For Unto Us A Child if Born Isaiah 9:6
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Intro
Intro
When we think about the coming of Jesus in the Bible, his entrance into the world. One important truth for us to consider is that fact it was not a surprise. God has been telling the world, through his people Israel.
One such story is found in , verse 15… We know this story..
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve walked with God. They sinned and as a result, they hid from him. But God sought them out. He went looking for them. We all know that eventually God covered them with animal skins and promised them a deliverer.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
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Then, through the ages, God spoke through his prophets. He narrowed the possible families to the descendants of Abraham, then he narrowed it through his son Isaac, then through David.
God even told how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem in the book of Micah.
10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
Then, through the ages, God shaped history and periodically revealed more and more about the coming deliverer. God spoke through his prophets. He narrowed the possible families to the descendants of Abraham, then he narrowed it through his son Isaac, then through David. God told how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem in the book of Micah. In God spoke of how he himself would be pierced. described him as a suffering servant who would bear our sins. There are many such prophecies about Jesus. But we aren’t going to look at them all. Instead, we’re going to examine just one.
And in the Book of Isaiah we have this one powerful and unique prophecy
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve walked with God. They sinned and as a result, they hid from him. But, the Lord (the pre-incarnate Christ) sought them out. He went looking for them. We all know that eventually God covered them with animal skins and promised them a deliverer. Then, through the ages, God shaped history and periodically revealed more and more about the coming deliverer. God spoke through his prophets. He narrowed the possible families to the descendants of Abraham, then he narrowed it through his son Isaac, then through David. God told how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem in the book of Micah. In God spoke of how he himself would be pierced. described him as a suffering servant who would bear our sins. There are many such prophecies about Jesus. But we aren’t going to look at them all. Instead, we’re going to examine just one.
Turn with me in your Bibles to .
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.
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
So lets look at this passage and see what God is saying....
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us
What do you think of when you see a newborn baby?
Do you think of power, strength, and majesty?
Or do you think of a cute, new life that is vulnerable, and needs warmth, protection, and food. The preciousness of life is best seen in the frailty of the newborn and we love and value the little ones.
The preciousness of life is best seen in the frailty of the newborn and we love and value the little ones.
And thinking about how much we love these little ones, how much more should we love Jesus who became even and child that he might enter this world. He was born of a virgin, Mary and entered this world just as every person has.. weak, vulnerable and helpless but nonetheless, the king of glory.
So Isaiah says Unto us a child is born....
As a child, the Eternal Son was in a state of submission to the will of God the Father in heaven and also to the guidance and rule of his parents on earth.
And with his birth, we see the beginning of God’s work of redemption, the Bible tells us that with his birth.. the word became flesh..
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
God the Father, allowed the Son to be made into flesh, born of a woman and born under the law, the very thing He would fulfill… He fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the law in the work He came to complete, making a home for us, redeeming us and blessing us by being our Savior, He was a promised Child.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
And Isaiah goes one and says unto us a Son is given,… Not just a child but a son.
One of our early church Fathers, Ambrose says
“ In the term child there is an indication of age; in the term son a reference to the fullness of Godhead” He was made of his mother but born of His Father.
Man was made in her, and the Highest himself has founded her.” He was man indeed in body, but the Highest in power. And while he is God and man through diversity of nature, he is the same person, not two persons, though being God and man. He has, therefore, something peculiar to his own nature and something in common with us, but in both cases he is one and in both he is perfect.”
The term son speaks to the fulfillment of the Davidic promise that a son would again rule just as David ruled..
And then the verse says… the government shall be upon his shoulder.... the authority of an officer, his rank is worn on the shoulder of a man. That authority gives him the power to rule...
And then the verse says… the government shall be upon his shoulder.... the authority of an officer, his rank is worn on the shoulder of a man. That authority gives him the power to rule...
Listen to
22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
The unrighteous one, the wicked who have attempted to rule, to govern people has done so in wickedness, a yoke of burden if you will. Jesus says take my yoke upon you… why can he say this… His yoke is easy. He has the authority to rule and will cast off the oppressors rule.
He is given the government by His Father...
13 “I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
His kingdom is not of this world and thus His rule will be so different, people will not believe the perfect nature of his rule.
And then lets look a these wonderful descriptions that we see of our Lord...
Old Testament X: Isaiah 1–39 A Child Is Born (Ambrose)
Man was made in her, and the Highest himself has founded her.” He was man indeed in body, but the Highest in power. And while he is God and man through diversity of nature, he is the same person, not two persons, though being God and man. He has, therefore, something peculiar to his own nature and something in common with us, but in both cases he is one and in both he is perfect.
And then lets look a these wonderful descriptions that we see of our Lord...
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
At his birth we see the beginning of the work of redemption What did the Word give up to become a child, a small son? “A Child will be born” speaks of the Word becoming flesh ,, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”, “But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.”, “But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”, “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” He became one of us to die for us.He became like us to free us.He walked among us to guide us.He stayed with us, to teach us.He died on the cross to set us free from the treachery and consequence of sin, not only in this world, but in the one to come.But he didn’t stay dead. He rose from the grave to prove that his sin sacrifice was acceptable to God the Father, and to demonstrate that what he said about God, sin, and redemption was true.In that child, The Majesty of God…the Glory of God…the Omnipresence of God was in submission to the Law in the form of an infant child that could be held in the arms of his earthly mother.His being “a son that was given” is a gracious gift from God the Father. It was the Father who sent the Son. , “I am He who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” The Word did NOT give up his deity when he joined to the human nature and became the person of Jesus, the Christ. Instead he cooperated with the limitations of humanity. , “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” So, when the Word became flesh. The eternal became the mortal.The infinite became the finite.The glory put on sandalsThe majestic wore clothingThe creator walked among usEternal love eventually became bleeding flesh
And the government will rest on His shoulders
“The government will rest on his shoulders”? What does this mean? The Hebrew word “government” is (misrah) and it occurs only here and the next verse. , “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom…” Government was often seen as a burden by the Israelites, especially when they under subjugation to foreign powers which happened frequently in Israel’s history. Furthermore, government was sometimes symbolized as a key laid on someone’s shoulders. , “Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, when he opens no one will shut, when he shuts no one will open.” The sign of a military rank is the ensign worn on the shoulder. We see this in the Navy, for example.But, in the context of , it is a rebuttal to the oppressors of Israel spoken of in … , “For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.” So, the verse is talking about the kingly aspect of his ministry that points to the peaceful and perfect rule of Christ. Amillennialism?Premillennailsim? Jesus said in , “My kingdom is not of this world.”We are called out of this world, and into the kingdom of God.
His name exhibits four aspects of his character These specific titles do not appear in the New Testament in reference to Jesus as direct quotes, but they are alluded too
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
So we see who this future King will be..
“Wonderful Counselor” combines the idea of doing something “wonderful, extraordinary, miraculous” (peleʾ) with the skill of “giving wise advice, making plans, counsel.”
God will work though the Son in wonderful miraculous ways...
Go will work though the Son in wonderful miraclous ways...
He is a Mighty God… all powerful, Yahweh is His name. Listen to
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
He is from everlasting to everlasting and of his power, might and rule there will be no end.
Then we come to the third name Eternal or Everlasting Father.
He is the creator of all, and as such we are his children if even by adoption we are His.. So call God Father is a fitting term, for he is the head of us. He has not only given us life, but will lead us if we will follow Him.
The term everlasting is one that cannot apply to any earthy person, on David said the Lord would send one who would rule on his throne forever and ever. Listen to 2 Samuel 7:16
The New American Commentary: Isaiah 1–39 (1) The Reign of a Righteous King (9:1–7)
“Wonderful Counselor” combines the idea of doing something “wonderful, extraordinary, miraculous” (peleʾ) with the skill of “giving wise advice, making plans, counsel.” This suggests that this son’s life will somehow exhibit “miraculous acts of God”347 employed in the sphere of wise planning or decision-making. Since God is the source of all miraculous events and his plans are the wisest counsel to follow, God will work in and through this son to demonstrate his extraordinary wisdom to plan wonderful miraculous things. These unspecified wonderful plans will be the subject of later revelation.
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
Jesus said himself that the Father and he are 1… so there is no beginning or end.
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
And as a Father he gives rest to his children, Jesus said come to me all you who are weary..
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
“ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Think about the times you could go to your father, he is a good, good Father.
His name exhibits four aspects of his character These specific titles do not appear in the New Testament in reference to Jesus as direct quotes, but they are alluded too
And then we come to the last phrase..
Prince of peace...
Peace implies the end of war, I love the words of Jesus in
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
God will bring peace to each person, sin lo longer has any dominion over his people and one day they will stand in His presence in new life...
Listen to the blessing of peace in Isaiah 2:4
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
and lets peak in verse 7 for a moment..
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.
Four things are known about the government this ruler will establish.
First, when this new son rules, he will limitlessly expand his influence and create peace without end.
Listen to
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
This promise implies that no one will be able to successfully oppose his authority or undermine the positive effects of his government. These statements remind us that Isa is speaking about the end times, the final days in His kingdom.
Second, this ruler will reign on the throne of David and reestablish his kingdom. The pledge certifies beyond the shadow of a doubt that the text refers to the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant through the messiah,and the messiah is Jesus.
Third, his method of ruling will be based on the principles of justice and righteousness.
Listne to Isa as the Lord tell him of HIs justice in the future, Isa 11:4
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
His justice is far different than that of the OT kings who were wicked and did evil in the sight of the Lord, who oppressed and cheated the poor of their lives..
and as we have the fourth one,
Fourth,Jesus will rule and reign forever just as we read earlier, of his kingdom there will be no end..
Finally, Isaiah offers a rhetorical assurance to his listeners concerning the fulfillment of this promise. Simply stated, God Almighty himself will do it.
There is no better or more certain promise in the world. he will do it. His zeal, determination and passion will accomplish this task. His plan is being fulfilled and it will not stop until it is complete.
Conclusion
The New American Commentary: Isaiah 1–39 (1) The Reign of a Righteous King (9:1–7)
Four things are known about the government this ruler will establish. First, when this new son rules, he will limitlessly expand his influence and create peace without end (cf. Ps 2:8). This promise implies that no one will be able to successfully oppose his authority or undermine the positive effects of his government. Such strong statements imply that Isaiah is talking about the final eschatological ruler. Second, this ruler will reign on the throne of David and reestablish his kingdom. This pledge certifies beyond the shadow of a doubt that the text refers to the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant through a “messianic” figure. Third, his method of ruling will be based on the principles of justice and righteousness. This fact is consistent with the emphasis on justice in 11:4–5 (and 7:15) and contrasts with the behavior of Ahaz, Judah’s present king. Fourth, this Davidic ruler will reign forever as explained in the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7:16). These descriptive parameters, titles, time frame, and interlinking references to the Davidic promises rule out any attempt to identify this son with Ahaz, Hezekiah, or Josiah.
Finally, Isaiah offers a rhetorical assurance to his listeners concerning the fulfillment of this promise. Simply stated, God Almighty himself will do it. With unassailable zeal, determination, and passion God will concentrate his efforts to accomplish this marvelous deed. Isaiah’s listeners can be absolutely sure that an omnipotent, sovereign God will stand behind the fulfillment of this wonderful plan.
Wonderful Counselor , “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
, “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.”Jesus gave us wisdom and teaching. He is the wonderful Counsel. Mighty God
,…, “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
, “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.”Jesus gave us wisdom and teaching. He is the wonderful Counsel. Mighty God ,…, “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”, “But of the Son He says, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.” Eternal Father , “I and the Father are one.”, “Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”, “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature…”, “and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” Prince of Peace , “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”, “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross…”
, “But of the Son He says, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.”
Eternal Father , “I and the Father are one.”,
“Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”, “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature…”, “and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” Prince of Peace , “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”, “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross…”
Conclusion
For the world, Christmas has become a commercialized frenzy of crazed shoppers who trample each other underfoot while trying to get a good deal on shoes, games, and clothing.
They have forgotten what Christmas is about… God made man so that he might redeem us from the consequences of our own sin.
For the Christian, Christmas is a time of celebration of the birth of the Lord God in our world so that He might save us.
is a prophecy that is fulfilled in Jesus who was born so that He might die. It was Jesus who was born in a manger so that He might hang on a cross. In the birth of Christ is our redemption, our blessing, our cleansing, and all our hope.