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:27.339
 God alone is God.

00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:27.599
 I mean,

00:40:27.699 --> 00:40:29.420
 as the idols are then,

00:40:29.420 --> 00:40:30.340
 to whom will you

00:40:30.340 --> 00:40:31.220
 compare God?

00:40:31.680 --> 00:40:32.420
 Do you compare him

00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:32.980
 to idols?

00:40:33.200 --> 00:40:34.019
 Do you compare him

00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:35.760
 to images that people

00:40:35.760 --> 00:40:36.159
 make?

00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:37.440
 Verse 19,

00:40:37.639 --> 00:40:38.340
 as for an idol,

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:39.659
 a craftsman casts it.

00:40:39.780 --> 00:40:40.840
 Goldsmith overlays it

00:40:40.840 --> 00:40:41.280
 with gold,

00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.519
 fashions silver chains

00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:42.820
 to it.

00:40:43.139 --> 00:40:44.240
 A man too poor

00:40:44.240 --> 00:40:45.519
 to present such an offering

00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.559
 selects wood that will

00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:46.960
 rot,

00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:47.800
 will not rot.

00:40:48.340 --> 00:40:49.340
 He looks for a skilled

00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:50.380
 craftsman to set up

00:40:50.380 --> 00:40:51.280
 an idol that will not

00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:51.659
 topple,

00:40:51.700 --> 00:40:51.840
 right?

00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:53.099
 This is part of the

00:40:53.099 --> 00:40:53.920
 whole Old Testament

00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:55.420
 presentation of God's

00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:56.720
 judgment against

00:40:56.720 --> 00:40:57.519
 idolatry,

00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:57.780
 right?

00:40:57.780 --> 00:40:59.340
 Idols are just man-made

00:40:59.340 --> 00:41:00.580
 creaturely things.

00:41:01.260 --> 00:41:02.140
 They are not real,

00:41:02.720 --> 00:41:02.920
 right?

00:41:03.180 --> 00:41:03.600
 God,

00:41:03.720 --> 00:41:04.160
 to whom will you

00:41:04.160 --> 00:41:04.460
 compare?

00:41:04.540 --> 00:41:05.060
 I'm not an idol.

00:41:05.200 --> 00:41:06.240
 He is the one who

00:41:06.240 --> 00:41:07.340
 alone is God,

00:41:07.420 --> 00:41:08.320
 who can bring about

00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:08.900
 these purposes.

00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:10.480
 Nothing compares to

00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:10.740
 him.

00:41:11.360 --> 00:41:12.600
 And then in verse 21

00:41:12.600 --> 00:41:13.640
 through 24,

00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:14.940
 it's emphasized even

00:41:14.940 --> 00:41:15.340
 further.

00:41:15.700 --> 00:41:16.700
 He has no rivals.

00:41:17.240 --> 00:41:18.360
 He's the king of king.

00:41:18.600 --> 00:41:19.980
 He is the lord of lords.

00:41:20.400 --> 00:41:21.640
 That people will come

00:41:21.640 --> 00:41:22.160
 and go,

00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.960
 but his promises

00:41:23.960 --> 00:41:25.340
 will remain forever

00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.300
 because he remains

00:41:26.300 --> 00:41:26.660
 forever.

00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:28.039
 So we read in verse 21,

00:41:28.179 --> 00:41:28.920
 do you not know?

00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:30.759
 Have you not heard?

00:41:31.319 --> 00:41:32.399
 Has it not been told

00:41:32.399 --> 00:41:32.960
 to you from the

00:41:32.960 --> 00:41:33.279
 beginning?

00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:34.420
 Have you not understood

00:41:34.420 --> 00:41:35.779
 since the earth was

00:41:35.779 --> 00:41:36.219
 founded?

00:41:37.139 --> 00:41:39.420
 God sits enthroned

00:41:39.420 --> 00:41:40.279
 above the circle of

00:41:40.279 --> 00:41:40.579
 the earth.

00:41:41.239 --> 00:41:42.199
 He's above these

00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:42.619
 nations.

00:41:43.219 --> 00:41:44.539
 He's above all of the

00:41:44.539 --> 00:41:45.599
 creation that he has

00:41:45.599 --> 00:41:46.079
 made, right?

00:41:46.079 --> 00:41:46.799
 He's above the circle

00:41:46.799 --> 00:41:47.139
 of the earth.

00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:49.199
 It's people are like

00:41:49.199 --> 00:41:49.859
 grasshoppers.

00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:51.739
 He stretches out the

00:41:51.739 --> 00:41:53.179
 heavens like a canopy.

00:41:53.339 --> 00:41:54.079
 He spreads them out

00:41:54.079 --> 00:41:55.000
 like a tent to live in.

00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:57.219
 He brings princes to

00:41:57.219 --> 00:41:57.780
 naught.

00:42:00.420 --> 00:42:01.719
 Reduces the rulers of

00:42:01.719 --> 00:42:03.519
 this world to nothing.

00:42:04.659 --> 00:42:05.699
 No sooner are they

00:42:05.699 --> 00:42:06.159
 planted,

00:42:06.980 --> 00:42:08.320
 no sooner are they

00:42:08.320 --> 00:42:08.800
 sown,

00:42:09.260 --> 00:42:10.380
 no sooner do they take

00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:11.320
 root in the ground,

00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:13.659
 than he blows on them

00:42:13.659 --> 00:42:15.420
 and they wither.

00:42:16.179 --> 00:42:18.059
 And the whirlwind sweeps

00:42:18.059 --> 00:42:20.179
 them away like chaff.

00:42:20.179 --> 00:42:22.379
 Often in the scripture,

00:42:22.519 --> 00:42:22.699
 right?

00:42:23.239 --> 00:42:24.659
 We are spoken of as

00:42:24.659 --> 00:42:25.119
 chaff.

00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:26.460
 People,

00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:27.539
 opposition to God,

00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:28.739
 is spoken as a chaff,

00:42:28.839 --> 00:42:28.980
 right?

00:42:29.519 --> 00:42:31.699
 The byproduct of wheat or

00:42:31.699 --> 00:42:32.460
 corn, right?

00:42:32.460 --> 00:42:33.839
 When I lived in South

00:42:33.839 --> 00:42:35.359
 Dakota in the prairies of

00:42:35.359 --> 00:42:36.079
 the United States and was

00:42:36.079 --> 00:42:36.980
 a pastor there, right?

00:42:37.000 --> 00:42:38.179
 All the farming community,

00:42:38.599 --> 00:42:39.440
 they would get their major

00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:40.960
 combines out and harvest

00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:42.119
 their corn and harvest

00:42:42.119 --> 00:42:43.619
 their wheat and all you

00:42:43.619 --> 00:42:45.299
 would see is huge dust as

00:42:45.299 --> 00:42:45.879
 they did so.

00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:47.059
 It was all the blowing of

00:42:47.059 --> 00:42:48.239
 the chaff in the wind,

00:42:49.039 --> 00:42:49.219
 right?

00:42:49.259 --> 00:42:51.019
 It wasn't that which had

00:42:51.019 --> 00:42:52.480
 any substance to it.

00:42:52.539 --> 00:42:53.159
 And in fact,

00:42:53.860 --> 00:42:55.759
 the word for God's glory

00:42:55.759 --> 00:42:58.019
 in scripture is often

00:42:58.019 --> 00:42:59.980
 in contrast to this chaff,

00:43:00.219 --> 00:43:00.400
 right?

00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:01.719
 God's glory.

00:43:01.840 --> 00:43:02.860
 You remember back in,

00:43:03.259 --> 00:43:04.299
 even here where he says

00:43:04.299 --> 00:43:05.119
 in verse 5,

00:43:05.279 --> 00:43:06.519
 the Lord in all of his

00:43:06.519 --> 00:43:07.699
 glory will be revealed.

00:43:08.039 --> 00:43:09.179
 This is in opposition to

00:43:09.179 --> 00:43:09.619
 the chaff,

00:43:09.759 --> 00:43:09.920
 right?

00:43:10.299 --> 00:43:11.779
 Because glory in scripture

00:43:11.779 --> 00:43:13.480
 speaks of a God who has

00:43:13.480 --> 00:43:15.599
 weight and substance and

00:43:15.599 --> 00:43:16.980
 reality in contrast

00:43:16.980 --> 00:43:18.400
 chaff, right?

00:43:18.800 --> 00:43:20.500
 And that's what Isaiah,

00:43:20.639 --> 00:43:21.159
 where the Lord is

00:43:21.159 --> 00:43:22.500
 reminding the people

00:43:22.500 --> 00:43:22.880
 about.

00:43:23.320 --> 00:43:24.219
 Nations come,

00:43:24.420 --> 00:43:25.300
 princes come,

00:43:25.719 --> 00:43:26.559
 but they eventually,

00:43:26.800 --> 00:43:27.599
 they rise,

00:43:27.760 --> 00:43:28.559
 but they are nothing

00:43:28.559 --> 00:43:30.039
 but chaff, right?

00:43:30.099 --> 00:43:31.920
 It's the Lord who has

00:43:31.920 --> 00:43:32.760
 no rivals.

00:43:33.260 --> 00:43:35.260
 Now that's building on

00:43:35.260 --> 00:43:36.240
 that word of comfort.

00:43:36.360 --> 00:43:37.579
 And what is God giving

00:43:37.579 --> 00:43:38.440
 to the nation of Israel?

00:43:38.539 --> 00:43:39.360
 He's giving them a

00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:40.300
 picture of himself,

00:43:40.900 --> 00:43:41.099
 right?

00:43:41.679 --> 00:43:42.780
 That's the hope that

00:43:42.780 --> 00:43:43.460
 they are to have.

00:43:44.840 --> 00:43:46.019
 They cannot put their

00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:46.740
 trust in humans.

00:43:46.739 --> 00:43:47.619
 They cannot put their

00:43:47.619 --> 00:43:48.359
 trust even in the

00:43:48.359 --> 00:43:49.099
 leaders of Israel.

00:43:49.679 --> 00:43:50.699
 They have to look to

00:43:50.699 --> 00:43:53.319
 the Lord who will save,

00:43:53.479 --> 00:43:54.339
 the Lord who will

00:43:54.339 --> 00:43:55.799
 redeem, the Lord who

00:43:55.799 --> 00:43:58.079
 will provide, the king.

00:43:58.839 --> 00:44:00.359
 Now we finish in Isaiah

00:44:00.359 --> 00:44:02.239
 40 with these questions.

00:44:02.339 --> 00:44:02.759
 And all of these

00:44:02.759 --> 00:44:04.859
 questions are to stir the

00:44:04.859 --> 00:44:06.679
 people to trust.

00:44:07.679 --> 00:44:08.559
 They're to stir the

00:44:08.559 --> 00:44:09.399
 people to say,

00:44:10.119 --> 00:44:11.319
 you I can trust.

00:44:11.519 --> 00:44:12.500
 You I can put my

00:44:12.500 --> 00:44:13.179
 confidence in.

00:44:13.179 --> 00:44:14.259
 I can't put my

00:44:14.259 --> 00:44:15.460
 confidence anywhere else,

00:44:15.559 --> 00:44:16.500
 but I can put it in you.

00:44:16.619 --> 00:44:18.839
 And they also serve to

00:44:18.839 --> 00:44:19.519
 rebuke us.

00:44:20.339 --> 00:44:22.279
 To rebuke us to say,

00:44:22.399 --> 00:44:23.319
 why don't you trust

00:44:23.319 --> 00:44:23.639
 more?

00:44:24.379 --> 00:44:25.279
 Why don't you have

00:44:25.279 --> 00:44:26.259
 confidence in God?

00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.899
 Why do you think so

00:44:27.899 --> 00:44:28.859
 little of him?

00:44:29.339 --> 00:44:29.500
 Right?

00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.619
 And so it's these

00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:32.139
 questions often, right,

00:44:32.199 --> 00:44:33.839
 are asked, right, to

00:44:33.839 --> 00:44:35.480
 drive us to trust,

00:44:35.639 --> 00:44:36.440
 confidence, and to

00:44:36.440 --> 00:44:36.960
 rebuke us.

00:44:36.960 --> 00:44:37.699
 So we read in verse

00:44:37.699 --> 00:44:39.159
 25, three questions

00:44:39.159 --> 00:44:41.440
 asked, 25, 27, and

00:44:41.440 --> 00:44:41.880
 28.

00:44:42.300 --> 00:44:43.179
 To whom will you

00:44:43.179 --> 00:44:43.720
 compare me?

00:44:44.699 --> 00:44:45.920
 Who is my equal,

00:44:46.099 --> 00:44:47.519
 says the Holy One.

00:44:48.159 --> 00:44:49.119
 And that language of

00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:50.039
 Holy One goes back to

00:44:50.039 --> 00:44:50.679
 Isaiah 6.

00:44:51.280 --> 00:44:52.240
 Isaiah saw in the

00:44:52.240 --> 00:44:53.380
 temple the Holy One.

00:44:53.820 --> 00:44:54.579
 And God's reminding

00:44:54.579 --> 00:44:55.280
 them, who are you going

00:44:55.280 --> 00:44:56.000
 to compare me to?

00:44:56.039 --> 00:44:56.820
 The one who is the

00:44:56.820 --> 00:44:57.679
 Lord, who is the Holy

00:44:57.679 --> 00:44:58.280
 One of Israel.

00:44:58.840 --> 00:44:59.860
 Lift up your eyes,

00:44:59.960 --> 00:45:00.619
 look to the heavens

00:45:00.619 --> 00:45:01.539
 who created all of

00:45:01.539 --> 00:45:02.579
 these, who brings out

00:45:02.579 --> 00:45:03.760
 the starry host one by

00:45:03.760 --> 00:45:04.119
 one.

00:45:04.720 --> 00:45:05.900
 Calls them each by name

00:45:05.900 --> 00:45:06.740
 because of his great

00:45:06.740 --> 00:45:07.460
 power and mighty

00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:07.840
 strength.

00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:08.680
 Not one of them is

00:45:08.680 --> 00:45:08.920
 missing.

00:45:09.300 --> 00:45:10.380
 To whom will you

00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:11.119
 compare me?

00:45:11.260 --> 00:45:11.380
 Right?

00:45:11.820 --> 00:45:13.079
 What is this challenging

00:45:13.079 --> 00:45:13.820
 them to do?

00:45:13.940 --> 00:45:15.119
 It's challenging them

00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:16.200
 to think rightly about

00:45:16.200 --> 00:45:16.680
 God.

00:45:17.660 --> 00:45:19.039
 To not reduce him to

00:45:19.039 --> 00:45:20.639
 something that cannot

00:45:20.639 --> 00:45:21.180
 save.

00:45:21.300 --> 00:45:23.460
 To not make him in our

00:45:23.460 --> 00:45:24.900
 image, but ultimately

00:45:24.900 --> 00:45:26.400
 to see that he is the

00:45:26.400 --> 00:45:27.980
 God who is great.

00:45:28.119 --> 00:45:28.940
 He is the creator.

00:45:29.059 --> 00:45:29.680
 He is the Lord.

00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:30.519
 He has no rivals.

00:45:31.059 --> 00:45:32.139
 He is self-sufficient.

00:45:32.340 --> 00:45:33.220
 He is the one that we

00:45:33.220 --> 00:45:33.800
 can trust.

00:45:33.900 --> 00:45:34.920
 So it's rebuking our

00:45:34.920 --> 00:45:35.820
 wrong thoughts about

00:45:35.820 --> 00:45:36.160
 God.

00:45:36.880 --> 00:45:38.160
 Verse 27.

00:45:38.720 --> 00:45:39.800
 Now not only rebukes

00:45:39.800 --> 00:45:40.519
 our wrong thoughts

00:45:40.519 --> 00:45:41.260
 about God, but it

00:45:41.260 --> 00:45:42.220
 rebukes our wrong

00:45:42.220 --> 00:45:43.840
 thoughts about ourselves.

00:45:44.260 --> 00:45:44.920
 Which is interesting.

00:45:45.200 --> 00:45:46.380
 So he says in verse 27,

00:45:46.760 --> 00:45:47.720
 Why do you say, O

00:45:47.720 --> 00:45:48.019
 Jacob?

00:45:48.580 --> 00:45:50.180
 And complain, O

00:45:50.180 --> 00:45:50.620
 Israel.

00:45:51.360 --> 00:45:52.700
 My way is hidden

00:45:52.700 --> 00:45:53.700
 from the Lord.

00:45:54.440 --> 00:45:55.620
 My cause is

00:45:55.620 --> 00:45:56.980
 disregarded by my

00:45:56.980 --> 00:45:57.320
 God.

00:45:57.360 --> 00:45:57.480
 Right?

00:45:57.600 --> 00:45:58.280
 That's what the

00:45:58.280 --> 00:45:59.019
 complaint will be.

00:45:59.340 --> 00:46:00.039
 But who are the

00:46:00.039 --> 00:46:00.780
 people complaining?

00:46:01.400 --> 00:46:02.240
 Well, it's O

00:46:02.240 --> 00:46:02.660
 Jacob.

00:46:03.160 --> 00:46:04.039
 O Israel.

00:46:04.220 --> 00:46:04.680
 Who is this?

00:46:04.679 --> 00:46:05.339
 This is covenant

00:46:05.339 --> 00:46:06.259
 language, isn't it?

00:46:06.719 --> 00:46:07.639
 This is the covenant

00:46:07.639 --> 00:46:08.480
 people of God.

00:46:08.739 --> 00:46:08.859
 Right?

00:46:09.219 --> 00:46:10.259
 They're saying, God

00:46:10.259 --> 00:46:11.219
 has abandoned us.

00:46:12.359 --> 00:46:12.639
 Right?

00:46:13.119 --> 00:46:14.359
 He's forgotten about

00:46:14.359 --> 00:46:14.779
 us.

00:46:15.239 --> 00:46:16.819
 It's as if, right, he's

00:46:16.819 --> 00:46:18.079
 just has no interest in

00:46:18.079 --> 00:46:18.480
 us again.

00:46:19.019 --> 00:46:20.119
 And so this question

00:46:20.119 --> 00:46:21.339
 here, well, why do you

00:46:21.340 --> 00:46:23.519
 say, O covenant people?

00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:25.780
 Why do you say the

00:46:25.780 --> 00:46:26.640
 ones that I have

00:46:26.640 --> 00:46:27.640
 chosen, that I've

00:46:27.640 --> 00:46:29.460
 made promises to, that

00:46:29.460 --> 00:46:30.780
 I will not keep my

00:46:30.780 --> 00:46:31.700
 promises to you?

00:46:32.039 --> 00:46:33.260
 I am the one that

00:46:33.260 --> 00:46:34.960
 ultimately loves my

00:46:34.960 --> 00:46:36.059
 people, will keep my

00:46:36.059 --> 00:46:37.079
 promises to my people,

00:46:37.160 --> 00:46:37.660
 and so on.

00:46:37.700 --> 00:46:37.780
 Right?

00:46:37.880 --> 00:46:39.400
 So it's rebuking wrong

00:46:39.400 --> 00:46:40.380
 thoughts about themselves.

00:46:40.620 --> 00:46:42.260
 Do you not know that

00:46:42.260 --> 00:46:43.059
 you are the people of

00:46:43.059 --> 00:46:43.340
 God?

00:46:43.400 --> 00:46:44.539
 Do you not know that

00:46:44.539 --> 00:46:45.800
 God will keep all of

00:46:45.800 --> 00:46:46.860
 his promises to his

00:46:46.860 --> 00:46:47.280
 people?

00:46:47.500 --> 00:46:47.680
 Right?

00:46:48.000 --> 00:46:49.720
 He will not let any of

00:46:49.719 --> 00:46:50.719
 them fail.

00:46:51.199 --> 00:46:51.399
 Right?

00:46:51.739 --> 00:46:53.419
 And then in verse 28,

00:46:53.959 --> 00:46:54.819
 right, this question

00:46:54.819 --> 00:46:56.079
 here that runs all the

00:46:56.079 --> 00:46:57.579
 way to verse 31 is

00:46:57.579 --> 00:47:00.099
 challenging us to not

00:47:00.099 --> 00:47:02.179
 be slow in believing

00:47:02.179 --> 00:47:03.239
 the promises of God,

00:47:03.339 --> 00:47:04.359
 in trusting him.

00:47:04.519 --> 00:47:04.679
 Right?

00:47:04.779 --> 00:47:05.839
 So he says here, do

00:47:05.839 --> 00:47:06.799
 you not know, have you

00:47:06.799 --> 00:47:07.299
 not heard?

00:47:07.679 --> 00:47:08.519
 The Lord is the

00:47:08.519 --> 00:47:09.480
 everlasting God, the

00:47:09.480 --> 00:47:10.099
 creator of the heavens

00:47:10.099 --> 00:47:10.559
 of the earth.

00:47:10.819 --> 00:47:12.099
 He will not grow tired

00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.699
 or weary.

00:47:13.379 --> 00:47:14.379
 His understanding no

00:47:14.379 --> 00:47:15.179
 one can fathom.

00:47:15.419 --> 00:47:15.599
 Right?

00:47:15.639 --> 00:47:16.759
 You may not understand

00:47:16.759 --> 00:47:17.500
 what he's doing in the

00:47:17.500 --> 00:47:18.519
 world, but he does.

00:47:18.819 --> 00:47:18.939
 Right?

00:47:18.940 --> 00:47:20.420
 He gives strength to

00:47:20.420 --> 00:47:20.780
 the weary.

00:47:20.960 --> 00:47:21.920
 He increases the power

00:47:21.920 --> 00:47:22.340
 of the weak.

00:47:22.659 --> 00:47:24.500
 Even youths grow tired

00:47:24.500 --> 00:47:24.960
 and weary.

00:47:25.159 --> 00:47:26.280
 Young men stumble and

00:47:26.280 --> 00:47:26.740
 fall.

00:47:27.480 --> 00:47:30.480
 But those who hope in

00:47:30.480 --> 00:47:31.059
 the Lord.

00:47:31.599 --> 00:47:32.420
 What's the hope here?

00:47:33.240 --> 00:47:33.920
 God will keep his

00:47:33.920 --> 00:47:34.320
 promises.

00:47:35.039 --> 00:47:35.980
 God will not fail.

00:47:36.599 --> 00:47:37.639
 God will bring his

00:47:37.639 --> 00:47:38.619
 saving work to this

00:47:38.619 --> 00:47:38.900
 world.

00:47:39.099 --> 00:47:40.000
 God will send his

00:47:40.000 --> 00:47:40.300
 king.

00:47:40.420 --> 00:47:41.519
 Those who hope in

00:47:41.519 --> 00:47:41.960
 that.

00:47:42.119 --> 00:47:42.260
 Right?

00:47:42.340 --> 00:47:43.099
 God who hope in his

00:47:43.099 --> 00:47:43.480
 promises.

00:47:43.940 --> 00:47:44.820
 Those who hope in the

00:47:44.820 --> 00:47:46.039
 Lord will renew their

00:47:46.039 --> 00:47:46.519
 strength.

00:47:46.519 --> 00:47:48.599
 They will soar on wings

00:47:48.599 --> 00:47:49.199
 like eagles.

00:47:49.500 --> 00:47:50.699
 They will run and not

00:47:50.699 --> 00:47:51.179
 grow weary.

00:47:51.579 --> 00:47:53.000
 They will walk and not

00:47:53.000 --> 00:47:53.440
 be faint.

00:47:53.500 --> 00:47:53.619
 Right?

00:47:53.679 --> 00:47:54.519
 What is this whole

00:47:54.519 --> 00:47:55.800
 section doing here?

00:47:56.179 --> 00:47:57.599
 It's to rebuke our

00:47:57.599 --> 00:47:59.420
 slowness to trust him.

00:47:59.420 --> 00:47:59.800
 Right?

00:48:00.340 --> 00:48:02.320
 It's to say, God, you

00:48:02.320 --> 00:48:03.139
 think you can't bring it

00:48:03.139 --> 00:48:03.360
 about?

00:48:03.920 --> 00:48:05.300
 It's his own timetable.

00:48:05.400 --> 00:48:05.699
 Yes.

00:48:05.880 --> 00:48:07.920
 But he will do it.

00:48:08.400 --> 00:48:10.259
 You can trust him.

00:48:10.880 --> 00:48:12.360
 Renew your strength in

00:48:12.360 --> 00:48:12.500
 him.

00:48:12.500 --> 00:48:13.780
 Those who do renew their

00:48:13.780 --> 00:48:15.860
 strength in him will

00:48:15.860 --> 00:48:18.360
 have confidence and they

00:48:18.360 --> 00:48:19.500
 will run and they will

00:48:19.500 --> 00:48:20.940
 not grow weary and so

00:48:20.940 --> 00:48:21.980
 on and so on.

00:48:22.059 --> 00:48:22.139
 Right?

00:48:22.360 --> 00:48:24.360
 So that's Isaiah 40.

00:48:25.019 --> 00:48:25.980
 Glorious passage.

00:48:26.739 --> 00:48:27.360
 And then, of course, you

00:48:27.360 --> 00:48:29.079
 could then develop this in

00:48:29.079 --> 00:48:30.119
 the rest of Isaiah.

00:48:30.179 --> 00:48:31.460
 Isaiah 41 and so on.

00:48:31.519 --> 00:48:32.679
 We're over and over again.

00:48:32.800 --> 00:48:32.960
 Right?

00:48:33.400 --> 00:48:35.559
 God presents himself as

00:48:35.559 --> 00:48:36.860
 the creator, the Lord, the

00:48:36.860 --> 00:48:37.820
 covenant God of his

00:48:37.820 --> 00:48:41.579
 people who will not fail.

00:48:41.579 --> 00:48:42.179
 Right?

00:48:42.599 --> 00:48:45.179
 Now, as we bring this now

00:48:45.179 --> 00:48:46.299
 to ourselves and a

00:48:46.299 --> 00:48:47.299
 conclusion here, right?

00:48:47.380 --> 00:48:48.599
 I mean, how does this

00:48:48.599 --> 00:48:49.539
 reach fulfillment in us?

00:48:50.119 --> 00:48:50.940
 We don't just leave this

00:48:50.940 --> 00:48:51.799
 to, well, this is a good

00:48:51.799 --> 00:48:52.679
 message for the nation of

00:48:52.679 --> 00:48:54.440
 Israel and ancient people

00:48:54.440 --> 00:48:55.380
 that were experiencing

00:48:55.380 --> 00:48:56.500
 this many, many years ago.

00:48:56.500 --> 00:48:57.480
 But how does it apply to

00:48:57.480 --> 00:48:57.779
 us?

00:48:58.179 --> 00:49:00.400
 You know, in 2023 type of

00:49:00.400 --> 00:49:00.599
 thing.

00:49:00.719 --> 00:49:00.840
 Right?

00:49:01.799 --> 00:49:02.719
 Well, right?

00:49:02.880 --> 00:49:05.179
 We have to see that all

00:49:05.179 --> 00:49:06.980
 that Isaiah and what the

00:49:06.980 --> 00:49:08.179
 Lord is giving here in

00:49:08.179 --> 00:49:09.139
 terms of these promises,

00:49:09.539 --> 00:49:10.139
 right?

00:49:10.139 --> 00:49:12.059
 will await a future

00:49:12.059 --> 00:49:14.440
 fulfillment that is now

00:49:14.440 --> 00:49:15.779
 passed to us.

00:49:16.239 --> 00:49:16.319
 Right?

00:49:16.920 --> 00:49:17.879
 As I already mentioned,

00:49:17.940 --> 00:49:18.119
 right?

00:49:18.179 --> 00:49:19.239
 The opening verses of

00:49:19.239 --> 00:49:21.379
 Isaiah 40 of the Lord

00:49:21.379 --> 00:49:24.539
 preparing the way as we go

00:49:24.539 --> 00:49:25.299
 through Old Testament

00:49:25.299 --> 00:49:25.759
 history.

00:49:26.400 --> 00:49:26.519
 Right?

00:49:26.599 --> 00:49:28.000
 What Isaiah is announcing

00:49:28.000 --> 00:49:29.759
 here that God will keep

00:49:29.759 --> 00:49:31.000
 his promises, that God

00:49:31.000 --> 00:49:31.980
 will save his people.

00:49:32.379 --> 00:49:34.480
 That's precisely what he

00:49:34.480 --> 00:49:36.420
 has done in Christ.

00:49:36.420 --> 00:49:39.840
 700 years later.

00:49:39.980 --> 00:49:41.200
 That's a long time.

00:49:41.300 --> 00:49:41.440
 Right?

00:49:42.320 --> 00:49:43.559
 The God who is the

00:49:43.559 --> 00:49:44.320
 sovereign Lord of the

00:49:44.320 --> 00:49:46.519
 nations, the God who is

00:49:46.519 --> 00:49:47.659
 working out his purposes

00:49:47.659 --> 00:49:48.700
 sends his son.

00:49:49.519 --> 00:49:51.079
 And his son is the one

00:49:51.079 --> 00:49:52.700
 who displays the glory of

00:49:52.700 --> 00:49:52.980
 God.

00:49:53.380 --> 00:49:54.960
 The son is the one who in

00:49:54.960 --> 00:49:56.099
 his very coming, in his

00:49:56.099 --> 00:49:57.559
 life, death, resurrection,

00:49:57.920 --> 00:49:59.220
 all that he has achieved

00:49:59.220 --> 00:50:00.840
 brings all these promises

00:50:00.840 --> 00:50:01.480
 to pass.

00:50:01.700 --> 00:50:01.820
 Right?

00:50:02.019 --> 00:50:03.400
 The son of God is the one

00:50:03.400 --> 00:50:05.039
 who brings all of God's

00:50:05.039 --> 00:50:06.340
 sovereign purposes to pass,

00:50:06.340 --> 00:50:08.400
 in himself, so that as we

00:50:08.400 --> 00:50:10.480
 read this today, we don't

00:50:10.480 --> 00:50:11.680
 just read this as, well,

00:50:11.760 --> 00:50:13.220
 here's a great presentation

00:50:13.220 --> 00:50:13.680
 of God.

00:50:14.000 --> 00:50:14.960
 We need to be reminded

00:50:14.960 --> 00:50:15.960
 this is the same God that

00:50:15.960 --> 00:50:16.400
 we have.

00:50:16.980 --> 00:50:18.340
 And we need to be reminded

00:50:18.340 --> 00:50:19.720
 that in some sense, a far

00:50:19.720 --> 00:50:22.519
 greater way, what God

00:50:22.519 --> 00:50:23.780
 announced here in terms of

00:50:23.780 --> 00:50:24.840
 his promises will come to

00:50:24.840 --> 00:50:26.300
 pass, we can look back on

00:50:26.300 --> 00:50:29.620
 and say, yes, God kept

00:50:29.620 --> 00:50:30.360
 those promises.

00:50:30.860 --> 00:50:32.320
 Those promises have come

00:50:32.320 --> 00:50:32.600
 about.

00:50:32.920 --> 00:50:34.539
 And that even as we look to

00:50:34.539 --> 00:50:35.700
 the future, right?

00:50:35.699 --> 00:50:37.579
 So we now live in light of

00:50:37.579 --> 00:50:38.739
 these promises, but we

00:50:38.739 --> 00:50:40.279
 anticipate the second

00:50:40.279 --> 00:50:41.219
 coming of the Lord Jesus,

00:50:41.579 --> 00:50:42.879
 we can now renew our

00:50:42.879 --> 00:50:43.879
 confidence in a greater

00:50:43.879 --> 00:50:44.099
 way.

00:50:44.699 --> 00:50:46.439
 We can then say, well, God

00:50:46.439 --> 00:50:47.719
 not only kept his promises

00:50:47.719 --> 00:50:48.639
 in the sending of his

00:50:48.639 --> 00:50:51.859
 son, he certainly will

00:50:51.859 --> 00:50:52.480
 send him again.

00:50:52.939 --> 00:50:53.980
 He will come again.

00:50:54.519 --> 00:50:55.579
 That we as the people of

00:50:55.579 --> 00:50:56.960
 God, as we live now,

00:50:57.279 --> 00:50:58.480
 awaiting the coming of the

00:50:58.480 --> 00:50:59.819
 Lord Jesus in light of his

00:50:59.819 --> 00:51:02.039
 first coming, we can now

00:51:02.039 --> 00:51:04.079
 trust him more, no matter

00:51:04.079 --> 00:51:05.759
 what circumstances we see

00:51:05.759 --> 00:51:06.679
 in history and what's

00:51:06.679 --> 00:51:07.719
 happening in the world and

00:51:07.719 --> 00:51:09.400
 what's going on, we can say

00:51:09.400 --> 00:51:11.440
 God will bring this history

00:51:11.440 --> 00:51:12.779
 to its consummated end.

00:51:13.199 --> 00:51:14.599
 We as the people of God

00:51:14.599 --> 00:51:16.039
 will experience all that

00:51:16.039 --> 00:51:17.500
 he's promised to us in

00:51:17.500 --> 00:51:18.319
 Christ Jesus.

00:51:18.799 --> 00:51:20.719
 He can say to us as we read

00:51:20.719 --> 00:51:22.039
 these questions in verse 25,

00:51:22.159 --> 00:51:23.319
 to whom will you compare me?

00:51:23.659 --> 00:51:24.719
 To whom is my equal?

00:51:24.880 --> 00:51:26.179
 We can say that in a far

00:51:26.179 --> 00:51:26.719
 greater way.

00:51:26.799 --> 00:51:28.420
 We can say, no one is your

00:51:28.420 --> 00:51:29.659
 equal and you've demonstrated

00:51:29.659 --> 00:51:31.880
 that even more so in the

00:51:31.880 --> 00:51:33.019
 coming of the Lord Jesus

00:51:33.019 --> 00:51:33.480
 Christ.

00:51:33.599 --> 00:51:35.300
 Or we can say, why do you

00:51:35.300 --> 00:51:37.119
 say, oh church, in verse

00:51:37.119 --> 00:51:39.920
 27, complain people of God

00:51:39.920 --> 00:51:41.660
 that God has hidden his way

00:51:41.660 --> 00:51:41.980
 from you.

00:51:42.019 --> 00:51:42.800
 He's not hidden his way

00:51:42.800 --> 00:51:43.180
 from you.

00:51:43.619 --> 00:51:45.440
 If we are Christ's people,

00:51:46.140 --> 00:51:47.740
 then all that Jesus has

00:51:47.740 --> 00:51:49.000
 achieved for us will be

00:51:49.000 --> 00:51:49.460
 ours.

00:51:50.039 --> 00:51:51.599
 We may not see it now.

00:51:52.300 --> 00:51:53.460
 It may look bleak.

00:51:54.640 --> 00:51:56.360
 God's church will survive.

00:51:56.579 --> 00:51:57.559
 That gates of hell won't

00:51:57.559 --> 00:51:58.860
 prevail against his people.

00:51:58.860 --> 00:52:02.000
 God's work will not eventually

00:52:02.000 --> 00:52:02.980
 be in vain.

00:52:03.240 --> 00:52:04.820
 The work that we do as God's

00:52:04.820 --> 00:52:06.660
 people will ultimately result

00:52:06.660 --> 00:52:08.539
 in a consummation and

00:52:08.539 --> 00:52:09.820
 fulfillment and so on.

00:52:10.120 --> 00:52:11.660
 And even more so, we can say,

00:52:11.800 --> 00:52:12.680
 do you not know?

00:52:13.120 --> 00:52:14.200
 Have you not heard?

00:52:14.640 --> 00:52:16.640
 The Lord is the everlasting God.

00:52:16.700 --> 00:52:17.320
 He'll keep his word.

00:52:17.519 --> 00:52:18.720
 We can renew our strength.

00:52:19.500 --> 00:52:21.700
 We can find our confidence in

00:52:21.700 --> 00:52:22.059
 him.

00:52:22.780 --> 00:52:24.539
 Well, that's how Isaiah 40

00:52:24.539 --> 00:52:27.380
 should be then encouraging to

00:52:27.380 --> 00:52:28.640
 us today, right?

00:52:28.700 --> 00:52:31.200
 So we said this passage is

00:52:31.200 --> 00:52:34.500
 about renewing our confidence

00:52:34.500 --> 00:52:37.000
 in the promise-making,

00:52:38.079 --> 00:52:39.180
 promise-keeping God.

00:52:39.220 --> 00:52:40.220
 That's what this is all about,

00:52:40.280 --> 00:52:40.460
 right?

00:52:40.880 --> 00:52:43.700
 And we today as Christ people,

00:52:43.840 --> 00:52:44.000
 right?

00:52:44.559 --> 00:52:45.900
 Hopefully, right, each one of us

00:52:45.900 --> 00:52:47.039
 here, right, as we see this

00:52:47.039 --> 00:52:48.300
 about this same sovereign God

00:52:48.300 --> 00:52:49.019
 who has worked out his

00:52:49.019 --> 00:52:49.599
 promises, right?

00:52:50.119 --> 00:52:51.660
 We need to find our salvation

00:52:51.660 --> 00:52:52.460
 in Jesus, right?

00:52:52.460 --> 00:52:54.260
 We need to realize that we need

00:52:54.260 --> 00:52:55.599
 to trust him and know him.

00:52:55.599 --> 00:52:57.199
 Our only hope in this life is

00:52:57.199 --> 00:52:58.339
 found in him, right?

00:52:58.400 --> 00:52:59.460
 Nothing else, right?

00:53:00.059 --> 00:53:01.579
 But we as God's people, if we

00:53:01.579 --> 00:53:03.880
 have trusted Christ, we can say

00:53:03.880 --> 00:53:05.380
 this is our God, right?

00:53:05.599 --> 00:53:06.739
 That God has not changed.

00:53:06.880 --> 00:53:09.059
 He's the same God who is creator

00:53:09.059 --> 00:53:10.400
 and Lord and has no rivals.

00:53:11.019 --> 00:53:12.420
 But even in a greater way, we can

00:53:12.420 --> 00:53:14.099
 say he's the one who is the God

00:53:14.099 --> 00:53:15.279
 and father of our Lord Jesus

00:53:15.279 --> 00:53:15.759
 Christ.

00:53:16.259 --> 00:53:17.699
 He's the one who sent his son.

00:53:18.259 --> 00:53:19.819
 He is the one who has redeemed us

00:53:19.819 --> 00:53:20.299
 in him.

00:53:20.799 --> 00:53:22.860
 That these promises that he made

00:53:22.860 --> 00:53:24.700
 to Israel of old, this presentation

00:53:24.700 --> 00:53:26.460
 of his glory and his majesty

00:53:26.460 --> 00:53:28.180
 that he made of old, right,

00:53:28.240 --> 00:53:29.420
 should be ours today.

00:53:29.539 --> 00:53:30.980
 Even this week as we live our

00:53:30.980 --> 00:53:32.500
 lives, as we read the newspapers,

00:53:32.660 --> 00:53:34.720
 as we watch the news, as we turn

00:53:34.720 --> 00:53:36.039
 on our phones and so on, right?

00:53:36.280 --> 00:53:37.860
 We can say, I can have confidence

00:53:38.400 --> 00:53:38.940
 in the Lord.

00:53:39.280 --> 00:53:40.539
 I can trust in him.

00:53:41.099 --> 00:53:43.140
 In a day of anxiety and depression

00:53:43.140 --> 00:53:44.840
 and frustrations and so on,

00:53:44.880 --> 00:53:47.220
 we can say, I won't look to myself.

00:53:47.900 --> 00:53:49.140
 I'm not going to just look to

00:53:49.140 --> 00:53:49.860
 what's going on around.

00:53:49.860 --> 00:53:51.579
 I'm also going to look to the Lord

00:53:51.579 --> 00:53:55.420
 who's the one who I know loves me.

00:53:55.640 --> 00:53:56.400
 I'm his people.

00:53:57.099 --> 00:53:58.500
 He has not forgotten me.

00:53:59.099 --> 00:54:00.660
 He has not forgotten his people.

00:54:01.240 --> 00:54:03.300
 And he will bring about all of his

00:54:03.300 --> 00:54:05.039
 purposes in his good time

00:54:05.039 --> 00:54:06.660
 in due course, right?

00:54:07.079 --> 00:54:08.780
 And we can have confidence in that

00:54:08.780 --> 00:54:10.640
 even this week as we live.

00:54:11.200 --> 00:54:13.960
 There can be joy in our journey.

00:54:14.120 --> 00:54:15.400
 There can be joy in our work.

00:54:15.539 --> 00:54:17.700
 There can be joy as we interact

00:54:17.699 --> 00:54:18.659
 with others, right?

00:54:18.799 --> 00:54:20.799
 And that would be a glorious testimony

00:54:20.799 --> 00:54:21.779
 of the gospel to them.

00:54:22.460 --> 00:54:24.539
 That even in the midst of difficult times

00:54:24.539 --> 00:54:25.980
 and difficult circumstances,

00:54:26.539 --> 00:54:28.439
 they can say, where is your hope found?

00:54:28.500 --> 00:54:29.699
 It's found in the Lord.

00:54:30.019 --> 00:54:32.079
 It's found in the gospel promises.

00:54:32.079 --> 00:54:33.719
 And we can invite them

00:54:33.719 --> 00:54:37.119
 to know the Lord Jesus as well.

00:54:37.659 --> 00:54:41.480
 Well, Isaiah 40, great passage of Scripture.

00:54:41.919 --> 00:54:43.500
 Trust that we'll encourage you

00:54:43.500 --> 00:54:46.539
 this morning as you think of

00:54:46.539 --> 00:54:49.460
 the glory of our great God

00:54:49.460 --> 00:54:51.679
 in the face of our Lord Jesus.

00:54:51.800 --> 00:54:52.280
 Well, let's pray.

00:54:52.679 --> 00:54:54.480
 Heavenly Father, thank you for your word.

00:54:55.139 --> 00:54:56.860
 Thank you that you are the one

00:54:56.860 --> 00:54:58.900
 who is the Lord on your throne.

00:54:59.480 --> 00:55:00.539
 You are the creator.

00:55:00.820 --> 00:55:02.880
 You are the one who rules over all things.

00:55:02.980 --> 00:55:04.880
 We even see that in a greater way now

00:55:04.880 --> 00:55:07.699
 in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:55:07.780 --> 00:55:09.300
 This glorious passage of old

00:55:09.300 --> 00:55:11.099
 that stirs us to confidence,

00:55:11.099 --> 00:55:12.219
 stirs us to trust,

00:55:12.219 --> 00:55:15.059
 stirs us to remove from us

00:55:15.059 --> 00:55:16.539
 false ideas of yourself

00:55:16.539 --> 00:55:18.359
 and to think rightly about you

00:55:18.359 --> 00:55:19.939
 in a greater way.

00:55:20.079 --> 00:55:21.739
 We should do that as your people

00:55:21.739 --> 00:55:24.500
 in light of all that you have done for us

00:55:24.500 --> 00:55:26.639
 in Christ Jesus our Lord.

00:55:27.159 --> 00:55:28.959
 Help us to have as your people

00:55:28.959 --> 00:55:30.679
 a week, even this week,

00:55:30.799 --> 00:55:32.439
 where we renew our confidence

00:55:32.439 --> 00:55:35.699
 that we will grow tired and weary

00:55:35.699 --> 00:55:37.939
 but those who hope in the Lord,

00:55:38.000 --> 00:55:39.439
 that you will renew our hope in you,

00:55:39.440 --> 00:55:42.740
 will be those who then run the race

00:55:42.740 --> 00:55:43.700
 that's set before us

00:55:43.700 --> 00:55:46.059
 in confidence looking unto Jesus,

00:55:46.659 --> 00:55:48.539
 the author and perfecter of our faith.

00:55:48.960 --> 00:55:50.740
 And may we do so for your glory

00:55:50.740 --> 00:55:52.500
 and for our good

00:55:52.500 --> 00:55:55.159
 and for the witness of the gospel.

00:55:55.159 --> 00:55:56.500
 And it's in Jesus' name

00:55:56.500 --> 00:55:57.579
 that we ask these things.

00:55:58.079 --> 00:55:58.420
 Amen.

00:55:58.420 --> 00:55:59.420
 Amen.

00:55:59.420 --> 00:55:59.460
 Amen.

00:56:07.940 --> 00:56:09.320
 Thank you very much.

00:56:09.440 --> 00:56:11.480
 We're going to sing in response

00:56:11.480 --> 00:56:12.880
 about the God...