WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:06.080 Well, good evening. It's great to be with you even though we're separated by distance. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:15.000 We often find that quotes are taken out of context. For example, in my family it's quite 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:22.900 common to use the line at the end of the evening, I'm off to bed, to sleep, perchance to dream. 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:29.140 Ignoring the fact that this is a quote from Hamlet where he's speaking about death. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.799 Or people will quote Robert Frost's famous poem about the two roads that diverged in a wood as being about the triumph of individualism. 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:45.500 Whereas apparently it was meant to be about the futility of the decisions that we make. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:53.019 Tonight we come to a passage that has one verse in the middle that is well known. 00:00:53.020 --> 00:01:00.020 But rarely do we think about where it comes from and the context in which it was written. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:04.340 That verse is verse 14 which says, 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:11.439 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuel. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:21.439 Last week Jonathan took us through chapter 6 where we read of Isaiah's vision of the Lord high and lifted up 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:25.219 in all his glorious majesty and splendor. 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:34.180 And then we heard of his commission to Isaiah to go and speak to a people who would not listen to him. 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:42.860 And we heard that he was to keep on speaking until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant. 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:47.460 This week we see the beginning of that thankless task. 00:01:48.520 --> 00:01:51.719 And the beginning of that journey towards destruction. 00:01:53.380 --> 00:01:56.719 Tonight's passage is one of fear and of failure. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:07.920 It is probably around 18 years since Isaiah's commissioning. 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:12.759 And Ahaz, grandson of Uzziah, is now king in Judah. 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:16.939 By all accounts he was not a good king. 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:23.780 You can read all about his life in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28. 00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:29.479 To set the scene we need to understand a bit of what's going on in the world. 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:33.819 There are two main powers in the region at that time. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:35.659 Egypt and Assyria. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:41.879 Egypt to the south had been the major power but is in decline. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:50.500 Assyria to the northeast in modern day Iraq is on the rise to become the regional superpower. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:55.020 It's a highly cultured but cruel nation. 00:02:56.139 --> 00:03:01.379 To the north of Judah are two smaller nations, Israel and Aram. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:07.500 Israel is the northern Jewish kingdom, also known as Ephraim. 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:11.960 Their king is Pekah or the son of Ramalia. 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:16.620 Aram lies to the north of Israel in modern day Syria. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:19.159 The king there was risen. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:27.819 It seems that Egypt was trying to coordinate an uprising of these smaller nations to throw off Assyria. 00:03:29.019 --> 00:03:34.259 Israel and Aram had agreed to join in but Judah refused. 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:38.560 As we will see, Ahaz had other plans. 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:42.900 Just a brief disclaimer before we go any further. 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:47.960 There is a lot in this passage that is difficult to understand. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:52.500 I will not try and answer all the questions you might have. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:57.400 Others much wiser than me have tried and failed. 00:03:58.180 --> 00:04:03.900 But there are some things that shine through clearly and we will focus our attention there. 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:11.260 For those of you who like headings, we will be looking at the passage under three headings. 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:13.640 Fearing the wrong things. 00:04:14.640 --> 00:04:15.860 Trusting the wrong things. 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:18.660 And a sign that can be trusted. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:22.759 So to start fearing the wrong things. 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:28.300 At the beginning of the passage, we find Ahaz and all the people terrified. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:39.579 The message has come that Aram and Ephraim, that is Israel, have formed an alliance and have invaded and are marching on Jerusalem. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:51.399 Because Judah wouldn't join in the uprising against Assyria, they have turned on them and planned to divide the land between them and put their own puppet king in place. 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:54.479 And so we read in verse 2, 00:04:54.939 --> 00:05:01.819 The hearts of Ahaz and all his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind. 00:05:03.180 --> 00:05:05.919 It was completely natural for them to be afraid. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:08.399 From their viewpoint, they were doomed. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:13.199 It was surely only a matter of time before Jerusalem fell. 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:19.500 And there are many things in this world that cause us to fear. 00:05:21.039 --> 00:05:28.079 Illness, death, unemployment, poverty, rejection, failure. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:32.539 I'm sure you could fill in the list with things that cause you to fear. 00:05:32.540 --> 00:05:38.700 And some of these fears have been made far more real to us in this last year. 00:05:39.760 --> 00:05:44.379 Particularly to those of you working in hospitals and other vulnerable situations, 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:48.300 who have seen firsthand the ravages of this pandemic. 00:05:49.020 --> 00:05:50.820 It's natural to fear. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:57.019 But the real problem here is not that Ahaz fears Israel and Aram, 00:05:57.540 --> 00:05:59.980 but that he does not fear God. 00:05:59.980 --> 00:06:03.900 He's not just ambivalent towards God, 00:06:03.900 --> 00:06:09.740 but he's actively engaged in the worship of the gods of all the nations around. 00:06:10.540 --> 00:06:14.080 He has even offered his own children as sacrifices, 00:06:14.080 --> 00:06:20.120 and he will ultimately close the doors of the temple and stop the worship there. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:26.759 In the past, the nations had trembled before the people of Israel 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:30.340 because they had heard that the Lord was with them, 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:33.980 and they had heard of the wonders that he had done. 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:37.720 But Ahaz thought nothing of this. 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:44.960 He believed his best defence was to become as much like his neighbours as possible, 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:47.520 to worship their gods, 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:50.160 and to not stand out as different. 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:54.260 If these gods had given his enemies victory, 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:56.820 surely he should be worshipping them. 00:06:59.080 --> 00:07:00.900 In the face of our fears, 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:03.400 are we tempted to compromise? 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:06.000 Are we tempted to think, 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:09.279 I know this isn't really right, 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:12.319 but everyone around me is doing it, 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:15.319 and it seems to be working out quite well for them. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:20.319 But what Ahaz had not reckoned with 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:24.839 is the fact that these gods are no gods at all, 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:30.439 but that the Lord who he despises is truly God. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:33.459 He is the one that is in control. 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:37.219 None of this is happening without his knowledge, 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:39.159 and actually more than this, 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:42.519 he is the one that is directing these nations. 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:45.639 In verse 14 we read, 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:48.159 the Lord will bring. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:49.879 In verse 19, 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:52.259 the Lord will whistle for flies. 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:54.060 And in verse 20, 00:07:54.379 --> 00:07:55.879 the Lord will use a razor 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:58.459 hired from beyond the Euphrates River. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:02.739 These powerful nations that Ahaz fears 00:08:02.739 --> 00:08:04.859 are nothing but pawns. 00:08:06.039 --> 00:08:07.899 They are just tools in God's hand 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.639 to bring about his purposes. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:11.899 In this case, 00:08:12.039 --> 00:08:13.019 to discipline Judah 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:15.439 for their rebellion against him. 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:18.740 While it is natural 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:20.439 to be afraid of them, 00:08:21.539 --> 00:08:22.359 it is the God 00:08:22.359 --> 00:08:23.620 who is directing them 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:24.779 that should be feared. 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:27.099 And Ahaz wants nothing 00:08:27.099 --> 00:08:28.359 to do with him. 00:08:29.979 --> 00:08:31.559 But despite that, 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:33.500 despite his rejection, 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:36.000 God is still faithful. 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:39.399 He is faithful to his promises 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:40.419 and his people. 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:43.059 However much they fail, 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:45.199 however much they reject him, 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:48.139 however angry he is with them, 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:50.159 he will not ultimately 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:51.299 let them be destroyed. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:54.839 And so he sends Isaiah 00:08:54.839 --> 00:08:56.819 with a message to Ahaz, 00:08:57.839 --> 00:08:59.759 whether he wants to hear it or not. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.759 And the message is this. 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:04.419 Be careful, 00:09:05.579 --> 00:09:06.279 keep calm, 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:08.120 and don't be afraid. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:10.679 Do not lose heart 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.740 because of those 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:13.679 two smouldering stubs 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:14.779 of firewood. 00:09:16.079 --> 00:09:17.679 Do not be afraid 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:18.639 of these nations. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.980 Do not be afraid 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:21.759 of these kings 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:23.879 for they are only men. 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:26.580 And more than that, 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:28.399 they are smouldering stubs. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.279 Yes, they may 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:31.799 be fiery hot, 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:33.439 but they will soon 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:34.360 burn out. 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:36.699 Aram 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:37.679 would soon 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:38.340 be conquered. 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:40.519 And in verse 8 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:41.039 we read 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:42.059 that Ephraim 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:43.480 will be too shattered 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:44.639 to be a people. 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:46.679 They will be crushed, 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:48.460 they will be dispersed, 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:50.039 they will be mixed 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:51.000 with other peoples 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:52.419 and will be lost. 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:54.899 They will no longer 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.919 be a people. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.539 These nations 00:09:58.539 --> 00:09:59.379 have conspired 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.840 to destroy Judah, 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:02.580 but the Lord says 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:03.319 through Isaiah, 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:05.779 it will not happen. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:08.639 This does not mean 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:09.620 that they will not 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.419 inflict wounds 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:10.879 on Judah. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:12.639 In fact, 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:13.360 from the accounts 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.539 in Kings and Chronicles, 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:15.620 we know that they 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:17.240 inflicted heavy casualties. 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:19.379 But ultimately, 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.100 they will not prevail. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:22.740 Jerusalem 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:24.120 will stand. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:25.419 Judah 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:26.580 will not 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:27.259 be destroyed. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:30.180 Ahaz 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:31.240 was fearing 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:32.080 the wrong things. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.240 He was fearing 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.320 these nations 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:36.379 that ultimately 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:37.100 would fall. 00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:39.080 And he was not 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:39.580 fearing 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:40.299 the God 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:41.120 who was in control 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.659 of it all. 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:44.600 But we also 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:45.480 see in this passage 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.539 that he was trusting 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:48.240 the wrong things. 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:51.659 Because rather than 00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:52.699 joining the alliance 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:53.399 with Egypt, 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.980 or trusting in God 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:56.659 for protection 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:57.559 as he should have done, 00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.379 he decided 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:00.319 to take a different 00:11:00.319 --> 00:11:00.740 route 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:02.299 and to look 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:02.939 to Assyria, 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:04.659 the growing superpower 00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:06.399 that everyone feared 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:07.740 for salvation. 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:09.799 rather than 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:10.759 fighting the enemy, 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:11.980 he chose 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:13.200 a path of appeasement. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:16.320 In 2nd Kings 16, 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.399 we read, 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.740 Ahaz 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:19.680 sent messengers 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:21.799 to say to Tiglath-Pileser, 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:22.879 king of Assyria, 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.899 I am your servant 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:25.879 and vassal. 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:27.500 Come up 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.159 and save me 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:28.879 out of the hand 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:29.779 of the king of Aram 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:31.419 and of the king of Israel 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:33.080 who are attacking me. 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:34.940 And Ahaz 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.720 took the silver 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.399 and gold 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:37.620 found in the temple 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.240 of the Lord 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.700 and in the treasuries 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:40.759 of the royal palace 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:42.500 and sent it as a gift 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.820 to the kings of Assyria. 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:47.519 He humbles himself 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:49.620 before this king, 00:11:49.800 --> 00:11:50.740 Tiglath-Pileser. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:52.920 He is the king 00:11:52.920 --> 00:11:53.940 of the nation 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:55.160 that is meant 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:56.320 to represent God 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:57.000 to the world. 00:11:58.320 --> 00:11:59.220 He is of the line 00:11:59.220 --> 00:11:59.720 of David 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:01.200 and sits on the throne 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:01.779 of David. 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:03.860 And he is declaring 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:04.519 himself 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:06.240 to be a mere servant, 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:07.860 a vassal, 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.500 literally a son 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:11.559 of this pagan king. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:13.919 This is not 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.720 an alliance, 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.559 but this is 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:17.100 submission 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.699 as a subject. 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.059 And he gives 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:21.919 tribute to him, 00:12:22.579 --> 00:12:24.259 not just any old tribute, 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.159 but as well as 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:26.899 the wealth 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:27.980 of the palace treasury. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.960 He gives the gold 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:30.559 and silver 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.360 from the temple, 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.980 the things 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.019 that were dedicated 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:35.120 to the worship 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:35.740 of God. 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.200 And yes, 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:39.620 the king 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.539 of Assyria 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:42.100 will come 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.360 to his begging. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.159 He will come 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:45.860 with his armies, 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.840 but he doesn't 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:48.340 care 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:50.019 at all 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:50.879 about Judah. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.539 He is only 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.159 interested 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.320 in expanding 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:55.580 his own power. 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:59.800 the one thing 00:12:59.800 --> 00:13:00.740 that Ahaz 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.580 is unwilling 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.400 to trust 00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:03.520 is God. 00:13:05.020 --> 00:13:05.600 But Isaiah 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:06.620 brings the message, 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:08.240 if you do not 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:08.980 stand firm 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.759 in your faith, 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.020 you will not 00:13:11.020 --> 00:13:12.160 stand at all. 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.420 The same God 00:13:14.420 --> 00:13:15.200 who will bring down 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.520 resin and pekah 00:13:16.520 --> 00:13:18.240 is the God 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.600 in whose hands 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.780 Ahaz is. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:22.939 If he does not 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:23.620 turn back 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.179 to God, 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:25.759 he too 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.819 will fall. 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:29.720 However, 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.500 knowing 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.659 Ahaz's 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:33.620 lack of faith, 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.000 God tells him 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.100 to ask for a sign, 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:39.240 any sign 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.220 that he wants, 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.480 to show 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.259 that the message 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.279 given through Isaiah 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:44.419 is reliable 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.879 and to be trusted. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.319 We often see 00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:50.360 asking for signs 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.940 being criticised. 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:53.460 For example, 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.539 Jesus would say 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.539 a wicked 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.740 and adulterous 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.480 generation 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.960 looks for a sign. 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.779 Asking for a sign 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:02.639 is seen 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.159 as showing 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:04.039 lack of faith. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:05.940 But here we see 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.899 that God is willing 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.200 to give a sign 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.940 to Ahaz 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:10.539 precisely because 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.600 his faith 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.320 is lacking. 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.000 But Ahaz 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.960 does not want 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:16.680 a message 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.800 or a sign 00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:18.460 from God. 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:20.220 on the face 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:20.580 of it, 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.000 it sounds 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.519 like piety. 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.280 In fact, 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:23.759 he uses 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.860 almost the same 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.800 words that 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:26.379 Jesus would 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.200 later use 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:28.000 when tempted 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.680 by the devil. 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.420 I will not 00:14:30.420 --> 00:14:31.300 put the Lord 00:14:31.300 --> 00:14:32.180 to the test. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.780 But this is 00:14:34.780 --> 00:14:35.580 false piety. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:38.040 He does not 00:14:38.040 --> 00:14:38.460 refuse 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.420 because of his 00:14:39.420 --> 00:14:39.740 faith. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.480 He refuses 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.139 because he has 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.340 already decided 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.060 what to do. 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:46.299 He believes 00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:47.219 he has no 00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:48.299 need for God. 00:14:49.339 --> 00:14:50.500 And above all, 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.419 he does not 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:51.919 want to be 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.739 inconvenienced 00:14:52.739 --> 00:14:54.059 by what God 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:54.879 might expect 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.339 of him. 00:14:57.339 --> 00:14:58.139 I wonder 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:58.659 if there are 00:14:58.659 --> 00:14:59.059 times 00:14:59.059 --> 00:15:00.399 when we don't 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.079 want to see 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:02.219 what God 00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:02.959 wants to show 00:15:02.959 --> 00:15:03.259 us 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.859 because we 00:15:04.859 --> 00:15:05.579 do not want 00:15:05.579 --> 00:15:06.019 to hear 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:06.699 what he might 00:15:06.699 --> 00:15:07.119 be telling 00:15:07.119 --> 00:15:07.439 us. 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.139 We don't 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.899 want to listen 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.500 to his 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.079 word, 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:12.939 to hear it 00:15:12.939 --> 00:15:13.459 preached, 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.600 because we're 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.500 scared of 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:15.860 what we 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.860 might be 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.600 expected to 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:17.980 do in 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.560 response. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.800 But despite 00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:23.040 Ahaz refusing 00:15:23.040 --> 00:15:23.600 to ask, 00:15:24.680 --> 00:15:25.580 God gives 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.100 a sign 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:27.180 anyway. 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:29.480 And so we 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.000 come to our 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.360 final and 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.420 biggest point, 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.379 a sign 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.280 that can be 00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:35.680 trusted. 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.580 Once again, 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.240 we see that 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:40.379 despite Ahaz, 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.480 God is 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:41.879 faithful. 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.019 God is 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.980 not the 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.639 sign, 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.080 but it's 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.659 not the 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:47.200 sign, 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.139 but it's 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:48.740 not the 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:48.919 sign, 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:50.139 but it's 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:50.399 not the 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:50.860 sign, 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.860 but it's 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.200 not the 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:52.480 sign. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.600 God is 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.179 no longer 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.679 speaking to 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.159 Ahaz. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:58.220 He is 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.759 speaking to 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.279 the nation 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.179 at large. 00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:01.960 Ahaz has 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.679 refused a 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:02.980 sign, 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.320 but he will 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.259 give a sign 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.000 to the 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.039 nation that 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.620 they might 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.179 believe. 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:10.539 And it's 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:10.919 not the 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.259 sort of 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.359 sign that 00:16:12.359 --> 00:16:12.739 they might 00:16:12.739 --> 00:16:13.039 have been 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.579 expecting. 00:16:14.719 --> 00:16:15.399 It's the 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:15.939 birth of a 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.179 son, 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.059 a specific 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:19.500 son with 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.039 a specific 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.500 name. 00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:23.359 Actually, 00:16:23.479 --> 00:16:24.000 there are at 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.000 least three 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.379 sons mentioned 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:26.839 in this 00:16:26.839 --> 00:16:27.259 passage, 00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:29.139 and they all 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.959 have significant 00:16:29.959 --> 00:16:31.059 names that 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.259 communicate a 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:32.919 message to 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:33.339 the people. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:33.440 people. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.040 In chapter 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:37.519 eight, we 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:37.899 read of 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.420 Isaiah 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:39.800 fathering a 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.639 son with 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.200 the mouthful 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:41.759 of a name 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.600 Maher 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.060 Shalal 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:43.700 Hashbaz. 00:16:44.660 --> 00:16:45.680 This name 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:46.440 means something 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.360 like quick 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:47.720 to the 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.060 plunder. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.040 And the 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:50.700 prophecy is 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:52.280 given that 00:16:52.280 --> 00:16:52.960 before he 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.500 can even 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.620 say mama 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.460 or dada, 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.780 the first 00:16:56.780 --> 00:16:57.400 words that 00:16:57.400 --> 00:16:57.920 most children 00:16:57.920 --> 00:16:58.379 speak, 00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.900 Assyria 00:16:59.900 --> 00:17:00.600 will come 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.460 in and 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.019 plunder 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.120 their enemies. 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:05.460 the nations 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.100 that they 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.880 feared so 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:08.299 much will 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.319 fall to 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.779 the might 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.460 of Assyria. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.340 So has 00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:13.860 the plan of 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:15.120 Ahaz worked 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:15.640 out after 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:15.960 all? 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:18.019 Assyria will 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.700 solve all his 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.120 problems. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.340 We need to 00:17:21.340 --> 00:17:22.079 keep reading 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:23.779 because in 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.360 verse seven 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:24.860 of chapter 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.299 eight, we 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:25.660 read, 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.100 the Lord 00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:27.860 is about to 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.500 bring against 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:28.819 them, 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.340 that's against 00:17:30.340 --> 00:17:31.440 Aram and 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:31.819 Israel, 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.960 the mighty 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.720 floodwaters 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.120 of the 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:34.840 Euphrates, 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.220 the king 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.840 of Assyria 00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:37.640 with all 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.220 his pomp. 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:39.900 It will 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.400 overflow 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:40.960 all its 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.380 channels, 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.279 run over 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.799 all its 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.220 banks, 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.539 and sweep 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.140 on into 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.500 Judah, 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.680 swirling 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.240 over it, 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.000 passing 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.620 through it, 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.360 and reaching 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:49.880 up to the 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.200 neck. 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.460 Assyria will 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.840 come against 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.620 Aram and 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:54.980 Israel. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.039 Unlike a 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.559 river which 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:57.960 has burst 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.600 its banks, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.799 it will keep 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.440 on going 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.519 into Judah. 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.100 Tiglath 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:04.299 Pileser is 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:05.259 not a 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.180 friend that 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.460 can be 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:06.799 trusted. 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:09.900 And is 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.420 that not 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:11.080 the same 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:12.180 with things 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.720 we trust 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.779 in, to 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.240 save us 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:14.620 from the 00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:15.100 things we 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:15.440 fear? 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.460 Be it our 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.799 job, our 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.900 friends, our 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:21.220 family, our 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.380 savings, our 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:24.120 pension, even 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:25.000 the vaccines that 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.600 we're pinning our 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:26.880 hopes on, they 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.400 may all be 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.640 good, they 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.380 may all help, 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:31.600 but ultimately 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:32.760 they cannot be 00:18:32.760 --> 00:18:33.960 fully relied on 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.300 and may 00:18:35.300 --> 00:18:35.880 fail us. 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:38.860 At the 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.480 beginning of 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.220 chapter 7, 00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:41.940 another son of 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.780 Isaiah was 00:18:42.780 --> 00:18:43.340 mentioned, 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.060 Shir Yashub. 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.300 This name 00:18:47.300 --> 00:18:48.580 means a 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.140 remnant 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.040 will return. 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:52.120 Yes, 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:52.820 things are 00:18:52.820 --> 00:18:53.140 bad. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.340 Yes, they're 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:54.680 going to get 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:56.220 worse, but 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.420 God is still 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.080 faithful. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.060 He has 00:19:00.060 --> 00:19:00.920 made promises 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.320 to his 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:02.280 people and 00:19:02.280 --> 00:19:02.560 he will 00:19:02.560 --> 00:19:03.380 not abandon 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:03.700 them. 00:19:04.760 --> 00:19:05.460 Because we 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:05.860 read the 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:06.520 floodwaters 00:19:06.520 --> 00:19:07.640 will only 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.300 come up to 00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:08.820 their neck. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.640 They will 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.160 not 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.920 ultimately be 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.340 destroyed. 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.660 If God 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.340 was not in 00:19:16.340 --> 00:19:16.760 control, 00:19:17.760 --> 00:19:18.320 if God was 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:19.280 not restraining 00:19:19.280 --> 00:19:19.900 these mighty 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:21.400 armies, they 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.980 would have been 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.560 completely 00:19:22.560 --> 00:19:23.540 annihilated. 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:25.220 the children 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.779 of Israel 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.319 would have 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.720 been wiped 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.119 out. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.399 God's 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:28.879 promises 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:29.599 would have 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:29.980 failed. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:31.539 And 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.039 ultimately, 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.220 the promised 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.379 Messiah would 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.019 not come. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.420 And we 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:36.920 would not be 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.099 here today. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.139 Which brings 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.019 us to the 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.680 third child, 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.200 in that 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:44.920 well-known 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.740 verse, 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.039 verse 14, 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.220 which is 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.799 quoted in 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.420 Matthew 1. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.420 Therefore, 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.480 the Lord 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.300 himself will 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:53.759 give you a 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.019 sign. 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.580 The virgin 00:19:55.580 --> 00:19:56.420 will conceive 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.140 and give 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.740 birth to a 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.300 son, and 00:19:59.300 --> 00:19:59.820 will call 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.519 him 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.300 Emmanuel. 00:20:03.300 --> 00:20:03.779 This 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:05.300 sign is 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:06.480 promised to 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:06.980 a nation 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.900 fearing 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.700 annihilation 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.759 by powerful 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.259 armies. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.600 This sign 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.200 is promised 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.519 to a 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.200 godless king 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.759 who has 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.259 led his 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.019 people astray. 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.300 Where they 00:20:18.300 --> 00:20:18.700 might be 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.140 looking, 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.600 for great, 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.759 powerful 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.840 deliverance. 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.900 They are 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.620 given the 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.440 sign of 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:26.980 a child. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:28.840 But the 00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:29.340 sign is 00:20:29.340 --> 00:20:30.640 given to 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.060 give them 00:20:31.060 --> 00:20:31.480 hope. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.740 Much of 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.200 prophecy 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.039 seems to 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.740 have multiple 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.700 fulfilments. 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.080 It speaks 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:39.820 of events 00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:40.820 near at hand 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.500 when it 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:41.960 was written, 00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:43.420 and also 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:43.900 speaks of 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:44.340 things that 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:44.779 happen in 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.240 the future, 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.759 sometimes the 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.500 distant future. 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:47.539 future. 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.039 And it 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.420 seems that 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.859 this is 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.200 one of 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.400 these 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:51.980 prophecies. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.579 The 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.180 events we 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.519 are told 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:54.799 it will 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.420 precede, 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:56.799 the 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.359 destruction 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.500 of their 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:58.900 neighbours 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.299 that they 00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.660 fear, 00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:01.220 is in 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.539 the near 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.000 future. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.900 So it 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.380 seems that 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.980 this verse 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.539 must have 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:06.819 had a 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.400 fulfilment 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.900 at that 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.220 time. 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:10.140 There are 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.420 many 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.539 theories on 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:11.880 who this 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.420 child might 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:12.700 be, 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.620 but that 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.019 is one of 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.519 the questions 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:15.880 that we're 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.339 not going 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:16.700 to be able 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.079 to answer 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.440 today. 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:19.740 But if 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.380 this verse 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.120 wasn't 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:21.779 quoted in 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.140 Matthew, 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.799 referring to 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.140 the birth 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.680 of Christ, 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.740 we would 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.180 just stop 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.440 there, 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.380 think nothing 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:27.960 more about 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.200 it, 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:28.900 it would 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.100 be yet 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:30.559 another 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.120 obscure 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:31.740 prophecy 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.579 to 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.100 ancient 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:33.420 Judah. 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:37.840 But it 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:38.140 is. 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:40.160 And that 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:40.620 brings us 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:40.920 to the 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.140 other 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.700 difficulty 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.480 in this 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:42.880 verse. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.940 What does 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.500 the word 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.519 which is 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.039 translated 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.560 virgin 00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:48.880 actually 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.259 mean? 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.500 Many of 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.000 your Bibles 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.340 will have 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:52.980 the footnote 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.140 or a 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.640 young woman. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.779 It seems 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.259 that this 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.360 word just 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.539 means a 00:21:59.539 --> 00:21:59.840 young 00:21:59.840 --> 00:22:00.779 unmarried 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.240 woman. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:02.860 Virgin 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.639 is implied 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:05.359 but not 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:05.839 explicit. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.500 This would 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.019 just be a 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.679 question for 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.359 the academics 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.379 and Hebrew 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:13.000 scholars if 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.519 it wasn't 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.719 something that 00:22:14.719 --> 00:22:15.240 is used 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.639 frequently to 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.199 attack the 00:22:17.199 --> 00:22:18.359 credibility of 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:18.779 the Christian 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.199 faith. 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.439 People love 00:22:20.439 --> 00:22:21.019 to point at 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.359 this and 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:21.519 say, 00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:21.919 see, 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.439 it doesn't 00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:23.979 mean virgin. 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.099 The virgin 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.799 birth is all 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.879 made up just 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.539 like the rest 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:27.839 of your 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.179 faith. 00:22:29.979 --> 00:22:31.240 Except that 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.319 argument doesn't 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:32.659 work. 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:36.159 the Greek 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:36.879 translation of 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.159 the Old 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:37.599 Testament, 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.559 which is 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.159 quoted in 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:39.579 Matthew's 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:39.959 Gospel, 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.419 uses the 00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:41.699 word 00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:42.519 parthenos, 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.459 which is 00:22:43.459 --> 00:22:45.219 precise in 00:22:45.219 --> 00:22:45.679 its meaning. 00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:47.359 But even if 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:47.899 it wasn't, 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.939 even if this 00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.799 verse in 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.819 Isaiah never 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.500 existed, 00:22:52.459 --> 00:22:53.019 the Gospels 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.439 make it 00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:54.919 explicitly clear. 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:56.959 In Luke's 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:57.399 Gospel, 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:58.599 Mary asks, 00:22:58.599 --> 00:23:10.480 Mary is not 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.980 stupid. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.799 She knows 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.259 about the 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.639 birds and 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:13.980 the bees, 00:23:14.699 --> 00:23:15.319 and therefore 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.219 she knows 00:23:16.219 --> 00:23:17.000 that she 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.819 cannot 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.799 conceive a 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.139 child. 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.859 In Matthew's 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.240 Gospel, 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.439 the angel 00:23:23.439 --> 00:23:24.379 tells Joseph, 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.520 what is 00:23:25.520 --> 00:23:26.240 conceived in 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.060 her is 00:23:27.060 --> 00:23:27.380 from the 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.080 Holy Spirit, 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.680 and then 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.780 explicitly goes 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:31.560 on to state, 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:32.920 he did not 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.680 consummate their 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.780 marriage until 00:23:34.780 --> 00:23:35.640 she gave birth 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.140 to a son. 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.520 Why am I 00:23:38.520 --> 00:23:39.080 laboring this 00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:39.340 point? 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.220 Because it's 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.700 important. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:44.180 if Jesus 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:44.940 was just 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.799 another baby 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.059 conceived in 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.460 the normal 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:47.860 manner, 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.080 as all of 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.519 us are, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:50.980 then he is 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:52.080 just human. 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:53.860 And if 00:23:53.860 --> 00:23:55.480 Jesus is 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.240 just a 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.480 man, 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.220 yes, 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.759 a man 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.220 somehow 00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.740 specially 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.319 anointed by 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.019 God for 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.460 a special 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:01.980 ministry, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.519 filled with 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:03.940 the Spirit 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.559 in a special 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:04.940 way, 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.680 then we 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.160 have a big 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.819 problem. 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.420 Because if 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.460 Jesus is not 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.140 fully God, 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.680 then he has 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.240 no power 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.180 to offer 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.700 forgiveness. 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.539 He is just 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:17.940 a man 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.759 spouting nice 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.360 platitudes, 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.500 a man who 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.220 is mistaken 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.200 about his 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.039 own identity, 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.860 a man who 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:26.019 ultimately died 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.640 an unfortunate 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.140 death. 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.420 At best, 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:29.940 he is like 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.380 one of the 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.059 high priests 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.120 who had to 00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:33.079 offer sacrifices 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.180 for his own 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.600 sins, 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.240 before offering 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.059 the sacrifices 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.140 on behalf 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.720 of the people. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:38.779 people. 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.720 But also, 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:42.980 if God is 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.500 not fully 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:43.900 man, 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.579 if he was 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.079 just some 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.500 sort of 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.860 avatar, 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.940 just a 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.680 pure spirit 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.500 wearing flesh 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:50.799 as a 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.180 costume, 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:53.380 then he 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:54.180 cannot represent 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.620 us. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.779 He does 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.600 not understand 00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:57.539 our weakness. 00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:58.980 He can't 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.100 act on our 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:01.299 behalf before 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.860 his Father. 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:01.899 Savior. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.519 If Jesus 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.199 is not 00:25:05.199 --> 00:25:05.979 fully God 00:25:05.979 --> 00:25:07.079 and fully 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.500 man, 00:25:08.219 --> 00:25:08.799 then he 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.619 cannot be 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.479 our Savior. 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.779 I wonder 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.019 if the 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.539 disciples, 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.359 looking back, 00:25:17.479 --> 00:25:18.279 re-read this 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.679 verse, 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.319 and it struck 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:20.599 them. 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.079 Oh, 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.619 so that's 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.359 what it 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.779 means. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.279 A virgin 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:28.019 conceives. 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.819 we never 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.220 in our 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.819 wildest 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.180 dreams 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.200 realized it 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.799 meant that. 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:34.139 We assumed 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:34.599 it was just 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.180 poetic. 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.379 But now 00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:37.960 we see, 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.579 now we 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.000 know what 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.920 Isaiah was 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.660 talking about 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.720 all that 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.400 time ago. 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.799 And so 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.440 back to the 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:46.799 name, 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.019 Emmanuel, 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.339 which means 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:51.299 God 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:52.359 with us. 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.859 We first 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.259 see the 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.039 significance of 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.579 this name 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:58.000 at Isaiah's 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.339 time. 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.500 In the 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:00.980 events that 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.500 were happening, 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:01.960 it would be 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.079 easy for 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.420 them to 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.220 think that 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.839 God had 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.220 abandoned 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.500 them. 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.559 But he 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.059 wants them 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.519 to know 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.460 that even 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.079 though he 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.579 is bringing 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.139 the armies 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.779 of Assyria 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.879 against them, 00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:14.799 he is with 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.019 them, 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.339 and he is 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.359 waiting for 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:17.980 them to cry 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.740 out to him. 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.480 We see the 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.220 name mentioned 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.200 again twice 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.139 in chapter 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:24.619 8, 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:25.859 in verses 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.879 8 and 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.319 10. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.299 In verse 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.839 8, it 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.240 seems to 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.919 be a cry 00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:32.500 of distress. 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.359 Many 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.079 translations 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.859 render it 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.079 as, 00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:36.319 O Emmanuel. 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.740 They 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.559 long to 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.139 see God 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.579 with them. 00:26:40.719 --> 00:26:41.079 In the 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.519 face of 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.199 the destruction 00:26:42.199 --> 00:26:42.759 brought by 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.199 Assyria, 00:26:43.479 --> 00:26:44.359 they finally 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.119 cry out to 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.459 God. 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.319 As the 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.619 Christmas 00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:48.419 carol puts 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:48.699 it, 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.740 O come, 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.740 O come, 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.500 Emmanuel, 00:26:51.959 --> 00:26:52.740 and ransom 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.579 captive 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.379 Israel. 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.899 We see 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.879 the response 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.479 to this 00:26:58.479 --> 00:26:59.419 in verse 00:26:59.419 --> 00:26:59.819 10. 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.439 All the 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:03.259 plans that 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.879 the nations 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:05.079 might make, 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.779 however powerful 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.759 their empires, 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.699 are futile 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:11.519 and ultimately 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.139 doomed. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.879 For 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.519 Emmanuel, 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.240 for God 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.740 is with 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.059 us. 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:19.059 God 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:20.059 is 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.059 fulfilled 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.099 in a 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:24.019 far greater 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.019 way. 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.339 In the 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.700 birth of 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.079 Christ, 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.019 in the 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:29.779 birth of 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.220 Christ, 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:32.480 in Jesus, 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.539 we see 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.740 God with 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.899 us, not 00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:36.399 just in 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:37.720 some abstract 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.299 way, 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.720 but instead, 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:41.519 as we read in 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.179 John's gospel, 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.259 he made his 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.859 dwelling among 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.279 us. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:47.000 He grew 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:48.180 up as 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.660 a human 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.460 child. 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:50.700 He walked 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.339 about the 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:51.879 roads of 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.899 Galilee and 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.420 Judea. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.539 He was 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.019 hungry. 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.359 He was 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:56.859 tired. 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.539 He wept. 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.099 He died. 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.460 As one 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.220 song puts 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.519 it, 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.259 what if 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.879 God was 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:06.299 one of 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.619 us? 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.240 Well, 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.759 he was. 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:11.000 He is the 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.960 image of 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.480 the invisible 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.000 God. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.039 God. 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.460 He fully 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:16.099 reveals God 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.720 to us. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.440 That's all 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:19.980 very well, 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.680 but what 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.299 about today? 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.519 Well, 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.660 Jesus promised, 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.640 surely I am 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:27.980 with you 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:29.420 always to 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:29.839 the very 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.319 end of 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:30.819 the age. 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.599 And he 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.140 promised that 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:33.359 he would 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.779 give us 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.500 another 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.119 comforter, 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.359 one to 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.960 walk beside 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.940 us, to 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.539 dwell within 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:38.880 us. 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.900 He is 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:42.200 with all 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.400 people who 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:42.720 have put 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.279 their trust 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.700 in him, 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:44.960 in the 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.960 person of 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.299 the Holy 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.779 Spirit. 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.080 And so we 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:49.600 can sing 00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:50.480 the words 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:50.759 of the 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.120 song, 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.700 I know 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.539 who goes 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.160 before me. 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.740 I know 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.360 who stands 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.960 behind. 00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:58.740 The God 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.559 of angel 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.200 armies is 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.340 always by 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:03.039 my side. 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.039 Whom 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:05.360 shall I 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:05.980 fear? 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:08.700 And we 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.100 could just 00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:09.539 stop there. 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.579 fear. 00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:11.759 If we 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.299 are trusting 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.079 in the 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.559 God who 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:13.899 is with 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.220 us, 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:16.180 then what 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.680 have we 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.159 to fear? 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.359 The worst 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:19.920 that the 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.359 world can 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:23.079 do is 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.819 nothing if 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.879 God is 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.420 with us. 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:29.039 In some 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.720 ways, we 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.379 don't have 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:30.960 to cry 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.399 out, 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.639 O come, 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.759 O come, 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.399 Emmanuel. 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.680 He has 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:35.960 come, 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.279 and he 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.940 has promised 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.700 that he 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.080 is with 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.400 us, 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.840 and yet 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:42.500 we still 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.420 groan. 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.600 Yes, God 00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.000 is with 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.600 us, but 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.120 we can't 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.600 see him, 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.559 and we 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.380 don't always 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.080 feel him. 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.640 Yes, we 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.059 don't have 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.500 the armies 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.160 of Assyria 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:57.720 coming against 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:59.000 us, and 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.840 yet we know 00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:00.920 things aren't 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.440 right. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.539 We've 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.259 perhaps felt 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.740 more than 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.380 ever in this 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.059 past year 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:07.359 just how 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.659 broken this 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.399 world is, 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.779 and so we 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.619 cry out for 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.619 something more, 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.259 and rightly 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.639 so, 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:16.639 because we 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.399 have promised, 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.720 we have been 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.539 promised something 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:19.940 more. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.500 Ever since 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.039 our first 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:24.099 parents were 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.859 thrown out of 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.399 the garden, 00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:26.720 where they had 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.339 walked with 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.079 God in the 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.559 cool of the 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.179 day, the 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:31.119 ultimate goal 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:32.519 has been for 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.659 that day when 00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:35.159 once more the 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.740 dwelling of 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.660 God is 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.300 with men. 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.480 They will be 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.040 his people, 00:30:41.040 --> 00:30:41.580 and God 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.340 himself will 00:30:42.340 --> 00:30:42.759 be with 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:43.720 them and 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.200 be their 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:44.620 God. 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.759 He will 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.900 wipe every 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.900 tear from 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.440 their eyes. 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:50.880 There will 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.920 be no more 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.940 death or 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.900 mourning or 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.820 crying or 00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:55.940 pain, for 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.519 the old 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.279 order of 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.340 things has 00:30:58.340 --> 00:30:59.220 passed away. 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:02.279 And so to 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:04.299 conclude, we 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.480 have seen the 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:07.200 danger of, 00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:07.940 like Ahaz, 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.480 fearing the 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.180 wrong things, 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.460 fearing the 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.420 things that we 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.700 see around us, 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.259 terrifying as 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.980 they may be, 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:17.920 and spurning 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:19.220 the God who 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.799 is in control 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.240 of them. 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:22.519 And we have 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.420 seen the 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.079 danger of 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.519 putting our 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.700 trust in the 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.460 wrong things, 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:28.519 armies, 00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.740 friends, 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.720 savings, 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.279 vaccines, 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:34.100 and finding 00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:34.680 that they 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.940 cannot deliver 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.019 everything that 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.480 we need. 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:40.620 But failing to 00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:41.259 trust in the 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.140 God who 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:42.920 can be 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:44.039 relied on and 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:45.100 will never 00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:45.740 fail. 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:47.799 And we've 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.519 seen how this 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:50.059 was demonstrated 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:51.640 in sending a 00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:52.900 sign that can 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:53.500 be trusted, 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.960 his own 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.440 son, 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.620 Emmanuel, 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.120 God with 00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:58.480 us, 00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:00.559 who was 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.440 fully human, 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.180 fully God, 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.500 able to be a 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.080 mediator, 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.160 the mediator 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:06.500 that we 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.660 needed between 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.559 us and 00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:08.920 God. 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:11.380 And he is 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:12.259 the one that 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.980 has promised 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.840 to be with 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:14.100 us. 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.240 He is the 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:15.900 one that walks 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.759 beside us 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:18.299 through all 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:18.940 the fears 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:20.059 and storms 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.799 of life. 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.480 And ultimately, 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.799 he is the 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.619 one that 00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.019 will bring 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.579 about that 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:26.899 day, 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.460 when he 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:28.759 will be 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.399 with us 00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:30.359 in a 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:30.799 fuller, 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:31.599 a more 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:32.740 glorious way, 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.119 when the 00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:34.740 fears of 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.519 this broken 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:37.240 world are 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.940 a distant 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.779 memory. 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.099 And so we 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.720 can end 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.500 with the 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.339 final words 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:44.119 of Revelation, 00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:45.399 the last 00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:46.119 verses of 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.579 our Bible. 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:46.639 people. 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.859 He who 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:51.159 testifies to 00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:51.839 these things 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.339 says, 00:32:52.939 --> 00:32:53.279 yes, 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.439 I am 00:32:54.439 --> 00:32:55.159 coming soon. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.279 Amen. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.319 Come, 00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.339 Lord Jesus. 00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:01.259 The grace 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.220 of the Lord 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.299 Jesus be 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:03.980 with God's 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.279 people. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.500 Amen. 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:05.599 Amen. 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:05.659 Amen. 00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:05.679 Amen. 00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:05.699 Amen. 00:33:05.699 --> 00:33:05.720 Amen. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:05.759 Amen. 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.699 Amen. 00:33:07.699 --> 00:33:07.720 Amen. 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:07.759 Amen. 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:09.659 Amen. 00:33:09.659 --> 00:33:09.759 Amen. 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:09.799 Amen. 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:09.819 Amen. 00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:11.759 Amen. 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:11.819 Amen. 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:13.699 Amen. 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:13.720 Amen. 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:13.759 Amen. 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:13.819 Amen. 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:14.759 Amen. 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:14.819 Amen. 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.699 Amen. 00:33:15.699 --> 00:33:16.559 Amen.