Chapter 16 - The Beginning of the End

2 Kings 17-19

Isaiah 3, 6, 13-14, 49, 53

Introduction to the Reading: I just finished my wife’s Christmas present… well half of it.  She wanted matching night stands for our bedroom.  The first one is done.  As I was building it, I was so thankful for the tools that I have collected over the years.   I can think of at least twelve separate tools that I used on this particular project.  It is possible to make things without some of them, but the end product is not nearly as nice and it doesn't come as easily. 

It's amazing how easy things are to do when you have the right tools. Things go better when you use the right tools. However, that doesn't mean that we always pick the right tools for the job.

We start off our reading hear about the deportation and annihilation of the Northern tribes of Israel. They definitely didn't pick the right tools: They practiced false religions. They trusted in alliances with nations like Egypt instead of the Lord. They didn't use the toolbox of God's commands.

As I worked on the night stand over the past few weeks, there were times that things didn't go exactly smoothly. Usually it was because I had gone about a challenge with the wrong tool or not the best tool.  In a way, I tried to make a certain tool fit the problem.  How often don't we reach for the wrong tools in our life, instead of reaching out to the Lord for help!

Breaks Along the Journey - p. 224: As I read this section, I couldn't help but compare it to any and every news story about trouble in the Middle East and nations like Iran and North Korea building bigger and better missiles all the time.  Reporters always talk about our military presence in the areas and our readiness.  But never in the discussion do they talk about praying to the Lord like Hezekiah did. Our nation hasn't completely forgotten the Lord. I still remember the fervent prayers after 9/11, but isn't it interesting how quickly we forget what the most important tools are in our toolbox?

Yet what an amazing display that the Lord gave the people of Judah! Was there any doubt as to whom the glory belonged? He didn't just help his people - he conquered the enemy all on his own. You can just picture Sennacherib scurrying home with his tail between his legs whimpering. The battle is the Lord's!

Slowing it Down - p. 225: Speaking of using the right tools, what do you use to get oil based stain off your hands?  I usually use some GOJO with pumice in it, but as I sit and work on this nightstand right where my car usually sits, I can’t help but think about changing the oil  It’s really amazing how nicely oil will clean your hands.  You wouldn't think that dirty oil will clean your hands, but it makes sense when you think about it: oil is filled with detergents so that it keeps your motor from getting too dirty.   Or think about ashes.  They get all over everything when you need to move the grill or fire pit.  It's the last thing you would think of for cleaning. Yet what do they give someone in the emergency room who has just drank a harmful substance? Liquid charcoal! It's a mess, but it absorbs all the toxic chemicals in the stomach.

Isaiah realizes he is not clean. He has a vision in which he is standing before the throne of God. Isaiah knows he is a sinner. He knows he can't stand in the presence of God. He cries out, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the king, the Lord Almighty!"

So what does Isaiah need? What tool will solve his problem? Charcoal! An angel flies from the altar with a coal and touches his lips. What a strange picture to us, especially since we don't have many burnt offerings anymore. (At least I haven't been to any burnt offerings lately!) How would something dirty like coal make him clean? And yet if you realize that the sacrifice on the altar was a sign to God's people that their sins were taken away by the shedding of blood and that this was a sign to Isaiah that the sacrifice made on the altar applied to him personally, you understand what an amazing picture this is. 

As strange as it may sound, these are some of my favorite verses of scripture. One of the reasons is because they make me think of communion. Now Isaiah isn't specifically picturing the Lord's Supper, but I can't help but think about communion whenever I read these words of Isaiah. Think of the similarities: (First of all, it's interesting to note that in the traditional liturgy, right before the words of Institution, we sing "Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts: heaven and earth are full of your glory." Sound familiar?) In the Lord's Supper, Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for sin, touches our lips. The Lord's Supper is a sign for us that the sacrifice that was made on the altar of the cross applies to us and seals forgiveness for us personally. Luther, as he explains the sacrament, writes, "What blessings do we receive through this eating and drinking? That is shown us by these words: 'Given' and 'poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.' Through these words we receive forgiveness of sins, life and salvation in this sacrament. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation." 

And where there is forgiveness of sins, a sanctified desire to do good works naturally follows. Did you notice that Isaiah's lips that he was formerly ashamed of he now offers willingly for service to God? When the Lord asks, "Who will go for us?" I see Isaiah jumping up and down, flailing his arms and saying, "Oh, oh, me! Me! I'll do it! Pick me!" What a change of attitude from a man formerly terrified in God's presence.

Does the same hold true for us? Maybe we come to worship plagued by our sins in the last week. Perhaps you've heard the message of forgiveness during the sermon and perhaps even heard pastor say, "I forgive you all of your sins," at the beginning of the service after the confession. Yet, for whatever reason, you think, "Well he can't really be talking to me. He might be talking to that family in front of me. I know they are sinners, but they are really nice people. God could forgive them. But I know me. I know that I'm a mess. I'm too terrible for God to forgive me."

But then you make your way to the Lord's Supper. You stand before the altar of God. Here you are in his presence as you gather with other worshipers. And what happens? He gives you his body and blood together with the bread and wine. Yes, you! The sacrifice touches your lips. The forgiveness is for you! 

I don't know about you, but when I walk away from the Lord's Supper it's an amazing feeling. I want to cry out with Isaiah, "Here I am! Send me! Send me!"

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
The book of Isaiah is often called the "Gospel according to Isaiah." We often talk about the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which account the life of Christ. In addition, over one third of the Old Testament lessons during the Festival portions of our Church year (Advent to Pentecost) come from the book of Isaiah. Why would someone who wrote over 600 years before Jesus lived be grouped with those who wrote the histories of Jesus' life after he lived? And why would the book of Isaiah be read so much in our churches? Well after you've read our chapter today, I don't think I need to explain. Do I? Isn't it crazy how specific Isaiah gets in talking about the Savior who was still to come? Through the Holy Spirit, Isaiah's prophecies give details as precise as those who actually walked and talked with Jesus and the apostles. 

It's interesting, from a lower story perspective, the "Savior" that Isaiah pictures. Of all the tools that the people were looking for to solve their problem, is this one they would have reached for? "No beauty...despised and rejected...Like one from whom people hide their faces... stricken and afflicted....cut off from the land of the living...crush him and cause him to suffer." This isn't exactly the "hero" the Israelites were anticipating. Yet as we will find out in coming chapters, he was perfect for the job!

It's also interesting to me, especially as we read the Bible chronologically like we are doing, that Isaiah's words come at the most unexpected time from a lower story perspective. The nation of Israel is on the brink of destruction. Isaiah himself says that they are going to be destroyed! Things look dismal at best. Yet in spite of the dark storm clouds on the horizon for God's chosen nation, the Gospel is shining brighter and clearer than ever. At the most unexpected time, God gives some of the most specific prophesies about the coming Messiah.

Have you had dark days? Does it even seem that darker days lie ahead? From a lower story perspective, we often feel that life is pretty dismal. Yet in the midst of the darkness, the light of the Gospel is shining brightly. God's upper story is still moving along: his plan to rescue us from this world of sin and bring us home to heaven is as certain as ever. When it feels like the Lord may have forgotten you, his words are still true, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she had borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" On the last day of this word, Isaiah's prophecy will find its ultimate fulfillment, "Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Prayer/Hymn:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!