30. Immanuel (3)

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes Tagged with , , , ,

Hymns: RHC 329 We Have an Anchor 326 Like a River Glorious 327 All Things Work for Good 

Isaiah 7:10-17

10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. 17 The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria. 

Immanuel (3)

OUTLINE

(1) Not Mine (v10-13)

(2) It Is God Who Gives (v14-16)

     (i) His Birth (v14a)

     (ii) His Food (v15-16)

     (iii) His Name (v14b)

(3) Rejection and Calamity (v17)

Continue…

(2) It is God Who Gives (v14-16)[1]

     (i) His Birth (v14a)

     (ii) His Food (v15-16)

     (iii) His Name (v14b)

16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Ahaz should be quiet, and not fear. His enemies are but the smoking tails of firebrands. The threat that they can provide will be short-lived. Indeed, before the boy even knows to despise the evil and choose the good, the land will be forsaken. When a boy (na’ar) knows between good and evil, he may be young. The word is also used of the baby Moses (Exodus 2:6). Even before such a time shall have arrived, the threat will have come to an end.

But what land is to be forsaken? Probably it is Syria and Israel considered as a unit, for the two kings are identified as belonging to the land. Isaiah speaks of “her two kings,” and it is difficult to see how that could apply to Judag. To Isaiah it had been already told that in the midst of the land there would be a great forsaking. The punishing hand of God would come. Judah, however, was not the only land to experience a forsaking. Syria and Israel would also have a forsaking; they would be forsaken of their two kings. They would no longer be in a position to threaten the people of God in Judah.

Before these two kings the unbelieving Ahaz stood in fear and dread. They wanted to harass (qitz) Judah; it is their land which Ahaz abhors (qatz).

As a summary of these three verses, we may say that in v14 Isaiah announces that the Lord will give a sign. “I see,” we may paraphrase his thought, “a virgin, and this virgin is with child.” We are reminded of the words of Balaam, “I see him, but not now; behold him, but not nigh” (Num. 24:17a). This seeing of the virgin is not with physical eyes, but in vision. In the vision, then, the prophet beholds the virgin with child, “She is about to bring forth a son and she will call His name Immanuel.” In the birth of this son, the presence of God is manifest in a most unique way. The fourteenth verse constitutes a definite prophecy of the birth of Immanuel.

In verse 15 the prophet proceeds to make the infancy of the Messiah a symbolical representation of the fact that the threat which overhung Judah would be short-lived. This he does by picturing the child in his vision eating royal food. The child will eat this royal food, a symbol of threat and desolation; yet before He reaches the age where He knows the difference between good and evil, the kings which Ahaz dreads will forsake the land of Israel, and there will be nothing more for him to fear from them.

Upon this interpretation there is a change in the nature of the prophecy between v14 and the following two verses. In v14 the birth of the Messiah is present to the prophet’s vision. This is prediction, and in the birth of Jesus Christ is found its fulfilment.

Verse 15, however, is of a different character. We should remember the language of prophecy is filled with mystery and is sometimes obscure. It is not simple history written in advance but is language of profound and beautiful symbolism, clothed with an aura of mystery. Who are we to set limits upon the categories and devices which the prophet might employ? We cannot circumscribe and define the bounds which must contain the prophetic inspiration; rather we are to come to the prophecy, as indeed to all the sacred Scriptures, ready to accept it as it is and to yield to it our obedience. [EJ Young]

(iii) His Name (v14b)

… and shall call his name Immanuel.

This is His Name, the Name of Christ, and His Name means “God with us”. God with us, by His incarnation, God did come in human flesh. In the fullness of time, the everlasting God entered human history in His incarnation to dwell with man as a man and yet He was fully God. A deep mystery that God revealed to Isaiah for the comfort of the nation of Judah under King Ahaz, who appreciated not God’s covenant care for him and His people.

Acts 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 3:36 (KJV) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 John 5:11-12 (KJV) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (KJV) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Hebrews 2:3 (KJV) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

The redemption plan of God will find its culmination in the heavenly worship, a scene that the Apostle John was given the privilege to see and wrote it for our encouragement – Revelation 7:9-12 (KJV) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

The comfort of God with us by His Holy Spirit is most assuring and consoling through life. God is with us, we are secured from beginning to end and forever.

(3) Rejection and Calamity (v17)

17 The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria. 

Ahaz asked for the king of Assyria; he shall have the king of Assyria. Sometimes the greatest punishment that can come to us is to have our own desire and prayers granted. Isaiah turns to the king, “You, Ahaz,” he says in effect, “have refused to choose a sign. The Lord therefore will give a sign, and this sign is to be found in the birth of Messiah Himself, who will bring salvation to His people. Upon thee, however, the Lord will bring the king of Assyria, for whom thou have been seeking.

To state the matter in a slightly different fashion, v14 presents the sign that the Lord will give. Verses 15 and 16 constitute the conclusion of the prophecy which is to overtake Ahaz and his house. 

As we shall see the next study, v18-25 forms somewhat of an excursus to the present verse, singling out and developing one particular aspect of the promised threat.

18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes. 20 In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard. 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep; 22 And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land. 23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns. 24 With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns. 25 And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle. (Isa. 7:18-25 KJV)

We see in King Ahaz a picture of the weakness of faith and the outworking of many painful lessons. Very much the lesson of the nation of Israel in history. 

In Deuteronomy 9:7, we see the same admonition that Moses gave to Israel to stay close and trust the LORD.

7 Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD. 8 Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

Moses reminded Israel of all the great good that they have received of the LORD, salvation so rich and free, provision and providence for prolonging their existence, they have simply taken these for granted, seeking not the LORD.

The LORD sought that Israel will come back to Him. This is the common theme of the rebellious heart of Israel throughout its history. An object lesson and reminder for His church of her make-up if unsanctified.

Ezekiel 20:43 (KJV) And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

Indeed, so far from purchasing His favour, thou hast many a time laid thyself open to His displeasure. [Matthew Henry]

There is a sad consequence to that departure. There is a great blessing in staying in close communion with the LORD.

Ahaz refused the counsel of Israel, therefore, continued to live in fear and doubt. How unnecessary it is and yet such is the heart stolen away, a man living not by faith but by sight. A sad tragedy. 

CONCLUSION

May the church of Christ rejoice that God indeed is with us through His Christ. And we can find help through Christ directly to the Father in heaven for our every need. May our hearts be encouraged to walk close to Him. Amen.

[1] 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

CH Spurgeon said well in the context leading to our text, “The kingdom of Judah was in a condition of imminent peril. Two monarchs had leagued themselves against her, two nations had risen up for her destruction. Syria and Israel had come up against the walls of Jerusalem, with full intent to raze them to the ground, and utterly to destroy the monarchy of Judah. 

Ahaz the king, in great trouble, exerted all his ingenuity to defend the city; and amongst the other contrivances that his wisdom taught him, he thought it fit to cut off the waters of the upper pool so that the besiegers might be in distress for want of water. 

He goes out in the morning, no doubt attended by his courtiers, and makes his way to the conduit of the upper pool, intending to see after the stopping of the stream of water; but lo! he meets with something which sets aside his plans, and renders them needless. Isaiah steps forward, and tells him not to be afraid of the smoke of those two firebrands, for God should utterly destroy both the nations that had risen up against Judah. Ahaz need not fear the present invasion, for both himself and his kingdom should be saved. The king looked at Isaiah with an eye of incredulity, as much as to say, “If the Lord were to send chariots from heaven, could such a thing as this be? Should he animate the dust, and quicken every stone in Jerusalem to resist my foes, could this be done?””

He further said, “The Lord, seeing the littleness of the king’s faith, tells him to ask a sign. 

Instead of accepting this offer with all gratitude, as Ahaz should have done, he, with a pretended humility, declares that he will not ask,’ neither will he tempt the Lord his God; whereupon Isaiah, waxing indignant, tells him that, since he will not in obedience to God’s command ask a sign, behold, the Lord himself will give him one,— not simply a sign, but the sign, the sign and wonder of the world, the mark of God’s mightiest mystery and of His most consummate wisdom, for, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.””

This is the clear prophecy of the coming of the Son of God our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, here in Isaiah 7:14-15, which is recorded as fulfilled in Matthew’s Gospel in Matthew 1:23.

Matthew 1:23 (KJV) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

This is the greatest of all signs, the final revelation of God to mankind! And Isaiah recorded it for us in the audience of a faithless Judean king.

Spurgeon outlined it well when he said we have three things about Christ; firstly, the birth, secondly, the food, and thirdly, the name of Christ.

(i) His Birth

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ was revealed to Isaiah the prophet who gave it as “the sign” from God before king Ahaz. It was given to Mary by the revelation of the angel Gabriel.

Luke 1:30-35 (KJV) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The Greek word and the Hebrew are both very expressive of the true and real virginity of the mother, to show that Jesus Christ was born of a woman and not of a man fulfilling Genesis 3:15 in these words to the Serpent or Satan.

Genesis 3:15 (KJV) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Oh, marvellous birth! Oh, miraculous conception! We stand and gaze and admire. Verily, angels may wish to look into a subject too dark for us to speak of; there we leave it, a virgin hath conceived, and borne a son.”

We behold also the Saviour’s birth with the shepherds in the field in Bethlehem fulfilling this prophecy.

Luke 2:8-18 (KJV) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

(ii) His Food (v15)

15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Spurgeon said well that “They shall teach us, first of all, Christ’s proper humanity. When He would convince His disciples that He was flesh and not spirit, He took a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb and ate as others did. “Handle Me,” He said, “and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.” 

While other men were nourished with food, so was Jesus; He was very man as certainly as He was verily and eternally God.

“In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17).

Therefore we are told that He ate butter and honey, to teach us that it was actually a real man, who afterwards on Calvary died.

The butter and honey teach us, again, that Christ was to be born in times of peace. Such products are not to be found in Judaea in times of strife; the ravages of war sweep away all the fair fruits of industry, the unwatered pastures yield no grass, and therefore there could be no butter. 

Let us thank God that we live in the land of peace, and let us see a mystery in this text, that Christ was born in times of peace. Augustus Caesar was emperor of the world, none other ruled it, and therefore wars had ceased, the earth was still, the leaves quivered not upon the trees of the field, the ocean of strife was undisturbed by a ripple, the hot winds of war blew not upon man to trouble him, all was peaceful and quiet, and then came the Prince of peace, who in after days shall break the bow and cut the spear in sunder, and burn the chariot in the fire.

There is another thought here. “Butter and honey shall he eat when he shall know how to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” This is to teach us the precocity of Christ, by which I mean that, even when He was a child, even when He lived upon butter and honey, which is the food of children, He knew the evil from the good. 

… He understood mysteries; and when He went up to the temple, in early days, He was not found, like the other children, playing about the courts or the markets, but sitting among the doctors, both hearing and asking them questions. His was a master mind: “Never man spake like this man.” So, never child thought like this child; He was an astonishing one, the wonder and the marvel of all children, the prince of children; the God-man, even when He was a child. I think this is taught us in the words, “Butter and honey shall he eat when lie shall know how to refuse the evil, and choose the good.”

“Christ lived upon butter and honey, surely butter and honey drop from his lips. Sweet are His words unto our souls, more to be desired than honey or the honeycomb. Well might He eat butter whose words are smooth to the tried, whose utterances are like oil upon the waters of our sorrows? Well might He eat butter, who came to bind up the broken-hearted; and well did He live upon the fat of the land, who came to restore the earth to its old fertility, and make all flesh soft with milk and honey, ah, honey in the heart.

Thy words, O Christ, are like honey! I, like a bee, have flown from flower to flower to gather sweets, and concoct some precious essence that shall be fragrant to me; but I have found honey drop from thy lips, I have touched thy mouth with my finger, and put the honey to my lips, and mine eyes have been enlightened sweet Jesus; every word of thine is precious to my soul; no honey can with thee compare, well didst thou eat butter and honey!”