Waiting for the Consummation of the Messiah

Introduction

Turn with me in your Bibles to Isaiah 9. We are going to read the first 7 verses. As you are turning there, I want to set the course for where we are headed this morning. This morning we are Waiting for the Consummation of the Savior; in other words, we are waiting for the birth to be completed. I want to look at this in three ways. 1. The Reality of the Situation (vv.1-2), 2. The Work of the Messiah (vv.3-5), and 3. What His Consummation looks like (vv.6-7).

1. The Reality of the Situation (vv.1-2)

First we need to see the The Reality of the Situation as it was in Isaiah’s day. As we do, we come to a familiar place, a place of great distress. Judah is the object of our first point because they will be in dire straits and looking for a way out. There is one thing that we must remember when we read about people being in places of great distress and that is that the Lord does not leave them in that place. That is where we begin in verse 1. In contrast to 8:21-22 which paints a bleak picture, the beginning of chapter 9 is a promise of deliverance.

Look at chapter 8:21. I am going to read verses 21 and 22 to give a little bit of back drop as to what is going on. Read the verses. There is an impending invasion that is headed there way. This invasion is different from the others that we have looked at. Why? This invasion is by two parties. It is led by Pekah the king of Israel and Rezin the leader of the Syrians.

2 Kings 16 gives the background of Isaiah 8 and also magnifies the beauty of chapter 9. 2 Kings 16:5-7 tells us that Pekah and Rezin did not capture Israel, but that they were wounded as a country and, in response to the attack, Ahaz ran to the king of Assyria for deliverance. This is the state of Judah at the time. It is a time of “dire straits,” which is, unfortunately, an all to common place they dwelled.

The beginning of Isaiah 9 gives a The gloom refers to the condition of the people of Judah. It must be said that they are being disciplined for their sin and this it is told to us in 8:6 that they “refused the waters of Shiloah.” In other words, Ahaz rejects God (Isaiah 7:12), he is “sieged” by Syria and Israel. And what was his response? He sacrificed to the gods of the people that defeated him. And he did this willingly. There was no pressure from Syria to worship their gods. This was done voluntarily as 2 Chronicles 28:23 says, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.”

Coming back to Isaiah 8:22, the worship that Ahaz offers to the gods of Syria is in vain. We know this because no god, but the true God can offer any salvation. Judah will go through a long period of time of giving tribute to Assyria, and the living conditions because of the giving of tribute will decrease dramatically (2 Kings 16:8, 2 Chronicles 28:20-21). But this is what makes the beginning of Isaiah 9 so wonderful. How so? Isaiah 9:1 is the promise that Israel and Judah will not remain in that state forever.

Notice that verse 1 speaks of deliverance. Does it say the word deliver or deliverance, no? But there is a past tense connotation. “For her who was in anguish.” What does it mean to be in anguish? It means to be in “extreme pain or distress or to have great anxiety over” (Merriam-Webster). The promise is that there will be no gloom or a feeling of deep sorrow because of their circumstances.

There is a reflection on what had occurred a few years earlier at the hands of Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. We are told in 2 Kings 15:29 that Tiglath-Pileser conquered many cities and lands, Naphtali being one of them. This was a time of great distress.

Look with me at the middle of verse 1. God brought contempt upon them. Does this mean that God is evil, or mean? No. It means that Israel was vile and despicable in his sight. The same is true of Judah. This is why much of the OT deals with the topic of judgment. It is not that God is mean or evil, but that man is evil and does evil continually (Genesis 6:5). This contempt that is placed upon Israel is in the former time which is key for our understanding of this text. And as we have seen with several other passages this Advent season, the affliction and captivity that Israel and Judah faced was a near present reality, but it was never permanent. This is what makes the truth of the gospel and the joy of the Messiah come as a babe so delightful.

There is a promise of deliverance, but also of greatness. Look at the end of verse 1 with me. Here is the promise that their captivity and pain would not be forever. This would come in the promised Messiah as it is fulfilled in Matthew 4:15. Jesus comes from Israel to pronounce salvation to the entire world, hence the rendering “beyond the Jordan.”

Further there this promise is twofold. This gloriousness of verse 1 does not stay in Israel or Judah. It is to “Galilee of the nations.” Another way this could be read is the “Gentiles of the nations.” The people of Israel and Judah had no idea of the vastness of this promise. If this is not incredible enough for you, might I add that this was prophesied over 700 years before it would occur! Simply, amazing!

Verse 2 helps us to see the vastness of the promise. Look there with me. If you would take notice that there is no definitive nature to the word “people” in this verse. The darkness is the darkness of the spiritual. Yes, the people were in darkness by being exiled and taken captive, but what Isaiah gets at here is the spiritual darkness of people. The “walking” aspect of the darkness puts the spiritual into perspective for us. This darkness was a continual walk in their sin. I said that the text has no definitive nature for the word people, nor does it for darkness. See, the people and the darkness were the same back then as it is today. The people were dark, loving their sin.

Yet, there is a promise that a light will be seen. And what is this light? Better yet, who is this light? It is Christ as was read for us in Matthew 4:16. As we have seen with the other prophetic passages, the nation of Israel and/or Judah were in trouble from some foreign entity. Even in their affliction their was hope to be found in the coming king of the Jews.

This darkness is deep. Look at the end of verse 2. Notice the dwelling place is “a land of deep darkness.” 2 Chronicles 28:19, 25 tells us the current dark circumstances. “For the Lord humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had made Judah act sinfully and had been very unfaithful to the Lord…In every city of Judah he (Ahaz) made high places to make offerings to other gods, provoking to anger the Lord, the God of his fathers.”

Today people make high places too. There names are, abortion, same-sex marriage, inclusivity and diversity, tyranny, and tolerance, to name a few. They are in every corner of the United States.

But it doesn’t end here! The promise is that those who dwell in deep darkness “on them has light shone.” Now don’t get me wrong, this passage is not talking about the United States. It is speaking about real events in the lives of the people of Israel and Judah, but this is where the Old Testament gets real for us today. Why? Because we live in a land of deep darkness!

The only “way out” of darkness for the people of Israel and Judah was to trust in the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The only way out of darkness for the people of the United States (and the world at large) is to put their trust in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world!

2. The Work of the Messiah (vv.3-5)

Let us turn our attention to verse 3 as we see “The Work of the Messiah.” There are two works that are done in verse 3. That is the multiplication of the nation and the increased joy of the people. We will see these in order.

Implied in the multiplication of the nation is that real and genuine conversion takes place. Where do we see this? In verse 2, the people dwell in deep darkness and a light shines. This tells us that the light has merely been seen. What verses 3-5 help us to understand is that the salvation of God’s people is absolute and concrete. It also tells us that there is no darkness that can separate a human being from the love of Jesus Christ.

I had a conversation with a former co-worker from 10 plus years ago the other night at the Winter Spectacular at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. I recognized him and said hello. He said, you look familiar, and I told him that I was “Uncle Ben” a name that I was called at this job. We got to talking and he asked how I was doing, and I said I was well. He proceeded to tell me that there was something that I would not believe, and I said ok. He said that he had something in his life happen 6 months ago or so that led him to Christ. I said, “really?!” In shock, I might add. Not surprised that the Lord could save someone, but that it was Ross. See, when I first met Ross, we had some conversations about the gospel and he was a self-proclaimed atheist, a hater of God. And now, 10 plus years later the Lord has saved him and set him on fire for the things of the Lord! As I said a few moments ago, there is no darkness too deep to hinder salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, the multiplication of the nation piggy backs on the prior verse where Jesus will go “beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” This text refers to the people of God. The Hebrew word for ‘nation’ is “any people in contrast to Israel” (Mounce). So, after living in deep darkness, being enslaved to their sin, the people of God are regenerated and thus, are the people who make up the multiplication of the nation. Again, the people of Israel could not fathom the depths of this prophecy.

Matthew 4:12 says that Jesus “withdrew into Galilee.” This occurs after he has been tempted by Satan and declares him to ‘be gone’ from his presence. Why do I bring this up? As we see prophecy fulfilled we see it in an emphatic way. Not only did Jesus overcome the temptation of the devil, but afterward, he also shows his power and might by fulfilling Isaiah 9:3-5. The mission of Christ could not and cannot be stopped!

The second work that Christ does is the increasing of the joy of his people. The joy experienced is not by being delivered from captivity, but being delivered from the bondage of sin. Where does this come from? Well, it should not surprise us because right before Isaiah is commissioned, what does the first 7 verses of Isaiah 6 deal with? Isaiah’s sin! Turn back a page and let’s read Isaiah 6:3-7.

Since Christ is the one who frees men from sin, he is the only one who can truly increase the joy of human beings. Another way that this increase is applied is by seeing it as one who is living in darkness being changed into someone who is made excellent. And every Christian believer who has experienced this shares in this increase in joy. Did you know that the matter of your conversion story is not what is truly important? I have heard people say, my conversion is not as exciting as others are. Let me tell you that the miracle of conversion is no less miraculous based on the “story” of our lives. Our joy is not seeing the greatness of the change, but your joy and my joy is to be found in the fact that he would save any one of us at all. Isaiah’s conversion in chapter 6 might be amazing as we read of the vision he had, but the same Holy Spirit that radically changed Isaiah’s life has radically changed each one of our lives who trust in him.

What does that mean for those who may have not experienced this radical transformation? It means that as you sit here you still have the opportunity to experience it. You might be asking; how do I experience this change? Acknowledge your sin before God and confess it, repent of it, and trust in Jesus. That is what Isaiah did in verse 5. Was Isaiah so spectacular that he was saved? No. He was like everyone else in Israel and in the world, a sinner who was in desperate need of a Savior.

The work of the Messiah in verse 3 brings forth 2 similar responses. That is rejoicing and gladness. The rejoicing and gladness are experienced in two great events that marked Israel’s history, that is the harvest of food and the division of spoil after the conquest of a foreign land. In other words, the salvific response of God’s people is rejoicing and gladness that is unparalleled.

Verse 4 tells us about fierce oppression. All three objects (yoke, staff, and rod) speak of oppression against the people of Israel under captivity by the Assyrians and later the people of Judah under the oppression of the Babylonians. Keeping with the same theme the other prophets we have seen is that there are both prophesies that will be fulfilled in the near future (the capturing of Israel in 722 BC, 18 years after Isaiah writes this) and those far off (the capturing of Judah and Jerusalem in 586 BC).

The Messiah breaks the hand of all oppressors and oppression just as he did with the Midianites some 462 years before. This is in line with the great battle that the Lord won with only 300 men, using Gideon as his commander. Judges 6:1-6 details the severity of the oppression of the Midianites. Just as they were broken down (or destroyed) by God, so will the hand of every oppressor against his people. Jeremiah 30:8-9 tells us that there will be a day where the people of Jacob (Israel) will no longer be oppressed and enslaved by foreigners. This is a common theme in prophetic literature (Micah 7, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Zechariah 10).

Verse 5 is written with the sense being a multitude of warriors. So much so, that the Hebrew defines tumult as a confusing noise or an uproar that could cause a great vibration. The death of many oppressors because of their hand upon the Lord’s people, will be enough to fuel a fire for a long time. As part of the downfall of God in Ezekiel 39:9, he writes, “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years.”

The idea of Isaiah 9:5 is the same. The oppressor being eliminated is what brings hope to Israel in their time of captivity. The oppressor being eliminated today is the evil one who longs to see our demise. There are no two-ways about it, Satan is the oppressor of our day. To the unbeliever, he oppressed them by keeping them in their sin by blinding them (2 Corinthians 4:4) and to the believer he does so as the daily accuser before the Lord (Revelation 12:10).

The work of the Messiah is by someone powerful isn’t it? A great and mighty warrior type king who will liberate his people from oppression and sin!

3. What His Consummation looks like (vv.6-7)

It is with this that makes “What the Messiah’s Consummation looks like” so marvelous! How will this warrior type king come? Look at verse 6, as a “child.” Hard to believe! If you were to tell this to the people of Isaiah’s day, it would be unbelievable. How is a child being born going to defeat the mighty kings around us?

What we can be thankful for is that this prophecy is not in line with the current day in which it was written. What I mean is, is that what follows about the child Messiah is for the people of God as a whole. “To us a son is given” mirrors what Micah said in his prophecy. That there will be born the ruler and king of Israel (Micah 5:2). Jesus speaks of himself as the son who was given in John 3, another place where Jesus refers himself as the Son of God.

As we have encountered throughout this advent season together, this child is no ordinary child. And what is said of him following makes that abundantly clear. This child holds the nations in his hand. The word for government also means dominion. Not to be confused with a single governmental entity. The Messiah has dominion over all things. He is not only human like you, and I am. Jacob tells us as he blesses his son, Judah, about the dominion that the Christ will have. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Genesis 49:10). Psalm 2:5-8 also talks about the rule that the Messiah will have over the nations. The shoulder symbolizes that the Messiah will be able to bear the weight of it all. What Isaiah wants us to understand is that the Messiah who is to come is going to be a human being. He will be born. But he also wants to ingrain in our minds and, ultimately, our hearts, that the Messiah IS God!

With this in mind, Isaiah goes further and what follows is a unique description of this child. And when I say unique, I mean singular, as in attributed to no one else.

“The messianic title, “marvel of a counselor” or (wonderful counselor), points toward God’s Anointed continuing the marvelous acts of God” (Vines). There are several propositions for the meaning of the word. I like the way the KJV puts it. That the Messiah is Wonderful (miraculous) and Counselor (one whom we can go to with all of our concerns, triumphs, and worries). Isaiah 11:2 describes the Messiah this way. “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” The Holy Spirit is actively with the Messiah as he rules and counsels.

He is “mighty God.” This is one of many passages that give the self-proclaimed title of God to the Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 89:19, Isaiah 1:24, 49:1-7, Jeremiah 23:5, Titus 2:13 Hebrews 1:8). This title takes it a step further by calling him ‘Mighty God.’ Thus, implying that he is far superior than any other who would claim the title ‘god.’ In all the humility that Christ would come as a babe, he has all the power of God in him, because he is God.

Jesus is eternal. In Isaiah 63 and 64 the Lord is looked to as Father. He is sought after. He is everlasting not just in eternity future, but in eternity past. This we see to the numerous passages like those in Isaiah 63 and 64 that refer to the Lord as “Father.” On earth, the father is the head of the household. All look to him for direction and guidance. The same is true with Jesus. We look to him for direction, wisdom, and guidance. Hence, he is fit to be “Everlasting Father” for all those who have placed their trust in him. I would like to clear up any potential confusion. This is not Trinitarian in nature. This is not Jesus saying, “I am the Father.” We must keep this verse in context with what we have read so far. As I said before, we look to him for wisdom and guidance, as we would an earthly father.

The Messiah is the Prince of Peace. Being the Prince of Peace does not negate Jesus’ kingship in any way. Jesus is the Prince who was sent forth from the Father. Jesus is the Peace that the world longs for. Ephesians 2:14-18 explains this well. Turn there with me. As you do, consider the terminology used in this passage. Read the verses.

Christ removes everything that could hinder peace. He takes everything that would cause conflict away. And what is left is the peace of God through Jesus Christ. And he did all of this when he went to the cross. We could say that Jesus began his earthly ministry in humility (coming as a babe) and ending it in humility (dying on the cross as a blameless man).

So, it could be said that Jesus being the Prince of Peace ushers in his coming (Isaiah 9:6) and his dying (Isaiah 53:5).

The description of the Messiah does not stop there. Look with me at verse 7. Verse 7 looks at the eternality of Christ. There will be no end to the rule of Jesus Christ. Not only will the rule not end, but there will always be an increase of it. In other words, there will always be people added to the kingdom as long as the earth tarries on. In heaven, the increase of people stops, but the continual increase of worship will not.

His peace will never end either. War will cease to exist. In heaven there will be no arguing and bickering back and forth amongst one another on particular doctrines. There will be no “Calvinists” in heaven. We will live under the righteous reign of peace that is found in Jesus Christ. O, that we would have our eyes fixed on this reality, I don’t think there would be as much infighting amongst believers as there is.

Just in case there was anyone who may doubt the connection between Jesus and the throne of David, Isaiah makes the connection clear. Psalm 132:11 says, “The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.”” God fulfills every promise that he makes. This promise is no different. 325 years separate David as king and Isaiah the prophet and the fact remains that there will be one who comes from David to reign as the King of Israel.

He will uphold the throne of David ruling with justice and righteousness. And he does this “from this time forth, and forevermore.” This should not mistakenly be interpreted that the kingdom of God was established and maintained from the moment Isaiah wrote this onward. But that it would be ushered in at the time of the Messiah’s birth. The reality of a place for God’s people to dwell with him is not brand new. Daniel 7:18 says, “But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” It is also said of Abel through Abraham in Hebrews 11:16 that “they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” But the carrying out of it in Christ is. Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”

Conclusion

Does he bring you great joy and comfort this morning? There is so much more that could be said as we have but just dug in a little bit. There is so much that is said about a babe in a manger. My hope for each of us is that as we have gone through this journey through the Old Testament together, that we would be excited as the prophets of old were for the Messiah to come. I would like to conclude with three places of application.

1. Do you have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart? The birth of the Messiah should produce joy within your heart and mine! Is he the affection of your worship? The descriptions and titles of Christ make everything that we have look rather small, doesn’t it? Do any of your items or maybe politicians that you follow bear any of these titles? O, that our worship of Christ would be exuberant, fulfilling, and pleasing before him.

2. He is worth the wait. There is something to be said here on the topic of patience. Are there days where you just want Jesus to come back, maybe because you are going through a hard time. Christian, the Lord is using that difficulty in your life, not to swell you up in pride as you come through it, but to show you how good he is! He is our Prince of Peace. He does not tarry in comforting you. He is not slow to save. The Messiah is our Prince of Peace, the only one who can comfort us as we truly need.

3. If Isaiah were to be sitting in our midst he would proclaim “Christmas is about Christ!” Yes, Jesus is the “reason for the season” in so many words. But let’s face it, the traditions will fade, the gift giving will stop one day, the holiday “cheer” will dissipate. But you know who won’t? That’s right, the Lord Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the coming of Christ, might we see through the Christmas traditions, not that they are bad, but that we may have our focus on the Messiah who will uphold his kingdom “with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”

Benediction

“Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” And may he who is exalted bountifully continue the good work in you. Amen.