Isaiah 7: 14: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15: Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
This was the sign--the Surety of and Substance within Isaiah-the One in whom God promised to preserve and deliver his chosen, tenth, the remnant of his people. Isaiah knew Christ his Surety because Isaiah beheld his glory (Isa 6: 1-7.) The Holy Seed was the Life in Isaiah, the hope of glory within Isaiah which persuaded him that God's covenant was ordered and sure and the One who was all his salvation.Therefore Isaiah's gospel was concering this One: Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Behold, the Seed of woman, the Seed promised to Abraham, the Holy Seed in whom the Lord's remnant would return, and the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Gen 3: 15; Gal 3: 16; Isa 6: 13; Luk 1: 35.)
Because of what this name Immanuel means there is not the remotest possibility that God's chosen remnant shall go unsaved. Isaiah 8: 9: Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. 10: Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. Immanuel. He said, Isaiah 48: 9: For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
Butter and honey shall he eat. This is peace-time food. The Sovereign of heaven and earth paused the enemies of Judah long enough to send forth Isaiah saying he is coming; the Lord paused the wars of desolation long enough for THE Prophet to stand up in the synagogue and say, "I AM is come." Also, in this one eating butter and honey we behold that God was with us in human flesh. Thirdly, this butter and honey on his lips speaks of grace on his lips. Because of his gracious intercession his people are preserved. The will of God would be his delight. The law of God would be the girdle of his loins. Because of truth and meekness and righteousness, Immanuel, the Right Hand of God, would come teaching mighty things. Truth requires that mercy can only be given to the guilty when the guilty have paid their eternal debt. Yet, this debt can not be paid by the guilty, only by one who is holy and willing to become a curse in their place. God in human flesh--Immanuel--the Holy Seed--is the Life who must come and put away the sin of his people.
Ahaz, "you are besieged with sin. The enemy has you surrounded. There is but one who can come to his chosen nation and free his people from the wrath of God, from sin, from death and hell." This One is Christ the King who has come, who has put away the sin of his people, and who is risen again for our justification. Look to no other. This is the One in whom God's everlasting covenant is yes and amen.
This is the One who knew to choose the good and refuse the evil. Ahaz was king in Judah. Are you king? Ahaz chose the evil of making a covenant with the king of Assyria and refused the good of trusting the covenant God made in Christ.
Immanuel is the King of Righteousness. He chose the good and refused the evil. The king of Assyria came to Ahaz and promised him the world and Ahaz said, "I will take it. I'll make my covenant with death. I'll forsake the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth and put my trust in this weak, temporary pawn called the king of Assyria." The prince of this world came to Immanuel and promised him all the kingdoms in all the earth throughout all the ages, and the King of Righteousness refused this evil offer. He chose rather to suffer the affliction, the stripes that were the just deserts of his people, that his people might be made the righteousness of God in him, freed from all oppression, and made free indeed.
This was Isaiah's gospel and this is my gospel to you: the will of our LORD shall be performed. Substance remains within the believer. There is a Holy Seed which will save a holy people. God's promise and purpose can not be frustrated, Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things (Joe 2:21.)
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Of Princeton, New Jersey
LOCATION & TELEPHONE Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor 150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553 Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday 10 AM Bible Class 11 AM Morning Worship Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service (The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)
For those who might like to visit us without missing their regular services, we welcome you to join us for our Thursday night mid-week service.