Is9 Hope in the Coming Messiah
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# Hope in the Coming Messiah ## Isaiah 9:2-7 >>> + **Help**, Lord! + see **brokenness**, corruption, + injustice, violence + war on **global** scale: + Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar + and on **personal** scale: + esp **holidays** + reminder of **broken** rl + old **wounds** never healed --- # **Why**, Lord,
do You not **save**? >>> + **Fix** things! + make everyone **happy**? + longing for **justice** + peace + but when see God's **judgment**: + "wait, not like **that**!" --- ## Hope in the Coming Messiah 1. The **Darkness** in our World [(8:19-22)](# "ref") 1. The **Light** Shining [(9:2-7)](# "ref") [Montreal, CA. Marc-Olivier Jodoin](https://unsplash.com/photos/TStNU7H4UEE "caption") >>> + ch9 **familiar**, but context in + ch7-8: what is the **darkness** that + Chr **rescues** us from? + Has the light **already** come, + or still **yet** to come? + Not just abt **Christmas** + for **today**, and until Chr returns --- In the days of **Ahaz** the son of Jotham,
son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of **Syria** and
Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of **Israel** came up to **Jerusalem** to wage war against it,
but could not yet mount an attack against it. [Isaiah 7:1 (ESV)](# "ref") [Noam Chen, Israeli Ministry of Tourism. CC BY-ND 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/israelphotogallery/15002111788/ "caption") >>> + God **called** Isaiah when **Uzziah** died: + end of long period of **peace** + Jotham + Ahaz: corrupt, **rebel** to God + 2 main **crises** during Isaiah's time: + Sennacherib's **siege** of Jeru + during Hezekiah's reign, later + and **this** threat from 2 N. kingdoms: ---  [BibleTalk, CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0](https://bibletalk.tv/graphics/aram-israel-judah-assyria "caption") >>> + Isaiah + king Ahaz in **Judah** + capital city is Jerusalem + N. kingdom of **Israel** / Ephraim: + Samaria, Pekah son of Remaliah + to NE is **Aram**/Syria: + Damascus, Rezin + further NE is **Assyria** --- When the house of David was told,
“Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the **heart** of Ahaz and the heart of his people
**shook** as the trees of the forest
shake before the wind. [Isaiah 7:2 (ESV)](# "ref") [Kerkini Lake, Greece. Eimaiokanenas, CC-BY-SA-4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kerkini_Lake_Port.jpg "caption") >>> + **powerless** before overwhelming opp + but God promised imminent **justice**: + in the time it takes a + **baby** to learn to talk, --- the wealth of **Damascus**
and the spoil of **Samaria** will be
carried away before the king of **Assyria**. [Isaiah 8:4 (ESV)](# "ref") [Ashurbanipal, detail of lion-hunt scene](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ashurbanipal,_detail_of_a_lion-hunt_scene_from_Nineveh,_7th_century_BC,_the_British_Museum.jpg "caption") >>> + Judah won't have to worry about + **Aram + Israel**: bc conquered by + **Assyria**: large kingdom further N.E. + land of the **Euphrates** river + known for fierceness and **cruelty** + phase of **expansion** over a century + God wields as **razor** shaves beard --- the Lord is bringing up against them
the waters of the **River**, mighty and many,
the king of **Assyria** and all his glory. And it will rise over all its **channels**
and go over all its **banks**, [Isaiah 8:7 (ESV)](# "ref") [Hans Braxmeier](https://pixabay.com/en/wave-sea-surf-swell-foam-spray-384385/ "caption") >>> + **Euphrates** at flood stage + unstoppable + See it flood **enemies** of Judah + Aram + Israel + **relief**, even schadenfreude + but the waters aren't **stopping**: --- and it will sweep on into **Judah**,
it will **overflow** and pass on,
reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill
the breadth of your land, O **Immanuel** [Isaiah 8:8 (ESV)](# "ref") [Old City of Jerusalem, Damascus Gate.
Leila Maziz. © UNESCO, CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO](http://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/108391 "caption") >>> + Ahaz + Judah thought were **safe**: + God **punished** their enemies + **vindicated** them + But instr of God's **wrath** + wouldn't **stop** there: + though 130yrs fall of Samaria to Jeru + Jerusalem, the land of **Immanuel** + God **dwelling** with us + Surely God wouldn't judge **us**? + "good guys", call upon Name + temple of Lord, temple of Lord + In face of impending **disaster**, + Where did they turn? --- And when they say to you,
“Inquire of the **mediums** and the **necromancers** [...]", should not a people inquire of their **God**? [Isaiah 8:19 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + **mediums**: asking the dead for advice + **Saul**: Samuel via Endor (1Sa28) + reversion to **youth**: life simple + had **mentor**, no responsibilities + but even **if** dead could speak + advice is still same: + we **know** we've done wrong + God's chastisement is **just** + we know what we need to **do**, + are we **willing** to do it: --- To the **teaching** and to the **testimony**!
If they will not speak according to this **word**,
it is because they have no **dawn**. [Isaiah 8:20 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + **instr**: Torah, law, God's **design** for us + **testimy**: witness, God's **work** in us + Read **every word** in Bible, live by it + Not performative **virtue**-signaling + Not **cherry**-picking what to obey + **Fathers**: take lead in **reading** Bible + **teach** kids acc. to God's Word + not **own** authority + Word as **lamp** (Ps 119:105): w/o it, + no **light** of dawn, + only stumbling in the **dark**: --- And when they are **hungry**,
they will be **enraged**
and will speak **contemptuously**
against their **king** and their **God**, [Isaiah 8:21b (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + when disaster befalls **others**: + feel bad, but what can I do? + when affects **me**: hunger + when **revolutions** happen: angry + First look **up**: curse king/God + blame **authority** figures + e.g., little kid **runs** into a table: + "bad table", let's hit the table + teaches to **blame** others: + teacher, boss, spouse, PM, immig + ultimately, we blame **God** + for our **frustrations** + anger + but fighting against God is **futile**: --- And they will look to the **earth**,
but behold, **distress** and darkness,
the gloom of anguish. [Isaiah 8:22 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + **this** is the world we live in! + **fear** of uncertain future + **anger** at authority + God + **frustration** at own futility + But **we** are not to be like that: --- 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 [Isaiah 8:12-13 (ESV)](# "ref") [Vietnam. Andreas Kind](https://unsplash.com/photos/bUhzlj3gGso "caption") >>> + people of **Judah** living in **fear** + threat of unwinnable **war** + when **disaster** comes, + under **pressure**, sth has to **give** + What do we **compromise** on first + what do we **cling** to above all else? --- # How do I **respond**
to severe **stress**? >>> + e.g., as child: **hide** under covers + as parent: stew silent til **explode** + "I **tried** asking nicely, tried praying" + "God, Your way didn't work, so + now I do it my way" + Where we **turn** in times of **crisis** + reflects what we truly **believe** --- ## Hope in the Coming Messiah 1. The **Darkness** in our World [(8:19-22)](# "ref") 1. The **Light** Shining [(9:2-7)](# "ref") >>> + God's **light** shines in **darkest** places + Jesus ministered first in **Galilee** + portion **closest** to Aram + Assyria --- 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. [Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)](# "ref") [Chris Lawton](https://unsplash.com/photos/6tfO1M8_gas "caption") >>> + where there was only + distress, darkness, anguish + Light of the **Creator** + "Let there be light" + Light of the **Saviour** + spoke into our hearts --- 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**. [Isaiah 9:3 (ESV)](# "ref") [Seth Schwiet](https://unsplash.com/photos/qVb-K2mFtDU "caption") >>> + harvest/spoil: **abundance** + long-sought **respite** after toil + **sigh** of relief --- 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**. [Isaiah 9:4 (ESV)](# "ref") [Kerkini Lake, Greece. Eimaiokanenas, CC-BY-SA-4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kerkini_Lake_Port.jpg "caption") >>> + yoke, staff, rod: **rule**, power + as in time of **Midian** (Jdg 6) + invaded like **locusts** + **victory** not by Gideon's might: --- The Lord said to Gideon,
“The people with you are **too many** for me
to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel **boast** over me,
saying, ‘My **own hand** has saved me.’ [Judges 7:2 (ESV)](# "ref") [Mittagberg, Germany. Tobias Mrzyk](https://unsplash.com/photos/iuqmGmst5Po "caption") >>> + from 32k to just **300** + not bc **elite** soldiers + God **turned** Midianites against e.o. + then Israel came out to **pursue** + God brought about **end** to + what felt like interminable war: --- For every **boot** of the tramping warrior
in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in **blood**
will be **burned** as fuel for the fire. [Isaiah 9:5 (ESV)](# "ref") [Neil Macc](https://unsplash.com/photos/sM_ax7EU5Kw "caption") >>> + cleanup: accoutrements of **war** + burned after the battle is over + In Isaiah's time: + Judah attacked by **Aram** + Israel + in turn conquered by **Assyria** + sin/pride: given to **Babylon** + Persia, Greece, Rome, ... + What will **stop** cycle of conflict? --- For to us a **child** is born,
to us a **son** is given;
and the **government** shall be
upon his **shoulder**, [Isaiah 9:6a (ESV)](# "ref") [Rembrandt, "Simeons Song of Praise", 1631](https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/explore/the-collection/artworks/simeons-song-of-praise-145/detailgegevens/ "caption") >>> + not **rise** of commander + or rags-to-riches undisc **hero** + but given from **birth**: + Christ reigns by **birthright** + **auth** to govern on **shoulder**: + cf v4 our shoulders bore + **staff** of oppression + Christ's governance brings **justice** + Christmas not Christ's **beginning**: + In Jn8, establishing to Phar + that He is **greater** than Abraham: --- Jesus said to them,
“Truly, truly, I say to you,
before Abraham was, **I AM**.” [John 8:58 (ESV)](# "ref") [Vietnam. Andreas Kind](https://unsplash.com/photos/bUhzlj3gGso "caption") >>> + tried to **stone** for blasphemy: + "I AM": God to Moses + Jesus **is** God + didn't **start** at Christmas, and + didn't **end** at the ascension + **Work** of salv finished on cross, but + Promised **restoration** comes when + Christ **returns** and is + revealed in **power**: --- and his name shall be called
Wonderful **Counselor**, Mighty **God**,
Everlasting **Father**, **Prince** of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6b (ESV)](# "ref") [pxhere](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1094065 "caption") >>> + Jesus **is** all these right now + and **will be** revealed as such + when He returns + **Counselor**: advisor, wisdom, guidance + consultants useless? + book knowledge / **theory**, or + extrapol from **experience**: + what I already know + but Christ is **wonderful**: + **beyond** our ken, + wisdom of **Creator** God + revealed in incarnate **Word** + transcendent + **God**: not just **prophet** + God not **abstract**, far off + **Mighty**, capable to save + active, **involved** in world history + and our lives + **Father**: protect, guide: + **compassion** + earthly dad **limited**, sinful + Chr is **Eternal**, perfect + **Prince**: (not as son of king, but) + authority, governance, mgmt + true src of **Peace**: shalom --- 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 9:7 (ESV)](# "ref") [Anna Goncharova](https://unsplash.com/photos/E0e1NmVclRo "caption") >>> + **zeal**: fervor, jealousy + for **hearts** that belong to Him + True, lasting **peace** is + not **superficial** politeness + ignores problems + not **giving in** to oppression + not vigilante **revenge** + Requires **justice** + restore what is **right** + Only when **Christ** is King + (not **Christians** running gov) + **Our** role is to **learn** Word + and **obey** it + Invitation back in ch2: --- “**Come**, let us go up
to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may **teach** us his ways
and that we may **walk** in his paths.” [Isaiah 2:3a (p.1/3) (ESV)](# "ref") --- For out of Zion shall go forth the **law**,
and the **word** of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall **judge** between the nations,
and shall **decide** disputes for many peoples; [Isaiah 2:3b-4a (p.2/3) (ESV)](# "ref") --- and they shall beat their
**swords** into plowshares,
and their **spears** into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn **war** anymore. [Isaiah 2:4b (p.3/3) (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + The final **end** to war/conflict + w/in own **hearts**+rl, and in **world** + **Disputes** settled by **God's judgment** + His **law** is proclaimed + When we **learn** His ways + **walk** + When all know: Christ is **King** --- # How shall I **wait**
for Christ's **return**? >>> + **Passive** fatalism? + (does it even matter?) + Bitter **resentment**? + (like God even cares) + Prideful **legalism**? + (I'm the only one doing sth!) + Or **confident** obedience? + I **know** Christ is returning + I **know** He sees and will judge + I am going to **trust** + obey + even when it hurts --- >>> # TODO + tighten up xrefs/asides + more detailed outline + too stream-of-consciousness + more frequently touch back to outline