Isaiah 19 16 20 6 Rousing a Deaf

Isaiah 19: 16 -20: 6 Rousing a Deaf World

16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them. 17 And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians. Everyone to whom it is mentioned will fear because of the purpose that the LORD of hosts has purposed against them. (Isaiah 19: 16 -17, ESV)

18 In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of hosts. One of these will be called the City of Destruction. (Isaiah 19: 18, ESV)

19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20 It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. 21 And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them. 22 And the LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the LORD, and he will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them. (Isaiah 19: 19 -22, ESV)

23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. (Isaiah 19: 23, ESV)

24 In that day Israel will be third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, 25 whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance. ” (Isaiah 19: 24 -25, ESV)

1 In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it— 2 at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet, ” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot. 3 Then the LORD said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, 4 so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. 5 Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast. 6 And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, ‘Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria! And we, how shall we escape? ’” (Isaiah 20: 1 -6, ESV)

Main Point • Despite Egypt seeming powerful, they are not • When God turns against them in judgment, it causes them to turn toward Him in repentance and faith • They worship Him in obedience and faith • Still the strike must happen • Those who trusted in Egypt now must ask themselves, where can they turn?

Application Points • Rousing a Deaf World • We see a time when even pagan nations will recognize God • Because of this there is peace • This requires something to happen first • Egypt is chastised • The judgment which comes because of their trust in their false powers leads them to encounter God in this way • Earlier in chapter 6 of Isaiah we saw what occurred when Isaiah encountered God • “Woe is me, I am undone!” • If we learn anything from the prophets its that they continually remind us of God’s holiness • He is different from anything in creation

Application Points • Rousing a Deaf World (2) • This fear does not need to lead only to complete and utter terror • They experience judgment, but the judgment passes • Thus the wisdom found here is that though judgment comes, if it brings knowledge of God, then it is a good thing • Whenever we go through things in this life, we can wonder, “where is God? ” • Oftentimes we do not understand the reason behind the many trials, struggles, failings, and sorrows • Something we can learn from the Egyptians today is that though we should have these things…the judgment and chastisement God brings has a purpose • One if the judgment itself, but another is the genuine knowledge of God which leads to our redemption

Application Points • Rousing a Deaf World (3) • One of the most interesting things CS Lewis wrote in The Problem of Pain was, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. ” • When it came to the Egyptians they were indeed deaf • They were the greatest enemy of God’s people • They were worthy of judgment, and such judgment comes against them • It comes from the holy God of Israel, for He alone is worthy of bringing such judgments • It causes those who were once deaf and blind to God to have their ears and eyes opened

Application Points • Rousing a Deaf World (4) • Thus the judgment and pain brought against them was good • It led to them having a knowledge of this personal God • The question then comes to mind, is it possible that the pain we experience are meant to lead us into further knowledge of God? • Does this mean even our pains, sorrows, and trials are blessings because of the destination? • In knowing God we have the greatest foundation for all reality • Meaning, value, purpose, morality, goodness, and love itself • To know God is to know these things, to experience these things • If the knowledge of God is such a blessing, and if God is capable of bringing a greater knowledge of Himself through our pain, then we can recognize the good purpose through our pains • The loss leads to incredible gains…the finite for the infinite

“ 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. ” (II Corinthians 2: 8 -11, ESV)

Application Points • Rousing a Deaf World (5) • In moments of death and sorrow what will keep you? • They had become the lowest of the low • “We despised of life itself. ” • How could an apostle experience this? What good could come from it? • “That was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God. ” • It causes them to know more about this saving God, to experience Him in their sorrows and pains • A deeper knowledge of God was the direct result of their experience

Application Points • Rousing a Deaf World (6) • It seems to be a reminder for us here today • In Egypt there would be pain, but that pain would lead them to be roused by God • It would lead them from being a people to God’s people • We are roused now in the midst of a pandemic, roused in the midst of uncertainty, roused in the pain and sorrow we experience personally, and also the pain and sorrow we experience in our relationships and society • The result we should have is a turning toward God in the midst of it all • He keeps us because we are His • Whereas once we too were enemies of God, just as the Egyptians were, we are not God’s people

Application Points • Rousing a Deaf World (7) • In the midst of all these things, let us continue to learn more about God • Let us trust in the knowledge of God we have attained, and continue to learn more about Him even now • Let us trust in Him, to lead us ever anon and onward to the goodness He has in store for us • Let us be roused in these times to know Goodness itself, to know God, and to hold fast to His ways

Application Points • The Gospel of Christ • Origins • Fall • Redemption • Glorification