THE HOPE OF MESSIAH- Isaiah 9:2-7

This morning we start the season of Advent, that season in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Messiah. It is a joyous time with lights decking almost every home, classic music playing on the radio and in stores, shoppers busily scamping around to get all the last presents for family and friends.

It may also be a time of sadness, for this special time with friends and family reminds us that there are friends and family that will not be here this season. *MIXED EMOTIONS*

What we will see from this passage is a glorious promise:

Just as the Scriptures of Israel foretold the coming of the Messiah, so too, the Scriptures of Israel foretell of the coming of Messiah again.

This promise provides hope. It is hope for the present, to endure in this life of pain and suffering. It is hope for the future, to prepare for the coming of the Lord’s Messiah.

Do you lack hope? Look to the Messiah of Israel this morning, and you will be overflowing with hope!

I. The Messiah came to a people in deep darkness and dire oppression- 9:2-4

Isaiah sees the darkness across the land. He perceives this terrifying blackness that sets on all the people. In other words, they live in a terrible time (vs. 2). But he also sees people in dire oppression (vs. 4). What is Isaiah seeing?

We learn from the New Testament that this is referring to Israel under Roman oppression. In Matthew 4:15-16 we see this born out in detail. Jesus travels to Zebulun and Naphtali (Isa. 9:1) and begins to heal and deliver the people. But from what?

Israel thought the Messiah would deliver her from Roman oppression and restore the kingdom. It was, after all, promised to them in the Scriptures.

But what they missed is that God’s prophecy provides hope precisely because it is not earthly, it points beyond this life.

Imagine how depressing it would be even if we had a Great King, where righteousness and justice prevailed, yet we were still afflicted with sin and death. It would be but a dimly lit hope.

The Messiah would come to deliver the people from the darkness, sin and death. The Messiah would come to deliver the people from the oppressor, sin and death. This is biblically true, Hebrews 2:14-18.

You were in deep darkness and dire oppression, that is, until that wonderful light shone in the first Advent. But there is more.

II. The Messiah came to return the people to God- 9:5-7

You may have noticed the words “you” in verse 2-3. “You have multiplied…they rejoice before you…you have broken...” Who is the you? It is God himself, YHWH, as Israel would call him (or, adonai).

God is doing this marvelous work. It is wonderful, and it demonstrates that the Messiah came to return the people to God. It was not that He came simply to deliver people from darkness and oppression. That was necessary, but it was not sufficient. It was the means by which Messiah would bring us to God. To us, Isaiah writes. To us a Son is given, to us a Child has been born. God with us, in other words. When we were helpless, our Triune God (Father, Son, Spirit) came to seek and save us.

God sent His Messiah, His anointed One, to save us. To bring us, as we learned from 1 Peter 3:18, back to God. This is the hope of the Messiah. He is hope for those walking in darkness, He is hope for those lost in sin, He is hope to bring us back to God. HOPE FOR THE PRESENT

III. The Messiah will come to claim His Kingdom- 9:7

But this points to another coming. We see that this Son given to us would be a King, ruling over His kingdom with justice and righteousness. But this has not occured. It began, but it awaits fulfillment. And just as the Scriptures predicted the coming of the Messiah, the predict the return of the Messiah. He is coming again. The book of Revelation demonstrates this in terrifying detail. He will establish his throne and uphold that kingdom, forever. That is hope!

Just as the Scriptures of Israel foretold the coming of the Messiah, so too, the Scriptures of Israel foretell of the coming of Messiah again.

The question is, do you have this hope? Each Advent is a reminder of the next Advent, when Messiah comes again. He will come and restore His people completely. His kingdom will be claimed and there will be no end to the eternal bliss. That is, only if the Messiah has brought you to God. You may be in darkness. Is the light dawning on you?