What are we trusting for our security? What are we trusting to give us peace of heart and a life that is productive, satisfying, and victorious?
A Warning, to Judah, Against Evil Alliances,
& Evil Associations —Instead of in God—Who offers Eternal Lasting Hope—
14 Therefore, listen to this
message from the Lord, you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem. 15 You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and
have made a deal to dodge the grave.* The coming destruction
can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and
deception.”
16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,* a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.* 17 I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away. 18 I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death, and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave. When the terrible enemy sweeps through, you will be trampled into the ground. 19 Again and again that flood will come, morning after morning, day and night, until you are carried away.” This message will bring terror to your people.
20 The bed you have made is too short to lie on. The blankets are too narrow to cover you. 21 The Lord will come as he did against the Philistines at Mount Perazim and against the Amorites at Gibeon. He will come to do a strange thing; he will come to do an unusual deed: 22 For the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, has plainly said that he is determined to crush the whole land. So, scoff no more, or your punishment will be even greater.
23 Listen to me; listen, and pay close attention. 24 Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting? 25 Does he not finally plant his seeds—black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat—each in its proper way, and each in its proper place? 26 The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding.
27 A heavy sledge is never
used to thresh black cumin; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A
threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is beaten lightly with a
flail. 28 Grain for bread
is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. He threshes it under the
wheels of a cart, but he doesn’t pulverize it. 29 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is a wonderful teacher, and
he gives the farmer great wisdom. [1]
God issued a second woe or strong warning to Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Judah was just as guilty of wicked behavior as the Northern Kingdom. Therefore, the hand of God’s judgment was hanging over Judah and its capital Jerusalem just as it was over the Northern Kingdom. Although the Assyrians would not capture Jerusalem, the rest of the nation would be conquered. The people would suffer greatly at the hands of the cruel Assyrians.
God’s indictment against Judah included two charges of
serious sin (vs. 14–15).
First, they were just as guilty of mocking God’s Word
as the Northern Kingdom was. Therefore, many of the leaders scoffed at Isaiah’s
warning of the coming judgment (v. 14). A skeptical spirit
gripped their hearts; thus, they mocked the prophet and sneered at the warning
of God.
Second, the leaders and people did not trust the Lord.
The leaders were sharp enough to perceive the Assyrian threat, and they knew
they needed to prepare in the event Assyria did attack. But in their
preparation, they ignored the Lord and their need for His presence and help.
Instead of turning to Him, Judah’s leaders turned to Egypt to form an alliance
of mutual protection against Assyria. Note that Isaiah called this alliance a “covenant
with death.” By forming an alliance with Egypt, the leaders and their
pro-Egyptian party were sentencing themselves to death. They were trusting
Egypt to save them from Assyria, but the word of Egypt would prove to be false;
therefore, Judah’s trust was based upon a lie. Tragically, they trusted in
Egypt and its word instead of in the Lord and His Word. Instead of turning to
God for security, the leaders led the people to trust the arm of the flesh, the
power of Egypt.
B. The Lord makes a most wonderful promise to any
person who will trust Him. He is going to place a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a cornerstone that will serve as the foundation for any life
built upon it. Whoever trusts this stone will be secure and never have to flee
from the coming judgment of God (v. 16). This stone is a clear
reference to the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the One upon
whom believers and the church are built (Mk. 12:10; Ac. 4:11–12; Ro. 9:33;
10:11; 1 Co. 3:11; Ep. 2:20; 1 Pe. 2:4–8). All who build their lives upon
the foundation of Christ will no longer have to run here and there seeking
protection from enemies. Christ is the foundation stone that supports His
followers amid the stormy trials and temptations of this world.
C. At the same time, people must understand this
fact: if they reject the foundation stone God offers, they will face judgment
(vs.
17–22). God will inspect the foundation of every person’s life and measure
it by the standard of His justice and righteousness. If they have based their
security on Egypt (the world), they will be swept away by the flood of God’s
judgment. They will be guilty of ignoring the Lord and trusting in the arm, the
power of the flesh.
The treaty Judah made with Egypt would be annulled (v. 18),
and the scourge of Assyria would overflow and trample their nation underfoot (vs.
18–19). The nation would be invaded time and again until its people were
swept away into exile. Note the impact that this message of coming judgment
had upon those who understood it: it struck them with sheer terror.
Continuing his warning of judgment, Isaiah proclaimed that
the security blanket of Egypt was too short and too narrow to wrap around the
people (v. 20). Neither Egypt nor any other nation had the power to
give the people permanent security. The Lord Himself was going to rise up and
do a “strange work,” one that no one ever thought He would do. He would destroy
His own people, the very people He had earlier led to victory over their
enemies. This is a reference to the victory the Lord gave David and the
Israelites over the Philistines at Mount Perazim and at the Valley of Gibeon (2
S. 5:17–25; 1 Chr. 14:8–17). God was now going to destroy these same people
He had once so richly blessed.
In light of the coming judgment, Isaiah warned the people to
stop mocking God’s Word (v. 22). If they continued to scoff at it,
their punishment would be even more severe. The coming judgment was set,
decreed. Nothing could stop it. But the people must guard against heaping up
wrath against themselves. Mocking God’s Word and His prophet was sure to bring
a far more terrible judgment upon them.
D. In closing this prophecy, Isaiah gave a
wonderful word of hope and comfort. He told the people to listen to a
parable about a farmer (vs. 23–29). When a farmer plows, he does not
plow endlessly. Eventually, he sows—dill, cumin, wheat, barley, and rye, each
in its own field—in the hope of a fruitful harvest in the future. Learning from
nature—God’s creation—a farmer knows when and where to plant (v. 26).
And when harvest time comes, he uses the right farming tools and instruments (v. 27).
In addition, he uses his knowledge and wisdom to beat out the grain to grind it
into meal, making sure he does not beat or grind too much (v. 28).
The point of the parable is a much-needed lesson. The
Lord is the wise farmer who knows how to handle crops. When dealing with
mankind and His people, He knows when to sow and harvest the crop. His
overriding objective is the same as the farmer’s, to reap a harvest. In the
very midst of this message of judgment, the Lord gives the wonderful promise of
a great harvest, a small number of believers who will base their lives upon the
foundation stone promised by God. Keep in mind that the foundation stone is the
promise of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither the Jews of Isaiah’s day
nor the people of succeeding generations could base their lives upon any other
foundation and escape the judgment of God.
Ø
“Jesus
saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders
rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore, say I unto you, The kingdom of God
shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits
thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on
whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Mt. 21:42–44).
Ø
“And
have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is
become the head of the corner” (Mk.
12:10).
Ø
“This is
the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of
the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Ac. 4:11–12).
Ø
“As it
is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and
whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (Ro. 9:33).
Ø
“For
other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now
if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work
of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he
shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer
loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Co. 3:11–15).
Ø
“Now,
therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with
the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ep. 2:19–20).
Ø
“To whom
coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual
house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God
by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay
in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him
shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which
the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone
of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even
to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they
were appointed” (1 Pe. 2:4–8).
Ø “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” (Ps. 118:21–23).
The people of Judah were placing their trust in the
wealth and power of Egypt. They were not trusting God.
The world offers many false
trusts upon which we can build our lives, but every one of them will fail.
Nothing on this earth—not a single thing—can conquer the corruption and death
that engulfs this world. Any life built upon the false trusts of wealth,
position, power, fame, leaders, technology, or the military might of a nation
will collapse. As necessary as some of these earthly supports are, none of them
can give us permanent peace of heart and security or assure us a purposeful,
fulfilled life.
The only sure, permanent, eternal trust is Jesus Christ
Himself. When we seek security through Christ, God Himself takes care of us.
The Lord infuses our bodies with His own strength, enabling us to conquer any
trial that confronts us. When we are attacked, our duty is to look to Christ
and place our trust in Him. When we walk day by day placing our trust in Him,
He promises to give us power to conquer all that confronts us. The only true trust that can give us genuine
security is the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to what God’s Holy Word says about
the false trusts that make life
insecure:
Ø “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all
men shall be offended because of
thee, yet will I never be offended.
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock
crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with
thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise, also said all the disciples” (Mt. 26:33–35).
Ø “And the disciples were astonished at his
words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it
for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mk. 10:24).
Ø “But he [Peter] spake the more vehemently, If
I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise, also said
they all” (Mk. 14:31).
Ø “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast
much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be
required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for
himself, and is not rich toward God” (Lu. 12:19–21).
Ø “And he [Peter] said unto him, Lord, I am
ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death” (Lu. 22:33).
Ø “And he spake this parable unto certain which
trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Lu. 18:9).
Ø “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall” (1 Co.
10:12).
Ø “Charge them that are rich in this world,
that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living
God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Ti. 6:17).
Ø “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou
comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to
thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom
thou hast defied” (1 S. 17:45).
Ø “If I have made gold my hope, or have said to
the fine gold, Thou art my
confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was
great, and because mine hand had gotten much.… This also were an iniquity to be
punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above” (Jb. 31:24–25, 28).
Ø “For I will not trust in my bow, neither
shall my sword save me” (Ps. 44:6).
Ø “Lo, this
is the man that made not God his
strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness” (Ps. 52:7).
Ø “It is
better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” (Ps. 118:9).
Ø “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help” (Ps. 146:3).
Ø “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:
but the righteous shall flourish as a branch” (Pr. 11:28). “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil:
but the fool rageth, and is confident” (Pr. 14:16). “The rich man’s
wealth is his strong city, and as an
high wall in his own conceit” (Pr.
18:11).
Ø “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Pr. 28:26).
Ø “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to
be accounted of?” (Is. 2:22).
Ø “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help;
and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but
they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!” (Is. 31:1).
Ø “Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that
dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: But these
two things shall come to thee in a
moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon
thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine
enchantments. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None
seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast
said in thine heart, I am, and none
else beside me. Therefore, shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from
whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to
put if off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know” (Is. 47:8–11).
Ø “Thus, saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that
trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord”
(Je. 17:5).
Ø “For because thou hast trusted in thy works
and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken …” (Je. 48:7).
Ø “Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy
flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?” (Je. 49:4).
Ø “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to
whom the house of Israel came!” (Am.
6:1).
Ø “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee,
thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who
shall bring me down to the ground?” (Ob. 3).
Ø “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men” (Ho. 10:13).[2]
Ø 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.[3]
* 28:15 Hebrew Sheol; also in 28:18.
* 28:16a Hebrew in Zion.
* 28:16b Greek version reads Look! I am placing a stone in the foundation
of Jerusalem [literally Zion], / a precious cornerstone for its foundation,
chosen for great honor. / Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.
Compare Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:6.
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. 2015. Holy Bible: New
Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah (Chapters 1–35). Vol. I. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
[3] The Holy Bible:
King James Version. 1995. Electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of
the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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