Wednesday, October 9, 2024 PM

And before we do, let's pray together. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the day, we thank you for gathering us here tonight. Thank you for the opportunity to read your word, to study it, to understand it, to delight in it.

And I pray that you would have your way in us through it, and that you would lead us and guide us as we pray for one another, and pray for the burdens and the needs that you have made us aware of. That we would not be in anxiety, but that we would know the peace of Jesus Christ as we turn to you, our Heavenly Father, and know that you will care for us and for all of our concerns.

And we pray for these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Okay, Isaiah chapter 2, and we're going to be reading verses 1 through 5. The word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it.

Many people shall come and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we shall walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord. So we've been looking here at this encouraging, hope-filled vision of the mountain of the Lord's house. We've identified the when, and the where, and the who, and the how.

The whole idea that we're getting from this is, here's how God establishes Mount Zion. Here's how God exalts Jerusalem. We've seen the failure of Israel to do so in chapter 1. They've done things their way, and their way is in rebellion to God.

But even though they break covenant with God, and although he brings fiery judgment upon them, this does not mean that his promises have failed. He brings about his promises, and keeps his promises in his way, and we see that success, the vision of that success, here in chapter 2.

And so chapter 2 starts off like it's a fresh new beginning, as if we didn't have an introduction in chapter 1, because it's a fresh new start. But this is the way that God paints the picture. And then we read about the latter days, which in the Old Testament refers time and again to the days of the Messiah.

The good news is that when the Messiah finally shows up, as the fulfillment of all the promises that came before, that means that those signs have been working, and they are nigh to accomplishing their purpose.

Once you have arrived at the destination, the signs are no longer necessary. The shadows pass away when the substance comes. And so the days of the Messiah are the latter days of the Old Covenant, because he brings the New Covenant.

And we have Mount Zion being exalted above the hills. This is not the physical mountain of Mount Zion. This is not the limestone and chalk and marl of geographical, geological Mount Zion, that's been jacked up above K2 in Everest.

This is a metaphorical mountain. This is the exaltation of the city of God, the people of God, the New Covenant Jerusalem, the New Covenant Zion. And what do we find? So often in the Old Testament, the nations are angry, and they gather in jealousy, and they lay siege to Jerusalem.

But here the nations are gathering and conspiring not to lay siege, but to surrender. To go up to Mount Zion and say, tell us what's true, tell us what's good. Tell us what is beautiful, how to live. Teach us, direct us.

And so we come to verse 4. We come to verse 4, which reads, concerning the Lord. He shall judge between the nations. All these nations coming up to Mount Zion. He shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Which makes for a really good spiritual.

Has anybody heard the spiritual? About learning war anymore? One of my favorites. When we look at the inscription, they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

Last time's homework was to go, Google Street View was recommended. A personal tour of New York City was not recommended. But you can take the Google Street View option, which I did. It's great to take a tour of the UN, the United Nations complex there in New York City.

And there's a granite wall across from the main building. On which there is the inscription of Isaiah 2, verse 4. But, there are two things missing from the inscription. I wonder who all did their homework.

Miss Wylene did her homework and she sent me two very detailed emails. She did a great job. She's very studious. If you're hoping to be top student tonight, I'm sorry. You can't be top student. That goes to Miss Wylene.

But, what did we notice? You're beeping again, Jerry. What did we notice about the inscription? What seems to be missing? What seems to be lacking? Yes. The Bible reference is not on there. What else?

Yes. They didn't think that that was important, did they? Now, that's a pretty big granite wall. If you've seen it, they had room to put it on there. They had room to put the whole verse on there. They had room to put the reference on there.

But, they left those things off. Apparently, the fact that this comes from the Bible, Isaiah chapter 2, verse 4. And, this introduction to the verse that the Lord judges and rebukes nations and peoples.

While this is essential for the vision of peace that we find in Isaiah chapter 2, verse 4. Apparently, this is unnecessary for the political aspirations of the United Nations. But, the point that we're learning from Isaiah 2, verse 4.

The most important point about this whole vision. Is that there is no peace where Christ does not reign. The whole reason why there can be peace is because Messiah reigns. Only divine intervention can bring about peace.

A divine intervention full of authority. Meaningful authority that arbitrates between nations. Now, why is that? Why is it that only divine intervention can bring about peace? Well, there's this little problem called sin.

Genesis 6, verse 5 says, The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth. And, every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. So, he sends a great big flood. And, everybody but Noah and his family and selective two by two animals.

All of them die except for a remnant. And, if you've watched any environmental disaster movie at all. What happens to humanity on the flip side of the great environmental disaster? The multicultural survival team look at each other and realize.

We all bleed red. We're all the same, really. And, now we understand. We live in peace. Actually, after the big flood. God did another survey of man's heart. Genesis 8, verse 21. This is after the flood.

The Lord smelled a soothing aroma. This is the offering that Noah offers up. And, then the Lord said in his heart, I will never again curse the ground for man's sake. Although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth.

Nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. So, actually there's not a coming together of humanity. First story out of the box after God makes the covenant is. The sun's not getting along and future conflict promised.

The problem is, as Jeremiah 17, verse 9 says. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it. That's why we have to have the Lord's intervention. So, when we look at Mount Zion.

We find that, well this is the Lord's mountain. This is the Lord's house. It's the Lord's law or instruction being taught. It's the Lord's word going forth. And, that's why he has all the authority to proclaim righteousness.

To bring the categories to bear. Here's right, here's wrong. He's the one who arbitrates. He brings the definitions. And, he judges comprehensively between all the peoples. And, he arbitrates in such a way so that all the nations are at peace.

Now, which nations are at peace? Well, those who have come up Mount Zion. See, we're reading the story. And, the people say to each other. Hey, let's go up Mount Zion. Let's go up and pledge allegiance to the Lord.

And, hear what he has to say. Zechariah's vision. Ten men from every nation grab the sleeve of one Jew. And, he brings them all up into Mount Zion. And so, the nations who have peace. Are the ones who have come up on Mount Zion.

That is the place of their peace. That is the context of their peace. I saw this the other day. That was a few years ago. I watched a little documentary from Frontline's Missions International. Tim Kazee.

I was out in the Balkans. And, those of you who lived through the 90's. You saw all the footage of the war. Right, in the Balkans. The UN peacekeeping measure. Which went really well. And, you had all these people trying to kill each other.

Albanians, the Serbs, the Croats. Everyone just trying to kill each other. All over the place. Well, what business does a Serb, and a Croat, and an Albanian have to do with one another. In the same place, at the same time.

Out in the Balkans. How about communion? How about prayer? How about a fellowship meal? How about a Bible study? Because, those are the kinds of things that happen. When the nations grab hold of the sleeve of the one Jew.

And, go up Mount Zion. And, people who are meant. And, designed. And, determined. By all manner of people. To continue to fight, and kill, and hate. Say, you know what? Let's turn our swords. Into plow material.

And, let's take our spears. And, make pruning hooks. And, let's go together. And, work together in the harvest. Wherever Christ is. And, Hebrews 12 talks about us coming to Him. If we come to Him, we come up Mount Zion.

Guess what happens to the nations that come up to Mount Zion. They are at peace. They are at peace. With one another. So, we have. This contrast. We have Mount Zion. Elevated above all the other nations.

And, all the other hills. Down below. In this picture. We have the mountains that are still. Opposed to each other. The hills that are still opposed to each other. But, once the nations leave those mountains.

And, come up to Mount Zion. What do they find? They have peace. And, that's the same kind of picture that we get. When we look at Daniel's. Prophecies. And, Christ's parables. Daniel interprets the dream.

That Nebuchadnezzar has. As the kingdom that fills the whole earth. The mountain that fills the entirety of the earth. So, that the kingdom of God. From heaven. As he calls it. That begins with Christ.

And, spreads throughout all of the world. Well, it's throughout all of the world. And, so there's Koreans. And, there's Japanese. And, there's Indonesians. And, there's Sub-Saharan Africans. And, there's South Americans.

And, Canadians. Yes, even Canadians. All kinds of people. Come into this kingdom from all over. And, they all belong. Under the same authority. And, while other people don't know peace. We have peace.

When Jesus tells his parables. He reminds us that the wheat and the tares. Are mixed throughout the world. That the leaven is in the dough and spreading. That the birds that make up the nations. Gather into the mustard tree.

And, they roost there. The good and the bad fish are all in one net. And, all the while. All the while, what makes the distinction. Between the good and the bad. And, the right and the wrong. And, so on.

Is a higher authority. That's going to be expressed. At that sifting clarity. At the end of Christ's reign. Where he comes back. Raises the dead in sorts. Everybody. But, Jesus is exalted. He is raised up.

By his cross. He is raised up by his resurrection. He is raised up in his ascension. And, so he draws all men to himself. He's the one Jew. Takes 10 of us with him. And, says come on up. Let's go. Come up to Mount Zion.

This is the hope filled picture. And, invitation that we have. Not only in Hebrews 12. But, also in Galatians 4. And, so on. Christ says to Pilate. My kingdom is not of this world. He didn't say. My kingdom is not in this world.

He didn't say. My kingdom has nothing to do with this world. He didn't say. My kingdom is in outer space. Okay. But, he had just. John 17. He prays. His followers are not of this world. But, he asked the father to leave his followers.

In this world. Very next chapter. My kingdom is not of this world. But, is it in this world? You bet. That's what happened in the book of Acts. Those who have turned the world upside down. Have come here too.

Saying there is another king. And, his name is Jesus. Right on. That's right. It's a kingdom that upsets everything else. So, Christ brings peace. But, he brings peace in himself. He brings peace between otherwise.

Irreconcilable nations. Which is the point we find. In Ephesians chapter 2. Ephesians 2. Verse 14. For he himself is our peace. He was made both. One. And, has broken down the middle wall. Of separation.

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity. That is the law of commandments. Contained in ordinances. So as to create in himself. One new man from the two. Thus making peace. And, that he might reconcile them both to God.

In one body through the cross. Thereby. Putting to death the enmity. And, he came and preached peace to you who are far off. And, to those who were near. For through him we both have access. By one spirit to the father.

Paul is dealing with the most divisive. Most deeply felt division. Possibly scripted. The one between Jew and Gentile. And, if that one is healed. And, if that one is reconciled. And, if there is oneness and peace between Jew and Gentile.

And, Christ. If the greater is true. Then, all the lesser is true. So, when we think about nations. The Bible continually puts our attention. Not on political borders. But, on ethnic groups. Groups that often express themselves.

Collectively. In political ways. The real conflicts. Are always ethnic anyway. In Genesis chapter 11. We have the story of when man. Decided to make a name for himself. So, they gather in the plains of Shinar.

And, they are frustrated and scattered. By the judgment of God. Soon after that. What are we going to do about all these families in the earth? That need to know who God is. And, to worship God. Well, God comes to Abram and says.

I'm going to make you the father of many. And, eventually he says. Father of many nations. And, he says that through your seed. All the families of the earth are going to be blessed. So, when the Bible talks about nations.

It's not political states first. It's not about lines. That have been drawn on a map. By arrogant men. We've seen time and time again. In modern history. When political borders are drawn. That throw ethnic enemies together.

Peace is not the result. Civil war is the result. Renaming is the result. Redrawing of lines are the result. That's what happens. You can't just draw a line around people. And, say. Okay, you're one nation.

No, they're not. Not at all. In fact. You cut that whole group off. And, half the family is over there. In another political system. Way to go. Arrogant men cause wars. Over and over and over again. By drawing arbitrary lines on a map.

Causing all kinds of chaos. So, there's no peace. By the measures of men. The UN cannot bring peace. They can't simply draw lines around people. And, say. No fighting now. But, when people come. From wherever nation they come from.

And, they come to Christ. And, they come up Mount Zion. There's peace. There's peace among those brought to Christ. For the purpose of laboring. In the Gospels kingdom harvest. Now, someone's going to really appreciate.

This next passage. Matthew, chapter 9, verse 35. And, following. And, Jesus went about all the cities and villages. Teaching in their synagogues. Preaching the gospel of the kingdom. And, healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

But, when he saw the multitudes. He was moved with compassion for them. Because, they were weary and scattered. Like sheep having no shepherd. Then, he said to his disciples. The harvest. Is truly plentiful.

But, the laborers. Are few. Therefore, pray. The Lord of the harvest. To send out laborers. Into his harvest. Harvest. Jesus is looking at multitudes. Saying. There needs to be a harvest. We need laborers to work together.

In a harvest. This is how he sees his kingdom. Expanding and growing and proceeding. What's Isaiah 2? What's Isaiah 2? Plowshares. Pruning hooks. Time for a harvest. I also think this is. This is interesting.

This is the way that we end up interpreting. First Corinthians 9. Verse 9. It's an odd. Little quote from the Old Testament. Paul, who often. Time and again. Informs the saints. That trying to keep the law of Moses.

Is going to bring you under condemnation. But, if you follow Christ. You fulfill the law. There's a higher righteousness. Says in 1 Corinthians 9. Trying to talk about why. Any church anywhere. Might want.

To compensate. Their teachers or their pastors. We had to study this in seminary. But Paul says. Here's the reason why. For it is written in the law of Moses. You shall not muzzle an ox. While it treads out the grain.

And so. All the seminarians. Who needed to be taken down a peg or two. Well, you bunch of dumb old oxes. Even they get grain. So you get paid too. Don't get a big head. That kind of thing. But then, Paul writes.

Is it oxen God is concerned about? Now. If you don't know. An ox. That was your tractor. Use your ox for everything. Treading out the grain. After. You use the ox to plow the field. And you sowed the field.

And then you harvested. All of the grain. And brought it back. You would throw it into your threshing floor. And then. You would attach a very heavy sled. To your ox. Put them on some sort of ring. That goes round and round.

And have them walk round and round. On the threshing floor. And the sled and the hoofs of the ox. Would beat the grain. Separate the kernels of wheat. From the chaff. And when the ox was all done. Then you get in there with your fork.

And you throw it up into the sky. And the wind start blowing away the light chaff. And the heavy grain fall right back down. And so the law was don't muzzle the ox. As it's working. And going round and round.

It needs to every once in a while. Reach down there with his mouth. And grab some of that grain. And go munch munch munch as it's working. So snack while you work. Paul says is it oxen that God is concerned about?

What's the point of this? What did Paul just do? He just took the. He took the laws and the concerns. And the patterns of. Old covenant harvest. And he applied it to gospel ministry. Well what warrant.

Does he have for that Jesus? That's how Jesus talked about it. And so he. Takes his old covenant. Old law. This random case law in Moses. It says you know what this is really about? So. The old man. The old creation.

The former manner. All must be put off and left behind. When entering into Zion. As the nations come up into Christ. As we come up to this mountain we learn Christ. We put on Christ. This is much of our study.

In our summer session. This year in Ephesians 4. About how we were to be at peace with one another. To be in unity as a church. Where we were told time and again. How did you learn Christ? Or put on Christ?

Or consider the work of Christ as the entire. Context for why we should be at peace. So we are to put him. On us. We are to walk in his ways. He has the authority. He's the one who arbitrates. In Christ we are new creations.

In his new creation. We live according to. The new heavens and the new earth. Where righteousness dwells. And that's why we don't learn war anymore. Don't learn war. Anymore. Very interesting. What happens next is.

After talking about. The mountain of the house of the Lord. Zion. Jerusalem. The place where the law goes forth. Even Israel is invited. To Jerusalem. That's what we are going to look at next. Verse 5.

Israel is invited. To come to Jerusalem. The house of Jacob is invited to come to the temple. They are invited to come. To where they currently are not. But they need to come. They may be in a physical Jerusalem.

They may be on a physical mount. Zion. But they are not at the actual mount. Zion. They are not at the actual Jerusalem. Verse 5 invites them to come. We will be looking at that next time. Let's turn our attention to prayer requests.