In working through Isaiah 6-9 for a Christmas teaching series, these four verses (8:19-22) jumped out to me as a picture of what is happening to our country.
Let me start with the last verse: Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness, 8:22.
Isn't this us today? We look around and see chaos, commotion, pain, wars, infighting, division, anger and fear. What summarizes our country these days - darkness! What politicians and political parties are always trying to promote is that they have - the light - a vision - the answer. They realize the national spirit is sour, depressed and gloomy and they offer help. And year by year the drift is into greater darkness - depression, despair, defeat, dread and even death.
Now back up to verse nineteen: And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19.
What was happening was a serious military threat from two next-door neighbors and leadership from a king who didn't trust God and had cut a deal with a great military power further away that was threatening conquest. The country had very serious issues and they had turned to the spirit realm for wisdom. God jumped in questioning the rationale of looking for and listening to witches, voices and babbling (people with letters, but talk in circles or are unclear). They were listening to the dead - dead can be those who are spiritually dead meaning they aren't saved and don't have the Holy Spirit within them giving wisdom. They were listening to people deemed wise who only rattle worldly thoughts. [This is so the USA!]
God called the leaders and people to turn to the Bible which lays out His principles/laws and recounts His dealings with men: To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, 8:20. Those to look to and listen to are those whose word squares and agrees with the Bible. The Word judges the message, not the other way around.
Spurgeon on Isaiah 8:20 (enduringword.com): “Let us remember, as ministers of the Gospel, what M’Cheyne beautifully said; ‘Depend upon it,’ said he, ‘it is God’s Word not man’s comment upon God’s Word, that saves souls;’ and I have marked, that if ever we have a conversion at any time, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the conversion is rather traceable to the text, or to some Scripture quoted in the sermon, than to any trite or original saying by the preacher. It is God’s Word that breaks the fetters and sets the prisoner free, it is God’s Word instrumentally that saves souls and therefore let us bring everything to the touchstone.”
To turn away from or reject God and His Word leads to very difficult times which lead to anger as reported in v. 21, They will pass through it hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward. As life gets harder, men get more angry and vent toward their government and even toward God! After shaking their fist at God with no effect they look and see all is worsening: Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness, 8:22.
BUT - BUT! "Nevertheless" - 9:1. All is NOT lost!
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders, 9:6. This Child born and Son given will have a transforming effect on life:
The gloom and anguish will turn to glory, 9:1.
The darkness and shadows will submit to light, 9:2.
The lack, worry and destitution will be replaced with joy, 9:3.
The bondage, grind and oppression will be broken, 9:4.
The war and warring will be ended, 9:5.
How is the dark, dread, depression and death dissipated? By the advent of God in flesh that Christmas day! God Himself took on flesh so to show man the way and make the way (His death and resurrection) resulting in His taking over the governing and doing so in the most glorious way imaginable! Jesus is the answer to threats, fear, anger, oppression and the dark - He is the light of the world who alone gives the help and hope men so need!
Let me start with the last verse: Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness, 8:22.
Isn't this us today? We look around and see chaos, commotion, pain, wars, infighting, division, anger and fear. What summarizes our country these days - darkness! What politicians and political parties are always trying to promote is that they have - the light - a vision - the answer. They realize the national spirit is sour, depressed and gloomy and they offer help. And year by year the drift is into greater darkness - depression, despair, defeat, dread and even death.
Now back up to verse nineteen: And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19.
What was happening was a serious military threat from two next-door neighbors and leadership from a king who didn't trust God and had cut a deal with a great military power further away that was threatening conquest. The country had very serious issues and they had turned to the spirit realm for wisdom. God jumped in questioning the rationale of looking for and listening to witches, voices and babbling (people with letters, but talk in circles or are unclear). They were listening to the dead - dead can be those who are spiritually dead meaning they aren't saved and don't have the Holy Spirit within them giving wisdom. They were listening to people deemed wise who only rattle worldly thoughts. [This is so the USA!]
God called the leaders and people to turn to the Bible which lays out His principles/laws and recounts His dealings with men: To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, 8:20. Those to look to and listen to are those whose word squares and agrees with the Bible. The Word judges the message, not the other way around.
Spurgeon on Isaiah 8:20 (enduringword.com): “Let us remember, as ministers of the Gospel, what M’Cheyne beautifully said; ‘Depend upon it,’ said he, ‘it is God’s Word not man’s comment upon God’s Word, that saves souls;’ and I have marked, that if ever we have a conversion at any time, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the conversion is rather traceable to the text, or to some Scripture quoted in the sermon, than to any trite or original saying by the preacher. It is God’s Word that breaks the fetters and sets the prisoner free, it is God’s Word instrumentally that saves souls and therefore let us bring everything to the touchstone.”
To turn away from or reject God and His Word leads to very difficult times which lead to anger as reported in v. 21, They will pass through it hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward. As life gets harder, men get more angry and vent toward their government and even toward God! After shaking their fist at God with no effect they look and see all is worsening: Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness, 8:22.
BUT - BUT! "Nevertheless" - 9:1. All is NOT lost!
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders, 9:6. This Child born and Son given will have a transforming effect on life:
The gloom and anguish will turn to glory, 9:1.
The darkness and shadows will submit to light, 9:2.
The lack, worry and destitution will be replaced with joy, 9:3.
The bondage, grind and oppression will be broken, 9:4.
The war and warring will be ended, 9:5.
How is the dark, dread, depression and death dissipated? By the advent of God in flesh that Christmas day! God Himself took on flesh so to show man the way and make the way (His death and resurrection) resulting in His taking over the governing and doing so in the most glorious way imaginable! Jesus is the answer to threats, fear, anger, oppression and the dark - He is the light of the world who alone gives the help and hope men so need!
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