Sermon #25 Series: Isaiah

Title: When God Hides His Face

Text: Isaiah 8:1-22

Subject: Lessons To Be Learned From Judah’s Troubles

Date: Sunday Evening - October 1, 1989

Tape #

Introduction:

Ahaz, because of his unbelief, chose to make a confederacy with the king of Assyria, Tiglath-pileser, hoping by this unholy confederacy to preserve his own life and throne from the fury of Syria and Samaria. God sent Isaiah to warn Ahaz, to tell him not to look to Assyria, but to heaven for help. Isaiah told the king not to trust Tiglath-pileser, but to trust the Lord. But Ahaz, being the proud wretch he was, would not trust God or obey the voice of his prophet Isaiah. Therefore the Lord told Isaiah that he would use Assyria and Tiglath-pileser to bring Judah into utter humiliation. Ahaz’s unbelief would bring Judah into great desolation and sorrow. He would become the victim of the one he trusted. That was the message of Chapter 7.

In Chapter 8 Isaiah begins a sermon which God gave him to deliver to Judah, this sermon, which begins here, is not concluded until we get to the end of Chapter 12. In this sermon, God told Judah of the certain, impending judgments he would bring upon them and of the extent of his judgment. But in wrath he remembers mercy. And, even in this message of judgment, rich provision is made for the comfort, encouragement, and instruction of his people.

This chapter is a prophecy of darkness, desolation, and destruction. The Lord hid his face from his people. He brought much sorrow upon the people he loved. Yet, he never forsook them.

Proposition: There is much for us to learn in this chapter about the providence of God, the grace of God, and our own responsibilities before him.

Divisions: As we read these twenty-two verses, I want us to learn these six things from them.

1. The Prophet of God Is A Man With A Message From God (vv. 1-4).

2. The Actions of One Person Greatly Affect the Lives of Many (vv. 5-6).

3. Unbelief Provokes God To Wrath (vv. 5-8).

4. God Will Never Forsake His Own Elect (vv. 9-10).

5. God Always Honors Faith (vv. 11-18).

6. The Only Foundation For Faith Is the Word of God (vv. 19-22).

I. THE PROPHET OF GOD IS A MAN WITH A MESSAGE FROM GOD (VV. 1-4).

· Isaiah got his message directly from the Lord (v. 1).

· He was required to deliver it in clear, unmistakable language (v. 1).

· He wrote the message out and had it witnessed as a matter of public record (v. 2).

· This man utilized everything in his life for the work of the ministry, even to the naming of his sons (vv. 3-4).

His first son’s name was Shearjashub (7:3). His name means “the remnant shall return.” God has an elect remnant in this world whom he will save. They have been chosen by him. Christ has redeemed them. The Spirit will call them. And they shall return to the Lord in true faith.

But Isaiah’s second son was named Mahershalalhashbaz. His name means, “He that hastens to the spoil.” The great God of glory will punish his enemies, without mercy.

Note: The servant of God must be a man like Isaiah, separated to the gospel - (Paul - John the Baptist).

II. THE ACTIONS OF ONE PERSON GREATLY AFFECT THE LIVES OF MANY (VV. 5-6).

The inhabitants of Judah forsook the Lord because their king, Ahaz, forsook him. They suffered the consequences of Ahaz’s stubbornness, rebellion, and unbelief.

What a warning this is! None of us live as an island. What we do, or do not do, does affect other people, for good or for evil. Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Now, let me tell you, you are either your brother’s keeper or your brother’s murderer. Ahaz was as responsible for the desolations of Judah as the King of Assyria himself.

· Pastors and Churches

· Husbands and Wives

· Parents and Children.

· You and your Neighbor, Co-worker, Employee, Employer, etc.

Illustration: P.T.

III. UNBELIEF PROVOKES GOD TO WRATH (vv. 5-8).

Because Judah refused the gentle waters of Shiloah, God flooded them with the waters of destruction. Because they refused to trust the Lord, God gave them the terror of Assyria’s king.

A. God always warns before He punishes.

B. God offers mercy to sinners through Christ.

C. But those who despise God’s mercy provoke His wrath - (Pro. 1:23-32).

Note: Though great desolations came God would not allow the utter destruction of Judah - It was Immanuel’s land! And though God often purges his church, he will never allow the destruction of his church - It is Immanuel’s land!

IV. GOD WILL NEVER FORSAKE HIS OWN ELECT (vv. 9-

10).

· The confederacies of our enemies, no matter how great, shall be broken to pieces.

· The counsels of our foes, no matter how well laid, shall be brought to nought.

· God is with us (Rom. 8:28-39).

V. GOD ALWAYS HONORS FAITH (vv. 11-18).

God honors faith because faith honors God. And he has sworn, “Them that honor me, I will honor.”

Here is God’s counsel to you and me.

A. Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly (v. 11).

B. Do not fear man (v. 12).

C. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts (v. 13).

· Fear Him.

· Trust Him.

· Honor Him.

D. The Lord Himself will be your sanctuary (refuge) (v. 14).

E. Bind His word to your heart and your heart to His word (v. 16).

F. And wait upon the Lord (v. 17).

G. God will save His people (v. 18 cf Heb. 2:13).

VI. THE ONLY FOUNDATION FOR FAITH IS THE WORD OF GOD (vv. 19-22).

Isaiah concludes this chapter with three points which he would have us lay to heart.

A. We must resist every temptation to make any confederacy with false religion (v. 19).

B. We must judge every prophet and every doctrine by the word of God (v. 20).

C. Those who refuse to walk in the light of divine revelation must reap to rewards of ignorance, darkness, and superstition.