The Promised Promise

The Promise Giver

Isaiah 8:19–9:1 NIV

When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

When we find ourselves in distress, we will continually seek that which can provide aid or information to help us get ahead. We are driven as a people to seek something more and to not stop at all cost no matter what.

God is the sovereign One who is greater than. He is over all. He is the source of all things including every promise that we receive.

Because we live in the New Testament era and we have seen the resurrection and ascension, there is a tendency to look down on the Old Testament believer for their lack of faith. But this should not be so. It is always easier when you have all of the information before us. The Bible is the progressive revelation of God. It is God slowly unfolding the the picture of Himself and how He interacts with His creation.

Micah 5:2 NIV

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

The Lord is pointing the hearer to the coming ground zero of the fulfilment of the promise of the coming kingdom of God. God is bringing in His Kingdom in the midst of a cursed area, the area of Galilee and Bethlehem. Bethlehem is like the Roger’s City of the Middle East, a town that once was booming as a result of man’s industrialization and is now just holding on, a blip on the map, a stopping point between two places.

The Promise Given

Isaiah 9:2–5 NIV

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

At first glance, this passage would feel very much like the restoration of the power of the nation of Israel like that during the time of Joshua or the time of David. The people desired that which The nation was looking for one who could lead them to be like the empires around them. God was looking to start something new, something that was a far greater fulfillment than man’s construction. God was bringing a Kingdom, not an empire.

During this time of year, we are often stirred to look at what others have and desire to pursue those things that we might be like everyone else. God desires more for us. True joy, True purpose, Eternal purpose and glory.

The Promised One

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

This is a beautiful picture of the promise of God. He will come and meet us where we are at. He is coming with the fulfillment of the work that He has been putting into motion since creation.

What man does, leads to ruin and perversion. Story of Adam and Eve.

God steps in and shows us of the faithfulness of His promise

Prayer for the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to long for the Lord only. Prayer to remove our temporary expectations for the eternal longing of what God is desiring to do.