Rsbc
December 15, 2002
Sunday Night
The Book of Isaiah
Subject: The Devouring of The Flock
Text: Isaiah 56-9-12
Intro: It may seem strange to the reader of this passage after having read and preached from the first part of this chapter the great gospel provision for all people without exception and distinction to see such words that are before us.
These are words of judgement. The people of GOD are represented as a flock, the leaders are represented as dogs, the devouring nations are represented as the beast of the field.
It is not unusual for the scriptures to refer to people, nations, are individuals as animals. Let me site a few of them to set the stage for this message.
Jesus said of his disciples: Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Paul calls the coppersmith a lion:
2 Timothy 4:14‑17 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all [men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
It is clear that we are called the sheep of the LORD’s pasture. Likewise it is clear that the reason for this use of metaphors is the nature of the animal depicts the nature of the people.
It may not mean anything to you but just to show you that I am not the only one with the interpretation of this passage like I am going to interpret it, Gill, JFB, MH, Geneva bible notes, Calvin, Poole believe likewise.
Gill suggest that it could be that the LORD will call the wild beast of the field to devour the dead, but it is better suited to interpret it figuratively...we shall see why he believe this and why I believe this.
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I... “THE SUMMONS”...VS 9
In Jeremiah preaching the same events are recorded which give evidence to this text that animals are metaphorically spoken in the bible.
Jeremiah 12-1-9
If we allow ourselves to think because we are the people of GOD that God will not call the beast of the fields of this world on us we are asleep. It is clear to me through out the bible that warns, then acts.
1 Peter 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?
It is in this house of GOD that we are judged each time we assemble together, it is the word of GOD that judges us and properly so. It was Paul preaching to the Corinthian Church that said these words:
1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
II.. “ THE CAUSE OF THE JUDGEMENT CLEARLY STATED: VS 10-12
In these verses we shall see the cause of GOD’S judgement on his people...
1st. The watchmen are blind: vs 10
The Lord Jesus Christ encountered these very kind of leaders when he came and openly rebuked them and declared their destiny.
Matthew 15:13‑14 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
a. Some have been blinded by God on purpose: John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
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b. Some have been blinded by Satan: 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
c. Some are blinded by religion: Such as the Jews
2 Corinthians 3:13‑16 And not as Moses, [which] put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
2nd. They are ignorant: vs 10
Of all people the men of GOD should not be ignorant, they should be watchmen, they should tend to the flock, take care of it, feed it, nurse it. The LORD JESUS CHRIST ask Peter that Elder of his flock... “Do you love me” you know that I do LORD, then Jesus said feed my lambs...etc
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The results of not studying, watching, not filling his heart with the word of the LORD is clearly stated in this passage of the word of GOD.
3rd. They cannot speak: vs 10
They became lazy. The bible calls this by another name. Proverbs 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
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4th. They are greedy dogs: vs 11
When Paul laid out the qualification of a Bishop he said these words: 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
They seem to never be satisfied, they are always looking for something else, want more. Because of their greediness they have no understanding of what GOD is fixing to do to them.
5th. They are selfish...vs 11
They look to their own way what a waste for preachers, leaders of GOD’S flock to waste his ministry looking for payment for everything that he does. I have been so blessed in my life from the LORD.
One of the marks of a true man of GOD he does not count the cost to him or to his family he is made willing to do and go where the LORD leads him without consideration of anything but is this the will of GOD.
6th. They are self indulgent ..vs 12
Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.
It is the self indulgent that will destroy all and everything around them, it is these leaders that brought the judgement of GOD upon these people. We must ever be aware of wolves in sheep clothing both in the ministry and in the membership of this church.