Live in Light, Not Darkness - Isaiah 7, 8, 9 - November 12, 2006

Sunday school Lesson – Live in Light, Not Darkness – November 12, 2006

This is lesson two (2) in our series of study, “Maximum Living.”

The other day I was driving by the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind. There was a lady walking along the side walk with her seeing-eye dog. This lesson immediately came to mind. A blind person is in total physical darkness but with the aid of another person, a cane or a trained dog, their keen instincts and intelligence, they function well in a world of darkness.

The blind person depends upon something to help them get about in the world. JESUS used the blind as an example to relate physical blindness to spiritual blindness.

Matthew 15:10-14:

10 Summoning the crowd, He told them, “Listen and understand: 11 It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then the disciples came up and told Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard this statement?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone! They are blind guides.[9] Other mss add for the blind And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

There is physical blindness and there is spiritual blindness. The physically blind know they are blind. However many spiritually blind do not know they are spiritually blind. Those born physically blind do not know the difference in being able to see and not. Those born sighted and loose their sight know the difference.

There was a young man born blind and JESUS healed him. Once the young man was healed and he could see no one could change his mind about receiving his sight. The Pharisees tried to tell the young man that this JESUS was a sinner and could not perform such a miracle. The following scripture captures his response to the Pharisees.

John 9:24-25:

24 So a second time they summoned the man who had been blind and told him, “Give glory to God.[4] Give glory to God was a solemn charge to tell the truth; Jos 7:19. We know that this man is a sinner!” 25 He answered, “Whether or not He’s a sinner, I don’t know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see!”

This is a beautiful example of the change in us when we diligently seek and grope about in our spiritual blindness. When we encounter JESUS and HE opens our spiritual eyes, for the first time we see truth. Our salvation is a knowing and revelation that we were in spiritual darkness and now we are in the light of HIS presence. CHRIST in us is our light and our hope.

The greatest gift is when our spiritual blindness is cured and we can see with the eyes of our heart the majesty of CHRIST in us. The beauty is that once we receive our spiritual sight it is eternal.

Most of us seek light when we are in the dark. Darkness has many uncertainties and pitfalls. Light keeps us for stumbling in the dark and dispels many things our minds can imagine.

I recall a time when my young son and I were spelunking in a cave in Alabama years ago. We had our lights mounted on our helmets and were carefully maneuvering around a high wall with about a twenty foot drop. We had to go around a sharp corner. When the person ahead of you turned the corner they disappeared. I thought this would not be a good place for your light to go out. Guess what? As soon as the person ahead turned the corner, my light went out. I was in total darkness and then in a few moments the person behind me, turned the corner and gave me enough light so I could see to continue and turn the corner ahead of me. Then I could see by the light of the person ahead of me. Finally, I got to a place I could work on my light to get it working again.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson. As we journey through life there are times our spiritual light may grow dim or may seem to go out. Our brothers and sisters in CHRIST can come to our aid through prayer, encouragement, a helping hand, a listening ear, or a sympathetic heart. We can share the our light with them until their spiritual light is rekindled.

JESUS makes it clear that HE is the LIGHT of the world. When we follow HIM, we will never be in darkness. As stated in John 8:12.

Jn 8:12The Light of the World
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

We need to keep in mind that CHRIST in us is greater than all, but we have an adversary Satan. Satan is a liar, deceiver and can disguise himself as light.

2Co 11:14Paul and the False Apostles
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light.

Ephesians 6 makes it clear to us that we do not fight against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities, rulers and forces of evil

Let’s read what Ephesians 6:12-20 has to say about the world a Christian lives in:

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics[10] Or schemes, or tricks of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[11] Eph 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10 13 This is why you must take up the full armor[12] 1 Th 5:8 of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.[13] Ready to go tell others about the gospel 16 In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. 18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the • mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Each Christian is to stay prepared to fight each moment.

Now to our scripture in Isaiah.

GOD’S timing is always perfect. HE is speaking to the Israelites through HIS prophet Isaiah. The nation is corrupt and unless they repent, they will be captured and carried off to a foreign land. History tells us that they did not repent and they were captured and carried off. GOD made them a promise that they would return and rebuild Jerusalem.

This same promise applies to us as Christians. When we are led off captive by sin and follow the desires of our flesh, GOD tells us HE is always ready to welcome us back home when we realize the error of our way. Our part is to confess and stop. HIS part is to cleanse and restore.

Our study today begins with GOD asking Ahaz (A haz) to ask HIM for a sign that GOD will be his strength even though two (2) other kings are out to defeat him.
Isaiah 7:10-14:
The Immanuel Prophecy
10 Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz: 11 “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God—from the depths of • Sheol to the heights of heaven.” 12 But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask. I will not test the Lord.” 13 Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God? 14 Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you[3] The pronoun you is pl a sign: The virgin will conceive,[4] Or virgin is pregnant, will have a son, and name him Immanuel.[5] = God With Us; Isa 8:10

Ahaz refuses because he does not want to communicate with GOD but GOD says I will give you a sign anyway. Even though this is a sign for Ahaz, that GOD can perform miracles, it is prophesy for the coming of the Messiah. In verse 14, “The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name HIM Immanuel.”

In Isaiah 7:3-7 the LORD tells Isaiah to take his son Shear-jashub (shee ur JAY shuhb) to meet King Ahaz.

3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, by the road to the Fuller’s Field. 4 Say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Don’t be afraid or fainthearted because of these two smoldering stubs of firebrands, Rezin (REE zin) of Aram (A ram), and the son of Remaliah (rim uh LIE uh). 5 For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted harm against you. They say: 6 Let us go up against Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it for ourselves. Then we can install Tabeel’s (TAB ih uhl) son as king in it.” 7 This is what the Lord God says: It will not happen; it will not occur.

Ahaz saw the fate of his kingdom in the hands of the two (2) kings. He failed to see that GOD has the power to change what appears to be imminent to man.

This to me is a foreshadow of the coming of CHRIST. As humans we have two powers that hold us hostage – sin and death. CHRIST came to earth as a human, lived as a human, was tempted in all ways as a human, was capable of sinning, died where each human should die for his or her own sins, was buried, was resurrected, showed Himself to over 500 people, ascended, sent the HOLY SPIRIT back to indwell each believer and will return back to earth one day. CHRIST conquered sin and death, the two great enemies no human can conquer. HE is our SAVIOR and HE wants each of us to make HIM LORD of our lives. HE wants to have a loving intimate relationship with each one of us but that requires us to yield our will to HIM.

Let’s read Isaiah 8:18-22:

18 Here I am with the children the Lord has given me to be signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts who dwells on Mount Zion. 19 When they say to you, “Consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who chirp and mutter,” shouldn’t a people consult their God?[9] Or gods [Should they consult]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. 21 They will wander through the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged, and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.

GOD has a message to King Ahaz in the very names of Isaiah and his two (2) sons. They are signs and wonders to King Ahaz.

Isaiah means “YAHWEH saves.”

Shear-jashub (shee ur JAY shuhb) means “a remnant will return.”

Maher-shalal-hash-baz (MAY her SHAL al HASH baz) means “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil.”
Isaiah uses the words “LORD of HOSTS.” This is important for King Ahaz because the LORD of HOSTS indicates that GOD is the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth and of all nations.

This statement puts King Ahaz on alert regarding the next statement. Ahaz or some of his leadership may be tempted to consult the spirits of the dead and spiritualists to learn the fate of the nation. Isaiah tells him not to fall into that trap.

When bad times come into our lives, we are tempted to find answers to our questions from any source that will provide answers. Going to horoscopes, wee gee boards, consulting fortune tellers, tarot cards, spiritualists or mediums who are all getting information from Satan will lead to destruction.

Gloom leads to darkness. It is a downward spiral that ends in despair.

What can get us out of despair? Hope brings us up out of despair.

CHRIST is our hope. Colossians 1: 25-27 - 25 I have become its minister, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, 26 the • mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this • mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

When we encounter dark times in our lives, we must practice in the dark what we have learned in the light.

Let’s read Isaiah 9:1-5:

1 [1] Isa 8:23 in Hb Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. 2 [2] Isa 9:1 in Hb The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy.[3] Alt Hb tradition reads have not increased joy [The people]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. 4 For You have shattered their burdensome yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as [You did]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. on the day of Midian. 5 For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.

Verses 2-4 are written in the present even though they are prophesy for the future. They are written in the present because they are sure of it coming about. This is prophesy of the coming of JESUS. JESUS is the great light that is captured in Matthew 4:12-16:

12 When He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth behind and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun (ZEBB you lun) and Naphtali (NAF tuh lie). 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the sea road, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles! 16 The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.[8] Lit dawned on them [9] Isaiah 9:1–2

Luke 1:78-79:
78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Dawn[33] Jr 23:5; Zch 3:8; 6:12 LXX from on high[34] Lk 24:49; Isaiah 58:8; Eph 4:8 will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death,[35] Isaiah 9:2; 60:2–3 to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Verse 3, Enlarge the nation I believe is including the gentiles into the covenant with GOD through CHRIST.

Verse 4 – releasing from the burdensome yoke is JESUS releasing us from the bondage of the law and giving us the gift of grace.

Let’s read Isaiah 9:6-7:

6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of • Hosts will accomplish this.

They were looking forward to the hope which the Messiah brings to those in darkness and we are looking back to the hope that CHRIST, the Messiah brought to us through HIS birth, HIS sinless life, death, resurrection and ascension. This hope is not the rule of a political leader but the fact that HE conquered sin and death for every human, who will acknowledge HIM as the Messiah. HE confirms this hope in each Christian with the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.

v GOD is telling through Isaiah that HIS deliverer will come as a child and not as a military warrior.

This prophesy is fulfilled in JESUS.

Luke 1:31-33:

31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.[13] 2 Sm 7:12–13 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.[14] Isaiah 9:6 LXX; Dn 7:14
Matthew 1:23

23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,[10] Isaiah 7:14

GOD became flesh and lived as 100% human, yet 100% divine.

John 1:1, 14:

1 In the beginning[1] Gn 1:1 was the Word,[2] The Word (Gk Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father; Jn 1:14,18; Rv 19:13. and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 The Word became flesh[13] The eternally existent Word (vv. 1–2) took on full humanity, but without sin; Heb 4:15. and took up residence[14] Lit and tabernacled, or and dwelt in a tent; this word occurs only here in John. A related word, referring to the Festival of Tabernacles, occurs only in 7:2; Ex 40:34–38. among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the • One and Only Son[15] Son is implied from the reference to the Father and from Gk usage. from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Why did GOD do this for us? The next scripture captures GOD’S purpose.

John 3:16-18:

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 1 Jn 4:9–10 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.

John 5:24: (Every Christian has the gift of eternal life, now!)

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
Government will be on His shoulders – This child will be the ruler, signifying HIS authority.

He will be named:

Wonderful Counselor – Extraordinary and surpassing all others in advice and counsel. HE is the ideal ruler WHOSE advice is the truth of GOD

Mighty God – HE would have 100% of the power of GOD to accomplish HIS work on earth. If this were me in human form, I would have been tempted to use my power to show those trying to do me harm, who I really am. But CHRIST did not. HE stayed on mission for our sake.

Eternal Father – This is the FATHER – child relationship that GOD wants to have with those born into HIS Kingdom. This is what rebirth is all about. GOD becomes our FATHER. We become HIS child. GOD is eternal and we become eternal through that relationship. FATHER also suggests the care that father’s have for their children – to provide, train and protect.

Prince of Peace – HE will rule as Prince in a kingdom of peace. CHRIST has defeated sin and death and that brings peace to our hearts and lives as Christians.

HIS reign will be vast. HE not only rules over Israel but rules over all who call upon HIS name for salvation.

Prosperity will never end. This is spiritual prosperity. CHRIST conquered sin and death with HIS life and all who believes in HIM will live in the prosperity of this fact. We, as Christians, no longer have to be bound by the fear of death.

In 2 Samuel 7:12-17, GOD made King David a promise that is fulfilled in CHRIST.

“ ‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord Himself will make a house for you. 12 When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He will build a house for My name,[8] 1 Kg 5:2–5; 6:12; 8:18–19 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me.[9] Ps 2:9 When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod and with blows from others. 15 But My faithful love will never leave him[10] Ps 89:21,28,33 as I removed it from Saul; I removed him from your way.[11] 1 Sm 15:24–28 16 Your house and kingdom will endure before Me[12] Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read you forever, and your throne will be established forever.’ ”[13] Ps 89:29,36 17 Nathan spoke all these words and this entire vision to David.[14] 1 Ch 17:3–15

CHRIST will rule with justice and righteousness.

The “Zeal” of the LORD of Hosts” will accomplish this. Remember the LORD of Hosts means GOD is the sovereign ruler over heaven and earth. HIS zeal means “glowing fire.”

Bottom line, it means it will be done.

GOD knows that we must have the light of HOPE in a world of darkness. That HOPE is in HIS ONLY SON JESUS.

If you are in a world of darkness, ask CHRIST to forgive you and to be the light of your life.

As Christians we must keep in mind that we have the light of the world in us, CHRIST. We are not to hide our light but to allow CHRIST to shine through us to others who are in spiritual darkness. You and I may be the only light others may see.

May the light of CHRSIT in us never grow dim.