”Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; give ear, all you far countries; strap on your armor and be shattered; strap on your armor and be shattered. Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples. I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness. But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.“ (Isaiah 8:9-9:7 ESV)
This week, we will consider the second half of this long passage about Judah’s refusal to trust God and His response to those who have abandoned Him. We will also hear His promises to those few, the remnant or seed, who remain faithful and trusting of HIm. As we discussed last week, the promise of Immanuel – God with or among us – can bring hope and peace or eternal judgement. It is really just a matter of whether trust God’s word or if we refuse His word and pursue our own way. We continue that same theme this week, but with a much clearer image of just who Immanuel is and what He will do for those who walk with Him and obey Him.
Isaiah begins this section of his warning to the people of Judah with a strong word about the source of his prophetic words. He affirms that “the LORD” spoke to him with His strong hand laid upon him. Perhaps Isaiah needed the confirmation that these were indeed the words of the LORD or he needed the encouragement to remain faithful and true to God’s words regardless of the outcome. I personally suspect it was the latter due to the very next statement: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.”
We live in a day when the loudest voice seems to be the one that everyone follows. Admittedly, some of this is the direct result of how social media posts and algorithms work. A boring, truthful post isn’t likely to get the boost caused by the platform’s algorithm but those posts which generate the most response, positive or negative, get boosted by their algorithm. Why? Because revenue is generated by the number of people who click on the post. When a company is motivated more by revenue than by truth then their algorithm will reflect that corporate belief and policy.
Without getting sucked down the endless rabbit holes that exist regarding conspiracy theories, let me simply state that Isaiah’s problem is also our problem. Everyone in Isaiah’s day had an opinion regarding the political climate and the king’s policies and choices just as we do in our day regarding our leader’s policies and choices. But let me state this very, very clearly: this passage isn’t about what Isaiah had to say about his political situation or what we might have to say about ours. But this IS about what God has to say about both situations, Isaiah’s and ours.
In essence, God tells Isaiah to not get sucked into the endless conspiracy (or alliance) theories that the people offer up and falling prey to the fear mongering their theories incite. Instead, His people are to honor the LORD of hosts as holy and to stand in fear and dread only before Him. Jesus put it this way: ”And I say to you, My friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the One to fear: Fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!“ (Luke 12:4-5 HCSB)
We don’t talk about fear much these days. We tend to act as though fear is an emotion that has no place in our lives or our world. And yet, fear is a bit like physical pain. It may not be something we want in our lives but without it we can get into a world of trouble. I’m not suggesting to you that constant pain is a good and necessary thing, but an awareness of pain is essential for healthy living. Without pain sensors, we would be constantly in danger of maiming or even killing ourselves. Pain tells us that something is wrong. Stop! Take a step back and evaluate what you’re doing because something isn’t right.
Fear is very similar to pain, in that respect. Fear should cause us to stop and evaluate our situation. Sometimes, fear is unnecessary and our emotions are overreacting to the circumstances. If you have anxiety attacks, you know what I’m talking about. But sometimes, fear is a normal and entirely appropriate response to a situation. In those instances, fear should cause us to stop, evaluate the situation and develop a plan to address it.
For example, I live in an area where severe thunderstorms are normal and, in the right conditions, those thunderstorms can develop into tornadoes. Because of that, I can either live in constant fear of a tornado or I can take appropriate and necessary steps to protect myself and my family. I’ve learned how to have a healthy respect for these storms and we have an emergency plan we enact, when needed.
God is telling His people the same thing. We are to live differently. Don’t act and react the way unbelievers do. Don’t fall prey to all of the lies being disseminated around town. Don’t fear what they fear; don’t live in a constant state of terror. Only fear God; He alone has that kind of power.
But listen to this promise: “He will be a sanctuary; but for the two houses of Israel, He will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” This is that same promise of Immanuel, He brings both salvation and judgment. For those who properly fear and respect Him, He is a sanctuary. But for those who don’t, He is a stone that will cause them to stumble and a rock that offends them.
In response, God tells Isaiah to “bind up the testimony; seal up the instruction (or law) among my disciples.” God’s people, those who are willing to follow Him even when it takes them down a path they don’t like, they will wait upon Him. They know that He is true to His word and He is a keeper of His covenants and promises. “I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will wait for Him.”
But why do some find sanctuary in Him while others only stumble over Him and are offended by Him? It really comes down to this, some take Him at His word and simply wait for Him to complete and fulfill His promises while others turn away from Him and turn to spiritual advisors or those who consult the dead. When we don’t get the answers we want from our God, we look for those who will tell us what we want to hear.
Every generation of God’s people have faced this same issue. There are those who faithfully follow Him and wait on Him and those who chase after every new idea or false teaching. In verses 18-20, Isaiah appears to be personally challenged by the people to give them a new oracle, a new word about their future because they don’t like this one. “When they say to you, ‘Consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who chirp and mutter,’ shouldn’t a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
I want to take a moment and address an issue that I see constantly in our culture. There are so many reality TV shows about these very issues, people who consult the spirits of the dead or spiritual advisors. Let me be very, very clear and direct. Scripture prohibits such actions and strongly condemns any who practice divination and necromancy. I’ve even seen some who claim to do this as Christian believers. NONSENSE! Anyone who claims to have contact with the spirit of a dead person is NOT in contact with that dead person but is in contact with a demonic spirit. They are being misled and lied to because that’s what the deceiver does. Jesus said that “the Devil has never stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies (Jn. 8:44).”
Isaiah ends by stating how those who are caught up in these lies and do not speak according to God’s word, well, there will be no dawn for them. “The will wander the land, dejected and hungry. Because of their hunger, they will become enraged and, looking up, they will curse their king and their God. They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.”
Oh, but He’s not finished… no, not Isaiah. God! God’s not finished. Not by a long shot.
Before I tell you what God has done, I want you to have a little more historical context. I think it will help, a lot. Remember that flood that we read was coming from last week? God is going to whistle and the flies from Egypt and the bees from Assyria are going to swarm across the land and the waters of the Euphrates river are going to overflow – the king of Assyria – and cover the land of Judah. Where do you think this happens first?
”Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.“ (Isaiah 9:1 HCSB)
Do any of those areas ring a bell? Just in case you don’t see it, the area to the north of Jerusalem, from the Mediterranean Sea and into Galilee and then eastward to the area beyond the Jordan river. This is the specific area that Jesus and His disciples targeted with their mission work and preaching. This is where 90% of Jesus’ ministry, teaching, healing and preaching took place. The very people who took the brunt of the Assyrian invasion are the same ones who receive the promise of a baby boy who will change everything.
This is one of the most beautiful hymns (or poems) in all of scripture. Take a moment, go read Isaiah 9:1-7 (https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.9.1-7.HCSB). “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” There is simply no better way to describe what happened to the people of Galilee when Jesus burst into their lives. The darkness and oppression that Isaiah says they have suffered under for so long has suddenly been lifted. This promise is so antithetical to the description of what would happen as the flood waters of Assyrian aggression swept over the land. The people would be left homeless, hungry and walking in darkness. But now…
Now, a light has dawned in the darkness and the nation that was no more is now enlarged and its joy increased. The people rejoice before God as they rejoice at harvest time or when dividing the spoils from a victorious battle. But why all the rejoicing and where did the light come from? Isaiah gives us the explanation in three “for” statements.
First, because God shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod of their oppressor on their shoulders just as He did on the day of Midian. This reference to MIdian is found in Judges 6-7 and is the story of Gideon being sent to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. The point of the story is that Gideon was completely incapable of delivering Israel and that’s why God used him. God’s deliverance would not be about Gideon’s ability but about God’s. Just as on the day of Midian, God’s deliverance of Israel as promised in Isaiah 9 would not be based on the strength and ability of the warrior but would be based upon God’s. Gideon’s army didn’t win the battle because they were better warriors but because they were completely obedient to God. God’s promised deliverance of this remnant would not come through a warrior but through the ONE who was completely obedient to God’s will and God’s word.
Second, because the boots of battle and the garments bloodied by war are going to be burned as fuel for the fire. God’s deliverance won’t come through a skilled warrior and it won’t come through war. God promises that the machinery of war that has always plagued mankind will be dismantled and burned as fuel for the fire when He delivers His people. In other words, we won’t simply be cannon fodder for another power hungry tyrant. When we step onto the battlefield it won’t be to fight God’s enemies, it will be to celebrate His victory for when He steps onto the battlefield the battle is over and we will only be the recipients of His victory.
Finally and decisively, the last “for” statement is the culmination of the Immanuel promise and the explanation for the previous two – God Himself will deliver the people in darkness by sending them a child, His Son. He tells them that “a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us.” This boy child will be FOR them and will given TO them. Not just any child, not just someone’s son but one that God sends FOR them and gives TO them, for their deliverance and to govern over them.
Now we are given four names for this Son and each of them has a human element and a divine element.
Wonderful Counselor: the term wonderful is tied to signs and wonders and could be translated as supernatural and a counselor is one who provides counsel, insight and guidance for life. So our wonderful counselor is someone with divine power who walks with us and gives us guidance and insight into living for God.
Mighty God: the term mighty is associated with the power, strength and the ability of a warrior to triumph in battle. But this is no ordinary warrior, this is the mighty warrior God who will fight for, protect and defend His people. As I pointed out earlier, when this warrior steps onto the battlefield, the battle is over and He is victorious. If God is for us, who can stand against us?
Eternal Father: this is an interesting blend of terms with the eternal nature of God and the qualities of the perfect father and they are brought together in the Son that God sends for us. Some folks struggle with the concept of God as a father because of their experiences with their father. However, this is the father we all wanted with all of the best and right qualities of fatherhood and none of the poor and bad qualities that have plagued many father/child relationships. This is the father you’ve always wanted and needed and He wants to be your heavenly father, forever.
Prince of Peace: this Son that God gives will rule over mankind but not like we’re used to. His rule will be filled with the peace we long for. Not just the absence of war and conflict, thought that will certainly happen for the boots and garments of war will be used to fuel the fires. But it will be the peace known as shalom or wholeness – life like it is meant to be. This Prince won’t use His position for selfish gain but will use it to see that we who follow Him will flourish and develop into a people who honor and live for God’s glory. This kingdom will be vast, and it will grow and proper endlessly and rule over it with perfect justice and righteousness forever.
Finally, the promise is given with this amazing declaration: “The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.” This is not something we have to achieve through finding and establishing the right individual to govern over us. This is not achieved through a social or political experiment with various forms of governmental control or political management. This is not socialism, communism or even a democratic republic form of governance. This is the perfect God sending His perfect So to become the human Son of Man to establish His kingdom in the hearts and lives of those who will follow and walk with Him in faith.
”For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 HCSB)
Every part of your salvation is the work of God, by grace through faith. None of this is from yourselves, it is God’s gift. Grace is certainly the work of God. He offers us what we cannot do for ourselves and what we do not deserve – His love, forgiveness and redemption through His Son, Jesus. But even faith is not of ourselves, it is also the gift of God. Faith develops in us through the faithfulness of God. Yes, faith is the result of God’s divine character and constant faithfulness. We can have faith in God because He does what He says, keeping His promises and fulfilling His covenants.
So, the promise of a child that would be born for us and the son that would be given to us finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus. ”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it… He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.“ (John 1:1-5, 10-14 HCSB)
However, Jesus didn’t come to make your life turn out the way you’ve always wanted. He didn’t come to affirm your choices and put His stamp of approval on your perfect little life. No, He came to make your life radically different. For those of us who recognize our lives aren’t perfect He also came to make ours radically different, too. God back and read the kind of Son that God would send: Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. One who would supernaturally guide us into a life that would bring glory to God, not ourselves. One who is capable of winning those battles we face, the battle of our wills in conflict with God’s will, because He’s God. But He’s also capable of winning that final battle with death that we all face – and He’s already won! He’s also the father you’ve always needed and will always have and the Prince who will bring the peace of God’s kingdom into your life.
This promised Son will either be a stumbling block in your life or He will be the sanctuary you so desperately need. Which is He? Will you let Him save you and lead you into a life of incredible peace or will you just trip over Him and continue on your own haphazard path? It’s your choice…
Hilltop Baptist Church - Shawnee, OK 
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