Is8:16-22 For Signs and Wonders

# For Signs <br> and Wonders
# <span class="zh">預兆 和 奇蹟</span>
## Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:16-22

[Dominik QN, Thailand](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

>>>

---

# What is the purpose of [family](#/outline)?
# <span class="zh">**家庭**的目的<br>是什麼?</span>

>>>
+ Is it raise a **son**, so 
  + he will **care** for me in old age?
+ To leave a **legacy**
  + so I will be **remembered**?
+ **Achieve** what I could not?
+ **Isaiah** lived in unstable times
+ but God had **purpose** for his family
  + be a **witness** to God's **power**

---
[16](# "ref")
Bind up the **testimony**; <br/>
seal the **teaching** among my disciples.

<div class="zh">
你要捲起律**法書**， <br>
在我門徒中間封住**訓誨**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:16 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/9)](# "ref")

---
[17](# "ref")
I will **wait** for the Lord, <br/>
who is **hiding** his face
from the house of Jacob,<br/>
and I will **hope** in him.

<div class="zh">
我要**等候** <br>
那**掩面不顧**雅各家的耶和華； <br>
我也要**仰望**他。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:17 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/9)](# "ref")

---
[18](# "ref")
Behold, I and the **children** <br/>
whom the Lord has given me <br>
are **signs** and portents in Israel from the<br>
**Lord** of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.

<div class="zh">
看哪， 我與耶和華所給我的**兒女**，<br>
就是從住在錫安山萬軍之**耶和華**來的，<br>
在以色列中作為**預兆**和**奇蹟**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:18 (ESV/CUV) (p.3/9)](# "ref")

---
[19](# "ref")
And when they say to you, <br/>
“Inquire of the **mediums** and the <br/>
necromancers who chirp and mutter,”

<div class="zh">
有人對你們說：<br>
當求問那些**交鬼**的和行**巫術**的，<br>
就是聲音綿蠻， 言語微細的。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:19a (ESV/CUV) (p.4/9)](# "ref")

---
should not a people inquire of their **God**? <br/>
Should they inquire of the **dead** <br/>
on behalf of the **living**?

<div class="zh">
你們便回答說：<br>
百姓不當求問自己的**神**嗎？<br>
豈可為**活人**求問**死人**呢？
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:19b (ESV/CUV) (p.5/9)](# "ref")

---
[20](# "ref")
To the **teaching** and to the **testimony**! <br>
If they will not speak according to this **word**, <br/>
it is because they have no **dawn**.

<div class="zh">
人當以**訓誨**和**法度**為標準； <br>
他們所說的， 若不與此**相符**， <br>
必不得見**晨光**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:20 (ESV/CUV) (p.6/9)](# "ref")

---
[21](# "ref")
They will pass through the land, <br/>
greatly **distressed** and hungry.

<div class="zh">
他們必經過這地， <br>
受**艱難**， 受**飢餓**；
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:21a (ESV/CUV) (p.7/9)](# "ref")

---
And when they are hungry, <br/>
they will be **enraged** <br>
and will speak **contemptuously** <br/>
against their **king** and their **God**,

<div class="zh">
飢餓的時候， 心中**焦躁**， <br>
**咒罵**自己的**君王**和自己的**神**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:21b (ESV/CUV) (p.8/9)](# "ref")

---
and turn their faces **upward**. <br>
[22](# "ref")
And they will look to the **earth**, <br/>
but behold, **distress** and darkness, <br/>
the gloom of anguish. <br>
And they will be thrust into thick **darkness**.

<div class="zh">
仰觀**上天**， 俯察**下地**， 不料， <br>
盡是**艱難**、 **黑暗**， 和幽暗的**痛苦**。<br>
他們必被趕入烏黑的**黑暗中**去。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:22 (ESV/CUV) (p.9/9)](# "ref")

---

## For Signs and Wonders [(Is8)](# "ref")
1. The Remnant **Waiting** Upon the Lord <br>
  <span class="zh">餘民**等候**耶和華</span> [(v16-17)](# "ref")
1. The **Wonders** of God's Judgment <br>
  <span class="zh">神審判的**奇蹟**</span> [(v18)](# "ref")
1. The **Word** Dwelling Among Us <br>
  <span class="zh">神的**話**住在我們中間</span> [(v19-22)](# "ref")

[Dominik QN, Thailand](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

>>>
+ Our purpose as a family is to:
  + **Wait** for God to fulfill promises
  + **Testify**: God's power + judgment
  + Turn to God's **Word**:
  + and word made **flesh**, Jesus Christ
+ Along the way, look at 3 **children**
  + whose **names** each have important meaning.

---

**Bind** up the **testimony**; <br/>
**seal** the **teaching** among my disciples.

<div class="zh">
你要捲起律**法書**， <br>
在我門徒中間封住**訓誨**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:16 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[© 2013 Tilemahos Efthimiadis, CC-BY-SA 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/telemax/8605734851/ "caption")

>>>
+ **bind/seal**: to remember/save 
  + not to **conceal**
  + but **preserve** for future
+ God's word will **surely** be fulfilled
+ ⇒ **remember** His promises
  + Isaiah **responds**:

---

I will **wait** for the Lord, <br/>
who is **hiding** his face
from the house of Jacob,<br/>
and I will **hope** in him.

<div class="zh">
我要**等候** <br>
那**掩面不顧**雅各家的耶和華； <br>
我也要**仰望**他。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:17 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Milada Vigerova](https://unsplash.com/photos/iQWvVYMtv1k "caption")

>>>
+ At this time, **Judah** was **threatened**
  + by 2 nations: **Aram** + **Israel**
+ Judah's King **Ahaz** was **wicked**:
  + trusted in own **army** + **allies**
+ felt like God **hid** His face
  + had **forgotten** them
+ **hope** in God's promises
+ In ch7 just prior, God tells Isaiah
  + to **instruct** King Ahaz:

---

Go out to meet Ahaz, <br/>
you and **Shear-Jashub** your son ...<br>
Say to him, "Be careful, be **quiet**, do not fear"

<div class="zh">
你和你的兒子**施亞雅述**出去，...<br>
去迎接亞哈斯， 對他說：<br>
你要**謹慎安靜**， 不要 ... 害怕
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 7:3-4 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[qinghill, Parit, Malaysia](https://unsplash.com/photos/x8MZ2MoEKLE "caption")

>>>
+ "careful": **watch** (yourself), 
  + to **keep** God's commands
+ "**quiet**": undisturbed, not shaken
+ ⇒ **trust** in God
  + not **own** strength
+ God told Isaiah to bring **son**:
  + sign of God's **redemption**:
+ *She-ar ya-shub*: a **remnant** will return
+ Core **message** of book of Isaiah
  + e.g., Isaiah's **calling** in ch6:

---

But as the terebinth and oak <br/>
leave **stumps** when they are cut down, <br>
so the **holy seed** will be the stump in the land.

<div class="zh">
像**栗樹**、 **橡樹**雖被砍伐，<br>
**樹墩子**卻仍存留。<br>
這**聖潔的種類**在國中也是如此。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 6:13 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[qinghill, Parit, Malaysia](https://unsplash.com/photos/x8MZ2MoEKLE "caption")

>>>
+ warning of **disaster**, judgment
+ **stump**: stone, obelisk, (fort)
  + strong, not uprooted
+ "holy Seed" is **singular**:
  + **Jesus** is our strong fortress
  + (Gen3:15: Seed will crush serpent)
+ e.g. when kid was small:
  + I need to use washroom
  + **promise** will return
  + kid is scared
  + but learns I **always** come back
+ I'm unable to fulfill every promise
+ but **God** does:

---

For as many as are the **promises** of God, <br/>
in Him they are **yes**; <br>
therefore also through Him is our **Amen**

<div class="zh">
神的**應許**， 不論有多少， <br>
在基督都是**是的**。<br>
所以藉著他也都是 **阿們** 的
</div>

[2 Corinthians 歌林多後書 1:20 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/fgmf2Eyrwm4 "caption")

>>>
+ God doesn't **change mind**: "yes/no"
+ **Promises** of God are **always** YES
+ praying "**Amen**" means:
  + **trust** God's faithfulness
  + **obey** His commands

---

## Is our family **waiting** for God to save His **remnant**?
## <span class="zh">我的家庭在**等候**神<br>拯救衪的**餘民**嗎?</span>

>>>
+ when feels like God **hides** His face
+ **trust** His promises
+ just **obey** what He says
  + entrust the **rest** to Him

---

## For Signs and Wonders [(Is8)](# "ref")
1. The Remnant Waiting Upon the Lord <br>
  <span class="zh">餘民等候耶和華</span> [(v16-17)](# "ref")
1. **The Wonders of God's Judgment** <br>
  <span class="zh">**神審判的奇蹟**</span> [(v18)](# "ref")
1. The Word Dwelling Among Us <br>
  <span class="zh">神的話住在我們中間</span> [(v19-22)](# "ref")

[Dominik QN, Thailand](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

>>>
+ as a **family** together, we:
+ (1) **wait** on God's promises
+ (2) **testify** to God's power + mercy

---

Behold, I and the **children** <br/>
whom the Lord has given me <br>
are **signs** and **portents** in Israel from the<br>
Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.

<div class="zh">
看哪， 我與耶和華所給我的**兒女**，<br>
就是從住在錫安山萬軍之**耶和華**來的，<br>
在以色列中作為**預兆**和**奇蹟**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:18 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Steven Van Loy, Biarritz, France](https://unsplash.com/photos/oUhSla4L_98 "caption")

>>>
+ **sign**: points to God 
  + We don't marvel at a **freeway sign**
  + We focus on the **destination**
+ **wonder**: miracle, amazement:
  + draws **attention**
  + but not to **our** success
  + to **God's** power
+ 2nd **child** of Isaiah named
  + beginning of ch8:

---

Call his name **Maher-shalal-hash-baz**; <br/>
[4](# "ref")
for before the boy knows how to cry  <br/>
‘My **father**’ or ‘My **mother**,’

<div class="zh">
給他起名叫**瑪黑珥沙拉勒哈施罷斯**；<br>
因為在這小孩子不曉得**叫父叫母**之先，
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:3-4 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
(p.1/2)

---

the wealth of **Damascus**  <br/>
and the spoil of **Samaria**  <br/>
will be **carried away** before the king of Assyria.

<div class="zh">
**大馬色**的財寶和**撒瑪利亞**的擄物<br>
必在亞述王面前**搬了去**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:3-4 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ son was sign of coming **judgment**:
  + *Maher-shalal-hash-baz*
  + "swift-plunder-haste-prey"
  + pretty **awful** name, eh?
+ **testify** to God's coming **judgment**
  + **hero** of story is **God**, not me
+ God used Assyria to **defeat** all 3:
  + Aram, Israel, Judah
  + all this while kid is still a **baby**
+ e.g., summer **missions** w/parents
  + I'm just a **kid**, what can I do?
  + ⇒ **Lazarus**, after raised:

______

+ ref: **Aram** defeats Ahaz (2Ch 28:5)
  + Ahaz worships Aramean **gods** (2Ch 28:22-23) (Is 8:6) 
  + **Assyria** conquers Aram (2Ki 16)
  + then **Israel** (17), and **Judah** (18)

---

Jesus came to Bethany, where **Lazarus** was, <br/>
whom Jesus had **raised** from the dead.

[John 約翰福音 12:1 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/4)](# "ref")
[Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet, "The Raising of Lazarus", 1706](# "caption")

>>>
(p.1/4)

---

So they gave a **dinner** for him there. <br/>
Lazarus was one of those **reclining** <br/>
with him at table.

<div class="zh">
有人在那裡給耶穌預備**筵席**； <br>
拉撒路也在那同耶穌**坐席**的人中。
</div>

[John 約翰福音 12:2 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/4)](# "ref")
[Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet, "The Raising of Lazarus", 1706](# "caption")

>>>
(p.2/4)

---

When the large **crowd** of the Jews <br/>
learned that **Jesus** was there, they **came**,

<div class="zh">
有**許多**猶太人知道**耶穌**在那裡，<br>
就**來了**，
</div>

[John 約翰福音 12:9a (ESV/CUV) (p.3/4)](# "ref")
[Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet, "The Raising of Lazarus", 1706](# "caption")

>>>
(p.3/4)

---

not only on account of **him**, <br/>
but also to see **Lazarus**, <br/>
whom he had **raised** from the dead.

<div class="zh">
**不但**是為耶穌的緣故，<br>
也是要看他從死裡所**復活**的**拉撒路**。
</div>

[John 約翰福音 12:9b (ESV/CUV) (p.4/4)](# "ref")
[Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet, "The Raising of Lazarus", 1706](# "caption")

>>>
+ v10-11 Jews planned to **kill** Lazarus
  + (they should know Jesus can just **raise** him again!)
+ **How** did Laz **testify** to Jesus' power?
  + perform a mighty **miracle**?
  + no, just eating **dinner**!
+ We **do** need to use **words** to communicate the gospel
+ But our testimony is **also**:
  + I was **dead** in sin,
  + now am **alive** in Christ!

<div class="zh">
看哪， 我與耶和華所給我的**兒女**，<br>
就是從住在錫安山萬軍之**耶和華**來的，<br>
在以色列中作為**預兆**和**奇蹟**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:18 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Steven Van Loy, Biarritz, France](https://unsplash.com/photos/oUhSla4L_98 "caption")

>>>
+ point to God's **power** + **judgment**
+ kids love our **stories**:
  + of **stupid** things we did when we were **young**
  + of our **struggles** / emotions
  + of **God's** faithfulness
+ e.g. dad's lifelong struggle w/**anger**
  + remorse, saying "sorry"
  + **prayer** asking God to change him
+ not how **holy** our family is
  + but how **merciful** God is

---

# What is my family a **testimony** of?
# <span class="zh">我的家庭是<br>怎麼樣的**見証**?</span>

>>>
+ **boast** of our accomplishments?
  + scholarships, work promotions, sports trophies?
+ or our **weakness**
+ that God's **power** may be known?

---

## For Signs and Wonders [(Is8)](# "ref")
1. The Remnant Waiting Upon the Lord <br>
  <span class="zh">餘民等候耶和華</span> [(v16-17)](# "ref")
1. The Wonders of God's Judgment <br>
  <span class="zh">神審判的奇蹟</span> [(v18)](# "ref")
1. **The Word Dwelling Among Us** <br>
  <span class="zh">**神的話住在我們中間**</span> [(v19-22)](# "ref")

[Dominik QN, Thailand](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

>>>
+ (1) **wait** for God's promises
+ (2) **testify** to God's power
+ (3) **show** the world who our **help** is:
  + our source of **security**
  + in **unstable** times

---

And when they say to you, <br/>
“Inquire of the **mediums** [...]" <br>
should not a people inquire of their **God**? <br/>

<div class="zh">
有人對你們說：<br>
當求問那些**交鬼**的和行**巫術**的，<br>
... 你們便**回答**說：<br>
百姓不當求問自己的**神**嗎？<br>
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:19 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Nathan Anderson, Silverthorne, Colorado](https://unsplash.com/photos/mKA3VavSuaI "caption")

>>>
+ people of **Judah** living in **fear**
  + threat of unwinnable **war**
+ where we **turn** in times of **crisis**
  + reflects what we truly **believe**

---

To the **teaching** and to the **testimony**! <br>
If they will not speak according to this **word**, <br/>
it is because they have no **dawn**.

<div class="zh">
人當以**訓誨**和**法度**為標準； <br>
他們所說的， 若不與此**相符**， <br>
必不得見**晨光**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:20 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/1EbsMYrAu-s "caption")

>>>
+ **instr**: Torah, God's **design** for us 
  + **testimy**: witness, God's **work** in us
+ **fathers**: take lead in **reading** Bible
  + **teach** kids acc. to God's Word
  + not **own** authority
+ **light of dawn**: Word as **lamp**
  + (Ps 119:105)

---

And when they are hungry, <br/>
they will be **enraged** <br>
and will speak **contemptuously** <br/>
against their **king** and their **God**,

<div class="zh">
飢餓的時候， 心中**焦躁**， <br>
**咒罵**自己的**君王**和自己的**神**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:21b (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Dylan Roberts, Strumble Head Lighthouse, UK](https://unsplash.com/photos/ndsRLeQBlsA "caption")

>>>
+ first **up**: curse king/God 
  + blame **authority** figures
+ e.g., little kid **runs** into a table:
  + "bad table", let's hit the table
+ ⇒ teaches him to **blame** others:
  + "bad teacher", boss, spouse, etc.!
+ ultimately, we blame **God**
  + for our **frustrations** + anger

---

And they will look to the **earth**, <br/>
but behold, **distress** and darkness, <br/>
the gloom of anguish.

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:22 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Dylan Roberts, Strumble Head Lighthouse, UK](https://unsplash.com/photos/ndsRLeQBlsA "caption")

>>>
+ but fighting against God is **futile**
+ **down**: darkness, distress, frustration 
+ **this** is the world we live in!
  + **fear** of uncertain future
  + **anger** at authority + God
  + **frustration** at own futility
+ ⇒ but there is **hope**:
  + now we come to 3rd **child**:

---

Therefore the **Lord** himself <br/>
will give you a **sign**.  Behold, <br>
the **virgin** shall conceive and bear a son, <br/>
and shall call his name **Immanuel**.

<div class="zh">
**主自己**要給你們一個**兆頭**，<br>
必有**童女**懷孕生子，<br>
給他起名叫**以馬內利**
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 7:14 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Rembrandt, "Simeon's Song of Praise", 1631](# "caption")

>>>
+ Even when **we** lack faith,
  + God already had a **plan**
+ **Immanuel**: God with us
  + not **unreachable** in heaven
  + but God in **human** form
+ ch9: light **dawns** in the darkness
+ Jesus: came to **redeem** us
  + pay for our **sins** on cross
+ ⇒ this is the **light**
  + our world needs to **see**!

---

## Does my family <br> point to God's **light** <br> in this **dark** world?
## <span class="zh">在這**黑暗**世界中, 我的<br>家庭有指向神的**亮光**嗎?</span>

>>>
+ **darkness** in world today
+ but point to **light** in Immanuel
  + God with us
+ Let's **read** together v18,
  + use it as a **dedication**:
+ may our **families**
  + point to Jesus' **light**:

---

Behold, I and the **children** <br/>
whom the Lord has given me <br>
are **signs** and **portents** in Israel from the<br>
Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.

<div class="zh">
看哪， 我與耶和華所給我的**兒女**，<br>
就是從住在錫安山萬軍之**耶和華**來的，<br>
在以色列中作為**預兆**和**奇蹟**。
</div>

[Isaiah 以賽亞書 8:18 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Dominik QN, Thailand](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

---