WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.760 Well, again, I want to say good morning to all of you. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:04.060 We're glad that you're here. 00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:08.640 I see there are a few extra family members visiting this summer, 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:09.439 which is wonderful. 00:00:09.660 --> 00:00:13.280 We're glad that you are here and joined with us, with your family. 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:16.839 The flowers in front remind us that yesterday, 00:00:16.980 --> 00:00:19.059 Mary Lou Bailey and Dan Midgett got married. 00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:22.100 So if you know them, celebrate with them. 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:26.859 Wish them well as they begin their new life together. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.420 And as we turn to the scriptures this morning, 00:00:36.020 --> 00:00:39.340 it occurs to me, as I've been reading the news this week, 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:44.420 it feels like the world is getting worse. 00:00:45.620 --> 00:00:49.219 This past week, there was an assassination in Japan. 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:54.859 There continue to be stories of gun violence, 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:56.920 whether it be in Highland Park, 00:00:56.920 --> 00:00:59.539 or if you read the New York Times article, 00:00:59.539 --> 00:01:04.780 the fact that more kids or more people died in the west and south side of Chicago 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:07.439 than they did in Highland Park this past week. 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:15.719 And it's easy to think that the world is getting harder, getting worse. 00:01:16.420 --> 00:01:20.159 We see that there is war in our world that's affecting us. 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:29.159 We see as well that we live in a culture where the overwhelming tide of cultural patterns 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:33.359 moves further and further away from living as God called us to. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:40.179 And we see in this post-pandemic just a sense of fear and anger 00:01:40.179 --> 00:01:43.079 that grips our society in many ways. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:49.079 As the hymn says it, though the wrong seems oft so strong, 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:55.140 there is a sense of inevitability and a sense of triumphalism about it. 00:01:56.420 --> 00:01:59.200 Many places in the world, there are people who would say, 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:00.859 we don't need God to win. 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:06.439 And what is wrong is defended as right and justified by those who do it. 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:13.280 You may be an optimist and think, oh, it's not that bad. 00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:18.939 But there's certainly some pretty good evidence for it. 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:20.460 And it's not just out there. 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:21.900 It's not just in the world. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:24.080 It's in the church too. 00:02:24.640 --> 00:02:27.180 It's in the people who claim to be God's people. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:33.980 We see that the slide away from orthodoxy and faithfulness to the Bible 00:02:33.980 --> 00:02:38.340 is a constant tide that pulls us away. 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:43.240 We see that church leaders have so often failed to lead in righteousness 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:45.460 and spectacularly at times. 00:02:46.140 --> 00:02:50.800 To the point where even when people are successful and seem to be doing well, 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:55.820 we find ourselves wary and suspicious rather than celebratory. 00:02:56.980 --> 00:03:00.180 The church seems to know less and less of God and His Word, 00:03:00.700 --> 00:03:03.540 and there's more lukewarmness, more defense of sin, 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:08.439 and more failure to live in ways that bring glory to God. 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:17.580 In the face of this tide, as you see the world through this lens, 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:19.760 and I know some of you may not, some of you may think, 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:22.399 man, that's a pretty doom and gloom analysis. 00:03:24.239 --> 00:03:28.859 But I believe that it's the way that the people of God 00:03:28.859 --> 00:03:32.259 in the 7th and 6th century BC would have seen the world. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:36.539 We're preaching in our series through the book of Isaiah, 00:03:37.139 --> 00:03:40.539 and if you remember in the 7th and 6th centuries in Israel, 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:43.759 what had happened is the northern kingdom had been conquered by Assyria 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:45.340 and destroyed. 00:03:46.179 --> 00:03:48.179 The southern kingdom was beleaguered. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:54.280 Political football between the superpowers of Assyria and Egypt, 00:03:54.639 --> 00:03:58.759 and then Babylon rose up and defeated Assyria 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:01.579 and became the other superpower in the time. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:05.239 And if you remember, this section of Isaiah 40 through 55, 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:08.759 Isaiah is writing to the people in the 600s, 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:11.000 so the 7th century BC, 00:04:11.399 --> 00:04:14.039 but he's looking ahead to the 6th century 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:16.980 when they would be taken off into exile. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:20.159 And he's giving them a word of comfort and hope 00:04:20.159 --> 00:04:25.199 when it certainly seemed like evil had triumphed 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:27.219 and the world had fallen apart. 00:04:27.220 --> 00:04:32.660 The temple was destroyed, the king was gone, 00:04:32.820 --> 00:04:36.500 and the people had been scattered and were living in exile. 00:04:37.880 --> 00:04:41.720 And it sure felt like the world had gotten as bad as it could be. 00:04:42.700 --> 00:04:45.960 And in that moment, they asked themselves the questions, 00:04:46.540 --> 00:04:47.440 where is God? 00:04:47.580 --> 00:04:49.200 Did we pick the wrong side? 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:52.700 Are we in the wrong team? 00:04:53.320 --> 00:04:54.900 Has our God failed us? 00:04:54.899 --> 00:04:56.579 What is God doing? 00:04:58.659 --> 00:05:04.139 And this is what Isaiah 47 and 48, our text for today, speak to. 00:05:04.299 --> 00:05:05.759 If you want to turn there in your pew Bible, 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:07.219 and I'm going to encourage you to do so, 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:09.339 because it's a long two chapters. 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:11.219 We're not going to read them all all the way through. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:13.039 So if you would please turn there. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:16.719 They're in their pew Bibles in front of you, page 569. 00:05:17.259 --> 00:05:19.339 We're going to try to follow along. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:20.399 And if you're new to the Bible, 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:23.779 the big numbers are the chapters, 00:05:23.979 --> 00:05:25.219 and the little numbers are the verses. 00:05:25.819 --> 00:05:29.939 And so as I refer to them, you can try to track along with us. 00:05:30.479 --> 00:05:34.299 We're going to look at Isaiah 47 and 48 this morning. 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:42.780 And what we will see is that God, the gracious God of redemption, 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:47.000 will have the last word, not sin and evil. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:50.879 He will bring an end to the arrogance of the world, 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:54.280 and He will graciously redeem a people for Himself. 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:59.500 This is the big idea of these two chapters together. 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:01.360 We look at God's word together. 00:06:02.579 --> 00:06:05.500 Oh, Lord Jesus, we come to You now. 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:07.259 We ask for Your help. 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:09.620 Lord, as we look at this passage together, 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:11.860 as we look at what You have to say to us, 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:15.779 Lord, as we look at Your word, 00:06:16.220 --> 00:06:19.600 God, will You by Your Spirit enlighten our minds 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:24.279 and open our hearts and soften us, Lord, 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:26.899 so that we might receive Your word this morning, 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:29.179 that we might hear it, 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:31.819 that we might hold it to be true, 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:35.939 and Lord, that we might respond as You would have us do so. 00:06:36.419 --> 00:06:37.659 Lord, I pray for Your help, 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:39.919 that You will help me to speak clearly this morning. 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:43.339 Lord, that the words that I speak would be Your words, 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:46.659 and Lord, that together we would sit under Your word 00:06:46.659 --> 00:06:48.219 and so bring glory to You. 00:06:49.159 --> 00:06:51.000 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:06:51.479 --> 00:06:51.759 Amen. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:51.899 Amen. 00:06:56.899 --> 00:07:00.459 So, as we've said, in this section, 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:04.639 Isaiah is preaching to a people in the future 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:06.839 who are going to be in exile in Babylon. 00:07:07.299 --> 00:07:11.679 And chapter 47 is all about the end of Babylon, 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:14.539 that God will bring an end to the arrogance 00:07:14.539 --> 00:07:18.479 of a self-reliant world that does not honor God. 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:21.120 Look with me in the first couple of verses. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:23.540 Come down and sit in the dust, 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:25.439 O virgin daughter of Babylon. 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:28.399 Sit on the ground without a throne, 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:30.180 O daughter of the Chaldeans, 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:34.399 for you shall no more be called tender and delicate. 00:07:35.340 --> 00:07:38.579 Take the millstones and grind flowers. 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:40.540 Put off your veil. 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:41.939 Strip off your robe. 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:42.879 Uncover your legs. 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:43.959 Pass through the rivers. 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:46.100 Your nakedness shall be uncovered 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:47.939 and your disgrace shall be seen. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:52.540 I will take vengeance and I will spare no one. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.759 So, this is the message fundamentally 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:59.480 that Isaiah is bringing from God 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:01.519 to the nation of Babylon. 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:03.959 And a lot of what he's doing in this chapter 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:06.139 is he's uncovering the arrogance 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:09.420 and the pride of the nation of Babylon. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:11.800 So, I'm going to walk through what that looked like 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:13.060 and then we're going to talk a little bit 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:14.540 about how God responded to it. 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:16.819 So, first we see that one of the things 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:19.019 that Babylon prided themselves on 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:21.199 was their privileged place in the world. 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:24.040 They were the local superpower during this time. 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:25.699 And you see some of the words 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:29.740 that they saw themselves like a pampered princess 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:31.800 or like a privileged queen. 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:34.679 That they had all the power that they wanted 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:36.460 to conquer the nations around them. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:39.139 They had all the riches of the things 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:41.480 that they gathered from these conquering nations. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:47.480 There's a great opportunity if you ever go to Berlin 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:49.460 to see the gate of Ishtar 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:53.700 and the magnificence of the Babylonian empire 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:54.720 at that time. 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:58.399 It's a remarkable piece of architecture. 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:01.259 To see their great power and their greatness. 00:09:01.420 --> 00:09:03.220 And they lived in comfort and security 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.600 and satisfaction. 00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:06.120 You see this in verse 1. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:08.180 You also see it in verse 5. 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:11.399 You shall no longer be called the mistress of kingdoms. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:15.039 That is, the one who is the queen of the party, 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:15.719 so to speak. 00:09:15.819 --> 00:09:16.599 And verse 7. 00:09:17.339 --> 00:09:20.339 You said I will be a mistress forever. 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:22.620 And you did not lay these things to heart. 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:26.439 There was this sense in the Babylonian empire. 00:09:26.699 --> 00:09:27.979 We're going to last forever. 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:29.239 We're going to sit on top 00:09:29.239 --> 00:09:31.559 and no one's going to conquer us. 00:09:31.979 --> 00:09:34.799 Not only that, but in verses 8 and 9, 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:38.379 you see how profoundly they were self-reliant. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:40.479 Look with me in verses 8 and 9. 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:42.659 Shower, O heavens, from above, 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:46.819 and let the clouds rain down righteousness. 00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:49.439 Let earth open and salvation and righteousness 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:50.419 may bear fruit. 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:53.159 I'm sorry. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:54.519 That's the wrong chapter. 00:09:55.079 --> 00:09:56.319 I forgot to turn my page. 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:58.899 Let's try 47 verses 8 and 9. 00:09:59.079 --> 00:10:00.159 Let's try this again. 00:10:00.699 --> 00:10:02.379 Now, therefore, hear this, 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:04.899 you lover of pleasures who sit securely, 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:06.559 who say in your heart, 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:09.559 I am, and there is no one beside me. 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:11.759 I shall not sit as a widow 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:13.399 or know the loss of children. 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:16.480 These two things shall come to you in a moment, 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:17.879 in one day. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:19.860 The loss of children and widowhood 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:22.000 shall come upon you in full measure, 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:23.980 in spite of your many sorceries 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:26.779 and the great power of your enchantments. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.379 Second half of verse 8. 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:33.980 I am, and there is no one beside me. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:37.480 The arrogance of Babylon was to say, 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:40.379 I am sovereign in my own life. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:42.159 I am unaccountable to all, 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.659 and I have control. 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:46.240 I will never suffer the hardship 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:49.080 and the losses that others suffer 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:51.779 of widowhood or of loss of children 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:54.980 because my power is so great. 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:59.420 This is the spirit of the human heart. 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:01.440 This is the spirit of the lie 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:04.720 that the serpent spoke in the Garden of Eden 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.360 when he said, 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:06.860 you can be like God. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:10.460 You can have your own independent power 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:12.220 and sovereignty in the world. 00:11:13.680 --> 00:11:16.440 And friends, if you can't see this, 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:17.600 let me just point it out. 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:20.180 Is this not the spirit of our age today? 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:23.259 That we live in a world today 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:25.339 where self-determination, 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:27.620 I am who I say I am, 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:29.839 not who I've been made by the Lord 00:11:29.839 --> 00:11:31.319 who is the creator of heaven and earth, 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:32.759 but who I am. 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.439 Self-reliance. 00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:36.639 I have created my own success. 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.399 How I live 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:41.879 is completely determined 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:43.620 by my own strength 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:44.819 and my own power. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:47.219 A self-orientation. 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:48.960 It is not only good, 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:50.580 but right for me 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:52.680 to care about myself first, 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:54.920 no matter what it does to other people. 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.680 Friends, we recognize 00:11:57.680 --> 00:12:00.420 how profoundly self-centered 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:02.740 our modern world is. 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:05.019 How little we think of neighbor, 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:05.779 of nation, 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:07.480 of the world. 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:10.120 How little we care for others. 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:12.360 And even when we do care, 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.600 how often we do it 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.480 for our own aggrandizement 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.700 rather than for the ultimate good 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.440 of others. 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:23.740 So not only was Babylon 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:26.000 privileged in their position, 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:27.320 in their self-esteem, 00:12:27.800 --> 00:12:29.639 not only were they self-reliant, 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:31.800 but they worshipped feudal gods. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.759 Verses 12 and 13 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:35.159 remind us of this. 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:37.639 Stand fast in your enchantments 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.960 and your many sorceries 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:39.920 in which you have labored 00:12:39.920 --> 00:12:40.779 from your youth. 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.720 Perhaps you will be able to succeed. 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:44.779 Perhaps you may inspire terror. 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.299 This is God talking smack. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.480 If you've ever seen, 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:49.600 like, this is what prophets 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.439 do really well. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.240 He's like, 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:52.579 hey, why don't you test out 00:12:52.579 --> 00:12:53.079 your gods 00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:54.220 and see if they're any good? 00:12:54.579 --> 00:12:56.000 Maybe they'll be successful. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:58.100 And the implication is 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.839 they won't be. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:00.639 They're unable to do this. 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:01.919 Right? 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:03.240 Verse 13. 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:04.319 You are wearied 00:13:04.319 --> 00:13:05.039 by your many counsels. 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.639 Let them stand forth 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.439 and save you. 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:09.019 Those who divide the heavens, 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.980 who gaze to stars, 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.500 who went to new moons, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.600 make known what shall come upon you. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:15.200 And he's saying this ironically 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.480 because they can't do it. 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:17.440 They can't tell you 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.300 what's going to happen. 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:19.500 They, and, 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:21.220 and Isaiah's making a contrast 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.920 that he'll make 00:13:21.920 --> 00:13:22.740 in the next chapter 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.180 with the God of the Bible 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:25.740 who's actually able to say 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:27.240 what is going to happen. 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.960 We know from history 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:31.139 that the Babylonian Empire 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.320 was full of magic 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:33.000 and sorcery 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.759 and astrology. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:36.120 All of these things promised 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.399 a special knowledge 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:39.399 and good fortune in life. 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:41.399 a certain way 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.899 that you might worship 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:43.679 these idols 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.840 with a promise 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.259 of getting victory in battle 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.639 or a good harvest for food 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:47.840 or, 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:49.059 or fruitfulness 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:50.139 in childbearing. 00:13:52.959 --> 00:13:54.179 But they're futile 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.120 and they're unable 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.959 to save them. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.620 And God mocks them 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.120 and says, 00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.459 do you see the emptiness 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:00.439 of what they do? 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.779 And again, friends, 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:03.659 let us recognize 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:05.399 that our idols today 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.480 might look different. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.279 Some of them may not, 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:08.799 actually, 00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:09.959 we still, 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.100 maybe you 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.259 or some of your neighbors 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:14.319 know what it's looked like 00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:18.039 to play with crystals 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:21.399 or to read your astrology 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:22.159 every morning 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.139 and wonder if this is, 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.059 is this going to tell me 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:25.360 what's going to happen today? 00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:28.179 You know, 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:29.379 late night television 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.159 still has lots of advertisements 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:31.959 for psychics 00:14:31.959 --> 00:14:32.759 that you can call 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.659 and they will tell you 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.939 all about your life 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:35.839 and what you should do 00:14:35.839 --> 00:14:36.860 and where you should go. 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.379 But we all know 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.720 that the idols of our world 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:42.779 tend to be less spiritual 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:45.039 but more subtle. 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:47.459 The promise of 00:14:47.459 --> 00:14:48.639 if you work a little harder 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:50.120 and climb the ladder 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.699 a little bit more fiercely 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:54.600 that you will gain success. 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.819 The thought that if you have 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:57.899 just a little more money 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:59.139 or a little more prestige 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.339 or a little more position 00:15:00.339 --> 00:15:01.059 in the world 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:03.480 that you'll finally feel comfortable. 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:05.480 if you get just that 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.800 right kind of family 00:15:06.800 --> 00:15:07.820 or that spouse 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:09.379 that you long for 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.440 that finally you'll be satisfied 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.940 and won't be lonely anymore. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.440 There are all sorts of ways 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.759 in which we idolize 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.879 many things, 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:18.360 many times good things 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:20.379 that when we make them ultimate 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.480 become idols 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:24.000 that cannot deliver. 00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:27.920 Babylon was like this as well. 00:15:28.920 --> 00:15:30.560 They worshipped feudal gods 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:32.319 and God exposed them. 00:15:33.099 --> 00:15:33.919 And the last thing 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:35.459 that Isaiah exposes 00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:37.839 about the Babylonian empire 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:38.719 is the cruelty 00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:40.559 that they exhibited 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.679 towards God's people. 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:45.379 Verse 6 says this. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.239 So this is God 00:15:47.239 --> 00:15:48.439 speaking about Israel. 00:15:48.619 --> 00:15:48.859 He says, 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:50.500 I was angry with my people 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.039 and I profaned my heritage. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.139 I gave them into your hand. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:57.179 You showed them no mercy. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.559 On the aged 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.859 you made your yoke 00:15:59.859 --> 00:16:01.719 exceedingly heavy. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.779 Though Babylon 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.179 was an instrument 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.500 of God's judgment 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.939 on his own people 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.500 for their faithlessness, 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:14.500 for their lack of trust, 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:16.039 for their turning away 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.000 from worshipping him 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.539 to worship other idols, 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:20.199 they were not authorized 00:16:20.199 --> 00:16:22.959 to sin 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.099 and to be cruel 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:26.540 and to be ungodly 00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:27.200 in the way 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.259 that they carried that out. 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.100 And yet Babylon 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:31.320 did that very thing. 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.700 They put, 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.340 they treated God's people 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.680 without mercy, 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.420 treated those 00:16:39.420 --> 00:16:40.779 who were most vulnerable 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:43.000 with the most harshness. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:46.879 And for all of this, 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:49.139 God says, 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:51.019 I will bring judgment. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.759 I will bring an end 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:55.159 to the kingdom of Babylon. 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:57.259 You who have exalted yourself 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.620 up in the eyes of the world 00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:59.939 and in the eyes of yourself, 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.840 I will bring low. 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:04.019 This is what verses 14 and 15 say. 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.680 Behold, 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.980 they are like stubble. 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:09.139 The fire consumes them. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:11.039 They cannot deliver themselves 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.579 from the power of the flame. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.779 No coal for warming oneself 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.480 is this. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.539 No fire to sit before. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.519 Such to you 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.359 are those 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:21.399 whom you have labored, 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.700 with whom you have labored, 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.200 who have done business 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.359 with you from your youth. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.539 They wander around 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.680 each in his own direction. 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:30.220 There is no one 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.659 to save you. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:34.019 And as we have seen 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.659 in the history, 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:36.619 what Isaiah is referring to 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:39.159 is that God will raise up Cyrus 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.639 in the Persian Empire 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:41.680 from the east 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.579 and they will come 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.279 and they will conquer Babylon 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.799 and Babylon will fall. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:47.680 And no longer will 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.859 the Babylonian gods 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:50.159 and the Babylonian kings 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:51.619 and the Babylonian rulers 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:53.240 and the Babylonian wolf 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.159 be theirs, 00:17:54.379 --> 00:17:56.259 but they will be brought low 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:58.519 by this instrument 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.960 that God is raising up 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:02.460 to humble this nation 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:05.000 that has exalted itself 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.819 before Him. 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:09.240 So what do we have to learn 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.440 from a chapter like this? 00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:11.399 Two things. 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:14.259 First, let us recognize 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:16.259 that God calls us 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.420 to not be like them. 00:18:17.780 --> 00:18:19.920 As He exposes their sin, 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.060 He calls us 00:18:21.060 --> 00:18:22.660 to forsake these ways. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:25.620 To recognize how easily 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.700 the human heart 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:29.180 wants to be arrogant 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.200 in our position 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:31.980 to defend our sin 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.840 and our cruelty. 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:36.480 To say our self-reliance 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.400 and trusting in selves 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.580 is not just good 00:18:39.580 --> 00:18:40.259 but right 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:44.000 and to turn to other gods 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.000 for our salvation. 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.460 Let us turn away 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.380 from these things. 00:18:50.040 --> 00:18:51.200 But the second thing 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.560 that He reminds us 00:18:52.560 --> 00:18:53.580 and the purpose 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:55.160 that I think Isaiah says this 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.540 is to say 00:18:56.540 --> 00:18:57.560 don't be afraid, 00:18:58.040 --> 00:18:58.680 God's people. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.880 Though the wrong 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:02.700 seems off so strong, 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.880 He is the ruler yet. 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:07.160 God is still in charge. 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.640 Though the nations 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.600 that are evil 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:11.700 rise up against God 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.480 and His people, 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.660 God will not let that 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.500 stand forever. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.740 There will be a reckoning. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.600 There will be a restoration. 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.960 There will be a righteousness 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.080 that will come. 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.840 And God's people 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.900 are not abandoned. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:28.160 And the evil will not win. 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.700 So don't be afraid. 00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:32.779 But continue in faith in God. 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:35.759 And it seems like 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.139 this is launching us 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:37.680 into verse, 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.639 into chapter 48. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.940 And chapter 48 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.000 would be this great, 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:42.680 you know, 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.539 come to me 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.500 and believe in me 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.720 and I will restore 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.519 your fortunes 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.559 and I will give you 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.539 all these great things. 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.599 It seems like this 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:51.000 is what God would do 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.460 in verse, 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.660 in chapter 48. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.379 Because in chapter 48, 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.299 Isaiah turns to 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.220 the people of Israel, 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.259 to the people of God 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.779 and speaks to them. 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.720 He speaks a word 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.480 that says God 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.619 will graciously 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.920 redeem a people 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.819 for Himself. 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.900 But it will be not 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:10.519 because of their faithfulness 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.440 but despite 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.680 their faithlessness 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:14.500 that He will do this. 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.660 Israel might have hoped 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.319 God would turn 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.839 from judgment 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:18.480 to Babylon 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.859 to praise to Israel. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.400 But He has no praise 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:21.879 for them. 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.400 Let's look at it. 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.599 Chapter 48, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.819 verses 1 through 9. 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:28.399 We see in this 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:30.539 God reminding Israel 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.779 of their faithlessness. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.559 Hear this, 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.700 O house of Jacob, 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.939 you who are called 00:20:35.939 --> 00:20:37.099 by the name of Israel 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.460 and who came 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.779 from the waters of Judah, 00:20:40.159 --> 00:20:41.359 who swear by the name 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:41.839 of the Lord 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.960 and confess the God 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.500 of Israel, 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:45.740 but not in truth 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.019 or right. 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:50.319 For they call themselves 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.460 after the holy city 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.720 and stay themselves 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.799 on the God of Israel. 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.179 The Lord of hosts 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.900 is His name. 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:58.000 The former things 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.259 I declared of old. 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:00.220 They went out 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.060 from my mouth 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:02.019 and I announced them. 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.440 Then suddenly I did them 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.500 and they came to pass. 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.039 Because I know 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.440 that you are obstinate 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.320 and your neck 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.779 is an iron sinew 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:11.740 and your forehead brass, 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.340 I declared them 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:14.019 to you 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.680 from of old. 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:18.259 Before they came to pass, 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.900 I announced them to you, 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.920 lest you should say, 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.440 my idol did this, 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.920 my carved image 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:25.160 and my mental image, 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:25.980 commanded them. 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.900 You have heard. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.519 Now see all this 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.360 and will you not declare it. 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.680 From this time forth, 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.620 I announced to you 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.220 new things, 00:21:34.340 --> 00:21:35.220 hidden things 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.400 that you have not known. 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.039 They are created now 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.940 not long ago. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.920 Before today, 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:41.820 you have never heard of them, 00:21:42.300 --> 00:21:43.259 lest you should say, 00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:43.680 behold, 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.500 I knew them. 00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:46.160 You have never heard, 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.220 you have never known. 00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:48.640 From of old, 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.600 your ear has not been opened, 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:52.039 for I knew 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.199 that you would surely 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:54.439 deal treacherously 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:56.839 and that from before birth 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:58.419 you were called rebel. 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.959 God comes 00:22:05.959 --> 00:22:06.579 and he speaks 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:07.799 to his own people 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.819 and he says, 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:12.519 you too have failed. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.399 You too, 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:17.039 let me lay bare before you 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.539 your own sinfulness. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.659 Verses 1 and 2 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:21.399 is Israel's claiming, 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.159 but aren't we 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:23.519 God's privileged people? 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.700 We claim the name of God. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.920 We come from Jerusalem. 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:28.159 Isn't that a place? 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.440 Don't we have a standing 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.059 with God 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.500 because of that name? 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.500 Do you guys know 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.879 what a bandwagon fan 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.879 is in sports? 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.960 A bandwagon fan 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.480 in sports 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.960 is someone 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.579 who starts to root 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.539 for, say, 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.480 the New York Jets, 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:43.980 if that ever happens again, 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.259 say the New York Jets 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.579 because they start winning, 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.299 right? 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.559 And so lots of people 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.819 become Jets fans 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.500 in the world. 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.399 But they're only fans 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.579 as long as they win. 00:22:54.419 --> 00:22:55.539 And they might wear 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.159 the jersey 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:57.299 and strut around town 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.519 saying, 00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:58.039 look at me, 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.059 I'm a Jets fan. 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.679 But they're 00:23:00.679 --> 00:23:01.699 fair weather fans 00:23:01.699 --> 00:23:02.879 and they will turn away 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.899 as soon as the Jets 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:04.539 start losing, 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.639 which is sure to happen. 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:07.659 And sorry, 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.359 Jets fans, 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.339 I love you, 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.659 but it's been 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:12.000 a rough long time. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:17.000 Israel 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:18.960 was like 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.220 a bandwagon fan 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.859 of God. 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.400 They loved 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.359 being God's people 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.259 when it was easy, 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.240 when it was providing 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.940 them victory, 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.599 when it was, 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.579 but when it came down 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.400 to actually 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:30.759 living it out, 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:33.160 they were only 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.960 on the surface 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.039 and they were 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.839 wearing the jersey 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.359 and saying, 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.400 don't we have a right 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:37.980 to something 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.119 because we're 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.859 God's people? 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.319 And God says, 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:41.859 no, 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.200 because you did 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.879 not do it, 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.439 as it says 00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:44.819 in the end 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.740 of verse 1, 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.119 not in truth 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.119 or in right. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.599 Not only 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:52.179 did they do this, 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.339 but they had 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.639 a hard-headed 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.980 trust in idols. 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.740 Did you see 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:58.159 when I read 00:23:58.159 --> 00:24:00.339 verse 4 and 5? 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.460 This is like 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.439 the best image 00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:03.079 in the Bible. 00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:04.919 You are hard-headed. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.159 You actually 00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:07.079 literally have 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.220 a forehead of bronze 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.319 and a neck of steel, 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.299 a neck that will 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.240 not bow before 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.460 me and a forehead 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.819 that cannot receive 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:15.000 any information 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.900 inside of it. 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:17.180 This is the image 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.779 that it's saying 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.839 and you are 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:20.720 the most hard-headed 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.880 people what God 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:22.960 has ever seen. 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.839 He's saying, 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.599 you have not 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.279 listened, 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.980 you have not 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.660 received, 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.220 and you have not 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.279 humbled yourselves 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:33.160 before me. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:36.980 And then in verses 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.040 6 through 9, 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.080 he exposes 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:40.060 that they too 00:24:40.060 --> 00:24:41.279 were presumptuous, 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:42.460 unfaithful, 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.180 and rebellious. 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:44.680 That they assumed 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.560 because they were 00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:46.340 God's people 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:47.880 and maybe because 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.620 they had received 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:50.120 revelation from Sinai, 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.340 because they had 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.420 prophets in their midst, 00:24:52.800 --> 00:24:53.660 that they knew 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.380 what God was 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.060 going to do. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.580 And he says, 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:57.840 no, 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.740 I am working 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.279 in a way 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.960 that will reveal 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.480 you have no idea 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.579 what I am up to. 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.360 What I have spoken 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.039 in the past, 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:07.960 I'm bringing to bear 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.519 in the present, 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.480 and you didn't see 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.000 it coming. 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.000 And what I'm going 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.860 to do in the future 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.759 is even better, 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.259 and you have no idea, 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.380 you have no place 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.039 to say, 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.759 my idol did this, 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.500 because you didn't 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.059 even know 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:20.620 what God was going 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:20.980 to do. 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:23.200 And he exposes 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.259 their presumption 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.140 and the pride 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.220 of their knowledge 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:29.360 and the ways 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.119 that they had turned 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:31.419 to other ways 00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:32.459 of learning 00:25:32.459 --> 00:25:33.240 and knowing 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.599 for salvation, 00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.740 the idols 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.359 that they had 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.079 trusted in. 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.199 And so God 00:25:39.199 --> 00:25:39.879 in these first 00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.459 eight verses 00:25:40.459 --> 00:25:41.299 has this word 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.859 of rebuke 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.679 for his own people. 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.199 And yet, 00:25:46.679 --> 00:25:48.740 and yet, 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.779 though God's people 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.559 should deserve 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.079 the same judgment 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.859 that Babylon 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.559 deserves, 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:55.099 this is part 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.019 of what Isaiah 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.479 is doing, 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.859 is saying, 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.419 Israel, 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.179 you're no better. 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:58.859 Do you see 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.819 the same pride, 00:26:00.179 --> 00:26:01.240 the same presumption, 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:02.839 the same hard-heartedness, 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:03.839 the same worship 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.459 of idols? 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.679 Though you deserve 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:07.659 the same judgment 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:08.879 that Babylon does, 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:11.759 I am a God 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.959 who's committed 00:26:12.959 --> 00:26:14.559 to redeeming 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.019 a people 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.259 for myself, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.759 for my own namesake, 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.879 and for my glory. 00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:21.359 God will show 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.379 his gracious 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:23.699 faithfulness 00:26:23.699 --> 00:26:24.439 in redemption 00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:26.399 in spite of the sin 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:27.059 and fallenness 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.539 of the world. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.500 This is what 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.180 he begins 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.440 talking about 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.099 in verse 9. 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.759 So let's read 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.039 verses 9 through 17. 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.920 For my namesake, 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.180 I defer my anger. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.359 For the sake 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.279 of my praise, 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.200 I restrain it 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.960 for you 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.339 that I may not 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.359 cut you off. 00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:43.559 Behold, 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.559 I have refined you, 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.420 but not as silver. 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.279 I have tried you 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.779 in the furnace 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.480 of affliction 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:49.399 for my own sake. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.379 For my own sake, 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:50.960 I do it. 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:53.259 How shall my name 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.279 be profaned? 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.660 My glory 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:57.139 I will not give 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:57.819 to another. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:26:59.899 Listen to me, 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.399 O Jacob, 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.799 and Israel 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.639 whom I called. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.899 I am he, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.899 I am the first, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.220 and I am the last. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.700 My hand laid 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.299 the foundation 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:08.879 of the earth, 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.859 my right hand 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:11.000 spread out the heavens. 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.819 When I called to them, 00:27:12.899 --> 00:27:14.299 they stand forth together. 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.639 Assemble, 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.379 all of you, 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.420 and listen. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.579 Who, 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.819 who among them 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.539 has declared 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.220 these things? 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.319 The Lord loves him. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.720 He shall perform 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.059 his purpose 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.880 on Babylon, 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.019 and his arms 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.960 shall be against 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.880 the Chaldeans. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:30.759 I, 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.440 even I, 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.019 have spoken 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.759 and called him. 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.620 I brought him, 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.860 and he will prosper 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.539 in his way. 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.100 Draw near to me. 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.420 Hear this. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.819 From the beginning 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:42.019 I have not spoken 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.680 in secret. 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.920 From the time 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.700 it came to be 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.559 I have been there. 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:47.860 And now the Lord God 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:49.220 has sent me 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.460 and his spirit. 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:52.259 And thus says 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.799 the Lord, 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.059 your Redeemer, 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.380 the Holy One of Israel. 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.700 I am the Lord, 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.180 your God, 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.860 who teaches you 00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.380 to profit, 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.559 who leads you 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.120 in the way 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:02.400 you should go. 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.799 This is the promise 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.500 of God's 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:10.460 gracious faithfulness 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.579 towards his people. 00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:13.480 In verses 9 through 11, 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.420 we see God 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:16.059 explaining his motivation 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.740 for this. 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.700 No one is deserving 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:20.100 of God's redemptive power, 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:21.059 certainly not Israel, 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:22.199 certainly not Babylon, 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:25.659 but God says, 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.639 I will do this 00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:27.980 not because you deserve it, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:29.699 because of who I am, 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:31.359 because I am a God 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:33.159 who is right and good, 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.019 and because I am 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.039 the creator of the world, 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.039 and because it is 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.919 my delight 00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:38.859 to reveal my glory, 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:40.659 and my glory is shown 00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.399 not merely 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:42.119 in the greatness 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:43.159 of my creation, 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.240 and the power 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.219 and the beauty of it, 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.559 but even more so 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.379 in my power 00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:48.740 to redeem people 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.880 out of darkness 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.720 into light. 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.339 And so, 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.799 I will do this work 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:54.079 because I have said 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.900 this is the kind 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.880 of God that I am, 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.620 the Holy One of Israel, 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.980 your Redeemer. 00:28:59.400 --> 00:28:59.859 And that is, 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.460 because that is who I am, 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:04.120 I will bring faithfulness 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:04.700 to you 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.779 that you don't have 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.420 to call you out of 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:07.980 your arrogance 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.579 and pride 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.200 and rebellion 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:10.819 to be my people 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:12.680 so that in the world 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.859 my people 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.579 might be a place 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.700 where I might display 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.700 my glory 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:18.000 and my power 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.500 in people 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.559 who don't deserve it 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.220 and people 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.140 who have no merit 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:22.759 of their own 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:24.140 to receive it. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:27.000 How do we know this? 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.920 Well, he talks about it 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.580 in two different ways. 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.220 He talks about 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.299 his past faithfulness, 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.220 the old things 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.759 that I've done. 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:32.539 He says, 00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:34.140 my past faithfulness 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:34.819 is proven. 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.900 Verse 5, 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.640 he talks about 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.440 what I've declared 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.279 from old. 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.259 And this is, 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:40.279 he's talking about 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.279 his prediction 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:43.360 of Cyrus coming 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.339 and freeing them 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:44.979 from Babylon. 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.000 And he's saying, 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.559 I have predicted it, 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.959 I said it was going to come, 00:29:49.199 --> 00:29:50.359 and now you have seen 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:50.959 it happen. 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:51.799 Right? 00:29:51.959 --> 00:29:53.479 Now you have seen 00:29:53.479 --> 00:29:55.099 that Cyrus is arriving 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:56.500 and the end of Babylon 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.659 is upon you. 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:58.859 Okay? 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.079 So my faithfulness 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:00.959 has been proven 00:30:00.959 --> 00:30:01.899 by my ability 00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:02.479 to predict 00:30:02.479 --> 00:30:03.279 what would happen 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:05.240 and then carry it out. 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.359 And that had always 00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:07.399 been his plan. 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.679 And he would do it 00:30:08.679 --> 00:30:09.719 according to verse 5, 00:30:10.199 --> 00:30:11.519 excuse me, 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:13.139 particularly so they would 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.540 see that it wasn't 00:30:14.540 --> 00:30:15.140 the idols. 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.660 There's no way 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.540 they could have predicted 00:30:17.540 --> 00:30:18.540 that it would be Cyrus 00:30:18.540 --> 00:30:19.460 who was raised up 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:21.000 apart from God's word. 00:30:21.320 --> 00:30:22.340 The idols didn't say, 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:22.800 oh, well, 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:23.759 another nation's going 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:25.020 to come and free you 00:30:25.020 --> 00:30:25.620 from Babylon. 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:28.240 Only God did this 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.860 and he did it 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:29.800 so that, 00:30:30.040 --> 00:30:32.680 so that all would see 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.940 that this was God's work. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.980 He did it not to destroy them 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.120 but to save them. 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.759 He refined them like silver 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.580 and if you know anything 00:30:39.580 --> 00:30:40.300 about silver, 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.740 the way you refine it 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.700 is you put it in heat 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.480 and it burns off 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.220 all the impurities. 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.519 But the implication 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.400 of the image here 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.480 is that Israel 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.440 was so impure 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.799 that if it had been refined 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:51.000 to its fullest extent 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.620 there'd be nothing 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:52.180 but ashes. 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:54.200 There was no silver left. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.480 There was nothing 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:57.220 that Israel had 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.559 that would be preserved 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.880 through the fires 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.460 of judgment 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.779 and so God relented 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.860 and brings instead 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:04.860 his redemptive power. 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:04.919 power. 00:31:07.419 --> 00:31:08.939 And this redemptive power 00:31:08.939 --> 00:31:09.500 is shown 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:12.959 first through Cyrus 00:31:12.959 --> 00:31:14.079 but then he says 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:15.159 but there is a new thing 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:15.719 that's coming. 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:17.459 He referenced it 00:31:17.459 --> 00:31:18.199 in verse 6. 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.259 There is a new thing 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.959 that I'm doing 00:31:19.959 --> 00:31:21.119 and I don't know 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.839 if you noticed it 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:23.079 but in verse 16 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:25.139 the voice changes 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:26.839 and it's a confusing, 00:31:26.899 --> 00:31:27.639 if you sit down 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:29.079 and you really work through it, 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:30.779 it's a confusing thing. 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:32.059 Verse 16 doesn't seem 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.859 to flow from verse 15. 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:35.059 It feels like 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.399 the flow of thought changes 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.619 and I think that's right 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:38.799 because I think 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:40.240 what verse 16 is doing 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.000 is giving us 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.319 for one verse 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.419 in these two chapters 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.519 the voice 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.679 of the suffering servant. 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.359 The voice of the one. 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.500 We've already seen it 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.960 mentioned earlier in Isaiah 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.879 and we're certainly 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.579 going to see it 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:52.639 as it comes up 00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.500 in the next section 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.220 because at the end 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.220 of chapter 48 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:57.259 this whole section 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.419 40 to 55 00:31:58.419 --> 00:31:59.919 40 through 48 00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:01.319 is about Cyrus 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.399 and God's deliverance 00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:02.980 from Babylon 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:05.299 and 49 through 55 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:05.960 is going to be 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:07.099 about God's deliverance 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:07.679 of His people 00:32:07.679 --> 00:32:08.359 from sin 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:10.559 and it's going to focus 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.799 on the suffering servant 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.539 and it's going to find 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.439 its highlight 00:32:13.439 --> 00:32:15.519 in chapter 53 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.919 which you all know 00:32:16.919 --> 00:32:19.619 is the picture of Jesus 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:21.240 as a substitute 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:23.019 suffering for His people 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.019 to redeem them 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:25.339 out of sin and death 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:26.460 and to bring them 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.319 into life 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:29.159 and this is what God 00:32:29.159 --> 00:32:30.039 is up to. 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:32.440 If the old things 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.619 were redeeming Israel 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.480 from Babylon 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.539 through Cyrus 00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.639 the new thing 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.240 is He's going to 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.139 redeem His people 00:32:38.139 --> 00:32:39.420 from sin 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.359 and of course 00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:41.139 this isn't new 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:41.839 because we know 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:42.259 it's throughout 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:44.619 the whole Old Testament 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.920 that this is God's purpose 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:47.139 but the new thing 00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:48.059 is how is He going 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.559 to do it 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:50.440 and this brings us 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.700 to the hope of Isaiah 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:53.299 it's the hope 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.440 that Jesus is coming 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:56.820 and that Jesus 00:32:56.820 --> 00:32:59.759 is going to humble Himself 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:01.100 where we are proud 00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:02.259 Jesus 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:04.420 is going to obey 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:06.340 and listen to God's Word 00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:08.039 when we don't 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.860 Jesus is going to 00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.820 submit Himself 00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:13.019 when our hearts rebel 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:15.720 and in being 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:17.440 the Israel 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:19.740 that God intended Israel 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.259 to be 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.380 for us 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:22.220 in being 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.900 the perfect 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:24.020 human being 00:33:24.020 --> 00:33:25.560 that He intended us 00:33:25.560 --> 00:33:26.040 to be 00:33:26.040 --> 00:33:27.060 before the fall 00:33:27.060 --> 00:33:28.280 that we are never 00:33:28.280 --> 00:33:28.980 going to be able 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.440 to be 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.960 Jesus is able 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:32.140 to be our substitute 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.820 and so 00:33:33.820 --> 00:33:34.540 when He goes 00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:35.320 to the cross 00:33:35.320 --> 00:33:36.600 and He dies 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:38.180 for our sin 00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:39.540 in our place 00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:41.500 His substitute 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:43.000 achieves for us 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.780 a redemption 00:33:43.780 --> 00:33:44.940 and freedom 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.920 from that sin 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.720 and freedom 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.600 from the judgment 00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:48.360 of God 00:33:48.360 --> 00:33:49.440 that should be 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.480 upon all of us 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:52.000 because Jesus Himself 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.620 took it 00:33:52.620 --> 00:33:54.200 and so that all 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.539 who are under Christ 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:56.720 all who have put 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.920 their faith in Him 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:59.480 know then 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:01.860 the God of Israel 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:03.740 the Holy One 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:04.839 the Redeemer 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:06.279 as their God 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.559 who has redeemed them 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:09.159 from the world 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:10.360 and from sin 00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:12.639 through Jesus Christ 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:14.019 and this is the hope 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.659 of the gospel 00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:16.619 and this is the message 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:18.019 that the Christian church 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:19.099 is called to proclaim 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:21.539 this is what we cling to 00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:22.900 and what we hope in 00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:26.159 this is what grace is 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:27.639 I kept wanting to 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.179 in this sermon 00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:28.900 talk about 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:30.420 undeserved grace 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.199 and I realized 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:32.119 undeserved grace 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.860 is repetitive 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.819 and unhelpful 00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:36.079 because grace is 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:37.039 by definition 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:38.179 undeserved 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:39.699 it's what God 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:40.639 showed to Israel 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.960 by not destroying them 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:43.219 the way He destroyed Babylon 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:44.360 it's what God 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:45.319 shows to us 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:46.920 by sending Jesus 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:48.380 to be our Savior 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:49.639 so that as we 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.539 humble ourselves 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.960 and believe in Him 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:53.360 we can be 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.619 God's people 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.740 we can be 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.360 redeemed 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.320 from our sin 00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:59.019 so how do we 00:34:59.019 --> 00:35:00.139 respond quickly 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:01.780 first 00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:02.900 we're to hear 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.440 and to listen 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.320 to God's word 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.960 Isaiah over and over 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:07.460 says Israel didn't hear 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.400 they didn't listen 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:10.320 and then he encourages them 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.280 listen hear 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:12.539 hear what I have to say 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:14.000 hear the words 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.659 of the gospel 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:16.259 not the gospels 00:35:16.259 --> 00:35:17.159 the four stories 00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:18.159 about the life of Jesus 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.460 but the message 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.500 the core message 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.179 of the Bible 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:22.099 which is that 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.859 God is a God 00:35:22.859 --> 00:35:23.739 who redeems 00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:24.859 through the person 00:35:24.859 --> 00:35:26.239 of Jesus Christ 00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:27.420 hear that 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:29.219 go back to it 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.259 meditate on it 00:35:30.259 --> 00:35:31.319 say 00:35:31.319 --> 00:35:31.960 that 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:46.899 and 00:35:46.899 --> 00:35:47.480 should 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.259 let us 00:35:48.259 --> 00:35:49.039 do it 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:49.259 as we 00:35:49.259 --> 00:35:49.420 understand 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:49.719 we need 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:49.779 some 00:35:49.779 --> 00:35:50.259 but 00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:51.079 we want a 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:51.359 and then 00:35:51.359 --> 00:35:52.639 he can 00:35:53.339 --> 00:36:14.619 get 00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:21.980 And finally, as you see in verse 21, 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:32.079 nope, verse 20, 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:37.039 Declare it with a shout of joy, proclaim it, and send it out to the ends of the earth. 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:39.699 The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob. 00:36:41.399 --> 00:36:43.960 Friends, this message is really good news. 00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:46.039 It's good news for all of us. 00:36:47.399 --> 00:36:50.179 And we ought to be full of praise. 00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:54.319 Praise in our conversations with our neighbors about what a great God we serve. 00:36:54.799 --> 00:36:59.259 Praise as we gather around our family tables or in our apartments, 00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:03.000 as we recognize his goodness on a daily basis. 00:37:03.899 --> 00:37:09.559 Praise as we gather in our small groups and as we gather here in our praise to God, 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:13.920 because though we are undeserving, he is a gracious redeemer. 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.779 Let's pray together. 00:37:18.399 --> 00:37:23.019 Lord Jesus, we pray that you will fill our tongues with the song of praise. 00:37:23.899 --> 00:37:29.859 Lord, that we will be humbled before you, recognizing our unworthiness, but your greatness. 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:33.780 Lord, we thank you for your word. 00:37:34.740 --> 00:37:36.300 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:37.420 Amen. 00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:37.539 Amen. 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:40.800 Amen. 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:42.840 Amen. 00:37:42.860 --> 00:37:43.420 Amen. 00:37:48.820 --> 00:37:49.719 Amen. 00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.920 Amen.