Advent 4 - Isaiah 9:2-7 - The Promised Child

Isaiah 9:2–7 ESV

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. 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. 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. 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.

Theme: The birth of the promised child, Jesus Christ, brings light to a world in darkness, establishes His eternal reign, and fulfills God’s plan of salvation.

Introduction

Illustration:

Have you ever studied the words of Isaiah 9:6-7 ("For to us a child is born") and realized just how strange they are? At first glance, the grand titles and expectations seem absurd to place on a child.

It’s a strange picture - a small child, hunched over like Atlas, a parliament building set on his shoulders, wearing a crown, perched on a throne, with a very troubled look on his face, as if to say, “What in the world am I doing here?”

And yet, this is exactly what these verses tell us to be true. Of course, there was no actual building, no real throne, and no crown but one of thorns.

But the thought is still astounding – this child, this baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, would be the fulfillment of these promises. He would be, and is, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. It is this astonishing prophecy that we keep in mind when we sing the song, “What child is this?”

Isaiah prophesied during a time of deep spiritual and political darkness for Israel. The northern tribes faced devastation, but Isaiah pointed them to a future hope: a child who would bring light, joy, peace, and salvation.

Connection to Advent:

As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ, we remember that He is the promised child who brings light to our darkness.

Expository Outline

I. The Child Brings Light to Darkness (v. 2)

Text: “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.”

Illustration:

Imagine being lost in a vast forest at night, surrounded by pitch darkness, unable to see the path forward. No phone, no flashlight.

The fear, the cold, the despair setting into your heart and your only hope is that morning will come.

As the hours pass, you suddenly see light through the trees, and within minutes the sun has risen once more, showing you the path to safety.

Connection: Just as light transforms a hopeless situation into one of direction and security, Jesus, the promised child, pierces the spiritual darkness of our lives with the light of salvation, revealing truth and hope.

Explanation:

And the darkness that Isaiah is talking about is not some artificial darkness that we can get rid of by making artificial light.

This darkness lives within us.

It is our sin, our rebellion, and our separation from God.

The "great light" is the promised child who would shine God's truth and grace into the world, winning the his people’s salvation from the oppressive darkness!

Fulfillment in Christ:

Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), bringing salvation to those in spiritual darkness.

John 8:12 ESV

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

His arrival pierces the darkness of sin and death with the hope of eternal life.

Application:

Reflect on the ways Christ has brought light into your life.

Share the light of Christ with others still in spiritual darkness.

Illustration:

Just as light dispels the fear and uncertainty of darkness, Christ dispels sin and hopelessness.

II. The Child Brings Joy to His People (v. 3)

Text: “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.”

Illustration:

Through Isaiah, God wants us to think of the joy of a farmer after a long season of hard labor when the harvest is finally abundant and plentiful.

Or the excitement of a soldier celebrating the end of a long, grueling war and the spoils of victory.

(The joy of Blooket)

This is the kind of joy the Promised Child brings!

Connection: The joy of the harvest and the victory reflect the deeper and eternal joy we have in Christ.

His coming is not temporary relief but everlasting cause for celebration.

Explanation:

This joy is rooted in God's deliverance and blessings through the Messiah.

Fulfillment in Christ:

The angels declared Jesus' birth as "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10 ).

Luke 2:10 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

In Christ, we have joy that transcends circumstances (Philippians 4:4 ).

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Application:

Rejoice in Christ’s work of salvation and His ongoing provision in your life.

Live with contagious joy that points others to the Savior.

III. The Child Brings Freedom from Oppression (vv. 4–5)

Text: “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.”

Illustration:

Recall the story of the Berlin Wall's fall in 1989. For decades, people in East Berlin were trapped under oppression, but when the wall came down, they tasted freedom for the first time in years. People celebrated in the streets, meeting those escaping to freedom with flowers and champagne, and joining in the work of tearing down the barriers that had held their neighbors captive.

Connection: The promised child, Jesus, breaks the walls of sin, death, and oppression, giving us freedom that no earthly ruler or regime could provide.

Explanation:

The child would deliver His people from the yoke of oppression, just as God delivered Israel from Midian through Gideon (Judges 7).

Christ liberates us not just from earthly oppressors but from the ultimate bondage of sin and death.

Fulfillment in Christ:

Jesus proclaims freedom for captives (Luke 4:18 ) and destroys the power of sin and Satan (Colossians 2:15 ).

Colossians 2:15 ESV

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Luke 4:18 (ESV)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

Application:

Reflect on the freedom you have in Christ.

Are you living in the liberty He provides?

Are you joining Christ in His work of redeeming people from every tribe, language, and nation?

Trust Him for deliverance from ongoing struggles or spiritual bondage.

And perhaps in the most surprising turn of all, this person who would deliver his people to light and joy is not promised as a conqueror and mighty warrior, not as a great politician, but as a Child.

However, we quickly see that the Promised Child is also the Promised King.

IV. The Child Is the Promised King (vv. 6–7)

Text: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder...”

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

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.

Illustration:

I’m a big fan of the Lord of the Rings (which could definitely be argued to be a Christmas movie)

and one of the most anticipated and beautiful scenes in the books and the films is the coronation of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the true king coming to claim his throne.

With his rule came peace and prosperity that the land had not seen for many, many years.

In a similar, but even grander way, the promised Child is also the Promised King!

Connection: Unlike any earthly ruler, Jesus is the divine King whose reign is eternal, whose justice is perfect, and whose peace knows no end. He is the King we truly need, ruling with wisdom, power, and love.

Explanation:

The promised child is no ordinary child; He is the divine King whose reign will be eternal, characterized by justice, righteousness, and peace.

He is the Promised King from the line of David, the one who would deliver his people into the New Covenant promises of

a new heart to replace the heart of stone,

new life after spiritual and physical death,

and a new kingdom - out of darkness and into light.

The titles given to Him reveal His identity and work:

Wonderful Counselor:

Perfect wisdom and guidance.

Mighty God:

His divine power to save.

Everlasting Father:

His eternal care for His people.

Prince of Peace:

His rule brings ultimate reconciliation and shalom.

Fulfillment in Christ:

Jesus’ kingdom was inaugurated at His first coming and will be consummated at His return (Revelation 21:1–4).He reigns as the King of Kings, ensuring justice and righteousness forever.

Application:

Worship Christ as your King. Submit every area of your life to His lordship.Trust in His sovereign reign, even amid uncertainty and chaos.

Conclusion

Summary:

Isaiah 9:2–7 calls us to celebrate the birth of the promised child, Jesus Christ, who brings light, joy, freedom, and an eternal kingdom.

Call to Response:

As we celebrate Advent, let us marvel at the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ.Reflect on the hope and joy He brings and share it with a world still walking in darkness.

Closing Illustration:

The advent of Christ is like the dawn breaking after a long night—His light changes everything, and His reign is our hope for eternity.

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