The Oracle Against IsraelThe Oracle Against Israel

Isaiah 9:8-10:4Isaiah 9:8-10:4

An Outstretched ArmAn Outstretched Arm

• 9:8-12: Northern Kingdom Punished for 9:8-12: Northern Kingdom Punished for ArroganceArrogance

• 9:13-17: Northern Kingdom Punished for 9:13-17: Northern Kingdom Punished for WickednessWickedness

• 9:18-21: Northern Kingdom Punished 9:18-21: Northern Kingdom Punished by by WickednessWickedness

• 10:1-4: Southern Kingdom to be Punished like 10:1-4: Southern Kingdom to be Punished like the Northern Kingdom!the Northern Kingdom!

Introductory MattersIntroductory Matters• Unclear date of writingUnclear date of writing::

– Prediction of future events?Prediction of future events?– Report of past events?Report of past events?– Not important to this prophecyNot important to this prophecy

• AudienceAudience::– Israel?Israel?– Both Israel and Judah?Both Israel and Judah?– JudahJudah

• StructureStructure: 9vv12, 17, 21, 10v4: 9vv12, 17, 21, 10v4• Application to usApplication to us::

– The Church Age believer is the walking agent of God’s self-communication The Church Age believer is the walking agent of God’s self-communication today.today.

– Therefore the application of the oracles against Israel is more for the Therefore the application of the oracles against Israel is more for the individual believer individual believer than entire nations.than entire nations.

– However, God However, God doesdoes deal with nations and expect their rulers to execute justice. deal with nations and expect their rulers to execute justice.

Is 9:8-12: Arrogance PunishedIs 9:8-12: Arrogance Punished8 The word He sent, the Lord (Master) to Jacob8 The word He sent, the Lord (Master) to Jacob

And it fell on IsraelAnd it fell on Israel

9 And so they knew, the people, all of them,9 And so they knew, the people, all of them,

Ephraim and the dwellers of SamariaEphraim and the dwellers of Samaria

In arrogance (ga’avah) and in greatness of heart (gadol lebab) they said,In arrogance (ga’avah) and in greatness of heart (gadol lebab) they said,

10 “The bricks have fallen 10 “The bricks have fallen

but wbut with ith smooth stones we will build.smooth stones we will build.

The shiqemahs have been cut downThe shiqemahs have been cut down

but but with with cedars we will replace cedars we will replace themthem

11 And so He increased, YHWH, adversaries of Rezin against them11 And so He increased, YHWH, adversaries of Rezin against them

And their enemies He spurred ahead.And their enemies He spurred ahead.

12 Aram in the East and the Philistines in the West12 Aram in the East and the Philistines in the West

And they devoured Israel with the whole mouth!And they devoured Israel with the whole mouth!

With all this, it has not turned back, His angerWith all this, it has not turned back, His anger

And still His hand is stretched outAnd still His hand is stretched out

TWO MESSAGESTWO MESSAGES

8 The word 8 The word He sentHe sent, the Lord (Master) , the Lord (Master) to Jacobto JacobAnd And it fell it fell on Israelon Israel

9 And so 9 And so they knewthey knew, , the people, all of themthe people, all of them,, Ephraim and the dwellers of SamariaEphraim and the dwellers of Samaria

In arrogance (ga’avah) and in greatness of In arrogance (ga’avah) and in greatness of heart (gadol lebab) heart (gadol lebab) they saidthey said,,

10 “The 10 “The bricksbricks have fallen have fallen but wbut with ith smooth stones smooth stones we will buildwe will build..

The The shiqemahsshiqemahs have been cut downhave been cut downbut but with with cedars cedars we will replace we will replace themthem

The Opposite of the DesignThe Opposite of the Design

1.1. God sends His word so that the recipients are without God sends His word so that the recipients are without excuse. That means you and me!excuse. That means you and me!

2.2. Man rejects the Word in arrogance.Man rejects the Word in arrogance.3.3. This same problem of arrogance causes man to react to This same problem of arrogance causes man to react to

God’s self-revelation with a boast of self-sufficiency.God’s self-revelation with a boast of self-sufficiency.4.4. This is the besetting problem of mankind, and it goes back This is the besetting problem of mankind, and it goes back

to the Gen 3.to the Gen 3.5.5. Principle: Independence from God is Satan’s objective Principle: Independence from God is Satan’s objective

and the defining quality of all enemies of God.and the defining quality of all enemies of God.6.6. Application: The believer in carnality becomes an “enemy Application: The believer in carnality becomes an “enemy

of the Cross” not through overt rebellion but subtle, of the Cross” not through overt rebellion but subtle, creeping independence. Phil 3:18creeping independence. Phil 3:18

7.7. How is the opposite of the design?How is the opposite of the design?

God’s Judgment of Man’s ResponseGod’s Judgment of Man’s Response

11 And so 11 And so He increasedHe increased, YHWH, , YHWH, adversaries of adversaries of RezinRezin against them against them

And And their enemies their enemies He spurred aheadHe spurred ahead..

12 Aram in the East and the Philistines in the West12 Aram in the East and the Philistines in the West

And And they devoured they devoured IsraelIsrael with the whole mouth! with the whole mouth!

With all this, it has not turned back, His angerWith all this, it has not turned back, His anger

And still His hand is stretched outAnd still His hand is stretched out

God’s DisciplineGod’s Discipline

1.1. God’s discipline of Israel was designed for RESTORATIONGod’s discipline of Israel was designed for RESTORATION

2.2. Therefore God Therefore God designeddesigned the punishments to accomplish this purpose the punishments to accomplish this purpose of their repentance.of their repentance.

3.3. However, in omniscience He understood that they would not repent. However, in omniscience He understood that they would not repent.

4.4. Though the discipline He sent was very strong, Though the discipline He sent was very strong, He did not relentHe did not relent..

5.5. Why?Why?

– Withdrawal would mean the end of the correctionWithdrawal would mean the end of the correction

– And therefore the end of the relationshipAnd therefore the end of the relationship

6.6. Principle: The best way to avoid Divine discipline is to submit!Principle: The best way to avoid Divine discipline is to submit!

7.7. Principle: God’s way of discipline does not stop until it has Principle: God’s way of discipline does not stop until it has accomplished its purpose.accomplished its purpose.

8.8. Application: Drop your arrogance and submit to the Lord, and maybe Application: Drop your arrogance and submit to the Lord, and maybe the spanking will stop.the spanking will stop.