47. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (2)

Posted on Posted in Weekly 2014 Tagged with , , , ,

Hymn: RHC 324 Trusting Jesus 325 A Shelter in the Time of Storm 326 Like a River Glorious

Isaiah 10:20-34

20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. 23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. 24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction. 26 And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt. 27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. 28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages: 29 They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled. 30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth. 31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee. 32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. 33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled. 34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (2)

OUTLINE

  • A Remnant Preserved in Christ (v20-26)
  • Assurance of God’s Intervention (v27-34)

Continue…

The passage before us is the assurance that God gave to the remnant of His people who are faithful to Him that they fear not the terror that was rising before them – the Assyrian invasion of Judah. They are called upon to trust the LORD and His power to deliver them.

20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. 23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. 24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.

The people of God, are called to continue steadfast in the faith. This was the exhortation to the Hebrew Christians who were facing dire persecution as a result of their faith to remain steadfast.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (KJV) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Following Christ is a daily counting of cost for there is apparently much to lose, as we count loss the gains of this world.

The writer assures the believers in affliction, persecuted as a result of their faith in Christ, not to be dismayed, the reason is that there is a great recompense of reward for the faithful.

The writer of Hebrews instructs us on the finer points of faith’s practice and reward, exhorting us to continue steadfast in the faith.

As such, they must not “cast away” this confidence. What is this confidence? The courage or “boldness of mind” to steadfastly hold on to their faith in Christ. This is the fruit and effect of their faith. It is such “a frame of the spirit”, the writer exhorts the believer to hold on to. This is the spirit of persevering prayer.

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The opposite of this confidence is, may I say, “the bondage of fear and unbelief”. Let not such fear weaken our mind not to standfast following the Lord.

Then again, it’s easier said than done. But no, it can be done! How can they be counted faithful? Our text tells us in verse 35 it is with this confidence such “undaunted courage” and “strength of mind” – “cast not away”, “cast not away” therefore your confidence and in verse 36 with enduring patience – for ye have need of patience.

That suffering for Christ’s sake is the believer’s lot in life is an undeniable truth. The question is how does the believer overcome the pain and remain faithful? By trusting God and to have a right valuation of the believer’s eternal reward. By knowing the need to be courageous here and now is indispensable to receive the future happiness that is faithfully promised.

Twice it is emphasised in our text – there is a great recompense of reward for the faithful and they shall receive the promise of God! Therefore, cast not away your confidence, endure patiently.

We shall therefore dwell on What is needful? Courage and patience and What is needed? To understand what is the end of our faith so that we are motivated to persevere – the phrase “recompense of reward” is one word in the original literally means “payment of wages due”.  What is my due from God? It may sound very crude and down to earth way of putting it, but that is exactly what the writer tries to convey that there is concretely a tangible reward for the faithful, in a term that they could understand. Not that we follow the Lord with any conditions attached but that it is of the Lord’s will that the faithful be rewarded. The Bible tells us there is a reward, the glory of heaven the “crown”, in the way of recompense to them that overcome their sufferings for the gospel. For it is the pleasure of God to give us the kingdom. This future blessedness is given to us by the promise, it is free and most importantly undeserved, a gracious promise of God. This is that which refreshes and strengthens us to persevere!

26 And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

And the Lord of hosts shall stir up – Or shall raise up that which shall rove as a scourge to him.

A scourge for him – That is, that which shall punish him. The scourge, or rod, is used to denote severe punishment of any kind. The nature of this punishment is immediately specified.

According to the slaughter of Midian – That is, as the Midianites were discomfitcd and punished. There is reference here, doubtless, to the discomfiture and slaughter of the Midianites by Gideon, as recorded in Judges 7:24-25.

Judges 7:24-25 (KJV) And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

At the rock of Oreb – At this rock, Gideon killed the two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb (v25). It was on the east side of the Jordan.

That was signal and entire; and the prophet means to say, that the destruction of the Assyrian would be also signal and total.

And as his rod … – That is, as God punished the Egyptians in the Red Sea.

So shall He lift it up after the manner of Egypt – As God overthrew the Egyptians in the Red Sea, so shall He overthrow and destroy the Assyrian. By these two comparisons, therefore, the prophet represents the complete destruction of the Assyrian army. In both of these cases, the enemies of the Jews had been completely overthrown, and so it would be in regard to the hosts of the Assyrian. [Barnes]

(2) Assurance of God’s Intervention (v27-34)

27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

His burden shall be taken away refers here to the oppressions and exactions of the Assyrian.

“From off thy shoulder” showing us how we bear a burden on the shoulder; and hence, any grievous exaction or oppression is represented as borne upon the shoulder.

“And his yoke” … is another image denoting deliverance from oppression and calamity.

And the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. The anointing here speaks of the power of God intervening to protect His people.

28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages: 29 They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled. 30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth. 31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.

In Isaiah 10:28-32, we have a graphic description of the Assyrian advance toward Jerusalem from the city farthest north Aiath or Ai southward to Nob which is on the outskirts of Jerusalem. This is as far as the army of the Assyrians came against Judah. They were stopped here when the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night.

This is a prophetical description of the march of Sennacherib’s army approaching Jerusalem, and of the terror and confusion spreading and increasing through the several places as he advanced; expressed with great brevity, but finely diversified. Aiath, or Ai, was situated a little east of Bethel about twelve miles north of Jerusalem; Michmash about three miles nearer, where there was a narrow pass between two sharp hills; Geba and Ramah about three miles more to the south; Gibeah a mile and a half more southward; Anathoth within three miles of Jerusalem; to the westward of which, towards Lydda, was Nob, from which place Sennacherib might have a prospect of Zion, and near which, it would appear, his army was destroyed.

32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

As yet shall he remain – This is still a description of his advancing toward Jerusalem. He would make a station at Nob and remain there a day, meaning, perhaps, “only” one day, such would be his impatience to attack and destroy Jerusalem.

At Nob – Nob was a city of Benjamin, inhabited by priests (Neh. 11:32). When David was driven away by Saul, he came to this city, and received supplies from Ahimelech the priest.

1 Samuel 21:1-6 (KJV) Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

Nob must have been situated somewhere upon the ridge of the mount of Olives, to the northeast of the city.

The army of the Assyrian would advance and come near to Jerusalem.

33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

“Behold, the Lord” … here the prophet had described, in the previous verses, the march of the Assyrians toward Jerusalem, station by station. He had accompanied him in his description until he had arrived in full sight of the city, which was the object of all his preparation.

He had described the consternation which was felt at his approach in all the smaller towns. Nothing had been able to stand before him; and now, flushed with success, and confident that Jerusalem would fall, he stands before the devoted city.

But here, the prophet announces that his career was to close; and here his arms to be stayed. Here he was to meet with an overthrow, and Jerusalem would still be safe. This is the design of the prophecy, to comfort the inhabitants of Jerusalem with the assurance that they still would be safe.

“Will lop the bough” – The word “bough” is from the verb that means to adorn, to beautify; and is given to a branch or bough of a tree on account of its beauty. It is, therefore, descriptive of that which is beautiful, honoured, proud; and is applied to the Assyrian on account of his pride and magnificence.

In v18-19, the prophet had described the army of the Assyrian as a magnificent forest. Here he says that the glory of that army should be destroyed, as the vitality and beauty of the waving bough of a tree is quickly destroyed when it is lopped with an axe. There can scarcely be conceived a description, that would more beautifully represent the fading strength of the army of the Assyrian than this.

“With terror” means in such a way as to inspire terror. And “the high ones of stature” are the chief men and officers of the army. [Barnes]

34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

“And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest” refers to the army of the Assyrians, described here as a thick, dense forest. This comparison was made earlier in v18-19.

Isaiah 10:18-19 (KJV) And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth. And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.

“With iron” is description of the forest that is cut down with an axe, so the prophet uses this phrase here, to keep up and carry out the figure. The army was destroyed with the pestilence (2 Kings 19:35); but it fell as certainly as a forest falls before the axe.

2 Kings 19:35 (KJV) And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

And Lebanon – Lebanon is here evidently descriptive of the army of the Assyrian, retaining the idea of a beautiful and magnificent forest.

In Ezekiel 31:3, it is said, “the king of the Assyrians was a cedar of Lebanon with fair branches.” Lebanon is evidently applied here to the Assyrian army; and the sense is, that that army should be soon and certainly destroyed, and that, therefore, the inhabitants of Jerusalem had no cause of alarm.

The scene is recorded in Isaiah 37.

Isaiah 37:37-38 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

A fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy to the people of Judah to trust the LORD.

CONCLUSION

May God’s people be strengthened to trust and follow Him. Amen.