Resisting God: The Ultimate Fool's Errand

In this sermon I will continue our exposition of Isaiah. We begin a new section at this point, in which Isaiah will once again reiterate the folly for Judah to trust in the nations. However, they never did really learn this lesson, and in this chapter we see the displeasure of God at their stubborn resistance to His will. It is the epitome of folly to resist God, yet that is exactly what fallen man has done ever since the fall. And, in this case, even the covenant people of God were guilty of the same folly. In this chapter Isaiah begins with the displeasure of God at Ephraim, and then describes the same thing with respect to Judah, and concludes that even Jerusalem will not escape divine judgment. The reason for the downfall of each is their arrogance, which is rooted in their deep-seated pride. They persist in their rebellion against God, even when He sends His prophets to warn them. For such resistance there is no remedy! Isaiah concludes with an illustration about just how stupid it is for them to resist God. I conclude the sermon by making an application to the life of the Christian. May the Lord grant us understanding of His holy word.