Loading summary
Transcript5 lines
- [00:05]
A
Hey, this is Shelby and Paul and we are walking you through the book of Isaiah. Don't forget to leave a comment or a review. We love reading those as we engage with you today, we're in Isaiah 7, 9, and Paul. In these chapters we find two very familiar passages for Christians, usually read around Christmas time. Yes, right, that's right. But we're gonna get into the context. Cause maybe we haven't read the full context. So walk us through Isai seven through nine.
- [00:33]
B
Yeah, that's right. It is pretty nice to be able to read these in context. And so the first passage we have is in chapter seven about Emmanuel. And the context that we have here is essentially there's King Ahaz in the south, the southern kingdom, and he's being attacked by a foreign nation called Aram, as well as the northern kingdom of Israel is about to siege. But Ahaz actually ends up asking a foreign nation, Assyria, for help instead of God. And so his lack of faith is punished. And the sign that Ahaz should have asked for confirmation of God's deliverance is this son, Emmanuel. And so for Ahaz, he should have asked God, hey, prove to me that you're going to deliver me. And this son would have been that positive affirmation. But because he didn't trust in God, Immanuel is actually somewhat of a fearful thing for Ahaz. But we also see that in the New Testament this is a pre figuring of Christ. And we see in the New Testament that Jesus is Emmanuel. Jesus is God with us. And so even though for Ahaz it was a fearful thing, for us, it's a hopeful thing.
- [01:47]
A
Yeah. Okay. That context is helpful for the Isaiah 7 passage about Emmanuel. But then also Isaiah 9, we see this passage that starts like, for unto us a child is born. Can we talk about that passage as well?
- [02:01]
B
Yeah. So Isaiah 9 is kind of transitioning to talk about a future time when God is going to restore the land of Israel. And it says that during that future day, a great light will dawn on those living in the land of darkness. That's in 9, 2. And so the child that's mentioned in Isaiah 7 is shown to be just more than something for Ahaz's time. The child is also going to be born for Israel. And he's named wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. And so this is referring directly to Jesus. And one thing I want to address real quick is I always thought it was confusing that Jesus would be given the title Eternal Father. I always thought that was obviously he's not The Father in the Trinity. But it's not saying that he's the Father as in the first Person of the Trinity. Rather, he's saying he is like a father to us and that we are a wayward people that need discipline and guidance and instruction. So in the same way a father teaches their children, Jesus teaches us, right? And Jesus really is each of these things to us. I think these titles are so beautiful, and you could spend probably a whole sermon series just talking about these names. But they're not just titles or comforting things to put on a throw pillow or hang on the wall. They're present realities of who Jesus is. And so Jesus really is a wonderful counselor who can guide us when we're confused. He really is mighty God, powerful enough to defeat sin. He really is eternal Father, fathering us when we're weak and in need of guidance. He really is Prince of Peace, capable of giving us peace beyond understanding even in the most dark circumstances. And so I wonder if today listeners might just have one of those names that sticks out to them. What do you need to hear today and remember who Jesus is? For me, I think it's just that God is Jesus is my wonderful counselor, that in the midst of anxiety, especially for me, he is guiding me. He wants to comfort me. He wants to give me good instructions and wise instructions for how to live my life even when things are hard for me.
- [04:08]
A
The same wonderful counselor is the one that sticks out so many times a day. I just think I have no idea what to do right now. Yet knowing that Jesus guides and counsels us with all wisdom, that is truly incredible. In those moments where you just don't know what to do, you know, you talked about these names for Christ that we see in Isaiah 9. And this chapter starts with a verse that says, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. And Jesus is the light that has dawned. And that's a great and really, you know, moving truth. But if we go a couple of verses earlier into Isaiah 8, I think it has even more meaning. Isaiah 8, 22, this is the end of chapter 8. It says, they will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness and the gloom of affliction. They will be driven into thick darkness. And so this dawn of Jesus is not just coming into darkness. It's distress, darkness and the gloom of affliction. And there will be times in our life, or maybe in world events, where we think, I see only distress, I see only darkness, I see only gloom. And I think Isaiah 9 points us to the fact that in the midst of every darkness or distress we experience, Jesus is the light. And so I'm taking that away from our reading today. Okay. Thanks so much, Paul, for walking us through these chapters and Isaiah we're going to pick back up in chapter 10 tomorrow.