Isaiah 25-26 - Hope in the City of Man

Kevin Eck

Gospel According to Isaiah • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Isaiah 25:1–26:19

Hope

Glorification

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Intro

Group Intro

- Goal

We are to eagerly hunger for spiritual nutrition in greater degrees

We are here to become spiritually mature

Regardless of your background or where you are in your relationship with Jesus, you are called to grow

- What we do

Scripture

Prayer

Community

Lesson Intro

Chapters 13-27

This takes the sovereign reign of the King revealed in the throne room in ch 6 who rules over Israel (7-12) and works out his sovereign total control over the other nations in 13-27

Overwhelmingly describes God judging and punishing nations for their evil behavior, sinful desires, and lack of faith

But last lesson (19) had shown God’s ultimate plan was not just total destruction, but for the spread of the gospel to all nations, even, shockingly, the arch-enemies of Egypt and Assyria

Ch 24-27 are the capstone of this section

ch 24 was a picture of God’s judgment of city of man

27 is the final summary - worth reading at home, but I want to focus on some of aspects of 25-26

25-26 work out salvation for God’s people living in the midst of this world

Reads almost like a psalm

Note the zooming out to society as a whole and zooming in to focus on the individual

Note the intertwining and contrasts between judgment and salvation

Intro Questions

What is the true mark of a Christian?

What do we think of when we think of a “needy person”?

Why does the big picture of God’s plan (resurrection, heaven) matter?

Read

City of man vs City of God (25:1 -26:6)

What themes do you see?

Praise - v.1-5

Introduces and summarizes the whole passage with a psalm of praise

Praise itself

A personal claim of faith

A focus on God’s glory

An adoration of the God’s plans and his dedication to seeing them to completion

Reason for praise -

God’s sure plans - v1

These are plans that have existed from before creation in eternity past -plans formed of old

God has made good on His word - You have done wonderful things

He will finish His designs - Faithful and sure (lit faithful faithful)

Connecting back - destruction of the city of the wicked

3 The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word... 5 for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant... 9 No more do they drink wine with singing; strong drink is bitter to those who drink it. -

The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word. 5 for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.

for the LORD has spoken this word.

4 The earth mourns and withers;

the world languishes and withers;

the highest people of the earth languish.

5 The earth lies defiled

under its inhabitants;

for they have transgressed the laws,

violated the statutes,

broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore a curse devours the earth,

God’s Word of destruction of rebellious sinful mankind will come true

and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;

therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,

and few men are left.

7 The wine mourns,

the vine languishes,

all the merry-hearted sigh.

8 The mirth of the tambourines is stilled,

Why would this be worthy of praise?

the noise of the jubilant has ceased,

the mirth of the lyre is stilled.

9 No more do they drink wine with singing;

strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.24:3,

Connecting forward

God will save and protect the city of his people

He will do this side by side his destruction

The rest of the passage follows these two threads - City of man vs the city of God

The different treatment

Destruction of the city of the strong -v 2-3

This city is no more, a pile of rocks, never to be rebuilt

Even though this city is fortified and a valuable palace

Even though by human standards this was an invincible city, God will totally destroy

Like ch 10 where the invincible Assyrians are pawns in God’s plans and will be destroyed in God’s perfect timing

Protection of the city of the weak - v 4-5

In contrast to his destruction of the strong city, God will protect the weak

Image is that He is the invincible stronghold of the needy

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

The different destiny's

The glorification awaiting those God protects - vs 6-9

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Where - Mountain

This is Zion/the new Jerusalem/the restored and enhanced Eden

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills -

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills -

that the mountain of the house of the LORD

shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills -

and shall be lifted up above the hills -

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

What - God’s provision

These arent slaves serving a tyrant

God provides this rich feast out of his abundance, without his people’s help

Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.

Describes heaven as a feast in , ,

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

You prepare a place for me in the presence of my enemies

Who - Extended to all peoples

All used 5 times in vs 6-8

Not each and everyone (universalism) because some are obviously destroyed

But a remnant/portion of every tribe and tongue

How - A destruction of death

Not just physical death, but the covenant curse of death

What did the curse in bring? Broken relationships, fallen culture, toilsome work, pain and struggle

lit Having swallowed - this is the prerequisite to final glorification feast on the mountain

Not just in a general sense - Here God is coming down from on high to personally wipe away the tears from each eye of every one of His people

Why - The LORD has spoken

As in the beginning psalm, this is the final completion of the plans of old

It is totally faithful and guaranteed

So we are called to wait on God to fulfill His word

The muck awaiting those God punishes - vs 10-12

The other final destiny is to be stomped into the dunghill

The image (obscurred in the translation) is the hole underneath an outhouse

As straw is pressed into the dung and the liquids to absorb the smell

This is a sharp contrast to the appetizing feast provided to the weak

Those that trust in themselves in the here and now

They try to swim out of their destiny in the dunghill with their own strength

This man trusts in his pompous pride, skill of his hands, and high fortifications

But God will lay them low

A second psalm in vs 1-6 recounts this in praise form

God is praised for providing a strong city to His people

Those that keep faith and trust in the Lord come in

They are given perfect peace (lit peace peace)

But the lofty city of man is brought low

City of man vs city of God

This connects to one of the main story lines of the Bible

Eden was created as garden that man would cultivate and expand into the city of God

After the fall God gives cities and their social and political structure as a common grace to sinful man to keep us from descending into total anarchy

But almost immediately man distorts this common grace and starts elevating himself as exemplified in the tower of Babel

Throughout the rest of the Bible cities, and in particular Babylon, represents evil man in rebellion against God and persecutors of God’s people

But God begins his plan of redemption with a new city

It is tied to Jerusalem - a holy city, the holy mountain where God reigns, The temple where God dwells with His people

Later it is made into a future hope - Zion, the New Jerusalem

But Christians are exiles in Babylon, waiting on the new Jerusalem

Revelation, leaning on Isaiah, uses these two cities heavily

Faith in the here and now (26:7-15)

So what does this grand climax to the story of history have to do with me? What difference does knowing the big picture make in the here and now? What does it mean to live in the city of man?

Here it zooms into the individual faith level

References individuals who are righteous

First person perspective - we and my soul/my spirit

Talking to God (O Lord) instead of about Him (the Lord)

What that faith looks like in the here and now

Truth - God takes care of his people

Their path is level - our future is mapped out and it is secure - v. 7

God will ordain peace - Shalom - v. 12

Shalom is a not not absence of conflict like our view of peace

It is the condition of perfect flourishing and the rich life from God in which mankind thrives

Basis - You have indeed done for us all of our works - God is the one who accomplishes our salvation (v12)

Response - Waiting on the Lord

We wait for you, My soul yearns for you, my spirit earnestly seeks you - v. 26:8-9

Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us - v. 25:9

Not being a better person, but one who is dependent

All these strong people were trusting in other things that God - mighty cities, strong culture or character traits, their skill or force of will, and even their righteousness

This all boils down to trusting in themselves - Pompous pride

The serpent tempted with the promise of being like God, knowing good and evil.

He convinced Adam and Eve that they could trust in themselves to determine what was good, what was valuable, independent of God.

e convinced Adam and Eve that they could trust in themselves to determine what was good, what was valuable, independent of God. Rather than revolve around God like planets around the sun, they could make creation revolve around them.

Rather than revolve around God like planets around the sun, they could make creation revolve around them.

Ever since, the city of man all boils down to the reality that fallen man seeks to be independent of God

The gospel calls us back in dependence on God, to revolve around him, to be deeply needy

God destroys the strong, but is a stronghold to the needy - v. 4

Do you see your Christian walk as one of becoming more needy?

Comparison to those who do not see the Lord work - v. 10-11

God reveals himself (Favor shown, land of uprightness, majesty revealed)

Favor shown, land of uprightness, majesty revealed

They are blind (Do not learn, deal corruptly, do not see)

They do not see God working in history - leads to them presuming on God’s blessing

leads to them presuming on God’s blessing

Note that the key here is waiting

We are called to extend God’s kingdom here and now, but it is not perfect or complete

We live in what some call the already but not yet

The kingdom has come, but not yet in fullness

Salvation has come, but it is not yet complete

Parable of the wheat and the tares

A parable about a man who planted a field of wheat, but an enemy spread weeds among the crop. They both started growing together. Asked by his servants if they should uproot the weeds:

But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.

God has a perfect plan for history. Removing the weeds would damage the good crop until the harvest time

Damage of an overrealized eschatology (expecting too much heaven now)

I heard this in the context of a marriage seminar - the speaker said marriage is frustrating to some because they expect this perfect restoration of God’s plan to happen right now in our Christian lives.

We get stuck hoping for things in this world, in this life, instead of the next

Instead we are called to Wait on the Lord and his salvation.

The true mark of a Christian

Not being a better person, but one who is dependent

All these strong people were trusting in other things that God - mighty cities, strong culture or character traits, their skill or force of will, and even their righteousness

What are things people trust in?

This all boils down to trusting in themselves - Pompous pride

The serpent tempted with the promise of being like God, knowing good and evil.

He convinced Adam and Eve that they could trust in themselves to determine what was good, what was valuable, independent of God.

Rather than revolve around God like planets around the sun, they could stand still and make creation revolve around them.

Ever since, the city of man all boils down to the reality that fallen man seeks to be independent of God

The gospel calls us back in dependence on God, to revolve around him, to be deeply needy

God destroys the strong, but is a stronghold to the needy - v. 4

Do you see your Christian walk as one of becoming more needy?

Example given - v. 13-15

The earthly kings

Focused on what they accomplish, demonstrating their power and ability, and the legacy that they leave

Nothing they do lasts and they are forgotten

And they are forgotten

The heavenly Lord

Has reigned without ceasing, who has increased the nation

He alone is glorified and remembered

Note that the key here is waiting

Needy

We are called to extend God’s kingdom here and now, but it is not perfect or complete

We live in what some call the already but not yet

Needy

The kingdom has come, but not yet in fullness

Salvation has come, but it is not yet complete

Parable of the wheat and the tares

A parable about a man who planted a field of wheat, but an enemy spread weeds among the crop. They both started growing together. Asked by his servants if they should uproot the weeds:

wheat and the tares

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

God has a perfect plan for history. Removing the weeds would damage the good crop until the harvest time

Damage of an overrealized eschatology

We get stuck hoping for things in this world, in this life, instead of the next

Instead we are called to Wait on the Lord and his salvation.

Our hope in the here and now (16-19 & 25:6-9)

But here Isaiah brings up an uncomfortable truth

He continues the thought of ungodly kings not realizing their dreams to the reality that there are saints who have not seen their faith realized

They lived in the midst of a broken world, persecuted and alone -v 16

In distress they sought you

They poured out a whispered prayer

They lived their faith in this world, trusting that God’s plans would come true, yet...

They did not realize the kingdom - v 17-18

They are like a pregnant woman near to giving birth

And yet despite the writhing, they have given birth to wind (as in nothing)

These saints have not accomplished salvation in the earth

The inhabitants have not fallen (means to be born - think born again saved)

The gospel, the kingdom of God was not accomplished

Often because God was disciplining them for their sin

One of my most vivid memories is supporting and watching Faith deliver Thomas.

It was long, and seemingly unbearable. The only thing that kept her going was the hope of meeting Thomas, the joy of completing the act of giving life and faith that all would be well in the end once she finally got to meet him.

Imagine that after all of that, she delivered nothingness that slips through your fingers.

That is what Isaiah say has happened to saints of the church throughout history

They have labored, sacrificing earthly things to accomplish this great goal of the Gospel consummated into the Kingdom of God on the mountain of Zion.

Yet they did not see it overcome the city of man, and then they died, still living in exile Babylon.

So did they labor in vain? Sure God is faithful to complete his work, but will their participation mean anything? Will they get to see the final product?

We feel the same way

We work for the expansion of God’s kingdom, for shaloam, for the work of the Gospel

It may be in our church, or small group, maybe your families, children, marriage, or at work, perhaps their is a close friend or relative that you have been sacrificing and giving, laboring, wrestling, writhing...

And yet all my work for the kingdom feels like failure, like giving birth to something that slips through my fingers.

Are we laboring in vain? Will we see the final product? Is our life in the final evaluation fruitless?

A final win

This would have been a huge question in Isaiah’s day

Israel was about to be sent into exile - was the entire of history of the nation of Israel for nothing? Did Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Elijah labor in vain? They were dead and the kingdom is not yet realized.

God had not revealed a fleshed out (no pun intended) theology of the resurrection

Here God begins to reveal his plan to bring not only saints from all nations, but also from all time into the glorification of His mountain city

The dead shall live! Their bodies shall rise! Awake and sing for joy! - v 19

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

It is easy to take for granted the ground breaking truth of the resurrection, so it takes a piercing question like this to get us to consider and appreciate the truth

God’s faithful and sure plans from eternity are not only for a final kingdom in the abstract future, but bring us there

He will bring us through the daily struggles of living in the city of man

He will bring us through when our ministry and out-workings of our faith feel like a failure

(Leaf by Niggle?)

So how does the resurrection impact our faith-lives in the city of Babylon?

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples

a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,

Overrealized eschatology/ already not yet

Wheat and the Tares

NT Resurrection vs

of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

7 And he will swallow up on this mountain

the covering that is cast over all peoples,

the veil that is spread over all nations.

8 He will swallow up death forever;

and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces,

and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,

for the LORD has spoken.

9 It will be said on that day,

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.

This is the LORD; we have waited for him;

let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

10 For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain,

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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