When life happens and you fall flat on your face, it may seem like the end. Life itself will crush you. Many are resilient and some just can’t handle the pressure. Now, it’s worse when God also sets his face against you.

This is precisely what happened to the Israelites. They were busy living their lives as they thought it best. But God was not impressed. Their lives violated the purpose God intended for them.

God planned they would be “Oaks of Righteousness” and a “Light to the Nations.” But their lives proved to be a string of selfishness and rebellion against God’s covenant. God had warned them about this type of living. He told them that such lives would break the terms of the covenant that God made with them, and they would be vulnerable to the attacks of violent neighbors.

Just as God warned, their neighbors stepped in and brought utter destruction. Their land was laid waste. Although they were to be “Oaks of Righteousness” they became a “stump” without a future. There’s no guarantee of survival. No possibility of recovery.

Then God gave them a promise:

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1 NKJV)

The expectation was that of permanent destruction and abandonment by God. Yet God was kind and showed mercy. God will bring hope out of their disaster, and set up God’s kingdom through a descendant of Jesse, and king David. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus, and we now live in the eternal kingdom that was promised. This kingdom is not only the future, but it is now a reality!

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What sort of emotions get stirred within you when you hear this statement below?

“Destruction is certain for Assyria, the whip of my anger. It’s military power is a club in my hand” (Isaiah 10:2)

Surely, It sounds like God is angry. Yes, he is angry. But you may have heard that God is a God of love and grace. Yes, He is. 

During the time of Isaiah, God was angry at the sin and rebellion of his own people. To bring correction to them, God used another sinful and rebellious nation (Assyria). The Assyrians brought destruction on God’s people, and God used that experience to bring them back to alignment. 

Then, of course, God had to punish the Assyrians for their sin and rebellion against God. For that purpose, God used yet another nation. It seems to be a “string” of destruction. 

So, some say that God is unjust, causing destruction and calamity. No. God, as the creator, wants people to live in alignment to his plans. You may not like it, but God has the right to demand that we do things His way!

Now, that may disturb your view of how the world should be, but God remains sovereign. His plan for people to live in obedience to him must be lived out. 

Yet, God is merciful, kind, and generous. His mercy is unlimited. That is why he sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. For those who put their trust in Jesus, he forgives their sin, and adopts them as his own children. While we were still sinners, Christ died for our sins. What a deal! What mery unlimited. 
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Powerful nations have come and gone throughout history. There has not been any nation that was capable of holding power indefinitely. Nations like Egypt, Syria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and others have excelled in strength at one time, but later, they were defeated by the next powerful nation. 

But Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of a child whose kingdom and the peace of that kingdom will not end. Historically this is impossible. 

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulders,

and his name shall be called 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.

On the throne of David and over his kingdom, 

to establish it and uphold it

with justice and the righteousness 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will to this”

“For to us a child is born,

It is difficult to imagine what people thought when they heard of a King and a kingdom that will last forever. That would have been unfathomable to their minds. Historically, no nation or kingdom has remained in power forever. 

This promise is a clear indication that a child would be born whose kingdom would last eternally. Several centuries later, this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. He was born as the Messiah, the savior of the whole world. 

Thank God that this promised savior is for all peoples and for all time. Thus we enjoy the benefits of being part of this eternal Kingdom of God. As a result, we have salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the full benefits of God’s blessings on our lives today. 

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He may not match your expectations and desires. You may have latched onto popular concepts about Jesus and what you would gain by following him. But each one of those expectations may have been shattered. 

John the Baptist expected Jesus to establish God’s physical kingdom here on the earth during his lifetime. But Jesus’ plan was not a physical kingdom but rather the rule and reign of God in the hearts of those who dedicate their lives to Him.   

John was in prison and sent messengers to verify if Jesus was really the messiah. Jesus told the messengers to tell John about the signs, then he said, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:6, NKJV) 

Jesus didn’t match John’s expectations. Maybe he doesn’t meet yours. But he is your savior. He gave his life for you, no doubt. Now allow him to do as he pleases. No need to be offended. Just line up with his plans and pattern of doing what he does. 

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The events described in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, took place more than two thousand years ago. But when were these events actually written down? Records of kings may have been documented by court scribes, while prophets like Jeremiah had scribes to write on their behalf. Much of their experiences were likely passed down as stories, riddles, and poetry. But when were these oral traditions first recorded in written form?

Some scholars suggest that those who lived a few hundred years after the actual events could not have accurately written their history. They argue that stories passed down through oral tradition must have changed over generations, making them unreliable.

Now, thousands of years later, these modern scholars have taken it upon themselves to correct the history of Israel presented in the Bible. The aim is to present the real story of Israel’s ancestors. This is a bold assertion, to say the least.

My question for these scholars is based on logic and reason. Yes, the Hebrew writers may have been a few hundred years removed from the events they recorded. However, the stories of their ancestors were of great importance to them, and they would have been motivated to preserve them as accurately as possible. Shouldn’t we at least give them the benefit of the doubt that they aimed for accuracy?

Even if we assume that perfect clarity and accuracy were beyond the reach of these ancient writers, how can we conclude that modern scholars—who are now thousands of years removed from those events—are better positioned to write or rewrite the ancient history of the Israelites?

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Abraham asked this rhetorical question in a unique situation. Abraham said, “Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be it from you! Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Gen 18:25) 

This was the same struggle that Job’s friends had. Since Job was suffering, they assumed that he was in the wrong and that there was surely some wickedness in him. 

Abraham asks the simple question, “Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is right?” But the question is not so simple. Abraham has his idea of what is the right action for God. His idea is based on what is good for him and his nephew. 

God has his own criteria, and his own agenda. You may be frustrated, scared, or confused. Just know that God is in control and he does as he pleases. 

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Those who speak and walk differently from the crowd will be ridiculed. But God had a clear message for Isaiah, sternly warning him not to walk in the ways of the people. He was to walk, think, and speak differently. 

“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” (Isa 8:11-12).

God’s people walked away from the one who was the reason for their existence and turned to the gods and practices of other nations. They turned to spiritists, mediums, and necromancers for answers to their problems. The prophets clearly indicated that the threats they face are due to the sins of the people, and that God is the one calling the nations to come and bring punishment. 

Although speaking God’s message to the people brought ridicule, Isaiah was to continue speaking and doing only what God instructed him. He was not to fear the people nor to walk in their ways. He was to walk on another path, apart from the majority of the people in his nation. 

God was calling Isaiah to another level of living, and speaking. What is God calling you for today? Maybe it’s contrary to the common understanding of those in your community. But continue listening to God and let His Word lead you and ignore all other voices. 
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We are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “… God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Either you can be self-controlled or you’ll be controlled by fear. In any situation, the control of your tongue, emotions, and reactions are in your hand. Until you give control to someone else, it is yours to use. 

But once you give in to fear, you lose control. You have made an exchange that is irrevocable. Now, fear is in control, not you. Once fear is in control, you have already lost the battle even before it begins. Stay in control of every situation. 

To keep control of every situation, you’ve got to be careful, be quiet, and don’t fear. 

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Isaiah 7:4
These were the words spoken to Ahaz, king of Judah, as he faced the threat of being attacked by two kings from the north. He was instructed: “Be careful, be quiet, and do not fear” (Isaiah 7:4). The prophet’s words came at a critical time for the king and the nation. Let’s look at these three words in their context.

BE CAREFUL
Those who react emotionally to any situation will surely accelerate the problem. You never get a chance to step back from the event and take a broader look. An unemotional view gives you an opportunity to evaluate the situation with clarity.

Be careful to be intentional and not reactionary. Be careful to not react like everyone else. Take time to carefully consider your next steps.

BE QUIET
Words are powerful. Words that are driven by emotion can confuse the situation at hand. Words that come from fear can be destructive. Anger driven words can cause wounds that are difficult to heal. Words of faith can improve the temperament of any group of people.

Silence is often the best first response to any tragic or fearful event. You may have many words to speak, but silence needs to be your first choice of reaction.

Silence gives you a chance to let your feelings settle. It also allows you to “buffer” your thoughts and think first before you speak.

It also gives you an opportunity to listen to the Holy Spirit. What is God saying to you in this situation? How does God want you to react?

DO NOT FEAR
We are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “… God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Either you can be self-controlled or you’ll be controlled by fear. In any situation, the control of your tongue, emotions, and reactions are in your hand. Until you give control to someone else, it is yours to use.

But once you give in to fear, you lose control. You have made an exchange that is irrevocable. Now, fear is in control, not you. Once fear is in control, you have already lost the battle even before it begins. Stay in control of every situation.

To keep control of every situation, you’ve got to be careful, be quiet, and don’t fear.

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Isaiah 7:18

I’ve never thought of God in this way. It sounds too pedestrian, or common. But when this text says that God whistles and summons the flies in Egypt and Assyria, he is speaking of their armies. God is in control of every military force on the face of the earth. 

When God’s people were in fear, the prophet reminded them that it is a simple thing for God to summon neighboring armies (who were Israel’s enemies) to come and defeat their enemies. In other words, he’ll put their enemies at war with each other just to deliver his own people. 

Think for a moment of the things you fear. Who are your “enemies”? Is it sickness, debt, mental struggles, strife, bondages, or you just have fear for no reason. Now, think of your God as one who “whistles” to the situations in your life to come to order according to his plan. 

Of course, the problems and struggles in life will never end. As soon as one problem gets resolved, another one was brewing and getting ready for it’s attack on you.

But your can struggle without fear. You can go through difficulties with complete trust in God to bring you through.

 
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