1 In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it.
2 When the house of David was told, "Syria is in league with Ephraim," the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.
3 And the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field.
4 And say to him, 'Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.
5 Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying,
6 "Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,"
7 thus says the Lord GOD: "'It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass.
8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. And within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.
9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.'"
The Sign of Immanuel
10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,
11 "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."
12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test."
13 And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.
16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.
17 The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah---the king of Assyria."
18 In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.
20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River---with the king of Assyria---the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.
21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep,
22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.
23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns.
24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns.
25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.
Isaiah 8: The Coming Assyrian Invasion
1 Then the LORD said to me, "Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, 'Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.'
2 And I will get reliable witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, to attest for me."
3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, "Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz;
4 for before the boy knows how to cry 'My father' or 'My mother,' the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria."
5 The LORD spoke to me again:
6 "Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
7 therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks,
8 and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel."
9 Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; give ear, all you far countries; strap on your armour and be shattered; strap on your armour and be shattered.
10 Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
Fear God, Wait for the LORD
11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying:
12 "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.
13 But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honour as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken."
16 Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples.
17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
19 And when they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter," should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?
20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
21 They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward.
22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.
Things to think about…
1. Remember of the four kings that Isaiah was prophesying to; of them only Ahaz did not walk with the Lord. Yet the Lord showed him mercy. Even so we see Rezin the king of Syria coming against him. Ephraim (another name for Israel – specifically the ten northern tribes) is described by saying “sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered”, Isa 7:8. This happened around the year 722BC when Assyria took them captive. Ahaz was told “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all”, Isa 7:9. The same is true for the church, true faith in Christ stays true. Churches thrive even in low spiritual climates if they stand firm on the word of God.
2. We know that the sign that Ahaz refused to accept from the Lord Immanuel, was fulfilled in Jesus, our Immanuel “God with us”, Isa 7:14. Remember that this prophecy was also fulfilled in Ahaz’s time. The word ‘virgin’ also means young unmarried woman. It was fulfilled by Isaiah’s son being born to the prophetess. (whom he would have married). His name was Maher-shalal-hash-baz, which means “hurry to the spoils”, which is what Assyria did. Assyria was being called as the Lord’s instrument of judgement, Ahaz would witness this prophecy and see Assyria taking Ephraim captive in 722BC as his reign went from 732BC-715BC. Pray the church takes spiritual ground rather than lose it in our day. Praise the Lord for the complete fulfillment of these words that Jesus is our Immanuel – God with us.
3. The people rejected the gentle spiritual waters of Shiloah, Isa 8:6 where the Lord’s presence and tabernacle had once dwelt. The torrent from the River (Euphrates) from where the Assyrians come from will overtake the land. Forty-six Judean towns would eventually be taken, fulfilling Isa 8:6-10. This also has prophetic warning for when Immanuel returns – Israel still rejects Christ to this day, as do all the nations that dwell from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean. Pray for our ministry One for Israel that we see the gospel flourish in modern Israel.
4. Isa 8:11-22 simply exalts the need to listen and obey the words of the Lord. People are fearful of many things – conspiracy theorists, Isa 8:12 have been around for millennia. The words “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy” are still relevant today as many in the Christian world get distracted over current world events. A simple faith and trust in Christ even when He seems to be hiding His face, Isa 8:13,17 is required.
5. People will seek after anything in order to escape the truth of God’s word, Isa 8:20-22 and as such “will be thrust into thick darkness”. Tell people about this thick darkness folks; but as you do, point them to a merciful God of grace and deliverance who is only found in Christ. Pray they have ‘ears to hear’.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson will be looking at the life of Christ in the church.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group after Sunday mornings café time. Open discussion around difficult topics and defending our faith is the focus.
Prayer Points
1. New people that they are welcomed into church life.
2. Those who are considering baptism.
3. Church finances to cover all expenses.
4. Pray for of Kids@Church, Life groups and church community days.
5. The conflicts in Haiti, Israel and Ukraine. Praise for the peace of Jesus to reign.
6. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
7. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More visitors on Sunday, pray that they are encouraged.
2. Continue to pray for Tad to gain strength at home. Continue to pray for Glenys as she now has a splint to gain full use in her left arm. This is very frustrating for Glenys as you can imagine. It has been many weeks and she is desiring relief. Any encouragement you can give will be greatly appreciated.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Working Bee – Saturday March 23rd 8am to 12pm. Please sign the jobs task sheet.
2. Life Groups Wednesday night at Church – 6:30pm.
3. Young Adults apologetics Life group after the service – 25th Feb 2024.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 18. What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies? A. He gave them souls that could never die.
