Isaiah 8:11-15 November 6, 2016
“What Do We Fear?”
Introduction: Anger and Fear in Our Culture
Anger is the language and discourse of the internet. Fear is the language of media. And, news shows know that people respond to fear and anger.
Politicians want us to get angry and to be afraid, because then we will pay attention and we will respond.
So, I guess it kind of makes sense that most of us have this deep sense in our hearts that something has gone terribly wrong. We hear this message over and over again.
I. A Different Kind of Message in Isaiah 8
Certainly, our passage is addressing a time of anger and fear. The survival of Jerusalem was at stake.
Isaiah is not supposed to get caught up in all the theories swirling around Jerusalem. And, he is called to rise above the fear that is also prevalent.
Instead, Isaiah and those who will listen are supposed to keep their focus on God, instead of on the problems.
II. Do Not Conform to the Patterns of the World
Normally when we think about sin, we think about sin as a decision or a specific action.
Some of our sinfulness and brokenness is more of a passive kind of disobedience. We can also sin, just by going with the flow.
III. What (or Who) Should We Fear
v. 13 “The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear.”
God’s judgment should be feared, especially for those who are not following his ways.
Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
There is a clear contrast set up here: God is the sanctuary, or he is the stumbling block.
Without giving God their attention and their trust, they are in danger of his judgment. That is the most important lesson here: the lesson to keep focus on God.
Conclusion:
Sometimes we need to hear again that God is the king of the world and that he is in control.
Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”