Bible Study - Christmas (1) - Isaiah's Prophesy - December 2, 2018 - Isaiah 7; 9 and 11 - December 2, 2018
Bible Study – Christmas (1) –
Isaiah’s Prophecy – December 2, 2018
This is lesson 0ne (1) in our
study entitled “The Full Picture of Christmas.”
Our focus scripture is Isaiah
7:10-14; 9:6-7; 11:1-5.
The birth of JESUS was no
mere circumstance. It was planned by GOD.
What is our first clue of
GOD’S plan to redeem mankind from their fallen state?
Let’s read Genesis 3:8-15:
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God
walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid
themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him,
"Where are you?"
10 And he said, "I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid
because I was naked, so I hid."
11 Then He asked, "Who told you that you were naked? Did you
eat from the tree that I had commanded you not to eat from?"
12 Then the man replied, "The woman You gave to be with
me-she gave me [some fruit] from the tree, and I ate."
13 So the Lord God asked the woman, "What is this you have
done?" And the woman said, "It was the serpent. He deceived me, and I
ate."
14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done
this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You
will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life.
15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between
your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
Adam and Eve sinned and we
read that they tried to hide their sin, not take the responsibility for their
sin but to blame someone else. Verse 15 reveals GOD’S solution for full and
complete redemption from the consequence of sin, which is eternal death. GOD
revealed HIS redemptive plan would come through the seed of a virgin woman,
which was Mary.
GOD sent HIS only SON, JESUS,
into the world to live in the flesh. JESUS lived as 100% human, yet 100%
Divine. HE gave HIS physical life to redeem all who would place their faith in
HIM from all their sin and its consequence, which is eternal death or eternal
separation from GOD. Some may think, “well so what!” I want to be with my
friends. Do not believe that lie. There are no human words to describe the
agony you will experience, that is why separation from GOD is described as
Hell. Satan will do all he can to prevent you from becoming a Son or Daughter
of GOD by appealing to your flesh. Likewise, the Holy Spirit does all HE can to
urge you to give your life to GOD through faith in JESUS. Let’s explore!
Isaiah was called by GOD to
be a prophet in 740 B.C. He likely wrote the Book of Isaiah close to his death
which was about 681 B.C.
Just know that Christmas Day
was established and celebrated by the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine
on December 25, 336. A few years later Pope Julius I officially declared
December 25th as the birth of JESUS. This date was arbitrary but it
happened to coincided with a pagan holiday being celebrated at that time. JESUS
was likely born in either the spring or fall. My personal thoughts are that it
was in the spring but that is just my thinking - Possibly around the time we
celebrate Easter?
Let’s read Isaiah 7:10-14:
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 a sign: The virgin
will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
This scripture has two
applications: (1) to the current situation that King was facing in Judah. Judah
was about to be invaded. King Ahaz had made an alliance with Assyria to come to
their aid. An alliance with Assyria was like asking the fox to guard the
henhouse. King Ahaz felt confident in his plan and would not consider placing
the protection of Judah in the care and protection of GOD.
We need to know that King Ahaz
practiced idolatry as recorded in 2 Kings 16:2-3. A person cannot serve two
masters. King Ahaz was confident in his plans. His refusal to yield to GOD
reveals his attitude and his heart. The scripture reveals in 1 Samuel 15:23a how
GOD considers our attitude - 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is
as iniquity and idolatry.
King Ahaz was depending upon
military strength which included his alliance with Assyria to win the battle
and leave GOD out of his decision making. This reveals the heart of Ahaz. GOD’S
desire was for Ahaz to depend upon HIM for victory and to build the right
relationship with HIM.
This is true today. GOD’S desire
is to build the right relationship with us as HIS Children and to seek those
who do not know HIM. Stubbornness still robs us, Christian or non-Christian, of
getting to know GOD through faith in JESUS.
In verse 10, we read that GOD
spoke to King Ahaz. GOD challenged him to confirm GOD’S ability to protect
Judah by asking GOD to give him a sign. On the surface, the king’s response
seems noble. But GOD knew the king’s heart. The king was self-sufficient and
did not need GOD’S help. Big mistake! Any time we feel self-sufficient and
leave GOD out of our plans, we disappoint GOD and rob ourselves of building the
right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.
The Prophet Isaiah revealed to
King Ahaz what GOD had told him to say to him. In verse 10, GOD spoke directly to
King Ahaz. GOD told him to ask for a sign of his own choosing. The sign could
come from the depths of the dead or the heights of heaven. The point GOD wanted
King Ahaz to know was that HE was the protector of Judah. GOD reminded the king
that HE had a plan that involved the linage of the house of David.
Notice in verse 11, "Ask
for a sign from the Lord your God-
“Then after the king refused to test GOD, notice in verse 13, “Will you also
try the patience of my God? It
is like Isaiah was saying, you must not know “my GOD.”
In the New Testament, scripture
reveals that we are not to test GOD but here we read that GOD’S desire was for
King Ahaz to test HIM. When GOD opens the door, HIS desire is for us to be
obedient and walk through it. Why? It is because HE is planning to teach us.
Bur when our will overrides GOD’S will, that becomes a problem.
Faith is taking a step where
there is no apparent step. Taking a step of faith, when instructed by GOD, is a
learning experience. But taking a step to test GOD is also a learning
experience, which we may regret. Discernment is a precious Spiritual gift.
GOD’s desire was to build the
faith of King Ahaz but Ahaz was self-sufficient. Don’t we, as Christians, do
the same thing. When we have figured out our plan for solving an issue or
situation, often, we do not want to bother GOD. Do not let Satan fool you. GOD
is interested in every aspect of your life and HIS desire is for HIS Children
to walk with HIM as they journey through life. We can always check with HIM to
make sure we are headed in the right direction. Faith is the active ingredient
as we walk with GOD and obediently serve HIM!
GOD gave King Ahaz a sign for
that moment-in-time and for the fulfillment of GOD’S plan for HIS promised
Messiah, JESUS.
Bible scholars believe that
verse 14 has a dual purpose. (1) Such an event would take place during the rule
of King Ahaz and (2) It would be a sign which would identify the promised
Messiah, JESUS, about 700 years later.
Our next scripture further
defines this prophesy.
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.
When we are in darkness what
do we seek? We seek light. There is physical darkness and there is Spiritual
darkness. In either situation we, as humans, seek light to show us the way.
Isaiah 9:2 records:
2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has
shined.
This light is JESUS. The sad
part is that some people do not know that they are in darkness. That is where
the Holy Spirit reveals to us that we are in Spiritual darkness. This is where
those who have the light of JESUS share JESUS with those in Spiritual darkness.
It is easy for us to see why the
Jews were looking for a physical messiah to deliver them from Roman rule. Now,
we see JESUS as the promised Son of GOD, WHO is to rule the lives of all who
place their faith in HIM.
As we consider verse 6 – “and
the government will be on His shoulders.” JESUS’ fulfilment of all prophesy and
scripture related to the promised Messiah. The promised Messiah will create and
form the very foundation and establish GOD’S Kingdom both upon earth and in
Heaven. The very foundation is based upon verifiable truth.
Verse 6b, “He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Let’s
consider GOD establishing the Kingdom of GOD upon earth hinged upon JESUS being
totally obedient to GOD. JESUS was born 100% human and yet 100% Divine. In
order for JESUS to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin, HE had to be sinless.
How do we know that JESUS qualified as the perfect sacrifice for our sins? The
resurrection of JESUS provides that certainty and truth. JESUS confirmed all
prophesy regarding GOD’S promised Messiah. These truths confirm the promised
Messiah as:
-
Wonderful Counselor, JESUS has the wisdom to rule effectively.
The wisdom of the promised Messiah is far beyond the foolishness of King Ahaz.
-
Mighty God, the Messiah will be obedient and will accomplish all
GOD has planned for HIM to accomplish.
-
Eternal Father, the promised Messiah is eternal. Even though HE
came in the flesh, GOD raised HIM from physical bodily death to eternal life.
JESUS is the essence of eternal life to all who place their faith in HIM. The
use of the term “Father” means that HE is the source of eternal life. “Father”
carries the idea of “originator” or “source.”
-
Prince of Peace, JESUS
will reconcile those who are estranged or alienated from GOD through the
redemption of all who place their faith in JESUS. This is accomplished by the
shedding of the blood of JESUS upon the cross. The shed blood of JESUS, the
perfect, sinless sacrifice, washes away all sin. This, in turn, allows the Holy
Spirit to indwell the human body and for those who place their faith in JESUS
to experience the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. GOD’S Spirit (Divine Sperm)
unites with our human spirit and the miracle of Spiritual conception takes
place in an instant. Once we become GOD’S Child, through the miracle of rebirth,
that fact never changes. Once GOD’S Child always GOD’S Child.
Verse 7 sums up the eternal
nature of GOD’S plan and purpose. How will this be accomplished? Again, we read
in verse 7. “The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.” The fervency
of GOD and HIS angelic hosts are committed to accomplishing this.
When we look back over the scriptures,
we get to see the “fervency” of GOD. When we consider all that had to come
together for all to take place, with Satan fighting GOD all the way, according
to GOD’S plan, we see the power of GOD.
One of my favorite scripture
verses is 1 Corinthians 2:7-8:
7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and
that God destined for our glory before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
GOD is GOD! Trust
HIS Word!
Let’s read Isaiah 11:1-5:
1 Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch
from his roots will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him- a Spirit of wisdom and
understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of
the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight will be in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge
by what He sees with His eyes, He will not execute justice by what He hears
with His ears,
4 but He will judge the poor righteously and execute justice for
the oppressed of the land. He will strike the land with discipline from His
mouth, and He will kill the wicked with a command from His lips.
5 Righteousness and faithfulness will be a belt around His waist.
Satan did all he could to chop
off the linage GOD had planned for the human fulfilment of HIS plan by cutting
off the lineage from King David forward. When a tree is cut, we do not expect
it to sprout again. Yet, GOD has the power to accomplish the impossible. When
that happens, we know it was GOD.
GOD had given prophesy that the
Messiah would come from lineage of King David. This was not hidden from Satan.
Satan would do all he could to thwart GOD’S plan. Keep 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 in
mind but also consider John 5:19 and John 12:49-50.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he
can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the
Son also does.
John 12:49-50:
49 For I did not speak on my
own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
50 I know that his command
leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to
say.”
JESUS was completely obedient
to GOD’S plan and purpose for HIM.
Don’t you love it when a plan
comes together! “HE is risen, HE is risen indeed!” Yes, GOD’S will and purpose
to redeem mankind was accomplished and we get to see it, rejoice in it and be
redeemed by it.
Have you asked GOD to forgive
you for your sins? If not, ask JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins,
believing that HE gave HIS sinless life for you as atonement for your sins. The
shed blood of JESUS cleanses you from all unrighteousness. You are washed in
the blood of the Lamb and you are made righteous. Keep this in mind as recorded
in 1 Corinthian 6:19-20:
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your
bodies.
You are precious to
GOD and JESUS. Where will you spend eternity?
The choice is yours
to make. Choose wisely! GOD gives you the freedom to choose.
Blessings!!!
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