He is Messiah

All of us have lived through hard times. Sometimes we have brought those on ourselves. Sometimes they have come as no fault of our own. Sometimes there is a combination. We often try to decide, is this from God’s hand? or is it just life? or again some combination of the two? Judah and Israel found themselves under the judgement of God because of their increasing drift, disobedience, and defiance. The enemies of God’s people were hitting them over and over again, and the prophets were predicting that both nations were headed into severe judgment. Isaiah’s message so far has been hard, but he interrupts the harshness to remind the people of God’s grace… of God’s mercy and God’s plan for a people.

No matter what we are going through and how it came about, we need to be reminded often (I think) to get our eyes off the short view and onto the Lord (who has the long view). We need to know that Jesus is our deliverer, our Christ, Our Messiah, and HE MAKES ALL THINGS NEW. Because of this, we can commit our life to Him, and our today to Him.

Isaiah 9:1–7 HCSB

Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as You did on the day of Midian. For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

Life is littered with times of humbling distress

Isaiah 9:1–2 HCSB

Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.

God promises His people a future blessing

Isaiah 9:1–2 HCSB

Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.

This blessing includes joy

Isaiah 9:3 HCSB

You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.

KJV says not increased the joy. The translation difference comes from one letter at the end of a word. If you translate it one way it is “its” and the other way it is “not”. I believe its is the better translation because of the two illustrations he gives.

they rejoice like at harvest time.

they rejoice like at a time when spoils are being divided by the victorious.

The word for joy and rejoice here can be translated as joy, gladness, delight often used to describe the attitude of a festival or party.

Psalm 30:5 HCSB

For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.

Psalm 126:6 HCSB

Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

Whatever sorrow you are facing, whatever difficulty… bring it to the Lord. and trust in His promise of JOY

This blessing includes peace

Isaiah 9:4–5 HCSB

For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as You did on the day of Midian. For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.

The Blessing is a Person- The Lord Jesus- The King of Glory

Isaiah 9:6–7 HCSB

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

Too many people want to think they deserve the blessings of God. None of us do. Israel and Judah deserved the exile and punishment they were to receive. They were a sinful people. We deserve death, hell, and the grave. We too are sinful people. But God promised a Messiah, A Saviour, a Deliverer, a Christ. Whatever good God sends our way, comes through Him.

Notice how our Messiah is described.

child born, son given. Humanity and divinity.

Government will be on his shoulders. We start to see something here. Both the first and the second coming of Jesus are in view.

Wonderful counselor- He will give wonderful leadership, counsel, and direction, because He is wonderful. What are you facing today? He will direct your paths.

Mighty God- mighty is hero, man’s man, strong etc. We have a Messiah who is not just a baby, not just a man… but HE IS GOD! Immanuel, God with us. (Not the first time Isaiah has pointed to Immanuel)

Eternal Father- Jesus told the disciples he would not leave them as orphans.

Prince of Peace- Shalom- Peace in the world, peace in our hearts.

Increase of government. When Jesus comes the next time, His Kingdom will come in full force. He will fullfill all the promises made throughout all the Bible to the Nation of Israel, and the New Testament church. There is nothing that his supervision wont be absolute.

The Bottom line is that we have a wonderful saving, loving savior. He will forgive. He will heal. He can handle it. He has the power! He has the authority.

He will turn gloom to honor!