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MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF iSAIAH
Lesson 64-66
ISAIAH: CHAPTER TWENTY
A Historical Backdrop
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17BDCrqDxkpSjRCqzr0TlqVgxPSGRkyn3/view?usp=sharing
In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. (Isaiah 20: 1,2)
But first I would like to place attention on verse one, describing the times when this message to Isaiah occurred
In our previous study, we concentrated on the future blessing in store for Assyria and Egypt. But as we consider the message contained in chapter 20, there is another part of this prophecy to consider. That is, what is necessary to take place before this blessing becomes a reality.
But first I would like to focus on verse 1, to give us some idea as to the approximate time that the instructions were given to Isaiah.
This event occurred sometime prior to the final fall of Israel when Hoshea, the last king of Israel was taken into captivity. There are two kings mentioned as being the kings of Assyria. First, Shalmaneezar, the Son of Tiglath Pulezar, reigned over Assyria While the invasion of Israel began. It took about three years for the captivity to be completed. At about the same time, Sargon began to rule and it was during his reign that the great invasions by Sargon took place. We are told that it was in the fourth year of Hezekiah that Hoshea's reign collapsed. And this was accomplished by Sargon, the reigning king of Assyria at that time. Although Sargon is only mentioned once, found in Isaiah chapter 20, He is to have usurped the throne of Shalmaneezar and the great invasions of The surrounding nations was taken place. Before Assyria invaded Egypt, Isaiah was sent there to proclaim to them the message as we see in chapter 20. Do not confuse this invasion by Sargon with the one taking place later during the nineteenth year of Hezekiah when he was confronted by Sennacherib, the son of Sargon, who was his successor.
This event took place while Assyria was in the process of becoming greater under Sargon. Also, to avoid misunderstanding, the name Tartan is best translated as "The General. or My General" It refers to Sargon's commander-in-chief at that time. It refers, rather to a particular position and not a ame of a particular person (Who is difficult to find,)
So with this, we are establishing a timeline for when this message from Isaiah was given.
Section Five
A New Dimension
As we come to chapter twenty, the message of Isaiah takes on a new dimension. Whereas the previous sections dealt with peoples and nations suffering the negative consequences associated with “That Day”, The following Chapters deal more specifically with the causes and consequences associated with their choices of rejecting God.
New outline
1. Chapters 1-39 A Message Concerning the Kingdoms of this World. And what “That Day is purposed for them.
2. Chapters 40 to 68. The prophecy from another kingdom, and the promise associated with them.
ISAIAH: CHAPTER TWENTY
Lesson 65
The Message Through the Example of Isaiah
At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia. (Isaiah 20: 2,3)
There are several things in this verse that are important to consider.
1. The command
First, consider the commitment of Isaiah to the command of God. Such humiliation is difficult to understand, how a servant of God could commit himself to such humiliation. Are we not told the same of Jesus the Son of God willing to take upon Himself the nature of men? Imagine the king of Glory willing to do that for us.
Then we must ask ourselves, to what extent am I willing to submit myself to the purposes of God?
Second, consider the length of time for him to suffer that. Can you imagine three years of doing so? What was God trying to do? Of course, those who observed such, must also felt so embarrassed as well through observing him.
There is no doubt, their curiosity arose and caused them to wonder why? it caught their attention.
Finally, whatever they observed in Isaiah, was minor compared to the great humiliation that was to come their way.
2. The Message
So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian prisoners, and the Ethiopian captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
As we observed the time that this message was given, It was sometime while Assyria was beginning to flex her muscles and had just taken captive the king of Israel and some of that nation. The taking of Israel and its completion was three years in the taking. Assyria had not yet reached Egypt and Ethiopia as yet, and this message from Isaiah was meant as a warning and preparation to face the approaching enemy.
what they're seeing in Isaiah, is merely a walk in the park (so to speak) compared to what will happen to these two nations.
This seems to be the intended message to them. There will be no time to change, for if they fail to listen to Isaiah, their only hope left was to learn the lessons associated with rejecting God.
3. The Reason
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?
These words express the false hope that they had while depending on the arm of the flesh. They thought that they were sufficient for the moment by placing confidence in one another for protection. But they failed to understand, that their battle was not with Assyria. They imagined that they had the resources to withstand him, and that is where the failure lay. Their battle was with God, and when men take that position, they become the losers, no matter how strong they are or how great their resources were.
And as we continue in the approaching chapters, we will see this message repeated many times.
ISAIAH: CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Lesson 66
A Disturbing Vision
1. The Address
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. (Isaiah 21:1)
What Isaiah is seeing, is described as a whirlwind, like that arising out of the desert. The people of that tie were used to seeing these small sandstorms, appearing at times in a form of a whirlwind.
But he is not talking about a desert whirlwind but of an invading army about to enter the land. And like a whirlwind that causes great devastation in its journey, so is this invading army.
The army that he is describing is the armies of Assyria. It is described as a terrible land. They will be unmerciful and destructive, and even in this short verse, it has the signs of a dreadful and fearful event. And if Isaiah, God’s servant, expresses such fear, just think of how dreadful this must be for those who have cast off God as their refuge.
2. The response of Isaiah to the vision
A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. (Verses 2-4)
At this point, we are reminded of that name, Mere-Shallum-Hashbaz, Isaiah’s son. Calling the Assyrians to battle, to seize the prey, for the time is now. While the nation is at ease, totally unsuspecting of this invading army, the time is ripe when they will encounter no resistance.
This is no new message from the Lord, but it is more disturbing because the arrival of the enemy is a present reality. And the reality is expressed in Isaiah’s response.
He describes the pain that he feels as like a woman about to give birth. Note the words that describe his emotional state. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
Although these emotions appear to be personal to Isaiah, his emotions extend far greater than himself, as he enters into grief over what is to happen to God’s people. Such concern should always characterize God’s servants. And so, we see Isaiah’s compassion expressed as well.
3. A call to arms.
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. ( Verse 5,6)
In this verse, first, a call for the invading army to prepare. Then another call is given to set forth a watchtower, in order to see in advance what is happening and what the people should do in response. They can either prepare themselves for defense or leave the premises immediately.
This appears to be the action most likely to occur.
The following verses express a very sad and helpless situation that will take place. It is the actions of this invading army that is most concerning. It describes a helpless defense against this invasion by the enemy. Consider:
4. The Establishing of the Watchtower.
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you. (Verses 6-10)
As the tower is set, the watchman is asked to tell what he saw. Notice, it is during the daytime, when nothing extraordinary is taking place. He sees a few chariots with single riders. Some were pulled by horses, some by asses, and others by camels. Nothing threatening on the horizon. He notices a lion, but that is nothing out of the ordinary either. For now, the watchman is doing his job as expected.
Finally, there appears on the scene a chariot of men declaring a message that Babylon has fallen. What that is telling us is that Babylon has been taken by the Assyrians. It is a message that now deserves some attention. It is telling us that Babylon has fallen to Assyria and is on the way to continue its invasion.
A word of explanation is necessary. Babylon was not great until Assyria made her that way. First Babylon must be taken before Assyria could make her great. So, we have here the fall of Babylon declared. Babylon will achieve her greatness later.
But this news by this horseman is a warning that the enemy is on the way. All of this takes place while it is still a day. The watchman has done his job. But the night cometh when no man shall work. Is that true? It appears that behind the shadows of the evening, someone is at work.
5. An alarming Question.
The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come. The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye traveling companies of Dedanim. The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fleeing. For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. (Verses 11-15)
When all seems harmless and peaceful, then the watchman is asked this searing question: “Watchman, what of the night? What message do you have for us at night when all is quiet and we are safely home in our beds? Again the question is aked, “Watchman, what of the night? Is anyone watching then., Are their torches in place to help you to see any danger? It is saying, are you offering any protection at this time?
It is truly an alarming question, for as we see, the invading armies are arriving at night and there is no defense from the watchtower.
The people are forced to flee from their land and as they flee, they are dependent upon others to provide food and water along the way.
Thus, we are given a description of the devastation that is happening as the Assyrian army with its allies, is about to invade the land. They are defenseless and must flee for their lives.
6. The Closing Statement
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it.
(Verses 16,17)
There is a word of hope, that this war will have an end. This gives hope to the faithful, as some of them will be taken into captivity, and their lives will be spared. This protected number comprises “The Remnant” of which God mentions often
But the message is not yet complete, for chapter 22 connects to this chapter, as we discover what happens next.
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