Is. 7-8
The Book of Isaiah gives a lot of prophecy related to Christ, the Messiah, though Isaiah’s words obviously had timely relevance as well. The depth and the richness of meaning in God’s message, or messages, through Isaiah are remarkable. One example of this is Isaiah 8:18. “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.”
Isaiah’s name means something like “salvation of the Lord.” His first (that we know of) son’s name, “Shear-jashub”, means “a remnant shall return”. And his next son’s name, Maher-shalal-hash-baz (poor kid), means something to the effect of “quick to the plunder”. These names supported the near-term message Isaiah was giving to the people of Judah at the time. However, they also reveal God’s Plan for all of mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ, who was at the time yet to come. But even the statement itself, “Behold, I and the children God has given me”, is a prophecy related to Christ, as noted in Hebrews 2:13b. Every little thing means something. Remarkable.
In addition to the stunning complex nature of this book of prophecy, there are a few statements in these chapters that are worth clinging to, as I believe they, too, have application for all time.
- “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” (Is 7:9b). Standing on anything other than faith is akin to standing on sinking sand, as Jesus spoke of in His house-building parable.
- “But the LORD of hosts, Him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He will become a sanctuary…and a rock of stumbling…” (Is 8:13-14a). It is all about God! Indeed, to those who stand on faith in God alone, He will be a sanctuary. Those who turn to anything else, however, will stumble and fall.
- “I will wait for the LORD…and I will hope in Him.” (Is 8:17). Let this always be my choice, for God alone is able to save.
- “It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass” (Is 7:7). And, “but it will not stand, for God is with us.” (Is 8:10b). God’s plan will not be thwarted – Immanuel is our proof!
Acts 20:17-38
Speaking of “I, and the children God has given me”, Paul mentions here “the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28). The Church – that is, the body of all those who believe in Jesus – belongs to Christ. He bought and paid for it – for us – with his own blood. If that doesn’t indicate the high value of God’s people, I don’t know what does.
This is why Paul worked so hard for the church and why he gave warning to the elders – and to us – that we should fiercely protect it. He warns us that “fierce wolves will come in among you” (vs. 29). Similarly he says, “from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (vs. 30). Certainly, it doesn’t take much looking around these days to see how true those words of warning are!
Complacency is dangerous. False compassion (which amounts to enabling) is destructive. As Jesus mentioned so often, we need to “stay awake”, to always be alert, and to guard ourselves with the truth. In addition, we need to work relentlessly to get that truth out to those who need to hear it. We need to pray without ceasing, standing on faith that the plans of the Enemy will not stand because God is with us.