WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.839 Perhaps very familiar words to us, perhaps words that make us sing Handel's Messiah, at least in our own heads. 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:12.839 But let's hear these wonderful words once again. 00:00:13.540 --> 00:00:17.800 Isaiah chapter 9, beginning at verse 1. 00:00:18.699 --> 00:00:24.500 In fact, let's read chapter 8, verse 22, and then into chapter 9. 00:00:24.500 --> 00:00:32.700 Then they will look towards the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:37.480 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:49.019 In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the Gentiles by the way of the sea along the Jordan. 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:57.020 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. 00:00:58.040 --> 00:01:07.700 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:16.859 For as in the day of Midian's defeat you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:25.319 Every warrior's boot used in battle, and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:34.760 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:44.060 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:49.060 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. 00:01:49.600 --> 00:02:01.760 He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. 00:02:01.760 --> 00:02:08.580 However, the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Amen. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:15.500 And before we turn back to that, let's pray for God to help us as we study his word together. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:25.379 Lord, we thank you for your precious word. We thank you that it's a true word, that it's a powerful and life-giving word. 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:31.560 It is a word that contains the hope of salvation for us. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:36.180 And so we pray that you would help us to hear from you this evening. 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:40.879 We pray that you would speak to us from your word. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:44.300 We pray it in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:44.380 Amen. 00:02:47.640 --> 00:02:55.480 So let's think about the dawning of light as we find it here in Isaiah chapter 9. 00:02:56.460 --> 00:03:04.920 Christmas, I guess, as we were driving home this morning, the boys were noticing the number of houses where the Christmas trees are up already. 00:03:05.400 --> 00:03:09.540 Walking up here in the dark, gloomy evening. 00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:14.239 It's nice for us, isn't it, to see the lights shining. 00:03:14.799 --> 00:03:21.259 For us, Christmas lights and Christmas season go hand in hand. 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:33.919 In the bleak midwinter, it seems like one of the things that we do culturally is we fight against the darkness by trying to create that cozy and warm atmosphere. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:41.039 But I wonder if, for many of us, we appreciate why we do that. 00:03:41.399 --> 00:03:51.979 I wonder if this is one of those occasions where the tradition came in for Christian reasons and then it's just become part of our cultural tradition that we do lights at Christmas. 00:03:51.979 --> 00:04:06.859 Maybe this is one of the ways where we can speak the Christian message to people by using the symbolism of light, which is rich and powerful and we find throughout the Bible. 00:04:07.339 --> 00:04:11.239 You know, we come to a familiar passage like Isaiah 9. 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:14.620 Many people hear it read and sung at Christmas. 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:20.599 And it gives us this rich symbolism connected to light for us to hold on to. 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:26.040 It gives us good news as we consider the arrival of Jesus. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:34.300 Because here is this image given to a people who are in darkness and distress in a time of gloom. 00:04:35.520 --> 00:04:40.840 Nationally, morally, spiritually, light is going to break into the darkness, they're told, 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:47.620 to signal that signals the coming of Jesus, God's Savior, the child of promise. 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:56.439 Here is the hope of the light of God's love and grace breaking into the darkness of our human condition. 00:04:57.180 --> 00:05:04.879 And so the lights that we see everywhere give us a great opportunity to speak of the hope that comes with Jesus. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:07.740 So let's think about that together. 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:14.060 Let's think about the dawning of hope as we find it, first of all, in verses 1 and 2. 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:18.699 This section is sometimes described as Isaiah's poem of hope. 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:24.740 And it comes set against the backdrop of chapters 1 to 8. 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:30.720 We read verse 22, which gives us a flavor of what's come before. 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:40.720 Isaiah is largely, there are messages of hope and grace, but largely speaking a word of judgment against God's people. 00:05:41.280 --> 00:05:43.580 That they have wandered away from God. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:47.960 They've been mixing true religion with false religion. 00:05:49.020 --> 00:05:55.340 And part of Isaiah's job is to tell the people that because of that, they're going to go into exile. 00:05:55.339 --> 00:05:59.699 And so there's this picture of distress and darkness. 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:04.539 But then chapter 9 begins with God's nevertheless. 00:06:05.359 --> 00:06:09.500 God's word of grace and mercy. 00:06:09.979 --> 00:06:16.219 And we get this poem, this prophecy that's written as if it had already happened. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:21.039 When you read it, it sounds as if it's events that have already happened. 00:06:21.179 --> 00:06:23.919 This deliverance, this hope has already come. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:25.759 But it hasn't yet. 00:06:26.340 --> 00:06:28.600 But that's the thing with biblical prophecy. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:34.819 When the word of the Lord comes through a prophet, because God never breaks his promise. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:36.819 Because God always keeps his word. 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:41.180 There is that cast iron guarantee that goes with it. 00:06:42.020 --> 00:06:46.340 And so Isaiah, with the eyes of faith, can see God's loving purpose. 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:49.660 Can see light that's going to penetrate the darkness. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:56.340 And so there is this dominant image of light that dawns to end the darkness. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:01.300 Now I'm going to guess that I'm not the only one that finds this time of year difficult. 00:07:02.080 --> 00:07:04.600 Difficult to get out of bed in the morning. 00:07:05.020 --> 00:07:10.480 Difficult to motivate yourself in the evening to do anything because it's dark and it's cold. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:15.320 We look forward already to the prospect of, 00:07:15.320 --> 00:07:18.000 it's not too long till the shortest day. 00:07:18.140 --> 00:07:19.640 And then we begin to inch back. 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:21.820 Towards spring. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:24.160 So I've got a while to go. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:27.480 But we have that anticipation. 00:07:28.340 --> 00:07:29.960 We want the light to dawn. 00:07:30.080 --> 00:07:31.620 We appreciate the light. 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:35.400 And so this is the image that's given to us here. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:40.740 First of all in verse 1, it's specifically for a particular region. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:44.680 There will be no more gloom for those who are in distress in the past. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:47.939 He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. 00:07:48.460 --> 00:07:53.040 But in the future, he will honour Galilee of the Gentiles by the way of the sea along the Jordan. 00:07:53.400 --> 00:07:57.860 Hope is dawning in particular in the first instance for the northern regions of Israel. 00:07:57.860 --> 00:08:09.960 This is important because the Assyrian army had come down and they'd begun to attack and take territory and wreak destruction on the north of Israel. 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:15.759 So that's already started as Isaiah gets this word that he brings to the people. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:24.300 So here is, even as they're watching the beginnings of national disaster, here is the promise of restoration for the people of God. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:28.719 And then we see wonderfully, don't we, in the New Testament how this is fulfilled. 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:38.259 Matthew chapter 4, as Jesus begins his public ministry in this region, Matthew says it's to fulfil this promise. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:45.879 God keeps his promise and he keeps his promise by sending Jesus, the one who brings hope and restoration. 00:08:47.660 --> 00:08:56.660 It's interesting too to see that there's specific attention being drawn on the honour that will come to Galilee of the Gentiles. 00:08:56.659 --> 00:09:03.059 Again, a reminder, as we thought this morning, that the hope that Jesus brings will be universal. 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:07.419 This isn't just for the Jewish people. This isn't just for national Israel. 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:11.179 This is for the Gentiles. This is for the world. 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:17.639 It's a reminder that Jesus is saviour for anyone and for everyone who will trust in him. 00:09:18.839 --> 00:09:21.139 Then in verse 2, we read these words. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:41.019 Now we've probably had the experience, maybe from childhood, finding the darkness to be unsettling. 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:47.199 Perhaps you find yourself in a strange city at night. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:50.199 It's dimly lit. You're not sure where you're going. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:54.720 There's anxiety that can creep in in those moments. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:59.759 Darkness can sometimes signal fear and danger for us. 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:04.100 Darkness is a powerful image in the Bible. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:07.659 This is more than simply a physical darkness. 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:18.860 Darkness here is an image of the moral and spiritual darkness going on in and among God's people. 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:25.799 So here he is speaking to those in Isaiah's own day, saying spiritually you're in the dark. 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:30.339 Morally, you are walking in darkness. 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:34.560 And again, that's something that we very much see ourselves. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:39.600 We see and we experience evil. 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:46.200 We recognize that there is injustice in our world. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:53.860 There is a concert happening in a couple of weeks to raise awareness and to raise funds for the International Justice Mission, 00:10:53.860 --> 00:11:02.620 which is seeking to end human slavery and trafficking, a reminder that injustice is still present. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:13.560 Modern technology gives us access like never before to the depths of human suffering and tragedy that there is. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:20.960 There is also the moral and spiritual darkness of people living their lives without any awareness of God at all, 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:28.420 thinking that they don't need God because they've got stuff and they've got security in people and things and position. 00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:40.720 So we understand this image of darkness, a darkness that casts its shadow over individuals and families and communities. 00:11:42.300 --> 00:11:49.560 Beyond that, we are also as people in the dark in the sense that we know that there's a problem. 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:59.559 We know that all is not well in the world, but we find ourselves individually and collectively unable to find a lasting solution. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:10.519 We discover that as much as we want to hope in ourselves, we do not have it in us to bring peace and joy and life and love. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:17.679 No matter how much governments pour into education or into technology, 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:27.379 we discover that these things by themselves do not lead to the kind of society that we would want to see, 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:31.179 the kind of world that we all want. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:37.879 We are in the dark as to how to fix what we recognize is broken. 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:45.840 There was a famous speech given by the first president of the Czech Republic, 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:53.000 a man by the name of Vaclav Havel, who had seen communism, who'd seen the Nazi regime, 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:59.039 and he was the first president of the democratic Czech Republic. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:01.039 And he said in that speech, 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:10.839 a pursuit of the good life will not help humanity save itself, nor is democracy enough. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:16.679 A turning to and seeking of God is needed. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:21.519 Havel was bringing a very realistic message to his own people. 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:24.179 You now are going to have access to new wealth. 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:31.179 You're now living in this new democratic society, but it's not going to give you the world that you want and that you need. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:33.779 Ultimately, you need God for that. 00:13:34.979 --> 00:13:38.879 He understood the reality of darkness. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:45.000 Christianity is a very honest religion because it says to us all through the Bible, 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.820 this darkness is real. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:51.279 And it's not just a darkness that's outside of us. 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:54.960 It's a darkness that lies within us. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:14:02.080 And because of that, light and help must therefore come from the outside. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:06.600 And that's why in Jesus there is hope at Christmas, 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:08.840 because here is Jesus, the gift from God, 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:14.460 who comes from outside of us to become one of us in order to redeem us. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:21.720 So that just as the functions of light are to give life, 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:25.200 and to illuminate what is otherwise in the dark, 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.860 and to let the beauty shine, 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:31.179 so Jesus comes, and he brings true life. 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:37.620 And he shows the answer to our moral and spiritual darkness. 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:43.580 And we see in Jesus what true beauty looks like. 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:45.460 And it's Jesus who says, 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:48.200 I am the light of the world. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.500 Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:55.000 but will have the light of life. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:59.420 So that's the dawning of hope. 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:02.360 And then in the next little section, 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:06.900 we can maybe think about the promise of hope in verses 3 to 5. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:10.379 And we'll see that throughout this poem, 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:14.220 all the activity belongs to God. 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:18.899 So in verse 2, it's God who sends the great light. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:22.899 In verse 3, it's God who enlarges the nation and increases joy. 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:26.659 It's God who gives the harvest. 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:31.899 It's God that supplies the defeat of enemies that brings freedom. 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.539 Freedom. 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:41.199 And so Isaiah is telling the people that what you need is God's promised grace. 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:44.819 Their temptation was always to look to another nation. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:48.059 Let's find somebody powerful and full of resources. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:49.139 They can help us. 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:52.879 And Isaiah's message is, no, you need the grace of God. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:56.240 You need this powerful God to be for you. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:16:00.100 That he's always the only true hope for God's people. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:04.580 So in that little section, there's three pictures, distinct pictures of promise. 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.100 Let's just look at them briefly. 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.879 The first, beginning of verse 3, 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:13.659 you have enlarged the nation and increased the joy. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.159 Increased their joy. 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:20.040 So as the poem goes on, we see the focus is on a child who's going to be born, 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.860 who's going to give all this hope. 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:25.720 In Isaiah, in Isaiah's own life, 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:28.980 there's already been a significant birth. 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:33.620 that one of his children, one of Isaiah's children, 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:38.300 was to stand as a lesson to the people of Israel. 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:44.460 So if you look with me at chapter 7 and verse 3, 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:50.360 we'll discover the name of one of Isaiah's sons. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:54.759 A name that brings a measure of hope. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:57.299 Chapter 7, verse 3, 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.919 the Lord said to Isaiah, 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:04.779 go out, you and your son Shear Jashub, 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:08.299 to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct. 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:10.799 And if you look at your footnote, 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:13.319 the name Shear Jashub means, 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:16.220 a remnant will return. 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:20.799 So every time Isaiah is speaking to his son, 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.700 calling him in for dinner, 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.779 telling him to get ready, 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:27.279 speaking to him in the center of town, 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.839 the people are hearing, 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.900 a remnant will return. 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.620 A remnant will return. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.620 So here's a measure of hope. 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.759 Isaiah's message, 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.640 people are going into exile. 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.360 But his son is called, 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.980 a remnant will return. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:45.339 So there's some good news in that, 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:48.059 but not as much good news as there is 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:51.120 in this promised coming son. 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:55.200 Isaiah's son brought hope for a few beyond exile, 00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:57.039 but this coming one, 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.940 this child of promise, 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:02.920 enlarges the nation and increases their joy. 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:05.460 This promised son brings hope for many, 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:08.299 and not just for those within Israel, 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.379 hope beyond Israel, 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:13.740 that others will be brought into the family, 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:16.279 the people of God. 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:20.859 This, in a sense, is why we do mission, 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.980 because our God is in the business 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.839 of bringing people in. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:27.819 He's in the business of enlarging his family. 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.379 I don't know if you followed 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:32.599 some of the media response 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:35.539 to the death of John Chow, 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:40.000 you know the chap that went to that remote Indian island, 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.500 looking to bring the good news 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.619 that Jesus loved them, 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:48.139 and he was killed upon a second contact with them. 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:52.779 Some of the press were outraged 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:54.759 by what he was doing, 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:57.559 talking about an aggressive pushing of faith, 00:18:58.339 --> 00:19:01.460 or saying it's arrogant to presume 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:03.480 that these people need Christianity. 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:07.319 They have their pure, tribal religion and culture. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.259 So what do we think we're doing 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:12.019 imposing Christianity on them? 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:16.420 Now, whether we agree with all the ways 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:19.000 that he went about his mission is one thing, 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:22.000 but I think the Bible would say to us, 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.640 passages like this, 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:25.980 and in the whole message of the gospel, 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.980 that if God has sent his son 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:29.640 to bring true hope, 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.880 to bring this kind of joy, 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:33.160 this kind of rejoicing, 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:37.420 and if this message is the only means of salvation, 00:19:37.760 --> 00:19:40.200 if there is only one way to God, 00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:42.040 and it's through Jesus, 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:45.400 then mission makes sense. 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.980 That it does make sense 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.800 to bring the gospel 00:19:50.800 --> 00:19:52.740 to unreached people groups. 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:54.540 That it does make sense 00:19:54.540 --> 00:19:56.980 to reach out to tribal people, 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:59.020 to try and communicate with them, 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.259 to learn their language, 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:03.359 so that we could share the good news of Jesus. 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:06.259 And it does make sense 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:09.119 to share the good news of Jesus 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:10.639 with thoroughly secular people 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:14.440 who think that they have no need of him. 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:19.039 Because there is only one way to true joy, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.639 the kind of joy that everybody is looking for, 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:24.500 and it's found in this promised child. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:28.259 The next image of hope 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:30.680 is also in verse 3. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:31.700 It says, 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.519 They rejoice before you 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:37.079 as people rejoice at the harvest. 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.640 So bearing in mind, 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:41.740 this is written in an agricultural society, 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.480 no rain equals no food. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.500 Who supplies the rain? 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:48.140 It's God who supplies the rain 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:49.599 as a gift of his mercy. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:52.440 Harvest was a cause of thanksgiving 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:54.440 because it meant life. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:57.940 It meant hope for the season to come. 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:00.980 And then there's the other image 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:03.019 of freedom and peace 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:05.000 from one's enemies. 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:07.080 They rejoice before you 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:09.320 as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:11.680 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:14.539 you've shattered the yoke that burdens them, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.519 the bar across their shoulders, 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.460 the rod of their oppressor. 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:20.920 Every warrior's boot used in battle, 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:23.460 every garment rolled in blood, 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:25.539 will be destined for burning, 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:28.160 will be fuel for the fire. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:31.279 There is no need for the weapons of war 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:34.120 because God has secured peace. 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.860 This section picks up 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:38.580 both the language of the Exodus 00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:39.940 and release from slavery, 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:43.400 and also casts the people back 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:45.560 in their minds to Gideon, 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.660 being used by God 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:48.259 to defeat the people of Midian 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.940 in the Judges, 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.560 Judges 6-8. 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:54.540 And here again is this promise 00:21:54.540 --> 00:21:57.140 that the coming of this promised son 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:59.140 promises a different future. 00:21:59.560 --> 00:22:02.279 They will go out as slaves. 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:05.120 They will be taken by oppressors 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.960 into another country, 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:08.960 but one who is coming 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:11.759 will secure a definitive peace 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.100 for them. 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:15.719 And again, 00:22:15.919 --> 00:22:16.740 when we think about 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.159 the message of the gospel, 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.099 this is the kind of image 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.719 that's used in the New Testament. 00:22:22.439 --> 00:22:24.139 The image of battle. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:28.219 Jesus comes to go to war 00:22:28.219 --> 00:22:30.559 against the forces of darkness. 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:35.599 There is so much demonic activity 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:37.379 around the time of Jesus 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:39.339 because here are the forces of evil 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:41.399 waging war against Jesus, 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.859 the Son of God. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:46.439 So Jesus goes into battle 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:48.599 against the forces of evil, 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.819 against our bitter enemies. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:54.579 Our sin that leads us to death. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.339 Jesus goes to the cross 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.459 in order to win 00:22:57.459 --> 00:23:00.740 a decisive victory for us. 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:03.379 Through his self-giving love, 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:05.980 freedom is secured for us. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.899 Peace with God is secured for us. 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:10.220 Peace in our own hearts 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.720 because we know we're not condemned 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:14.200 is secured for us 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:17.820 because of this coming child 00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:20.259 and the light that dawns 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.300 when he comes. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:24.740 So these three pictures of hope 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:28.280 are all a gift of God's grace. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:32.200 They're all a promise 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:34.940 of spiritual reality. 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:39.920 So as we come into the Advent season, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.460 let's ask ourselves the question, 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:45.720 where does my hope truly lie? 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:49.000 Is my heart fixed on, 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:51.200 settled on Jesus 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:53.860 as the true source of joy 00:23:53.860 --> 00:23:56.660 and life for me? 00:23:56.660 --> 00:24:00.140 It is an irony, I guess, 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.480 that this season, 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:04.140 which ought to be all about Jesus, 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.600 can be that time 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.460 when we find ourselves 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.420 most distracted 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:09.160 and stressed out 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.019 because of all the stuff 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.920 that there is to do. 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.660 Perhaps the most unsettled. 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.900 Let's use it as a time 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.400 for renewal, 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.400 for fresh worship 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.880 and appreciation 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:25.240 of what God has done for us 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.380 in Jesus. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:30.420 That takes us to verses 6 and 7 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:32.340 and our description 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:35.759 of this child of hope. 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:38.759 Now, I don't know if you saw, 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:41.580 I guess that was a couple of weeks ago, 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:46.300 a story about a five-year-old Chinese boy 00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:47.380 and his CV 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:49.280 that his parents wrote for him. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:51.200 It kind of went viral 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.259 because this boy 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.980 at the age of five 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.579 has got a 16-page CV, 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.940 which is the envy 00:24:56.940 --> 00:25:00.180 of probably most of us. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.399 Apparently, he reads 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:03.779 500 English books a year. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.279 I like to read. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.559 I don't think I can do that 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.000 in a decade. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.940 He has memorized, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.099 apparently, 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.399 100 poems. 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.500 But he's not just a book guy, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:15.139 he also loves sports. 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:17.259 And, according to his parents, 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.619 he's a really tough man. 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:21.439 And he never cries at hospital. 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:24.659 This kid is remarkable. 00:25:25.219 --> 00:25:25.679 You know, it's, 00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.500 you read it and it's like, 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.299 that's really funny. 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.339 And then you think, 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:29.519 you know, 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:31.139 that's really incredibly sad, isn't it? 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:33.639 The pressure that that child 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:35.119 is going to live under. 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.799 All of that stuff, 00:25:38.739 --> 00:25:39.459 which I'm guessing 00:25:39.459 --> 00:25:40.599 is largely fictitious 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:42.339 just to try and get into school. 00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.639 But you think about 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.619 the weight of expectation 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.179 that's being placed 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.240 on tiny shoulders. 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.799 What child could possibly 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.420 live up to 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.840 that kind of standard, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.759 that kind of hope? 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.900 Then we come to Isaiah 9. 00:25:58.880 --> 00:25:59.320 We understand, 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.400 that's nothing. 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.759 What that Chinese parents 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.820 are asking of their kid, 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.900 that's nothing compared 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.920 to the expectations 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:06.240 of the child of promise 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.980 here in Isaiah 9. 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.640 There is one coming. 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.600 There is a child, 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.400 we are told, 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.200 who will bring light 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.740 to a world 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.380 that is marked 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.120 by darkness. 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.259 There is a child coming 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:18.019 who will bring lasting joy 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.100 and hope and peace. 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.720 And so we need to ask ourselves, 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.940 what kind of child 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.720 can bear up to 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.980 these kind of expectations? 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.059 What kind of child 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.620 is going to be able 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:28.660 to bear that kind of load 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.759 on their shoulders? 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:31.000 If we ask our own children 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.600 to do that, 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.019 they would be absolutely 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.200 crushed by that. 00:26:34.840 --> 00:26:36.180 If we expect our kids 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.500 to be everything to us, 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.160 that's a weight of expectation 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:42.200 they can't possibly manage. 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:45.580 Who is this child then? 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:48.980 Verse 6 supplies our answer. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.500 For to us, 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:53.920 a child is born. 00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.779 To us, 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:58.160 a son is given. 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.440 And the government 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:02.640 will be on his shoulders. 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.940 And he'll be called 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.779 Wonderful Counselor, 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:08.400 Mighty God, 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:10.460 Everlasting Father, 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:11.820 Prince of Peace. 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.519 Here's the answer. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.480 Who's this child 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.880 that can bear the expectations? 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:17.360 Only the God-man. 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.800 Only Jesus, 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.759 our Lord, 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:21.400 the one who is born, 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.759 as we're told in verse 6, 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.660 the one who becomes 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.380 fully human, 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:26.200 but the one who is also 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.620 given. 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:30.380 God's Son given to us 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:32.220 as a gift of grace. 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.519 And he is the one 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.580 who can carry 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.400 God's government, 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.200 God's rule, 00:27:36.300 --> 00:27:37.200 on his shoulders. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:39.080 Unlike the kings of Israel, 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:40.220 we thought about this this morning, 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.000 who fail, 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.779 fail to obey, 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.980 fail to honor and worship, 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.140 fail to lead the people 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:45.980 towards God. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.640 This great king 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:49.059 will do that. 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.340 And this king, 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.960 he can lift the burdens 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.940 off our shoulders. 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.200 He can carry his own 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:55.660 and he can lift ours as well. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.900 There is nothing 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:59.039 in our lives 00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.620 that Jesus, 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.819 our king and our savior, 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.880 cannot handle. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.559 Our disappointments, 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.399 our fears, 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.139 our anxieties, 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.879 our tears. 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.919 We can lay them on Jesus. 00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:10.139 He invites us 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.740 to lay them on him 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.960 and to find rest 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:14.379 because he can carry 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.579 our burdens. 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:17.240 And he can do that 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.379 because of his character. 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.139 He is 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:21.279 the wonderful counselor. 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.579 He is the supernatural, 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.119 divine counselor 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.859 who gives 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.659 supernatural wisdom, 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.659 who comes to us 00:28:28.659 --> 00:28:29.599 as the wisdom 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.879 of God. 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.619 He is 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:34.579 the mighty God. 00:28:35.179 --> 00:28:35.939 He's not just 00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:37.379 a spiritual guru. 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.099 He's not just 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.959 a great figure 00:28:38.959 --> 00:28:39.639 of the past, 00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:40.639 a great teacher, 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.019 a worker 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.899 of mighty deeds. 00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:44.019 He is 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.679 the mighty God. 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.539 In chapter 10 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.459 and verse 21, 00:28:47.719 --> 00:28:48.679 that same title 00:28:48.679 --> 00:28:49.740 is used 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.659 of the Lord God 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.679 here as a reminder 00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.339 that Jesus 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:55.159 is God 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:56.000 the Son. 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.019 He is 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.439 our 00:28:58.439 --> 00:28:59.579 Emmanuel. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.379 He is 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:01.159 God 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:02.399 with us. 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:04.119 He is too 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.439 the everlasting 00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:06.159 Father. 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:08.359 Now that is not 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.859 referring to the Trinity. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.539 That's not saying 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.279 Jesus the Son 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.899 and the Father 00:29:11.899 --> 00:29:12.399 are one. 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.879 He is the 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.419 everlasting Father 00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:15.980 in the sense 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.619 that he is 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.599 the agent 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.379 of creation. 00:29:19.219 --> 00:29:19.639 He is the 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.459 Father of us all 00:29:20.459 --> 00:29:21.699 because he created us. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.099 And also 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:24.399 Father was 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.480 an image 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.519 used of a good king, 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.219 a king who would 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:28.259 protect and guide 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.159 and care for 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:29.840 and lead 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.019 the people 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:32.100 well. 00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.640 And he is the 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:35.540 prince of peace. 00:29:36.040 --> 00:29:37.100 He brings peace 00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:37.720 and he has the 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:39.220 authority to give 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.700 the precious gift 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.259 of peace 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.779 to us as well. 00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:43.460 And we discover 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.320 in verse 7 00:29:44.320 --> 00:29:45.680 this is a 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.960 spreading peace. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.360 Of the increase 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.200 of his government 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.160 and peace, 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.759 there will be 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:53.420 no end. 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:55.240 there is this 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.840 wonderful promise 00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:58.900 that there is 00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.420 hope 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:01.259 for peace 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.259 within our hearts 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.420 and in our lives. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.880 Here is the 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.860 antidote to the 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.380 fear and the 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:07.380 anxiety that we 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:07.880 face. 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.140 We find ourselves 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:10.900 wondering if our 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.700 life amounts to 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:11.980 anything. 00:30:12.100 --> 00:30:13.480 Am I a somebody? 00:30:13.840 --> 00:30:14.560 Am I worth 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:15.019 anything? 00:30:15.800 --> 00:30:16.560 And we discover 00:30:16.560 --> 00:30:17.279 in the gospel 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.700 that God loves us 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.420 so much that he 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.080 sent his own 00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:21.820 son to purchase 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.480 us so that we 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.439 might be children 00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:24.639 of God. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.099 That we might 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:26.339 have that dignity 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.279 and honour 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:29.639 placed on us. 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.559 When we wonder 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.799 what can I do 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.619 with this guilt 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.139 that means I 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:35.000 have no peace 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.399 and I have 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:36.159 sleepless nights, 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:37.000 we are reminded 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.500 to look to Jesus, 00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:39.200 the one who 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:40.319 went to the 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:41.899 cross to 00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.919 secure our 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:44.639 peace, to 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.460 deal with that 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.659 sin that separates 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:47.679 us from God, 00:30:48.439 --> 00:30:50.179 to reconcile 00:30:50.179 --> 00:30:51.740 us to the 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.099 Father. 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.579 When we feel 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.920 anxious about 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.539 the state of 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.039 the world, 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.299 is there any 00:30:59.299 --> 00:30:59.900 hope for the 00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:00.059 world? 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.620 Again, the 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:01.920 answer lies in 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.299 Jesus. 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.720 Jesus, the one 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.380 who promises 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:05.299 that he's coming 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.240 back to make 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.220 everything new, 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:09.460 including us, 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.339 including those 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.299 who put their 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.980 trust in him. 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.980 Jesus is the 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:17.640 answer to what 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.680 the world wants 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:20.240 needs. 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.299 And so we 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.460 find here in 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.340 Isaiah 9 00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:24.940 this rich 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:26.220 promise. 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.799 And it's not 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.740 just wishful 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.380 thinking, 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.460 because we're 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.080 told at the 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:32.880 end of verse 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:34.620 7, God is 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:36.140 committed to 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.580 this. 00:31:37.320 --> 00:31:38.960 The zeal of 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.620 the Lord 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:41.180 Almighty will 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:42.160 accomplish this. 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:43.460 God's passionate 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.560 commitment to 00:31:44.560 --> 00:31:45.560 his purpose 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.940 will ensure 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:48.019 this is a 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:48.659 child who 00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:49.659 will be 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.940 strong enough 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.500 to bear 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.720 the hopes of 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.099 the world. 00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.700 Strong enough 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.399 to bear the 00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:57.099 sins of the 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.879 world and 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:58.639 carry them 00:31:58.639 --> 00:31:59.039 away. 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.519 Strong enough 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.039 to bear 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:02.500 our hopes. 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.099 So have we 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:05.599 allowed, 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.839 are we 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.759 allowing this 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.720 child king 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.500 to rule 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:11.200 our hearts? 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:13.039 is Jesus 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.920 the one who 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.700 we look to 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.539 to find 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.620 true light 00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:17.539 and life 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.720 and hope? 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:20.640 At this 00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.279 time of year 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:22.539 and all 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:22.960 through the 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.240 year, 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.440 it's the 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.680 question that 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.960 Isaiah gives 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.460 us in this 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.440 wonderful prophecy.