Isaiah 9:6-7

Text: Isaiah 9:6-7

Title: Help Is On the Way

Introduction: (Have you ever been in a predicament when you need a tow truck…)

The prophet Isaiah was a man with a mission. The Lord had shown him a glimpse of His glorious throne and then placed a call on his life. As a prophet, he spoke God's word when it was extremely unpopular.

Although he faced opposition Isaiah continued to stand up for the truth. The Lord had called him to warn the people of their headlong rush into disaster. The Book of Isaiah records these prophetic words of warning, but it also records Isaiah's words of promise and hope. One day, a Messiah would come who would save, comfort, and bless His people.

Chapter 8 concluded with the Messiah patiently waiting until the indignation against Judah was past.

Within the first five verses of Isaiah chapter 9 is the Dawn of a New Day (9:1–5). The gloom of God’s judgment upon his people would not be permanent. Those regions around the Sea of Galilee which were the first to be overrun by northern enemies, would be the first to see the dawn of a new day of great light, i.e., a new revelation from God (9:1f.). The passage forecasts the great work of Christ and all the blessings which he would bring (cf. Matt 4:13ff.). In four beautiful word pictures that glorious day is described.

First, the day of the Messiah would be a day of expansion. God would enlarge the nation (9:3a). The reference probably is to the incorporation of Gentiles into the new Israel of God, the church of Christ.

Second, that would be a day of joy like unto that which follows a successful harvest or battle (9:3b).

Third, Messiah’s coming would usher in a day of deliverance. The rod and yoke of the Great Oppressor would be shattered as in the day when Gideon crushed the hordes of Midian (9:4).

Finally, that would be a day of peace. The picture is of the clean-up after the war. Warrior’s boots and blood-stained garments would be consigned to fire (9:5).

Just as there was help for the children of Judah, there is help for you and your situation. There is help for you regardless of your situation. As long as you have breath and The Lord delays His coming, there is help for you...if you want. This is the purpose of the sermon today.

Hundreds of years before his birth, Isaiah made it abundantly clear that the birth of Christ was not a chance occurrence, but part of God’s divine order. The world, having known sin, would be given a chance to know salvation in the person of Jesus Christ.

His Humanity

Child: his human descent.

Born of human parentage

he came in an obscure and humble form—

He was a little “child, born” in as helpless a state as others, and subject to all the sinless infirmities of our nature. He was indeed in a more especial manner the gift of the Father’s love; the most invaluable gift that God himself could bestow. He was the Child, and the Son, of whom all the prophets spake, the offspring of a virgin, “Emmanuel, God with us.”

Philippians 2:5-7, "5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men." (bondservant - "In this context, the term refers to the lowest status on the social ladder."

John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt/tabernacled among us, and we beheld His glory…”

II. His Deity

Son: his maleness and dignity in the royal line.

Son: given by the Lord.

Philippians 2:8-11, "8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Hebrews 4:14-16, "14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the word…”

III. His Responsibility

His people’s shoulders (4) are delivered when his shoulders accept the burden of rule.

government … upon … shoulder—The ensign of office used to be worn on the shoulder, in token of sustaining the government (Is 22:22). Here the government on Messiah’s shoulder is in marked antithesis to the “yoke and staff” of the oppressor on Israel’s “shoulder” (Is 9:4). He will rule over God’s people (cf. Micah 5:2) and the world (Zech. 14:9).

But the Messiah will govern properly.

Next…His Name

In its highest use, ‘name’ sums up character; it declares the person.

The fact that Isaiah described all of the names by which Christ would be called using the word “shall” indicated that his coming would not be a chance happening but would be essential to the process of redeeming mankind.

He will have four descriptive names that will reveal His character.

He will be the nation’s Wonderful (i.e. “exceptional” or “distinguished”) Counselor, and the people will gladly listen to Him as the authoritative One.

Isaiah meant his qualification for ruling.

He is also the Mighty God (cf. 10:21). Some have suggested that this simply means “a godlike person” or hero. But Isaiah meant more than that,

Isaiah meant his person and power

This Deliverer will also be called the Everlasting Father.

Isaiah meant his relationship to his subjects.

The Messiah is also called the Prince of Peace:

Isaiah meant the society his rule creates.

Conclusion #1

Please be reminded that I said, “HELP IS ON THE WAY!”

As I get on the runway -- I’m reminded of the widowed school teacher who fell on bad times and was about to lose her home.

She prayed to God and asked Him to make a way. After her prayer she looked through an old scrapbook and her eyes fell on an old student of hers who gave her plenty of trouble because he always made trouble and was always late.

She found his phone number and called him and when he found out that she was about to lose her house he promised to come to her side.

A few days later the old teacher gathered her papers and prepared to go to meet her mortgage holder. She had a smile on her face that puzzled people who wanted to know why she smiled when she was about to lose her home. She only said, `My help is on the way.`

As the old lady sat with her mortgager she continued to smile even though she didn`t have a dime in her pocket. All she had to say to her agent was `my help is on the way.`

Just then her student came into the meeting with a check in his hands and paid off her note.

With a smile on her face she said, `It took you thirty years to learn my lesson, but you finally learned how to show up on time.`

I don`t know about you but I`ve found out, that `He may not come when you want Him to but...when this Child comes, He`s always on time`

Good things start to happen when this Child comes.

When this Child comes...

-People who were at the WORST start doing their best!

-People who were living in SIN start striving for HOLINESS!

-Hearts filled with sadness suddenly become filled with gladness!

-Those who walked in the dark, discover the marvelous light!

-Those who agonize over defeat, discover the thrill of victory!

-Those whose lives were out of tune, discover a new found harmony!

-Those who have fallen down, learn how to get back up again!

-Those who were crying, learn how to wipe their tears away! Who is this man they call `this Child?`Who is this man they call the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor! Lord of Lord and King of Kings!

His name is Jesus, my rock in a weary land!

His name is Jesus, my shelter in a time of storm!

His name is Jesus, who died out on Calvary, but Early Sunday morning He arose from the grave with all power in His hands!

There are just a few more risings and fallings!

There are just a few more briny tears, but He`s coming back again!

When Jesus comes..crying days will be over!

When Jesus comes....every mountain will be made low!

When Jesus comes..every valley shall be exalted!

When Jesus comes...

Motyer, J. A. (1999). Isaiah: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 20, pp. 101–102). InterVarsity Press.