Word of Salvation – Vol. 34 No. 43 – November 1989

 

The Child Of Promise

 

Sermon by Rev. J. VanderReest on Isaiah 7:13,14

Reading: Isaiah 7:1-17; Matt. 1:18-25; John 1:1-14

Singing: 327, H.816, H.811, 331 324:1, 3.

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

Dark and dangerous were the times for King Ahaz and the people of Judah.  Threats of warfare were hanging over the little kingdom of Judah like dark clouds.  The kingdom of the two tribes was threatened!

There were sounds of war, of marching soldiers.  There were sounds of hammers beating the plows-hares into swords and of armies getting ready for war.

Across the border of that little nation of Judah was the larger nation of the ten tribes – Israel.  Israel together with Syria were preparing themselves for war against Judah.

Pekah the king of Israel and Rezin the king of Syria made a pact, a covenant together to conquer little Judah and put Tabeel on the throne.  Together they would bring about the fall of the nation of Judah, the house of David from which was to come the promised Messiah!

Congregation, what we find here in Isaiah 7 is more than just a little war between two little kingdoms.  Behind this story there is more than a history lesson.  Here the powers of darkness are marching against the Kingdom of light.  Here the powers of evil are preparing to make an onslaught against God and His promises of redemption and salvation for his people.

That is what Advent and Christmas are all about.  At this time of the year we ask ourselves: are the powers of darkness going to win – overcome the powers of light?  Are the forces of evil going to conquer the heralds of hope?  Who is going to be victorious?  Isaiah 7 speaks about such an instance where the forces of evil, of brute force, ugly power and war' are making an onslaught on God's kingdom and God's plans.

And this brings a tension – even suspense into this chapter!  What if these forces prevailed?  What if God's promises and prophecies would have been overthrown.  What if the power of darkness had gained the victory?

For Judah it was a struggle for survival!  Just imagine the pressure and tension put on the people of Judah.  What a burden for king Ahaz of Judah.

Judah was frightened!

It was shaking like a leaf in the wind!

It was blown about like the trees of the forest in a storm.

But in all their fright and fear they did NOT turn to the Lord.

The people of Judah had forgotten how to pray.  The king of Judah could not even reassure his people.

They were like a people without faith and without hope.

And yet, God did not forsake his people.  He had not forgotten them.  He did not become unfaithful to his covenant people.  And therefore God sent his prophet, his spokesman Isaiah, to king Ahaz.

And note this congregation, God instructs Isaiah to take along his son.  That was an unusual instruction and had particular meaning.  Normally the prophet would not take along a member of the family to fulfil his mandate.  But note the name of the son which was Shearjashub, which means: A remnant shall return.  Obviously this was to be a message of encouragement to the king.  Indirectly, God was saying to king Ahaz: Don't be overly alarmed for a remnant shall return.  Even if you will be captured, there will be a remnant that will return!

In fact the message which Isaiah may speak to king Ahaz goes beyond that of the message included in the name of Isaiah's son!  The message that Isaiah may speak to king Ahaz is very encouraging indeed.  It is as if God through his spokesman says: King Ahaz keep calm, don't be afraid, do not lose heart, because of these two smouldering stubs of firewood...!

This must have sounded unbelievable, even presumptuous in the ears of Ahaz.  Here were the kings and armies of Israel and Syria prepared for battle and Isaiah calls them: two smouldering stubs of firewood!  Together they don't even make a good fire!  No, only just a lot of smoke, a lot of nothing!

Well, that should have encouraged Ahaz, don't you think?  This should have encouraged the people of Judah.  God speaking through his spokesman and reminding the people: don't be afraid!  These two armies of the king of Israel and Syria, don't amount to much!  They are nothing but two smouldering stubs of useless firewood!

Here is a message of new hope, new light and perspective in this dark situation.  God has not forgotten his people, but He encourages them!  God, will not forsake the house of David!

But what a disappointment, congregation!  Ahaz' response is not at all positive.  He almost seems to sulk and there is no evidence of faith!  Not even an indication of response!  No answer at all!  Has Ahaz become despondent?  Has he been caught in the moods of despair?  We don't know.  There is just no reaction from Ahaz!

So God in his grace and patience makes a second approach to Ahaz.  He wants to encourage Ahaz, show him that there is still hope even in this despairing situation.

Brothers and sisters young people, have you ever been in such a situation?  In a situation in which the world seems like a prison cell without windows?  That the world has closed in on you?  There is no hope, no light, only despondency, even despair.

In such a situation one no longer hears the words of encouragement and it becomes impossible to look forward and to hope.  Yes, there are many such people in the world around us today.  Even among Christians!  And God comes to them in this time of need and says to them: Don't despair; don't give up!  There is still hope.  God comes and wants to encourage and comfort!

Ahaz has become like one who can only despair.  Yet, God does not turn his face away from Ahaz; "Ask the Lord your God for a sign!  Whether in the deepest depth or in the highest heights!"  But Ahaz cannot or doesn't want to.

He even makes up a very pious sounding excuse.  Ahaz refuses to believe that God can help.  It is as if Ahaz is saying: "How can God help in this situation?  He cannot stop those mighty armies!"  And therefore Ahaz says: "I will not ask and put God to the test!:”  Ahaz rejects God's help!

To this the prophet Isaiah responded with holy and righteous anger: "Is it not enough to try the patience of men?  Will you try the patience of my God also?"

Ahaz is exactly doing what he doesn't want to do.  He is putting God to the test!  He is testing the patience and grace of God.  "Well, whether you want to or not, you are going to get a sign, Ahaz!"

"Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign; The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel."

Whether you want to or not, Ahaz, the sign that you are getting is: That a young woman, a virgin, shall conceive and bear a son and she will call him Immanuel, which means God with us!

Why this sign?

It is such an ordinary sign!  What is so unusual about a young woman giving birth to a son?

That is true!

But most signs are very usual!  Most of the signs that God gives can be put down as being so ordinary!

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We can say about every birth – that is natural, ordinary!  But we can also say about every birth – that is a miracle of God's grace!  A miracle of new life!

But what makes this miracle of new life into a special sign of grace?  What makes this sign so special is the fact that it is also a prophecy.  There is a deeper meaning included in this sign.  It includes as further message and fulfilment – a further horizon and a greater significance.

Maybe the prophet was talking about a child born, or to be born, in the palace and was indicating that every time that the King saw a little boy playing in the gardens or walking around the palace, he would be reminded that God had offered hope.  The boy Immanuel would be a sign of the living hope that God had promised, but the King had refused to accept!

In this instance the prophet is not only talking about a local woman and her little boy – known to the King and Isaiah (or even all the people), but in this way God is reminding Ahaz and the people of Judah of the promises regarding the Messiah.

It is as if God says: Sooner or later there will be a virgin who will bear a son and everyone will understand why she called him ‘Immanuel!’ ...that is: God with us!

Now we all know that this prophecy was fulfilled in the coming of God's Son, Jesus Christ.  The Saviour born of the virgin Mary!  The Incarnate son, the Son of God and the Son of Man came into the flesh, dwelt among men and became the Redeemer of the world!  And not only should this have been of encouragement and comfort to King Ahaz of Judah, but it must also comfort and encourage us.

And again we have received proof, congregation, that God doesn't forget his people.  Here we have proof that God remains faithful to his promises.  In this way we are again reminded that light is stronger than darkness.  God has triumphed in Jesus Christ!

And He asks us also: Are you willing to accept and believe this?  Are you willing to put your faith and trust in me?  Even when it seems that no one – not even God – could change our despairing situation, God says to us today: Whatever happens, I will not forsake you!  Even if all the forces of darkness are trying to overpower you; remember that those forces are nothing more than two smouldering stubs of firewood in God's hand.  What can those forces do against the prevailing light and power of God?

Even when life has seemingly become without hope or perspective; or if your life has become dark and filled with gloom; remember – says God through his Word – I have kept my promises and my Son has come!  I have given you the Redeemer!, the Saviour of the world!  Rejoice in Him!  He is God with you, always!  Therefore, young people, brothers and sisters, look to Him!  Accept and believe the promises of God.  Remember in this time of advent that, in Christ Jesus, God has become the Immanuel, God has come into our world!  And He has come to stay until the end of days!

AMEN