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Who to trust: The Lord or the Nations?

Who to trust: The Lord or the Nations?. Isaiah 7 – 12 [7: 1-17 ] (p. 636-7). 1. Misplaced Faith. Many troubles – surrounding nations are attacking Judah (735-725 BC) In one battle Israel killed 120,000 of Ahaz’s warriors (2 Chr 28:6)

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Who to trust: The Lord or the Nations?

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  1. Who to trust: The Lord or the Nations? Isaiah 7 – 12 [7: 1-17] (p. 636-7)

  2. 1. Misplaced Faith • Many troubles – surrounding nations are attacking Judah (735-725 BC) • In one battle Israel killed 120,000 of Ahaz’s warriors (2 Chr 28:6) • They had been defeated by Aram [Syria]; attacked by Edom and the Philistines • Ahaz trusted / served / worshipped other “gods” (2 Chron 28:1-25) • Consider how you live – • Ahaz: It worked for others ... maybe it’ll work for me (2 Chr 28:23) • according to what “works” or according to the Lord

  3. 2. Misplaced “Obedience” • Refusing to “put the Lord to the Test” (v 12) • God promised that the plans of Rezin & Pekah “will not happen” (v 7) • There was a condition: “stand firm in your faith” (v 9) • God had offered him a sign to strengthen his faith (v 11) • Ahaz hid his disobedience behind apparent obedience • Obeying the Letter of the Law (Deut 6:16) • God’s judgment would fall – the “saviour” (Assyria) will bring untold trouble (v 17)

  4. 3. The Sign of Immanuel • How will God be faithful to his promise to David? • NB “House of David” (v 2, 13) • A kingdom of his descendants that will last forever (2 Sam 7:12-14) • A “young woman” (’almah; LXX - parthenos / neanis) will have a son • Possibly Ahaz faced losing his Kingdom and his Name • Ahaz had sacrificed his sons to the gods; at least one died in battle (2 Chr 28:3,7) • Isaiah probably refers to Hezekiah and his mother Abijah (2 Ki 18:1-7)

  5. 3. The Sign of Immanuel ... • God’s judgment would be sure, but so would His mercy & faithfulness • God would act quickly against Syria and Israel (ch 8) • Miraculously a remnant of Judah would survive the Assyrian onslaught (11:1-16) • A king would arise to restore peace and preserve a reduced kingdom [of Judah] (9:1-7) • But Israel would be devastated (9:7 – 10:4; remember 5:8-25) • Two identical poems: 496 syllables; 62 lines; 218/222 words (Isaiah is skilfully crafted!!) • Assyria was God’s instrument, but would also face judgment for their sins (10:5-19) • More on this when we get to ch 36-39 ! ! !

  6. The Issues haven’t changed! • ____ put his faith in the wrong things • ____ pretended obedience to hide his lack of faith • ____ looked around and did what logic suggested was best “If you do not stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all” Isaiah 7:9

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