July 25, 2011
Four times in these chapters (and once in Chapter 5), the same phrase is repeated: "But the LORD was still angry; his hand was still raised to punish the people." Why? Because His people were still being stubborn (hardening their hearts), being self-reliant, and refusing to follow Him. He tells them to come to Him for help and salvation. But instead, they rely on others and themselves. They just don't understand the total uselessness in trying to do things their own ways. Isaiah 8:10 - "Make your plans for the fight, but they will be defeated. Give orders to your armies, but they will be useless, because God is with us."
God warned Isaiah against believing and fearing what the other people were fearing. The LORD All-Powerful is holy. He is the One you should have respect (fear and dread) for. He is the One who will be a place of safety for you. It is the same message in the New Testament as well. Fear God—not people. Then in Isaiah 8:14-15 - after it says the LORD "will be a place of safety for you" IF you go to Him for your protection, it contrasts that statement with what happens when you refuse to surrender to Him; He becomes a stumbling block.
Four times in these chapters (and once in Chapter 5), the same phrase is repeated: "But the LORD was still angry; his hand was still raised to punish the people." Why? Because His people were still being stubborn (hardening their hearts), being self-reliant, and refusing to follow Him. He tells them to come to Him for help and salvation. But instead, they rely on others and themselves. They just don't understand the total uselessness in trying to do things their own ways. Isaiah 8:10 - "Make your plans for the fight, but they will be defeated. Give orders to your armies, but they will be useless, because God is with us."
God warned Isaiah against believing and fearing what the other people were fearing. The LORD All-Powerful is holy. He is the One you should have respect (fear and dread) for. He is the One who will be a place of safety for you. It is the same message in the New Testament as well. Fear God—not people. Then in Isaiah 8:14-15 - after it says the LORD "will be a place of safety for you" IF you go to Him for your protection, it contrasts that statement with what happens when you refuse to surrender to Him; He becomes a stumbling block.
"He will be like a stone that causes people to stumble, like a rock that makes them fall. He will be like a trap for the people of Jerusalem, and he will catch them in his trap. Many people will fall over this rock. They will fall and be broken; they will be trapped and caught."
Place of safety—verses—stumbling block. What a contrast. In Matthew 21:42-43 Jesus says, "The stones that the builders rejected became the cornerstone. The LORD did this, and it is wonderful to us. (CF - Psalm 118:22-23) So I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to people who do the things God wants in His kingdom. The person who falls on this stone will be broken, and on whomever that stone falls, that person will be crushed."
God's plan, and His desire for our lives, is that we (His people) would trust Him and He would become the cornerstone, the very basis and foundation for our lives. When He is our foundation He becomes our place of safety. But in his Sovereignty He knew—He knew that not everyone would choose to trust Him and make Him their cornerstone. To those who refuse Him, He becomes a stone that causes people to stumble, fall, be trapped, and broken; a hardening of the hearts by His very words. The choice seems so clear, yet many refuse.
Wait! Wait on the LORD. Ask God for His help. Follow the teachings of the LORD, because a new day is coming. And their heavy loads will be lifted because, "A child has been born to us; God has given a son to us." He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) The LORD All-Powerful will do this because of this strong love for His people. (Isaiah 9:7) A new day is coming for those who trust in the LORD. But, for those who refuse to trust in the LORD a day of judgment is coming. And when that judgment arrives, they will know that God sent it! "How terrible it will be," for those who are proud and brag about their own abilities; who are not fair; who rob people of their rights; who steal, etc. "How will you explain the things you have done? What will you do when your destruction comes from far away? Where will you run for help? Where will you hide your riches then?" (Isaiah 10:3)
In Chapter 7 it talks about how Ahaz sought the help of the king of Assyria instead of accepting God's help. In Chapter 10, God talks about the punishment He will give to Assyria. "But Assyria's king doesn't understand that I am using him; he doesn't know he is a tool for me." (Isaiah 10:7) The king of Assyria was very proud and sure he was in control. It was all about I... I... I... me... me... me. Over eight times in just two verse he talks about what all he has done. He had no idea that God was using him for his own purposes. Whether he knew it or not, God was (and is) in control.
- An ax isn't better than the one who swings it.
- A saw isn't better than the one who uses it.
- A stick cannot control the person who picks it up.
- A club can't pick up a person.
And God was using him. When the time was right God held him accountable for all the years of disobedience and disregard for the LORD.
Watch!
- The LORD God will chop them down like a great tree.
- Those who are great will be cut down.
- Those who are important will fall to the ground.
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