Light in the Darkness • 03.10.24
Jack Flaherty   -   March 10, 2024

Click Here for The Isaiah Overview Sermon from the Beginning of the Series

Light in the Darkness

Isaiah 9:1-10:4

Two responses to what the zeal of the Lord will do

  1. Behold God’s Anointed
  2. Beware God’s Anger

Good morning! My name is Jack Flaherty and I serve as one of the Pastors here at Harvest. It is truly a joy and privilege to open up God’s Word with you all this morning. Before we start 4th and 5th graders are dismissed. Everyone else open your Bibles to Isaiah 9. Invite ushers for Bibles.  As you’re turning, a hypothetical question for you, do you know someone who is a great motivators? Could be that annoying physical therapist or personal trainer who won’t let you quit. Could be that parent who continues to speak truth and encouragement. Could be that coach or teacher or boss or Pastor who knows which people need a swift kick and which need some positive reinforcement. You got somebody in mind who knows the right buttons to push to influence and to get someone moving? If so, it would not surprise you to know that the Supreme Creator of the universe is also the Supreme Influencer of the human heart. Not influencer in the typical social media sense of longing for things of earth but in the Sovereign sense of stirring up souls to long for the things of God (which no doubt has earthly ripple effects). God uniquely effects our affections so that our actions, words, thoughts, and wants might glorify Him.

 

In our text, we see the highest highs & lowest lows — brightest light & darkest gloom — that we’ve come across in Isaiah up to this point. Our message is titled Light in the Darkness because it’s taken directly from the text AND because God through Isaiah seems to be using light and dark to motivate his people. Two big sections. In 9:1-7 there are some very familiar verses, which are zealous promises of salvation meant to draw us toward the Lord in faith and belief. In 9:8-10:4 there are some less familiar verses, which are zealous promises of judgement meant to turn us away from sin in conviction and repentance. God uses both pushes & pulls, equal parts gracious to us and zealous for his own glory, so that we might respond rightly to him. To be clear this isn’t a do better message. This is the Spirit using the Word to produce responses from a heart that’s been made new. Thus, our subtitle Two responses to what the zeal of the Lord will do.

 

Have you been hanging on the edge of your seats all week?! Chapter 8 left us in gloom & darkness. BUT Nick gave us the sneak peak that light is coming. Read Isaiah 9:1-7. Our first repose is to…

 

  1. Behold God’s Anointed

Let’s remember the context. King Ahaz, of the southern kingdom of Judah, is horrible! He departed from God’s ways by trusting in men and in idols, offering his own son as a sacrifice to a false god. And this brings great trials and tribulations for Judah. He was following in the way of the kings of the world as well as the kings to the north in Israel. 2 Kings 15 tells us they had 6 kings in 20 years. Though these first verses are addressing the south, its good news for Judah and Israel. Actually v1 says this is good news even to the Gentiles!

 

Geography time! Mentioned here in v1 is the land of Zebulun and Naphtali which contains the way of the sea (MAP of Via Maris). This is a prominent route where the world will see what’s happening. These territories were the first of twelve tribes to be invaded by Assyria. BUT there is a time to come where they will be first to see something glorious! Keep this in mind for a bit later. One Hebrew scholar I read calls v2 the most arresting example of poetic parallelism in the Bible. I wonder if any of us might need that today? This morning  are you feeling that darkness? Feeling in gloom? Feeling hopeless? This is God’s Word for you! We see v2 further mentions “deep darkness.” That word is used here, a bunch in Job, and is the same as word as “valley of shadow of death” from Psalm 23:4. This is not some pretend darkness, but really real darkness brought by sin. Yet God foretells of a really real Light. This Light is the Promised One, the Anointed King in the line of David, the Messiah.  Three key things to behold about the Anointed. First…

 

  1. His Victory

We see in v3-5 a list of what he does. He grows the nation, brings the joy, breaks off the burden of the wicked rule they were under! In v3 we see a picture both of ag and army. People did nothing but still enjoy the blessings of the crop gathered and of the battle won by this Anointed One. Good harvest and good victory! Then v4 we see He is the one who breaks the yoke and staff and rod. All of this is exodus type language referring to when Israel was freed from slavery in Egypt. Further he defeats the oppressor like the breaking/shattering on the day of Midian. This is referencing Judges 6-8 when a small band of soldiers literally smashed pots, lit torches, and defeated a massive army. (BTW Gideon was in the land of Zebulun and Napahtali). Both these references are to say the people are partaking in the spoils of a battle they didn’t win. The Anointed (all those “YOU” pronouns)  won of their behalf. In fact, it wasn’t some awesome group of people who escaped Egypt or who defeated Midian, it was God!

 

Further there is no longer a need to fight as v5 says burn up all the army stuff, the battle is over! In darkness God through Isaiah tells the people to look at—BEHOLD–the victory of the Lord’s Anointed! Trust this is coming. Like was told in Isaiah 2:2-5 God will win, nations will flow in, and God’s people will rejoice! These verbs in past tense of what is still to come. This is known as “prophetic perfect” because there is no possibility of God’s promises not coming to pass. Though not immediately, faith can hold on in darkness knowing that light will come.

 

All the action here is on God’s side. Including the birth of this Anointed One. Look at v6 which says a child is born and a son is given. Born and given is both human below and divine above. Hope of a new baby in the midst of darkness. The Anointed is unique. He will carry the rule and reign on behalf of the people unlike their current wicked king. But who is it going to be? To get specific we see four names. This is the second thing to behold about the Anointed…

 

  1. His Names

Why these four names? Let’s walk through each of them and just sit on them for a bit.

 

Wonderful Counselor— “Wonderful” is the word for supernatural or out of this world. Contrasting the worldly counsel Ahaz in the south and that Israel’s kings in the North had listened to. Ultimately God provides this counsel and wisdom and direction as the Anointed leads the people in the righteous, just, and holy way of the Lord.

 

Mighty God—“El Gibor”. Shout out to our 4th-5th grade classroom who has heard this name before. This phrase right here would SHOCK Hebrews listeners. This child and counselor is also GOD!? Isaiah would never do this on accident because someone born can’t truly be God. Maybe other rulers who claim divinity might say this but not any right-minded Hebrew–unless it were true. Points to a Savior who is both totally God and totally man. Maybe the best OT proof text of incarnation. The Anointed is mighty and strong. Not impotent like those Ahaz has been worshipping. He can handle the weight of the government on his shoulder.

 

Everlasting Father–This is unfamiliar with familiar. Father just common word but everlasting, this can’t be any but God. This is not to replace the first person of the Godhead. Rather it is a reminder that the Anointed plays a father role to those who follow him. Messiah has, is, and will be watching over, protecting, caring for, encouraging, disciplining, directing, and loving. Like the other names this is also direct contrast the wicked father Ahaz was and many of the former kings north and south were. This Anointed One will care for his people.

 

Prince of Peace–How many warriors/rulers actually bring peace? The answer is ZERO! But this one will speak peace, give peace, and make peace. First and foremost, creation with Creator, and secondly creation with one another. What an incredible picture then of the kingdom of this ruler!

 

Before we talk more about this rule, can I encourage you to behold by slowing down and thinking on the names. Meditating! Are you spending time really thinking of the truths of Scripture? Isaiah right here just lays out these as it to make us stop and think. The whole passage especially these 7 verses are incredible but let this be a hint for us to SLOW DOWN in the Word. To think of the implications of what is written. I might encourage you to do that as homework (Pastor Nick’s not the only one who can give it out ). Prayerfully meditate on and maybe even write out the implications of these names or this text for you.

 

  1. His Rule

Now to the third key thing to behold. We see v7 shows the prince of peace brings a government of increasing peace. Shalom. What an OT dense word! Absent of unrest and destruction. Completeness or fulfilled. Not lacking. Simple but not lacking! We can’t actually even fathom what true peace looks like, even if we desire it. We can have tastes like the coolness of the other side of the pillow or the warmness of an Olaf hug but those don’t last long. But this is real and everlasting. No end! The Davidic King and his forever kingdom! He will rule in accordance with the promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7. He will establish and uphold. Some people can make but not hang. This Anointed does both. And he does so with perfect justice, protecting weak and needy. From this time forth and forever. Once he shows up his rule in rolling like a freight train inevitably rolling towards and ever-increasing kingdom of peace! This is a ruler worth obeying!

 

Hopefully you’re catching on even though we’ve not yet said the name, this is all pointing to Jesus! He is the Anointed One to behold! Like when God first spoke out of chaotic darkness saying “let their be light” in Genesis 1, Jesus burst onto the scene as the light of the world as John 8:12 says. This very passage from Isaiah 9 is quoted in Matthew 4:12-17 to say Jesus is the Anointed, showing up in Galilee right where God said he would be. Israelites land in Isaiah’s time but not so much in Jesus time, after exile and return! Matthew quotes this to prove to the Jews why their Messiah was in that vile place of Gentiles and bad history. This is where Jesus launched his ministry. This is the way the Messiah entered. And strategic too. Remember that map. The Via Maris was the perfect spot for the gospel to spread from. Galilee was said to be on the way to everywhere! And Jesus brought the light to be sent out!

 

Isaiah says look to this Anointed. BUT we can look and say look to Jesus! Isaiah is in a time of darkness and waiting. Though we have the news that Jesus is here, we are still in the waiting. This forever kingdom is both already and not yet. From this time forth was established when immediate after Jesus shows up in Galilee he says, “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand.” Yet we still await his return where all these kingdom realities aren’t just inaugurated but fully realized. Christians in the room, how are we doing at soaking up and patiently waiting on the promises of God? We need these reminders in the midst of the darkness of this world. We need to rest in the hope of Christ. We need to meditate on his names and what he has done and will do. We need to trust his rule and reign. Behold the Anoitned! For those who haven’t truly looked to and believed Jesus as their Savior, their light, may this text be a big push for you. Don’t you want the things he brings? Life under the rule of God is not oppressive but freeing! Not boring but full of joy! Not under a bunch of sinful human beings but under a perfect God! Now until he returns, and eternity begins there are still problems with God’s people as there have always been, but unlike those who reject the Anointed, we are at least are a people full of problems and hope.

 

Maybe most importantly is why we can hope. We can hope because of what I think the hinge verse of this whole section, v7 says regarding how all of this good news stuff comes about. The Zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. For those who were trusting in men, armies of men, and idols, etc, Isaiah says YHWH the uncaused Causer of all who rules armies of angles will accomplish all this. It doesn’t ride on us! God accomplishes it all! Jesus is fully God and he will bring this deliverance! This salvation! And how? With zeal. Passion! Not like “I guess I’ll save these bums.” No with the love of a father who knows what is best for us. Pastor Isaac Adams says “Isaiah hung all his prophetic hope on the passionate commitment of Israel’s God towards His people.” The ESVEC said, “The true King is passionately committed to making it happen. It is not a matter of indifference to him; he will pursue his faithfulness people and refuse to let them go.”

 

He himself deserves all worship and praise. AND He alone provides true and lasting satisfaction for us. God is worthy of our beholding. God is passionate about bringing us to himself. And His zeal alone can do it. Think on that a second. Not our zeal or our passions which wage war within us and cause fights and quarrels of all kinds. The Lords. He alone delivers! So but your faith in him! That’s really this first response, it faith! That God will act and come through on his promises. God’s names tell us his character and he is the name above all names which we can put our trust in. His rule is worth submitting to and trusting in. His zeal for his glory graciously demonstrates what we ought to already know, he is worthy of our faith.

 

Because he is zealous he will give a light that will rule and reign! Yet also, because he is zealous he won’t tolerate idolatry or let wickedness go unpunished! That same zeal that saves those who behold him also brings judgment to those who reject him. That’s why I think it’s a hinge verse. Because there is a turn here in a totally different direction. Like a coach who just got done pumping you up he also now gives a stern talking to of the whole picture. A one who is zealous for his own glory, and who will in zeal bring about salvation for his glory, he will also in zeal bring about judgement for his glory. Lets see this and read Isaiah 9:8-10:4

A second response to what the zeal of the Lord will do, we are to…

 

  1. Beware God’s Anger

The focus shifts here a bit from describing the hopeful stuff to Judah, though peripherally to Israel and the nations, to now describing the judgements coming to Isaiah, yet peripherally a warning to Judah and to all people of all times! What we have here are actually four distinct judgements here marked by a phrase repeated in v12, 17, 21, & 10:4 “For all this his anger has not turn, and his hand is stretched out still.” A phrase borrowed from chapter 5 and repeated only twice more in the whole book. We’ve felt the illuminating and invigorating light of God and now we zoom in on the dulling and depressing realities of sin.

 

Before we go further, lets talk about God’s anger. I wonder if that phrase bothers you?  God has emotions that’s part of how we bear his image. But he is not like us and his emotions are not like ours. He is not ruled by his emotions. His anger is perfect, proportionate. It is always justified and righteous. There is no admixture of anything wrong. And he doesn’t display it in petty or passive aggressive ways like we can so often do. He is angry towards idolatry and the sin which is births. He is zealous for his glory and our good.

OT uses the expression nose for anger. Those who were easily angered are short nosed. We get that anger is something that physically rushes within us and we get hot in the face thus hot head. Israelites thought the same thing but short nosed like a snorting bull. “Nose” is indeed used here in Isaiah. But God is not ever described short nosed, rather he is long nosed. In 2 Peter 3:9 he is patient wishing for all to repent. Even here he’s acted in right discipline and allowed natural consequences for sin but he’s not delivered his full wrath. His hand is out but not yet acting! But don’t count that slowness as things are all good. Its meant to expose a moment of decision. For God’s people everything depends on their reaction to his words. Obedience or disobedience. That’s true for us and true for those in the cross hairs in v8. We mentioned four judgements, here are four specific areas to beware of God’s anger towards.

 

  1. Towards Pride

In v8-12 we see a national disaster with the place already in ruins, attacks promised from east and west, not to mention Rezin who they allied with has an adversary called Assyria coming to attack. BUT instead of turning they are trying to reconstruct on their own. Like tower of Babel imagery. And say they will do so bigger and better! In pride, Israel ignores God’s Word and tries it on their own. Where are you thinking you don’t need God? Don’t need God’s Word? Don’t have to obey God’s commands or care about his principles? Can do it alone? Beware!

 

  1. Towards Misleadership

Second we see God angry at leaders in this political collapse of v13-17. God’s discipline was meant to bring them to turn. But v13 says they did not listen to the Lord of hosts/angel armies. DUMB! Refusing God’s truth means leaning on man’s wisdom. Instead of leading to righteousness it leads to folly. Instead of life it brings death. Instead of blessing its cursing. And yes though the people are thoroughly corrupt all of them as shown in v13 and 17, really its the leadership who are the problem as called out in v15-16. When the people reject God the leaders still had the chance to lean on the Lord. Instead, as one commentary put it “the prophets have become the religious tail wagging the political dog.” Elite class maintaining power and position instead pursuing the Lord. And that has cycled throughout, from top down.

 

We could talk political things of our recent state of the union or super Tuesday results but we aren’t national Israel. Instead, the church is who this word rebukes. Leaders in the room, where might we be guilty of causing others to go astray and speak folly? Christians in the workplace, are you motivating your employees in truth and love or trying to keep you spot? Are you standing for what’s right even if other’s aren’t?  Parents are we leading our children to the Word of God? Husbands does our leadership in the home reflect the heart of one turning from sin and to God? Students and kids, older siblings, members of teams and clubs, how are you leading? Beware.

 

 

  1. Towards Greed

A third judgement shows God’s anger towards greed in v18-21. Bad leaders means people wander for their own and what is depicted is social anarchy! Postmodern individualism driven by what you feel is right isn’t so new. They want what they want and consume everything in sight! These word pictures are crazy. ‘Devour’ and ‘consume’ are mentioned in each of the judgments but see how much they come up here! Do we realize this is where our wants, if unchecked, lead? What are these things for you? I’d suggest a way to sniff out a greedy want is to identify disunity. That’s what we see here! God is displeased with the disunity that comes from our greediness. Though not every time, might it be divisions big a small, EVEN in the church and even cloaked in the speech of “Christians should/should not,” are coming from our own greed? Beware.

 

  1. Towards Oppression

Final judgement here in 10:1-4 shows God’s anger towards those who carry out oppression. What is described is blatant misrule. Though this again falls on leaders this is really about all those who use impose power and position to get what they want and put others down. This will be flipped on its head as they themselves become helpless and cowering prisoners. Such an interesting bookend I think where those who are looking to YHWH, the faithful remnant, the Zeal of the Lord brings the spoil to us in 9:3. But if we try to get our own way by stepping over, on top of, sinfully around others, then we will be running, and our spoil has not place to go! Make 10:3 personal. Where do we run for help? Are we stacking up spoil sinfully on earth or are we awaiting a spoil in the place where peace and prosperity has no end?

 

People of God, where do you see these things that make God angry you in your life? If we are honest with ourselves, at least one if not all of these four areas of sin are of have been present in our lives. WE are all guilty! Are you hearing God’s Word? Are you turning to him for help? Are you humbly inviting others to speak into your life and are you boldly speaking into to lives for spiritual accountability? If you’re feeling that conviction this morning that is by God’s grace through God’s Word shining light into our hearts. The goal is to not see ourselves here, exposed by the light, and then try to avoid or evade or excuses. Instead, we are to turn from that darkness towards the light! Respond with repentance!

 

That is really the two-part response of this text. Again not just motivational do this in your own strength but the light of the Spirit illuminating our need to beware the judgement that is due our sin and to Behold the Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we can believe upon and be saved from sin! Yes that outstretched hand will deliver the wrath we deserve unless we turn from our wicked ways and trust what the zeal of the Lord has done. BUT there is one who received the wrath of God on our behalf. He himself had his hands outstretched on a rugged wooden cross. He was so opposite of all the wickedness we just read and yet he stood where we ought to have been, paid what we deserved to pay—physical, emotional, spiritual pain like we cannot imagine.

Darkness covered the earth. The Anointed One, Mighty God dead and in the grave. And then three days later up out of the darkness of the tomb, light shone. The Son and Savior rose up from the grave showing the payment accepted, the victory complete, the name above all names to be praised! That’s what his zeal has done. So see God’s push and pull on your heart today. Let the beacon of light that is Jesus Christ lead you to repent of ways we forsake him and place our faith in him for salvation.

 

We are going to close today, remembering this reality. Remembering the one who took the wrath of God for all who would repent and believe, through partaking of the Lord’s Supper together. This is a time of remembering what our Perfect High Priest did for us of the cross through the breaking of his body and shedding of his blood. But before we do that a couple of important notes. Open communion for all believers with Biblical warnings of being a believer, no unconfessed sin, and no disunity in the body. So we look in at our hearts to deal with sin, around at our neighbors to remember we are bought into a community, we look back to what he did on the cross, and we look forward to eating the meal with him in eternity. Ushers forward and worship team up as we take some time to reflect then I will come up, pray, and then we take it all together.

 

PRAY. Paul relays to us what he received from the Lord in 1 Cor 11:23-34. Recalling that night Jesus was betrayed, Jesus took the bread and gave thanks and breaking it said “this is my body, which is for you. Eat this in remembrance of me.” Let’s eat together. In the same way he took the cup saying “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. As often as you drink it do this in remembrance of me.” Let’s drink together. Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus! Let’s stand together and sing to the God who made a way for us out of darkness into light!

 

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