Isaiah 9:1-7 Who is this child?

Christmas scenes are changing. Christmas songs are changing.

Lots of Santa. Lots of candy canes. Reindeer. Grinches. Children. Happy people. Memories of celebrations and good times. Presents. Food. But little about the baby born.

A shift is occurring. Let’s celebrate, but let’s forget about the original reason for the celebration. A nativity set sparks controversy. Outrage comes from the words “Peace, Good Will.” Or a lit up star.

How strange!. Who could be threatened by a newborn baby? What is so wrong with a pastoral scene with animals, shepherds and some travelers. Soft music. Tranquil looks and a sense of peace. And even more when one understands who this child is. What He has come to do.

If only they all knew. If only they all understood. This child is not just some baby in a manger. This child is someone special. Someone who can change every life.

Isaiah wrote about the child centuries before His birth. He glimpsed who this child would be.

(ESV) Isaiah 9 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.

Let’s explore just who this child is.

I. Who is this child? - He is a unique child

(ESV) Isaiah 9 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.

A. In nature – a human/divine ruler Isaiah 9:6a

(ESV) Isaiah 9 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, …

1. Child born - human

6 For to us a child is born,

a) Born like you

b) Endure like you

2. Son given – Divine

to us a son is given,

a) Chose to be a enter this situation

b) From eternity past

3. A rightful ruler

and the government will be on his shoulders.

a) The one who will ultimately rule – the rightful ruler

B. In character Isaiah 9:6b

(name depicts what He will display in character)

And he will be called

1. Wonderful Counselor

(ESV) Isaiah 9 6 … and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, - Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

a) A wonder of a counselor

b) In wisdom

(1) Depth of wisdom

(2) Supernatural wisdom – above human

(3) Knows what is needed / Knows what to say

c) In understanding us specifically

(1) Knows us / Has our answers

(2) Responds willingly / Responds caringly

2. Mighty God

(ESV) Isaiah 9 6 … and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

a) El Gibbor – almighty God

b) Battle champion

Jeremiah 32: 17 ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. 18 You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts. 19 You are great in counsel and mighty in work,

c) Person and power

d) Fights for you

e) No chaos – all in order

3. Everlasting Father

(ESV) Isaiah 9 6 … and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

a) A Fatherly ruler – emphasis on His role to us rather than role in Trinity

(1) Concern for children

(2) Care of children

b) Everlasting nature of His care

(1) Always the same

(2) Has all in control

Hebrews 1:10-12 (NIV) 10 He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

4. Prince of Peace

(ESV) Isaiah 9 6 … and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

a) The peaceful Prince

(1) Comes in peace and is peace

Eph 2: 14 For He Himself is our peace,

b) The peace giving Prince

(1) Establishes peace –

16… that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross …

(2) Personal fulfillment – inner peace and well being – peace of God – Paul described the peace of God keeping our hearts and souls. The peace that issues forth from Him.

(3) Between God and man – peace with God

Rom 5: 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(4) Between man and man – peace among God’s people

eph 2:17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For  through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father

c) The Prince of a peaceful kingdom

(1) The characteristic of His kingdom

II. For whom did He come?

A. To ones in trouble Isaiah 9:2

1. To ones living in darkness

(ESV) Isaiah 9 2 The people who walked in darkness … those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, …

To ones living in a world of darkness

a) A world of hopelessness

b) A world that only offers tragedy and lose

2. Judged because of sin

8: 6 “Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, 7 therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the River

a) Abandoned God in the their distress

21 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. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness

3. To these He came / was born

B. To ones He desires to give hope Isaiah 9:1-4

1. Ones He desires to reverse fortunes

(ESV) Isaiah 9 1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. …

2. Ones He desires to give light

(ESV) Isaiah 9 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.

Used past tense it is so certain it is as if it had already occurred

3. Ones He desires to bring joy

(ESV) Isaiah 9 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

a) Expanded the nation

b) Harvest

c) Fruit of victory

4. Ones He desires to break the bounds of slavery

(ESV) Isaiah 9 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.

a) Yoke that burdens

(1) Enduring hardship

b) Bar across their shoulders

c) Rod of the oppressor

(1) Suffering inflicted

III. What will be the result of this child’s coming?

A. A continuous increase in His rule of peace Isaiah 9:7a

(ESV) Isaiah 9 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, …

1. Peace like a river

2. Perfect yet it groweth fuller every day – getting better forever

B. Justice and Righteousness Isaiah 9:7b

(ESV) Isaiah 9 7 … 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. …

1. Fulfilling His promises

2. Ushering in permanent righteousness

C. The Lord is passionately committed Isaiah 9:7c

(ESV) Isaiah 9 7 … The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

1. Requires more than casual interest

2. Demands deep involvement

3. Accomplishment will ultimately depend only upon Him

D. So Trust Him Isaiah 8:16-17

When Isaiah wrote, he understood. As a result, he included his own response.

(ESV) Isaiah 8 16 Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples. 17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. (NIV – I will put my trust in Him)

Who is this child? – The God of the universe

For whom did He come? – for you

What will be the result of his coming for you? – its up to you