A Gloomy Review

Dear Church Family,

In our current short sermon series in Isaiah, From Gloomy to Glorious, we’ve reached the halfway mark. So, I thought this might be a good time to summarize where we’ve been so far as we prepare to transition from Isaiah’s gloomy prophecies to his glorious promises of the coming Messiah.

The Gloomy Prophecies

In the first half of our sermon series, we found that Isaiah’s ministry, at least initially, was a gloomy one. While holding out hope for those who continued to trust and obey the God of Israel, Isaiah foretold of the coming judgment of the Lord.

Isaiah 6:1-13 – A Gloomy Saying

We began in Isaiah, chapter 6, with the call of Isaiah and how he was commissioned to bring the message of the gospel to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. But we saw how that message was a gloomy saying for the people: “‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed” (Isaiah 6:9-10). And, Isaiah asked of the Lord, “How long?” And the Lord told him, “Until I have completely judged this people, and the holy seed comes.”

Isaiah 7:1-17 – A Gloomy Sign

Then, in chapter 7, we saw how the Lord sent Isaiah to the King of Judah, King Ahaz, with a message. The message was, “Do not be afraid of these two countries, Syria and Israel, who are threatening to invade you – they will not stand. Rather, trust in My promises to you as the Son of David.” But, Ahaz refused, and so the Lord gave him a gloomy sign – Immanuel – and this sign foretold of the impending judgment which was coming upon Judah through the nation of Assyria. But, for the people of faith, Immanuel is a glorious sign of the tabernacling of God among His people.

Isaiah 7:18-8:8 – A Gloomy Son

Isaiah had two sons who were embodied messages to God’s people. His first son was called Shear-jasub (Isaiah 7:3) – which was a promise that a remnant would return (that God would always keep a people for Himself). Isaiah’s second son was called Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isaiah 8:3) – which was a promise that judgment was coming for the people of God (that the Lord would bring the Assyrians to invade the land). One of the things we learned in this passage was that everything that happens does so at the hand of the Lord: He has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. Whether we see good or evil, God’s providence oversees and controls all His creatures and all their actions.

Isaiah 8:9-22 – A Gloomy Sanctuary

Finally, this past week we saw how Isaiah had divided humanity into three categories: (1) the enemies of God who will be shattered and (2) the people of God who bear His mark (in the old covenant the mark was circumcision, and in the new covenant the mark is baptism). But then, we saw Isaiah’s third category – ‘the remnant’ – the disciples of the Lord (Isaiah 8:16). And, we learned that His disciples are those who cling to God’s law and testimony – those who have patient faith in the promises which the Lord has made to His Son and to His people (Isaiah 8:17-20).

The Glorious Promises

In the second half of our sermon series, beginning this coming Sunday, we will consider the glorious promises of Isaiah 9:1-7.

9:1-3 – A Glorious People

¹ But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.

² The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

³ You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

9:4-5 – A Glorious Battle

⁴ For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

⁵ For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

9:6 – A Glorious Child

⁶ For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

9:7 – A Glorious Kingdom

⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

I look forward to our exploring together, in the coming weeks, these glorious promises which are “yes” and “amen” in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).

The Lord be with you!

- Pastor Peter M. Dietsch