Isaiah 9
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For Unto Us a Child is Born
For Unto Us a Child is Born
What has Isaiah talked about thus far....
Chapter 9, here in Isaiah, is a chapter full of hope. There is a forward look at what God is doing in the nation, and for that matter the world as he is preparing for the Messiah to come…
And while it is several hundred years in the future, hope is still destined to come to this people and nation.
And think of this, Hope brightens our day and our outlook. And while the people are about to go into captivity because of their sin, God has not forgot his people nor the future that awaits them.
So lets open the chapter....
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
So as we open this verse, there is a promise being offered, there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish.
So there is a promise of hope.
The hope is for the entire nation, when Isaiah refers to Zebulun and Naphtali, he is speaking to the area in the north. So thinking of those northern tribes that would go into captivity.
And even the land beyond the Jordan and Galilee of the nations, this speaks of the rest of the nation. And the Galilee if the place were Jesus began His public ministry.
So the people of God will finally play a part in God’s future work. The will be turned from sadness to joy with the appearing of God’s Messiah
Now let me take you to Matthew chapter 4
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
The nation will have a future blessing, they will pass from darkness to light.
Now, lets look at verse 2
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
So here the prophetic royal birth announcement begins.
Listen in previous times, the people walked in darkness. Who did? Well the people of Israel, and yes the entire world as well.
They were walking or living in darkness, in sin and in their previous ways they hid their faces from God.
But a light has been seen and it has brought joy to the nation and world.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
Because of this, the Lord increases joy and the people rejoice because of it. The people one day will not longer be a small promised remnant, instead they will be many
The people will rejoice, there will be joy, like the joy seen in a massive harvest. They were also given the picture of joy that is seen among the people when a large spoil is divide among them when an enemy is plundered.
Those who fought the battle bring back treasure and divide it among the people and increase their worth, this makes them happy.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
Here Isaiah speaks to God’s great victory over Midian ( as we see in Judges 6-7), Isaiah is predicting that God will shatter or break the oppressive yoke of the enemy.
The yoke, bar and rod, were instruments used ot dominate people and force them to work physically like slaves. And when this wasn’t happening, the enemies placed heavy burdens on the people and taxes them. In the future the people would be taxed to help support the invading kingdoms.
Here in America, England placed heavy taxes to help pay for the English soldiers and the battles they fought here on the ground in America.
IN verse 5 Isaiah says, the boots and the bloody garments of those who oppressed them will be burned in fire, it symbolizes the victory of a Holy God, where the spoils here are given to God and burned before him as a offering.
If there is a truth we can remember my friends, God always wins!
And with the news of His victory, another special item is announced, hope for the nation and world.
Now lets look at verses 6-7
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
God gives the news of a birth of the child, but not only a child, a son! One who can take over the reign and kingdom of David, the great king of nation
So God will give to us a Son! that is to the people of Judah, for he would be from the line of Judah.
And while no date is given, the future is going to be blessed because of this Son.
And Isaiah tells us something so unique. His name will be called. That phrase is so very important, for it tells us the character and the role this Son will have in the world.
So this phrase “His name will be called” this is not a passive wording, it is very much active, present. This will happened and His name will be....Yes.
So listen to these names or titles....
Wonderful Counselor: It combines the idea of doing something wonderful and miraculous person who will give wise advise, making plans and good safe counsel.
Since God is the source of all miraculous event and his plans are the wisest counsel to follow, God will work tin and through his Son to demonstrate his wisdom to fulfill wondrous things.
Mighty God: This phrase is similar to the name of Ezekiel, “God will be my strength”… We could say that God is mighty or God is a mighty warrior
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
There is no one like our God! Amen. He is entirely capable, strong and nothing can oppose Him.
Everlasting Father: Father is a rare way of describing God in the Hebrew Bible, it is there. Yet here the idea is “My Father is eternal” or He is the “father of eternity. The Lord Jesus is the same of course since He is the Father.
4 Have you not just now called to me,
‘My father, you are the friend of my youth—
10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Yet this is a fitting title for God Son, the King who is everlasting, His kingdom will not end. He will establish the throne of God, literally David’s throne forever. Listen to this....
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
Prince of Peace: A king always wants to bring peace and prosperity to his people. Peace alludes to a time of no more fighting, God’s people will not be oppressed again, they will find rest from their enemies and they will enjoy the prosperity of God’s favor.
And verse 7 tells us 4 things about this kingdom and government.... Listen again to Isa 9:7
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
A. When the Son takes his throne and rules, this government will know no end, it will be limitless.. His influence and ability to create peace will be without end. The promise tells us that no one will be able to successfully oppose his authority or undermine the positive effects of his great rule.
B. In contrast to these Kings those current kings like Ahaz who will see their reign end, God’s son will never see an end to his kingdom, it is eternal.
Jesus will rule on the throne of David and reestablish His kingdom.
C. His principles of justice and righteousness will define how our Lord rules. How could he do anything less, He is the righteous judge.
D. Finally, Isaiah offers a rhetorical assurance to his people. God almighty will accomplish these things. With his zeal, determination and passion the Lord will concentrate his efforts to accomplish this marvelous deed.
So what do we see here, what does all this mean....
These prophecy functions as a reassurance that God almighty will establish the Davidic dynasty. This is certain, in spite of how terrible or dark the times become… and during Ahaz reign it was pretty dark. God will accomplish this...
He is a great and powerful God. What he says he will do.
stop here....