The document analyzes the question "What aileth thee now?" posed by the prophet Isaiah. It summarizes that the main issues were: 1) the illusion of security from threats, 2) the illusion of finding happiness through reckless pleasure-seeking, and 3) the illusion of self-reliance without relying on God. The question calls the people to recognize these illusions and accept God's invitation to action by turning to him for true security, joy and reliance.

1. 8/12/17
WHAT AILETH THEE
NOW?
Isa 22:1-2
The burden of the valley of vision.
What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone
up to the housetops?
2) Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a
joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the
sword, nor dead in battle.
The prophet sees the inhabitants crowded together
upon the housetops, in a state of animated
merriment (vers. 1, 2).
Outside the walls an army threatens the town (vers.
5-7).

2. 2
Preparations have been made for resistance, which
are described (vers. 8-11); but there has been no
turning to God.
On the contrary, the danger has made the bulk of
the people reckless.
Instead of humbling themselves and putting on
sackcloth, and crying for God’s mercy, they
determine to drown care in drink and sensual
enjoyment (vers. 12, 13).
Isaiah attempts to rouse their sanity by asking a
thought provoking question…
What aileth thee now?
I. “WHAT”(NOT WHO) THE ILLUSION OF
SECURITY
The Illusion of Security was the problem…

3. 3
When Zebah and Zalmunna were taken by
Gideon
Judg 8:11-12
And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt
in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and
smote the host: for the host was secure.
12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued
after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah
and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
The Illusion of Security was the problem…
When the Danites sent five men to take a city
Judg 18:7
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and
saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt
careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet
and secure; and there was no magistrate in the
land, that might put them to shame in any thing;
and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no
business with any man.

4. 4
The Illusion of Security was the problem…
When God announced judgment on Israel, for
iniquities
Hos 4:7
As they were increased, so they sinned against me:
therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Zeph 2:15
This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly,
that said in her heart, I am, and there is none
beside me: how is she become a desolation, a
place for beasts to lie down in! every one that
passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
The Illusion of Security was the problem…
When God drown the earth in the flood; and
will be the problem when he returns at
Armageddon
Luke 17:26-27
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also
in the days of the Son of man.

5. 5
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives,
they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe
entered into the ark, and the flood came, and
destroyed them all.
 “WHAT” the Illusion of Security
What aileth thee now? “AILETH”
II. “AILETH” THE ILLUSION OF HAPPINESS
These phony physicians have self-prescribe,
merriment as the cure for what ails them.
The Illusion of Happiness was the problem…
When Zebulun, Naphtali and Galilee were
depopulated by Tiglath-pileser (2Kng 15:29)
Isa 9:3
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased
the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy

6. 6
in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide
the spoil.
Isa 22:2
Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a
joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the
sword, nor dead in battle.
Joy is an illusion when it is…
Rooted in Self-Security
The Result of Recklessness
Not from God
The Illusion of Happiness was the problem…
When the young man in Prov. seeks friendship
with ungodly men.
Prov 23:6-8
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye,
neither desire thou his dainty meats:

7. 7
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and
drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou
vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
 “WHAT” the Illusion of Security
 “AILETH” the Illusion of happiness
What aileth thee now?
III. “THEE” THE ILLUSION OF SELF-RELIANCE
The Illusion of Self-reliance was the problem…
When Judah was threatened by the Assyrians
Isa 22:12-13
And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to
weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to
girding with sackcloth:
13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen,
and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine:
let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

8. 8
The Illusion of Self-reliance was the problem…
When the rich man decided to retire
Luke 12:19-20
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.
20 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?
The Illusion of Self-reliance is the problem…
When a young man decides he will control his
own destiny
Eccl 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy
heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk
in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine
eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God
will bring thee into judgment.

9. 9
The Illusion of Self-reliance is the problem…
When a young woman sets out to “enjoy life”
1Tim 5:6
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she
liveth.
The Illusion of Self-reliance is the problem…
When the carnal Christian tries to hold hands
with God and the world
2Tim 3:4
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God;
The Illusion of Self-reliance will be the problem…
When Babylon stands before God at the
judgment
Rev 18:7
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived
deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give

10. 10
her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am
no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
 “WHAT” the Illusion of Security
 “AILETH” the Illusion of Happiness
 “THEE” the Illusion of Self- reliance
What aileth thee now?
IV. “NOW” THE INVITATION TO ACTION
Four times the scripture gives this warning and
invitation: (three times it is in a vs 7, once in vs
15 [3*5])
Ps 95:7-8
For he is our God; and we are the people of his
pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye
will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and
as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

11. 11
Heb 3:7
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye
will hear his voice,
Heb 3:15
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Heb 4:7
Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To
day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye
will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
God only is the basis for joy.
We can rejoice in what we possess; it’s God-given.
We can rejoice in what we lose; the Lord taketh
away.

12. 12
We can rejoice in the future; "the Lord doth
provide."
We can rejoice in the darkness and peril of life; "he
that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”
CONCLUSION:
What aileth thee now?
For the Christian in submission to God the answer is
nothing;
If you can supply any other answer to the question-
That is what will control you.
Ps 7:9 …the righteous God trieth the hearts and
reins.
Jer 12:2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have
taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit:
thou art near in their mouth, and far from their
reins.

13. 13
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the
reins, even to give every man according to his
ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Isa 9:13-17
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth
them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head
and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and
the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err;
and they that are led of them are destroyed.
17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their
young men, neither shall have mercy on their
fatherless and widows: for every one is an
hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth
speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned
away, but his hand is stretched out still.

14. 14
What aileth thee now?
I. “WHAT”(not who) The Illusion of Security
II. “AILETH” The Illusion of Happiness
III. “THEE” The Illusion of Self-Reliance
IV. “NOW” The Invitation to Action
Conclusion: