Page 28 - Isaiah Student Worktext

Everlasting Father: The Son is the Father, again, speaking of the Messiah’s deity.
Prince of Peace: although peace in the world is evasive, Jesus is characterized by peace. John 14: 27:
Peace I lead with you, My peace I give to you.

V. 7 In this world, the ‘increase’ is generally followed by a decrease. In the US, the prosperity of the
1920s was followed by the Depression of the 1930s. But the increase of the heavenly kingdom will
NEVER decrease. It will continue to increase and multiply forever and ever.

This is from the Davis book that I am using: ‘In heaven, Christ’s subjects will be morally perfect and will
not forget anything they have learned. But they will still be learning, constantly growing in their
estimation of the greatness of [Christ]. We will never stop increasing in our love for him and our
passionate…worship of Him’.

This kingdom was established the moment that Jesus came to earth, and it will never end. The victory of
Jesus over sin and death is total and complete.

Now, after this beautiful picture of the reality of the love of Christ, we now turn to the other side…the
wrath of God.

V. 8-12 You might remember that after the attack of 9/11 in the US in 2001, there was much talk about
not letting this stop America, and that they would rebuild and be stronger than before. V. 10 was
actually quoted at many memorials that have been held over the years.

Although V. 10 taken all by itself sounds like an encouraging thing after something like 9/11, it is actually
an attempt of man to say that he can do better than God. Notice the end of V. 9: ‘in pride and
arrogance of heart’.

There were also other similarities: a hewn stone was brought in to serve as the cornerstone of the new
World Trade Center (WTC). It was later taken out, however.

Across the street from the WTC is St. Paul’s Chapel, which is a place where George Washington
worshiped. Most buildings this close to the towers were damaged at least and destroyed in many cases.
But the Chapel stood…partly because of the large sycamore tree that stood between it and the WTC.
The tree was destroyed and had to be cut down. They replaced it with a spruce, which is not a cedar,
but is an evergreen.

Some believe that all this is a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, and V. 11-12 go on to say that God will
send the enemies…Syria and Rezin, the king from a few chapters ago, to ‘devour Israel with an open
mouth’.

Many believe that Israel was the subject of the initial prophecy, but the US is the contemporary subject.

Right or wrong, this much we know is true: God’s wrath will be visited upon those who disobey. And,
even though His wrath comes down, the last part of V. 12 says ‘His hand is stretched out still’. He
remains at the ready to send down His wrath.

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