The "Night of Miracles" continues. We have heard about the miraculous birth. We have followed the Miraculous Star. Today we see that prophecies made hundreds of years before his birth, come true the night Jesus was born. I have mentioned that Mary knew these prophecies, the wise men knew, the theologians who worked with Herod, knew about these prophecies, as did the ordinary Jewish person on the streets, and in the market places of ancient Palestine. The entire Old Testament, beginning already in the Garden of Eden, is filled with prophecies, and predictions about the coming of God's Messiah. As soon as people fell into sin, the remedy was there; in place. This had been God's plan and purpose all along. You see, our God is the Sovereign all knowing God. When Adam and Eve fell into sin, God was not surprised. Since before the foundations of the earth were ever laid, God's plan of salvation was in place. And therefore, the writers of the Scripture were constantly making references to it, not so much because they understood every jot and tittle of it, but because they were called, and chosen by God to do so. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, not the word of men or women, but of God. It is God's word, and we must always be careful to treat it as such, otherwise the references, and prophecies that point to the coming Messiah make little sense. I believe way too much credence is given by some scholars that these prophecies have nothing to do with the coming of Jesus, and that they were only applied to him later, after his birth. Yet, we have Jesus referring to the old Testament prophecies as pointing to himself. Was Jesus a downright liar? Certainly not. We may be rest assured that if we believe the prophecies of the Old Testament as pointing to Him, we are not "out to lunch," but astute Bible believers.
One of the premier prophets of Scripture was Isaiah. Isaiah has been called "The Herald of God to the Nations." (Andrew Watterson Blackwood) He has become the most famous of all the prophets, and more prophetic quotations in the New Testament bear his name than any other. We meet Isaiah especially this time of year, every year, because his prophetic words foretold the birth of Christ in a very detailed manner. Isaiah, a well educated prophet, with aristocratic parents appeared on the scene about 740 years before Christ, with a career that lasted about forty years.
Throughout the forty years of his career, the land of Judah sorely needed a spokesman from God. The country had experienced several years of peace and prosperity, allowing farmers to fill their barns to bursting. The wealthy were becoming more wealthy on a daily basis it seemed. They held the power over the poor, and used their power to oppress the poor. They became land barons, forcing poorer people off their land, and into their employ in next to slavery situations. They were constantly busy trying to out do one another it seems.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the people of Judah were becoming involved with the religions of the surrounding countries, and were ignoring God. Perhaps they too were using the excuse of pluralism that says all groups should be able to live together in harmony with no dominating belief. This is what is happening today in mainline thinking. Christianity in our so called Christian society can no longer be a dominant way of thinking lest we offend the minorities that live among us who have a different point of view. And so the Gospel becomes something other than salvation from sin through Jesus Christ. Rather, the emphasis is on social injustice which is a result of the malady the Bible calls sin, and undermines the foundations upon which the Church of Jesus Christ was built.
Judah of old was also undermining the moral foundations on which their foreparents had built their country, and their religion, a religion based on the word of God. Those of you who have attended the Bible Studies I have led will remember that soon after Solomon's death the nation of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms, known as the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. The Northern kingdom kept the name Israel, while the Southern Kingdom became known as Judah.
It was the tribe of Judah to which King David belonged, and it was he who received the promise from God, that his throne would always be filled by one of his descendants, and that his kingdom would never end. We can read about this in 2 Samuel, where it says: "'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. . .Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me ; your throne will be established forever." You see, David had expressed a desire to build a house for the Lord, but instead, the Lord turns it around and said that he would build a house for David. The house David wanted to build is the Temple, but the house God wants to build is an everlasting dynasty. The word used here in the Hebrew for "forever" can mean two things. First it can mean a very long time, which was the case of David's heirs who ruled in succession for four hundred years. Second it means an eternal rule. Since Jesus Christ came from David's lineage, that meaning is fulfilled as well. He is the eternal King of kings, born in David's line. The first meaning came to an end in Isaiah's time, the second will never end.
The Northern Kingdom was already no longer in existence by Isaiah's time. Would Judah soon suffer the same fate? It was Isaiah's job to warn the people that if they did not repent from their sins, God would pass judgement upon them. They would experience doom and destruction. Isaiah told them straight out. There was pussyfooting here. He held back no punches. "Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! The multitude of your sacrifices-- what are they to me? says the LORD. I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations-- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her-- but now murderers! (Isa 1:10-21 NIV)
These are hard words. Isaiah compared the people with Sodom and Gomorrah, the wicked cities of Abraham's day, whose wickedness was appalling. And so was Judah's. But did you notice that even in these words, and remember these are God's words, even in these words there are signs of hope? "Come, let us reason together says the Lord. I am approachable. I will listen to you. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." There is hope! And then we hear great words of promise in chapter seven of Isaiah. Listen! Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (13&14 NIV) Therefore! With the word "therefore" Isaiah changes the entire complexion of things. The words "House of David" mean Judah. This is a repeat of the prophecy given to David of old. The difference is that now there is detail. "A virgin will be with child." Can you imagine? Seven hundred years before Jesus was born the prophecy of his birth was declared. In fact, his name is even given. This virgin will call her son Immanuel, "God with us." There we have the first prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah. But there is more to come! "The people will wander through the land, discouraged and hungry" Isaiah predicts in 8:21. History shows that they did just that.
What about us? Are we there yet? O we have plenty of food to eat, and we have plenty to be happy about, but are we? I'm speaking generally now. Isn't it a fact that there is much satisfaction these days? Much cynicism? People are almost fatalistic in their thinking. I believe many are spiritually hungry. Many are beyond spiritual hunger, and into spiritual bankruptcy. Are we there yet?
Judah resisted and rebelled. "The people will find themselves in utter darkness," the prophet writes. Darkness from which there is no escape. O, it sounds so bad! It sounds so hopeless! Is there is no escape from their time of trouble? And then. . .and then. . .listen! Listen to words of hope and joy! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!" (Vs 2) Notice that this is in past tense. It doesn't say, "will see a great light. They have already seen it. This proves to me that these are God's words for when God says something it is as good as done. This will happen in the future, but it is as if it has already happened in Isaiah's time. No more darkness. It's gone! "They lived in a land of shadows, but now a light is shining on them" (vs 2).
What has happened? The virgin has given birth to her Son! The marvelous prophecy has come true! "You have given them great joy, Lord, which has made them happy. They rejoice in what you have done. . ." (vs 3). This is God's doing, completely planned and carried out by him. It wasn't just an ordinary occurrence. It was carried out at God's appointed time, through his chosen method. Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, born of the virgin Mary, and my friends, that is all there is to it. And the end result? Joy! We have the joy in hearts, for Jesus has come. The prophecies have come true, and we rejoice in what God has done. He is our savior, and his kingdom will never end!
