Happy New Year

New Years.
Out with the old, in with the new.
A blank slate.
Hope of change.

Quite likely, Isaiah would’ve partied hard on New Years.
Maybe even stayed up to see the ball drop.

   
Twice the prophet carefully articulates the idea of revolution.1
Out with the old, in with the new.
Gone is the rebellious city of man, in with the mountain of God.
Hope fulfilled.

Though Isaiah’s days were dark, he understood an important truth. He knew that out of judgment's fire, change would come. And while unrighteousness seemed to prevail at every turn, God would one day make things right. One day the His order would be established and evil dealt a decisive blow.

Hope was not futile. In fact, it was to be fostered. Praising God in advance Isaiah carefully articulates the certainty of coming change:

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for your have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the foreigner’s palace is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt again…as heat by the shade of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is put down (25:1-5)

Long before the unrighteous city of man had fallen or all wrongs made right, Isaiah sought to embolden hope. With four clear statements Isaiah aims to engender anticipation for the coming of God's kingdom:

The faithful will experience perpetual celebration (25:6)

“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.” 

Mount Zion is for all peoples.
Isaiah repeatedly emphasizes the inclusivity of God’s redemptive plan.
God, through David’s seed, would work to procure hope for all.
In Zion, a great feast will ensue.

And note the superlatives: rich food with well-aged, well-refined wine.
On Mount Zion there is no fast food or cheap drink.
God only serves the good stuff at His parties.
Good food. Good wine. Good times.

Even the best of our days simply cannot measure up to heaven’s feasts. They were never meant to.  The very best of memories and experiences are simply intended to point us patiently toward home - toward heaven’s table. Toward a place of perpetual, perfected, joyous communion with God.

The faithful will have no fear of death (25:7-8)

“He will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord will wipe away all tears from all faces…”

The children of Adam have long felt death’s sting. 

Yet in Zion, this mortal enemy is swallowed whole.
Tears and sorrow wiped dry by His tender hand.
All things are made new. True life restored.

On Zion sin will have no bearing on the lives of men.
Where spiritual and physical death once held sway, He changed things.

The Son of God defeated death. Jesus’ resurrection decisively tilted the tables.

And while the power of death is defeated, we await for the fullness of life to be revealed (I Corinthians 15). For on that Day, Christ who is our life will manifest His glory and we will see Him as He is.

Our Eternal Hope.
Our Eternal Victory.
Our Eternal Life.

The faithful will see their God (25:9)

Waiting is a tough one for me.

A line more than three cars deep, what's the hold up?

But Isaiah extols perseverance.  Waiting for God’s manifested salvation. 

Waiting for God to fully reveal His purposes and plan.
Know the waiting will be worth it. The main attraction will not disappoint.

The faithful will watch the unrighteous order be undone (25:10-12)

On Mount Zion the curse is lifted and the enemy is eternally undone. 

With artful word play, Isaiah envisions a swimmer incapable of gaining momentum.

The wicked simply will not gain traction.  Evil will be laid low.  

All wrongs will be made right.  No tears.  No regrets.  No "what if".      

_______

In the new order, righteousness wins.

And as we hope in this new year may our outlook for better days be grounded in the promise that God will one day establish His city (Hebrews 11:16).  May our lesser hopes and aims bow to the Holy One of Israel for He will one day usher in wholesale change, eradicating evil and securing the future of His children. Thinking toward this day, may our hearts rise above the clamor and may we join the apostle John in saying, "Come Lord Jesus".

Blessings.

1. In general the first portions of Isaiah, chapters 1-39, don't make for great inspirational reading.  God is literally at war with Israel (1:24; 5:24-25; 29:1-4).  His disdain for their sinful rebellion eventually launches Isaiah into several prophetic discourses targeting every nation under the heavens.  As noted in the outline below in the middle of pronouncing judgment, Isaiah twice references the overarching purposes of God to make all things new. 

• 13:1-23:18 – An announcement to the nations: judgment is at hand 
• 24:1-27:13 – Out with the old, in with the new: the divine order established in Zion
• 28:1-33:24 – An announcement to Judah: judgment is at hand 
• 34:1-35:10 – Out with the old, in with the new: the divine order established in Zion

Still Happy?

GQ, happy, happy, happy.

Sales and exposure are up.

A&E, not so much. 

Neither Storage Wars nor Intervention make a good plush doll or T-shirt.

GLAAD, happy, happy, happy.

Score another “W” for intolerant tolerance.

Conservative groups, not so much. 

Though, be sure, the sky is not falling.   

And while my unofficial count has the various “I stand with Phil” petitions at roughly 323, I’m not interested in creating another platform for anyone to “like”. 

Similarly when Al Mohler  and Russ Moore offer commentary on a topic,

I’m not sure there’s anything of substance to add. 

So as Phil Robertson’s situation continues to galvanize both the thoughtful and rash, my concern is simply the way forward.  For those who seek to be people of the Book, how are we to operate in an increasing darkened society?

Along these lines, I’d like to offer four thoughts from the book of Isaiah.  

Four reflections on proclaiming divine revelation in a hostile culture:

Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples.  I will wait for the Lord...I will hope in him…when they say to you, “inquire of the mediums and necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God?  Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?  To the teaching and to the testimony!  If they will not speak accordingly to this word, it is because they have no dawn (8:16-22).

Isaiah was bound to the Word: Bind up the testimony (16)

We are bound by a clear reading of the text.  Stretching interpretive norms to accommodate societal cravings and whims is the definitive step toward destruction.  Whether the text is obtrusive or deemed outdated, divine revelation stands.  We are bound.     

Moving forward, be bound by the Word even in the complexities of our culture.  In our affection for Christ, how are we to encourage those in our church who are seeking to honor God but still struggle with same sex attraction?    

Be sure, these are part of our body.  Brothers and sisters who love Christ deeply and desire to submit their sexuality to the revealed Word.  Yes, we may find their struggle confusing but this is never license for crass, insensitive language or dismissive, crude humor.  Yes, we may find comfort by championing stories where heterosexual attraction is restored.  And while these stories certainly exist and should be celebrated, there are also stories of ongoing struggle, perseverance, and waiting for Christ's ultimate return.    

Moving forward, may we be a place where people are bound by the Word and freed to follow Christ.  Whatever our sinful impulses might be, however close they might feel to our essential makeup, these sins are covered by Christ's blood and the Spirit will grant grace to obey.  I have a great deal of respect for men and women who struggle with same sex attraction yet maintain faithful obedience to the Word.  Think about it.  With denominations altering Scripture and accommodating the masses, how easy would it be to drift into another fellowship?  How easy would it be to join a group that pacified this base temptation? 

The complexities of sin are many.  These have chosen celibacy in their efforts to pursue their Creator and like the rest of us who fight temptation and seek to live honorably before God - our reward will be great.

Isaiah was to hope in the Word: I will wait for the Lord, I will hope in him (17-18) 

Amid cultural apathy, the prophet waited for the Lord to honor His word.  Rather than drifting off course, Isaiah was resolute in his stance.  Moral relativism has all but destroyed societal mores and those who preach moral absolutes are often held in contempt.  All the while, we actively wait. 

Active to uphold the banner of truth.

Active to stand as a sign of hope to the wayward (18)

Active to love those who do not think as I think.
Active in upholding the gospel of Christ.  

Isaiah was to direct people to the Word: To the teaching and the testimony (19-20a)

As his culture began to seek answers to the pressing questions of their day, Isaiah had but one solution: the Living God.  Note the people's request.  They wanted Isaiah to practice pagan norms for finding authoritative meaning.  They wanted the prophet of God to reduce himself to the mediums who babbled to the dead, 'chirping' for a definitive word.  Isaiah's response?  Why seek the dead when your God is living?  Why seek the lower forms of authority, go to God's teaching and testimony!  

Various pulpits may indeed reduce themselves to popular avenues for authoritative meaning.  But Isaiah’s charge is singular, to faithfully direct the people to the testimony of God.  The Living Creator had clearly spoken, why turn to man's musings?

Isaiah was to uphold the weight of divine revelation: They have no dawn (20b-22).

Should the masses not “speak according to the divine word”, should they not align themselves with sacred revelation, “it is because they have no dawn”.  The reading is clear.  Trifling with divine revelation is a somber offense.
_______

Let us be 'Happy, Happy, Happy'.
For our eternal hope is not a matter of public opinion.  
Though the flower fades and the grass withers the Word of God will stand.   
As we move forward, be mindful of God's charge to Isaiah:  

• Be unapologetically bound to Scripture.  
• Be hopeful, God will be faithful to His word.  Waiting for the final Day, use Robertson's story as conversation starter.  Everyone has an opinion on the situation.  Opportunities to share the gospel abound. 
• Be bold.  Our culture is seeking rest, joyfully proclaim truth!  Don’t be afraid to speak God's truth, pointing people to His timeless testimony. 
• Be prayerfully wary.  There are those who willfully stray from divine revelation, be careful not to follow for their path.  

Blessings

The Immanuel Prophecy: A Sign of Hope for the Nations

Priceless.  

  

Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given...

Love the baby’s head poking out of the bundle

And the government will be upon his shoulders...

Love the jerry-curled dude with the broad shoulders 

And his name shall be called...

Love the IPhones

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...

Love the Everlasting Gobstopper at the bottom

Even if Isaiah's original manuscripts were somehow located, 

my son's rendition will always be way more valuable!

Hope for the Nations.

If you were to illustrate Isaiah 9, what would you come up with?  

For me, the only thing my son lacks is a globe.    

Isaiah’s clear.  The birth of Immanuel is for all nations.

Read 9:3-7

"You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil"  (9:3)

To which nation is Isaiah referring?  While other word choices were available, words that would convey a strict ethnic definition, the prophet was purposeful in his selection.  He chose a word for 'nation' that carried a broad bandwidth, one that would clearly reach beyond ethnic boarders and open a path for all people.1 

Isaiah's point is clear.

Immanuel would be the revelatory light bursting into darkness.
His person and message would carry the definitive word of hope.
He alone would be the impetus for God's new nation,
a people not defined by ethnicity but united in faith and joy.

Isaiah 9 lists three reasons for this new nation to rejoice:

• Joy to the nation: Immanuel will cause oppression to cease (4)
• Joy to the nation: Immanuel will cause all fighting to cease (5)
• Joy to the nation: Immanuel will be the Great King (6-7)

Note four brief observations in 9:6-7.

The child’s birth is announced.  For to us a child is born and a son is given – who is included in the us? In keeping with Isaiah’s international focus, I’d suggest that this royal birth announcement is for all peoples.   

Recall Jesus’ birth narrative. 

Two very distinct people groups were supernaturally brought to Bethlehem: the Jewish shepherds and the Eastern magi.  Jew and Gentile.  Through angelic chorus and shining star the Father brought representatives of these two separate nations to the manger.  In Jesus' story, all nations paid homage.   

Immanuel was sent to you, He was sent to me.  

Unto us, people of every tribe and tongue, a child is born.

The child’s nature is addressed.  Read the names.  Wonderful Counselor.  Mighty God.  Everlasting Father.  Prince of Peace.  The names themselves point to the divine essence and function of Immanuel but I invite you to consider something even more fundamentally unique. 

Jewish kings never got cool nicknames.  While surrounding pagan kings regularly assumed divine monikers this never happened in Israel.  Jewish kings were not allowed to take upon themselves divine status – they knew better. 

With this in mind, Isaiah’s naming of the child leaps off the page.  The prophet intentionally attributed divinity to this coming infant.  And while the pagan kings may boast of god like status, this Immanuel child would stand-alone. 

Unequivocally, He is the god-man.

The child’s heritage is affirmed.  By referencing David’s throne, Isaiah points directly to the central fulfillment of redemptive history.  Isaiah affirms that David’s heir would rule for eternity, the covenants made with the forefathers would prevail (2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 6:13; 11:1-9, 10-16). 

God is a promise keeper.

The child’s future is assured.  If given a chance to peek into the manger, what might we have seen? 

A baby fast asleep. 

Possibly a tiny head bobbing awkwardly, rooting for sustenance. 

Maybe a reddish face, concocting a pasty-yellow disaster. 

Whatever the case, be assured, this child would not fail. 

I love the end of verse 7.  
“The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” 

Zeal.  The word even sounds aggressive. 

From of the depths of divine passion, the infant would succeed.  

The mission would be fulfilled, the zeal of the Most High would see to it.  
_________

This Christmas, take time to read Isaiah 7:1-9:7.
Take time to sit with the sign. 
And may our faith be filled with Immanuel's might.

For He alone has the power to save. Through the faithful obedience of Immanuel, Israel fulfilled her mission to mediate truth and salvation to the nations. Jesus became the faithful high priest, ministering to the nations.

For He alone has the power to unite. As Immanuel embodied and taught reconciliation, let us be leading to address the interpersonal fragmentation of our society. Rather than passively adhere to cultural norms, the church has the power to speak toward all manner of racial, gender, economic, and generational tensions.

For He alone has the power to comfort. Jesus battled temptation, suffered loss, wrestled with His circumstances, and questioned the Father - He understands. Our Faithful High Priest assumed flesh and is willing to come alongside and offer perspective, energy, and grace.

Blessings!  

1.  For those lexicon types...the term Isaiah used for 'nation' in 9:3 is ‘goy’ a generic term as opposed to ‘yam’ a term emphasizing an ethnically defined border; also note plural of they - 2x