I am currently preaching (one recorded CD Sermon per month) through the Book of Hosea. And I have been forcefully impressed with his usage of geography in his preaching. The man was a scholar when it comes to Bible History! I mean not only what happened years ago … but WHERE it happened as well!

Then, upon further reflection, I am remembering how many of the Old Testament Prophets had this skill, this knowledge. (I do realize that the Holy Spirit is the True Author all ALL Scripture. But again I too believe that the Spirit used men and their personalities to deliver their specific Messages.)

Now these two (foregoing) introductory short paragraphs lead to today’s Subject, today’s Text, from (again) Isaiah chapter 9. Pure history indeed!

Let me show you an example or two of Isaiah the geographer in action!

Let’s just notice the first verse there … “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.” Look at the specific locations!

“Zebulun, Naphtali,” two of the northern Tribes of Israel, of Ephraim, of Samaria.

Next the little phrase “by the way of the sea” is used, meaning a major highway of Isaiah’s day, the equivalent of today’s Interstate system! Again, pure geography! And probably the reason the north (Israel) drifted from God so much more quickly than he south (Judah) did! So much constant foreign (heathen) influx and influence! This is the Mediterranean Sea, by the way.

Then “Jordan,” the River.

And “Galilee of the nations?” That’s to the northeast … into the area known in Jesus’ time as “Decapolis,” meaning “ten cities.” (Where our Lord cast all those demons out of “Legion!”) Mentioned twice by Matthew and once by Mark … “Decapolis.” 

Wow!

In a single verse Isaiah has referenced points north, south, east and west! 

Geography!

And look at verse 4, still in Isaiah 9 … “For thou (Lord) hast broken the yoke of his (the enemy) burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.” Midian, the nation Gideon defeated with his “faithful few!” Another case of history/geography! Midian, down south in the Arabian desert!

Then verses 8 and 9 … “The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart ….” Ephraim and Samaria, just renaming the Ten Tribes of Israel! Ephraim being at that time the most dominant of the group. And Samaria being her (wicked) capital City!

Geography!

Verse 12 … “The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” Essentially from front to back, from every direction! (Syria and Philistia, two of Israel’s national enemies!)

Even chapter 9’s last verse … “Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against JUDAH. For all this his (God’s) anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out (in fury) still.” Now, civil war! But Isaiah could not have decried this pitiful situation had he not possessed a grasp of the locations of these armies, both geographically and theologically!

(And I have only alluded to one single chapter in Isaiah today, our current chapter. Through tomorrow we shall journey into chapter 10, the Lord willing.)

The whole Book (basically all of Isaiah’s 66 chapters, though some more than others) is full of such specific geographical inferences! 

Look, leaving chapter 9, and without further comment from me … “Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field ….” (Isaiah 6:3) Really, to have found this exact place … Isaiah certainly had to know the City, didn’t he, Jerusalem? “Upper pool, conduit, fuller’s field!” 

Wow!

No wonder a great Bible Study tool to have at hand is … an ATLAS of the Ancient Near East (often abbreviated ANE by the scholars). Study those maps of Bible happenings! You will be handsomely rewarded for doing so. 

Geography!

God sure had an interest in the Land, didn’t He?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

The question (in reference to the previous Isaiah Paragraph, yesterday’s Lesson) is “How?”

How is God going to bring “Light” to His dark Land?

How is God going to break the “Yoke” of the oppressor, the enemy of Israel?

How, in fact,  is God going to bring “Salvation” (or at least offer it) to the whole world?

(If need be, re-read Isaiah 9:1-5 please.)

Today’s Text gives the answer to those questions!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

A beautiful Passage, perfectly balanced!

And, in my heart, all about Jesus!

The Messiah, described so fully … but at least seven centuries before His Coming to earth, before the Incarnation, before the Virgin Birth.

Let me explain …

The “child” is “born,” a clause emphasizing the humanity of Jesus!

The “Son” is “given,” now emphasizing His Deity, His being God! (Jesus as the eternal “Son” of God could have never been “born,” due to His Divinity.)

But Jesus as “child,” can (and was) so born! “That Holy Thing” (Luke 1:35) … a little Baby Boy!

Note the phrase “unto us,” twice given in verse six! Isaiah is including himself! Really, I think he is including you and me as well!

But this child is said to some day be “governor!” A very capable one, carrying the administrative weight of the world on one “shoulder!”

(Yet in Luke chapter 15 … we little “lost” lambs have been found by the good Shepherd and are being taken to Heaven … resting on His “shoulders!” Plural! Twice the strength and care expended on us … as on the governing the entire planet! Luke 15:5 … “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”)

Wow!

Next Jesus is succinctly labeled with what I suspect are four Couplets!

“Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

That is, if “Wonderful Counsellor” can be considered as a unit. Which, grammatically it can. The Hebrew here suggests that Jesus will be able to solve the “hard” issues of life! As in: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Mighty God” infers He is a Champion! Both physically strong and spiritually Divine, as well as omnipotent! (These majestically combine Power and weakness … again, Deity and humanity.) Just as well say He is “Almighty God ,” reverently.

“Everlasting Father,” the hardest to comprehend, maybe. (Jesus, the Son of God, as Father?) But the Hebrew word for Father is “ab,” which seems to me to elicit thoughts of Romans 8:15, where the Holy Spirit teaches us to call God “ABBA FATHER!”)

And do remember Jesus’ Words to Philip, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” Or even John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” (In this sense, He is the Father! Besides, we cannot split or subdivide the Godhead! Our God is ONE, but displays Himself triunely.) Plus, Jesus is our perpetual Saviour, eternal.

Then “Prince of Peace,” maybe the culmination of the first three Offices! (Not “King” here, but the youthful “Prince!” And perhaps so called because most of the “Kings” of Isaiah’s day were radically corrupt! But not Jesus, the Righteous One!) Psalm 110:3 prophesying of Jesus, “Thou hast the dew of thy youth.”) Everlastingly a “Prince!”

Then “Peace,” in Hebrew “shalom!” Not a Prince of war or frustration or disharmony. No, but finally … peace will have come to earth. 

Remember the Nativity angels? “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.” Luke 2:13-14

I must close.

But verse 7 is shouting, include me! “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

“No end!”

We often (and correctly) say “a thousand years,” (the Millennium) … but in truth Jesus will reign forevermore! (New Heavens, New Earth, New Jerusalem! “And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5)

“Judgment” and “Justice,” another balanced duo. The first showing integrity vertically, the second exercising integrity horizontally! 

Jesus is after all, the Greater Son of David! (Matthew 1:1 … “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”)

It is only right that our Lord occupy the Throne of that man (David) who loved Him so dearly. Who was such an example of God’s marvelous Grace! To whom God promised … “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” 2 Samuel 7:16)

Amen!

Then lastly … God’s “zeal” (in Hebrew “qinah”) is God’s Holy Jealousy to see that all His Promises are fulfilled! THESE JESUS THINGS WILL HAPPEN, GOD HAS SO RESOLVED! FERVENTLY … (ZEALOUSLY) FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE! 

What a Text this morning!

All about Jesus!

And this near Christmas, too!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Written Tuesday Moring, December 18, 2018

 

There are “hints” in Isaiah 9:1-5 of a coming, brighter age for Israel. Even though, at the time Isaiah was writing, that nation had rebelled against God! And was facing Assyrian aggression, captivity!

A Nation often called “extinct” by many a commentator … is to be revived and blessed by God!

Hard reading, in a  way, so get ready …

“Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.” Isaiah 9:1-5

Read “dimness” (a Hebrew word used only here in all the Bible, thus called a “hapax legomenon”) as a synonym for “darkness.” Spiritually so indeed!

Oh, how far the Northern Kingdom (meaning Israel, the 10 Tribes, but also called Samaria or Ephraim) had drifted from God!

God had chastened her too, sending her “vexation” and “affliction.” Words used in our Passage above.

Isaiah here singles out two geographical identities, for illustration purposes I think. As egregious examples of the Land’s sinning against God … “Zebulun” and “Naphtali.”

Territories way up north in Israel.

Cities and towns lying along the Highway that led from Syria (and points north) down to Egypt (and points south) … a major ancient Eastern trade route, saturated with evil influence from non-Jewish nations!

But … even to these two wayward peoples … God is some day going to do something absolutely great, something restorative!

Our Text today continues: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great LIGHT: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the LIGHT shined.” All I know to tell you about this Line is that it sure is “good news!” 

This Verse is framed in what looks like the “past tense,” but it is actually predicting “future” events! (In this sense, these future happenings are so definite … that Isaiah describes them as “having already occurred!” Something like we would call a “done deal!” Or a “sure thing!”)

Light!

Light is coming!

As in John 8:12 … “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the LIGHT of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the LIGHT of life.”

Wow!

Or again, John 12:46 … “I (Jesus) am come a LIGHT into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Amen!

But there is yet more (good news) in our Text! “Thou (God) hast multiplied the nation (Israel), and not increased the joy: (then later) they joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” Verse 3 of Isaiah chapter 9, giving the “before” and after” situation! (Joy not increased at first, when Israel was still under judgment … then joy greatly increased, after God’s Blessings fall!) Like the exuberant joy farmers experience when record-setting (“bumper”) crops are being harvested!

God will so bless Israel! 

Look at verse 4 … where God will defeat all Israel’s enemies, particularly some “chief” enemy! “For Thou (Lord) hast broken the yoke of his (Israel’s) burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.” As in the day of Gideon’s great victory over the Midianites!

Here’s a pretty good stab at describing “total defeat” for those aggressors, attackers of Israel … “For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.” 

God sends those vicious Jew-hating armies “confusion!”

And massive bloodshed … their own blood!

With both soldier and equipment ultimately being burned with fire!

Wow!

An event yet to occur, I suspect at the Battle of Armageddon … when Jesus comes again to establish the Kingdom of God here on this earth!

First … sin.

Then … clearly after repentance … growth and  joy and LIGHT and victory promised to God’s people. To the little Nation of Israel!

Tomorrow, the Lord willing, we shall look at the Specific MEANS of this victory!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Our Text today is not necessarily a PRIME MILLENNIAL TEXT, not yet. But Isaiah is rapidly getting there! I’ll show you later this week, Lord willing.

 

I really wanted to discuss Isaiah 8:19-20. But felt the chapter’s first 4 verses (yesterday’s lesson) were paramount. So, as has become my “pattern” in this journey through Isaiah … here are some “things I didn’t say” about the spiritual condition prevalent among God’s people during King Ahaz’s tenure.

“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:19-20, I am going to get to talk about this little Paragraph today!

“Familiar spirits” and “peeping wizards” are demons of various kinds! Fallen angels, emissaries of the Devil! Literally, “conjured spirits trapped inside bottles” and “knowers of demons,” wicked spirits that chatter and mutter, making eerie “sounds!” (This practice may involve trying to contact the spirits of the departed dead, as well. Think of Saul and the “witch of Endor!)

Wow!

Spirituality had fallen so low, so perverted … that the people (at large) wanted to get their counsel from demons! And they seem (here) to be urging Isaiah to do the same! The verb “seek” is “darash,” expressed as a command and often suggesting “prayer!” (The word is translated “to enquire” 43 times in the King James Version of Scripture.)

But God here has an Opinion! Or at least a Question.

“Should not a people seek unto their God?” Heartbroken, sounds like, the Almighty Creator! WHY seek the advice of a (dead) chunk of rock or (senseless) block of wood” That is essentially what comprises an idol! Why this, when Israel had such a rich heritage of spiritual Truth!

God continues His Query: ” … for the living to the dead?” In other words, as I understand it, “Why are you living folks consulting dead folks?” (By the way, our great God is not dead, but eternally alive! (Remember, He is … “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8)

Then God gives us the RIGHT SOURCE for spiritual guidance! Where we should go for “light.” Verse 20 …  “To the law and to the testimony.” That is, to God’s infallible Word!

“Law” is “torah,” meaning “teaching, instruction.”

And “testimony” is “teudah,” meaning “repetition,” essentially pointing to the things God has said “over and over and over again!” (Even the Book of “Deuteronomy” proves the point. It being a word which means a “second” giving of the “Law” of God!) I am glad God says things over and over again!

GOD’S WORD USURPS ANYTHING ANY DEMON HAS EVER SAID!

But it appears that the people of Isaiah’s day, early in his ministry anyway (prior to the Revival under King Hezekiah), were NOT interested in the Word of God!

The rest of today’s Text … “if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 5:20b

The verb “speak” used here (“amar” in Hebrew) means to talk conversationally! In everyday banter! As a normal course of life. Nobody is any longer “meditating” on God’s Word! Talking it day and night!

Then look at God’s Assessment! “NO WORD … NO LIGHT!”

Reminds me of Psalm 119:130 … “The entrance of thy words (Lord) giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” So true!

Without paying close attention to God’s Word … a people will drift, devolve into “darkness.” Now think of Psalm 119:105 … “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” 

Wow!

I don’t always do this, but today let me reprint our whole Text … for emphasis. Re-read it now and see if the meanings I’ve given you will “fit” (will help you better “understand”) what God (through Isaiah) is saying.

“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:19-20

I fear America today is just about where Israel was in those Isianic days long ago … just prior to her national judgment!

Sad indeed.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

It was Isaiah the Prophet who proclaimed, invited attention to … “Behold, I and the CHILDREN whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.” Isaiah 8:18

Yes, he used his two sons (especially their “names”) in his preaching! As bidden by the Lord!

“Shearjashub” was mentioned in back Isaiah 7:3. Translated from Hebrew: “A Remnant shall Return!” Hope, even for sinning (and suffering) Israel! As in: “God will spare ‘some’ of you, a ‘few’ anyway!”

But today we study the Prophet’s other boy, “Mahershalalhashbaz!” (Best I can tell, this is the longest name in all the Bible!)

Here’s our Text this morning: “Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz. For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.” From Isaiah 8, verses 1-4.

Wow!

A SERMON in a SON!

(God has a Son too, His Only Begotten! And “JESUS” has been the Essence of many a Sermon too! Countless Messages, in fact!)

Verse 1 of our Text indicates an “official” document is being created. God Himself to Isaiah … “Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record …”

The verb ( a command) “write” (in Hebrew “kathab”) can mean “to engrave” as well. This is written, we would say today, in “permanent ink!”

(Of course, all the Bible is eternally inscribed! “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 says this, King James Version.)

So apparently, based on verse 1, this lad was named prior to his conception! (So were Ishmael, Isaac, Solomon, John the Baptist and Jesus, among others!)

Wow!

The Text again, but now verse 2: “And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.” 

The “prophetess” is (I think) Isaiah’s “nick-name” or “pet-name” (clearly a term of endearment) for his Wife! Old Dr. Frank W. Boreham (one of my favorite preachers and writers) often called his Wife “the  Mistress of the Manse!” (A “manse” simply being the home in which a Pastor lived.) I do not think “prophetess” means that Isaiah’s Wife was a preacher.

God sure does seem  to be able to “control the womb” of any given woman! And certainly so in the Book of Isaiah, so far anyway. God in the Old Testament is said to “open” and “close” wombs at will.

Prophet and “prophetess” had a son! 

Named (as already noted) before he ever saw the light of day!

“Mahershalalhashbaz” means “Haste ye, haste ye to the spoil!” (An open invitation to come “take the wealth” of a completely conquered nation!)

“Maher” is Hebrew for “speed” or “swiftness.”

“Shalal” means the “booty, plunder, spoil” of war!

And “baz” is a further word for “prey,” legalized “robbery!” (The old saying “All is fair in love and war” comes to mind!)

God is inviting the warring nations of the world (particularly Assyria) to “come and get ’em,” particularly as far as Israel (also called Ephraim or Samaria) and her wicked ally Syria (also called Damascus) are concerned!

“Haste ye, haste ye to the spoil!”

And this “fall” (this astounding “defeat”) was to occur sooner rather than later. “For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.” Isaiah 8:4

Before the little boy can “talk!”

And history says…  IT HAPPENED!

Within this prescribed frame of time, too!

That quickly! (In haste!)

God keeps His Word!

And judgment against sin is sure.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell