Rsbc
Sunday Night
Sept. 9th 2001
The Book of Isaiah
Text- Isaiah 39-1-8
Intro- The 39th chapter of Isaiah closes the first major section of this book. From now to the end of it will begin to see some dramatic changes in the structure of the way Isaiah writes and what he is writing about. We will get more into that next week the Lord willing.
I... “ CONCERN FROM HIS NEIGHBORING KING ”...VS 1
Both Gill and Matthew Henry believe that because the Sun was the god of these Babylonians, and they heard that GOD had called the sun back 10 degrees that they were obliged to pay homage to Hezekiah in light of the miracle of the sun going back.
No matter what we think of our enemies if they show kindness to us we must in turn show hospitality to them. If the heathens can show this kind of dedication to a false god, how much more should we show kindness and concern for our brothers and sisters who fall sick and then recovery.
Paul said...
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
When Paul and his company had survived the storm and the ship wreck at sea it was the barbarians on the Island that showed them kindness.
Acts 28:1‑2 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
Since the Lord hath showed us many kindness in our life as his children we then should likewise show kindness and have mercy own those whom God sees fit to send our way.
Page # 2
II... “ THE REACTION OF HEZEKIAH”...VS 2
There is in his gladness a monster that is lurking in his heart, it is called pride and it demonstrated by his showing off all that he had. In the book of 2 Chronicles we see the real picture of this man.
2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit [done] unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
He shows them all that he has, and all that he had was the result of God favoring him and putting in the hearts of his people to give him what he hath. I am constantly aware of what I have and who gave it to me, and who it is that God has used to give it to me.
2 Chronicles 32:22‑23 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all [other], and guided them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
I would say that there is a sense in which pride is not a sin, that is if one can handle achievement, or if one can handle things that may given to us. Hezekiah wanted build himself up in the eyes of these ambassadors.
The word pride is found 46 times in the bible... when pride is in our hearts and it leads to arrogance then it is a sin. The Lord through the Prophet Moses said these words to the people of Israel...Leviticus 26:19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
Pride is what keeps wicked men from the Lord... Psalm 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his thoughts.
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Page # 3
John said...
1 John 2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
There is no getting around the fact that sowing to the pride of this life reaps a whirlwind of destruction in ones life wether he is a King or a common man, lost or saved.
III... “ THE MESSAGE OF THE MAN OF GOD”..VS 3-7
Sometimes the message that God gives a man is good and uplifting and sometimes it is rebuking, and sometimes it is instructive. In this case it bad news to the King.
1. His inquiry...vs 3
2. His answer...vs 4
3. His message...vs 5-7
a. It was a message from the Lord not Isaiah...vs 5
b. It was a prophetic message...vs 6-7
4. His humility...vs 8
2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit [done] unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Conclude with these verses...
God gives more grace to the humble...James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
In the sight of the Lord we are to be humble...James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.