What Sorrow Awaits
One Year Bible (Sep. 12)
Isaiah 10:1-11:16
WHAT SORROW AWAITS
Ever heard the phrase, “Don’t shoot the messenger”?
Not only does Isaiah start with the words, “What Sorrow Awaits’ but repeatedly warns the people of God's prophecies and warnings.
Luke 13:34 says, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chick under her wings, and you were not willing"…
II Kings 2:16 states, “Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end--besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit so that they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.”
This was Isaiah’s daily work environment! The Kingdom was going DOWN and it was his job to tell what was coming!
Isaiah lived during the time of the most wicked king ever… Manasseh!
The time of his death and manner is not specifically explained to us. However, Jewish tradition says that he suffered martyrdom by being sawn in two under the orders of Manasseh.
Perhaps how you may have heard that the book of Isaiah is often called “The Fifth Gospel”. Like the apostles who told of the Gospel of Jesus and eleven out of twelve were martyred, Isaiah is on the front line day and night. He not only says, “Here I am. Send me.” but is willing to accept this calling at the risk of his own life.
What Sorrow Awaits… Indeed!
The nation of Israel and Judah are going DOWN, but in the midst of this tragic, dark time, Isaiah points them to another sorrow that awaits in the distant future. This sorrow will change the WORLD!
God’s chosen people’s future is looking bleak and the promise made by God to David looks like something in the REARVIEW MIRROR, but Isaiah looks through REDEMPTION’S REFLECTOR to give us a glimpse of hope.
Embedded in the midst of a message of judgment and demise is the other side of God’s Sovereignty…
Isaiah introduces to God’s people three principles that they can not begin to FATHOM, and three passages that we can not begin to FORGET.
A BIRTH. A BRANCH. A BANNER.
A BIRTH …Isaiah 9:6 is one of the most majestic passages that was ever written. I love to hear these words every Christmas season.
“For a CHILD is born TO US, a SON is given. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.”
“A CHILD”... He will take on HUMANITY.
“A SON”... He will be DEITY... The SON of the BEGOTTEN.
“The Government”...He will be the opposite of everything that they are now enduring and he will bring PEACE rather than division and war. The promise to King David will continue to reign through all eternity.
A BRANCH…” Out of the STUMP of David’s family will grow a SHOOT. Yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him--The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.” (11:1-20)
STUMPS are dead. The tree is gone and there seems to be no hope, but Isaiah is saying that a NEW BRANCH will grow out of David’s family. God is not done with his promise to David's lineage.
A BANNER… ”In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a BANNER OF SALVATION to ALL the world.” (11:10)
This word, BANNER does not begin to jump out at us like it would the people of the time of Isaiah. A banner was the ensign or standard declaring allegiance to the Lord. It was carried into battle at the very front and it was a “Symbol” of VICTORY.
I wonder if Isaiah, himself, could begin to grasp the magnitude of the message that God’s spirit was imparting to him through these Visions of Hope.
A BIRTH. A BRANCH. A BANNER.
“Surely HE took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows…” Isa. 53:4
Even in the darkest of times of judgment and upcoming captivity Isaiah points the way with prophetic words of sorrow, symbolism, and salvation.
WHAT SORROW AWAITS…Thank you, LORD!
“Man of sorrows, what a name. For the Son of God who came. Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
(Man of Sorrows, Traditional Hymn)
