Not Just Any Baby: Isaiah 9:1-7

Scripture Introduction:

We find ourselves today in the book of Isaiah examining one of the most well-known of the messianic, that is referring to the coming Messiah, prophecies in the Old Testament. Isaiah is writing in the early eighth century BC. He is writing, at a time where God’s people split into two different kingdoms. The northern often called Israel, and the southern, often referred to as Judah. Judah and their king Ahaz failed to trust Yahweh and instead trusted in other world powers, pagan deities and practices, and material resources. Let us now read today’s text

[Read Isaiah 9:1-7]

Introduction:

At a winter High School wrestling practice my friend and I were practicing a throw, known as the over-under throw. I was in the lightest weight class at the time, and he weighed about 45 to 50 pounds more than I did. The first couple of times I was able to throw him with control. He trusted that I would land him safely to the mat. Then it happened. I threw him and lost my footing, he slammed to the mat. His head bounced off the foam mat and crashed straight into my hard head. He was knocked out cold and ended up with a significant concussion. He trusted me, and I trusted me, but his trust was met with failure. The situation of today's text is much like the situation of my friend, and I. Judah had put there trust in external and worldly powers—like Egypt—to rescue them from other foreign powers—like Assyria. They trusted pagan gods, and they trusted material resources. These things, in the end, would all fail them. Isaiah among other prophet’s warned them of the doom that would come if they continued to be unfaithful to their God and put their trust in vain things that could not save them. Like my buddy, they trusted in something that did not rightly deserve it. They rested their hope in hopelessness. We often do likewise. We tend to place a lot of faith in our political system and country. We trust in our own ability to solve problems that arise in our lives. How often do you honestly stop and pray when a difficulty arises? Look at the first verse of chapter 9, “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” The prior chapter tells us of a season of gloom and anguish that was going to come to Judah. The gloom resulted from their hope and trust in things that were not worthy. Zebulun and Naphtali were along the northern border of Israel and were the first to be overtaken by invaders like Assyria that would decimate the Northern Kingdom. They also fell prey to the influence of the nations around them. Yet, this verse, we just read the people are given a glimpse of hope. There will be a time when the people of God will experience no gloom or anguish. This leads us to the question that the remainder of our text answers. If trusting in worldly things like national superpowers and material resources only lead to gloom and anguish, then where should we place our trust?

Transition: Before answering this question though verse two and three help us see what the people of God will experience.

To begin with, the people of God will have joy and victory (2-3).

Look in verse 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.” God’s people at this time were walking in darkness, as was the remainder of the world, but in the time to come His people will see, for light will shine upon them. Isaiah prophesied of a time when people who were in darkness would come into light. Is what Isaiah is saying going to happen all at once or will it take time? We must realize that Isaiah was shone things that were to come far after Him. Imagine a mountain range. You look at the mountains, and you see the peaks. They seem to be right next to one another. However, they are miles apart. As you approach the one closest to you, you realize that the next one is still a long way away. Likewise, Isaiah’s foresight is limited. He is seeing the horizon of what is going to take place in the future from afar. The light has come, but the darkness has not been entirely expelled. The light will progressively eradicate the darkness.

Look now in verse 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.” When Isaiah is writing, God’s people are in a position of weakness. They are divided, and their power is waning. Within the prophet’s lifetime the Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria, and less than two hundred years later the southern kingdom of Judah fell to Babylon. From that point, the nation of Israel has never been a major power in the Middle East. Though these things are true Isaiah prophesies that God will increase the nation and grow its joy. The light that shines in the darkness also gives power and joy to God’s people. Their situation will be reversed from a waning power and gloom to a powerful joy. The joy of the people will be like that of the harvest. We should at least have an idea of what that feels like. Israel’s livelihood often depended on its ability to provide adequate food for its people. Therefore, the harvest was celebrated. It is seen as God stepping in and providing for His people. This joy also will be like when they had military victory and are able to divide spoils of victory. The Israelite reading this would likely have said, “Ya, right.” This was because they were in no position to do anything of military significance. Both the Northern and Southern Kingdom depended on foreign powers to help them. They failed to trust Yahweh and trusted other things instead. Their misplaced trust would lead to their downfall. The Isaiah speaks of, though, will be a time where they once again are victorious, and they will feel as though they have conquered yet again.

Has this prophecy been fulfilled? Yes and no. God’s people are no longer a national entity based on family relations but has become what we now call the Church. The Church is what Israel would always become, a multi-ethnic redeemed people of God. This is something that has happened, is happening, and will still happen in the future. The light discussed above has entered the world and has shined the light on many who were formerly in darkness. Yet, there are still some who have not come to light which eventually will.

Are you in anguish? Are you in pain? When you look at the state of the Church in our country or even our own local church are you overjoyed or are you worried? The promise in Isaiah is that one day the people of God will have a reversal in their situation. Worry, fear, and anguish will be a thing that was of the past and joy will come. If you are in pain and suffering right now, this text is for you. God will overcome your pain and indeed already has. You may rest in the promise that one day victory and joy will be all that is seen among the people of God and if you are a Christian that includes you.

Transition: The people of God will have joy and victory. Isaiah, however, wants to tell us how this joy and victory will come about. He provides three reasons. Let’s look at the first reason that God’s people have joy and victory.

First, the people of God will have joy and victory because oppression will be removed (4).

Look at verse four, “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.” The people of God would indeed be oppressed for much of the time after Isaiah prophesied in Israel. But he tells them that they will not be oppressed forever. God will remove the burden that is heavy on their shoulders like He did through Gideon in Judges. God used a fearful and frail man to free his people from Midian who dominated Israel in His day. Gideon and his three hundred men drove a Midian from the lands of Israel, demonstrating that it was not their might, but God’s that gave them victory. Isaiah is likely referring to this event in verse 4.

Oppression exists in multiple forms both physically and spiritually. All experience both in different variations. Physically many of God’s people experience oppressive governments or systems that subject them to cruel treatment. Sometimes oppression can come in the form of illness and injury. The creation wars against us. Physical oppression though comes as a result of spiritual oppression. This oppression is otherwise known as sin, and it is pervasive in humanity. We all have felt oppressed. You may have in former days struggled with a sinful habit, maybe you still struggle with that habit today. You look at our nation's history you see the oppression of the minorities. You see on the news Christians being oppressed in the middle east. People everywhere and ever since the fall of man in Genesis have experienced oppression. God promises that one day it will end.

Transition: The people of God will have joy and victory because oppression will be removed. Isaiah, however, isn’t finished telling us how this joy and victory will come to God’s people. He has two more reasons.

Second, the people of God will have joy and victory because war will be ended (5).

Look in verse five with me, “For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.” The warrior’s boot and clothing will be burned. These are the lesser items of war compared to things like swords and bows. By saying the lesser things, it is implied that the greater things will also be included in this burning. Signifying that the time to come will be a time where war no longer exist. Peace between mankind will indeed be achieved. This achievement is incrementally fulfilled in time but will not be complete until the end of time.

Could you imagine a time of peace in the world? Where there is no genocide or warfare? If you watch the news, you see the violence of war waged all over the globe; one day that will be entirely ended.

Transition: The people of God will have joy and victory because oppression will be removed, and war ended. Isaiah, however, isn’t finished telling us how this joy and victory will come to God’s people.He has one more reason, and this one is foundational to the first two.

Third, the people of God will have joy and victory because a child will be born (6-7).

This is the ultimate reason for all that has proceeded. Look with me in verse 6, “For to us a child is born a son is given...” The birth of this child is what gives credence to what has been said earlier. This child is the light that illuminates the darkness. He is the one who removes the yoke of oppression. He is the one who ends war. He is Jesus Christ. The angels talking to the shepherds applied this very phrase to none other than Jesus Christ in the gospel of Matthew. Jesus removes the oppression of his people and ending by claiming his right to rule the earth. Continue with me in verse 6, “and the government shall be upon his shoulders…” and in verse 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 uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.” Some have tried to say that this text is referring to King Hezekiah and the temporary renewal of Israel under him, but this cannot be true for Hezekiah had already been born and the titles given to this king would be considered blasphemy if referring to merely a human king. Also, the king who is coming, in Isaiah’s view, will end oppression and warfare forever. He will rule with justice and righteousness forever. Hezekiah's reign ended. Let’s take a moment to look at the titles given to the child who we know to be Jesus Christ. Look in verse 6, “his name shall be called wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Wonderful counselor: In this book, Isaiah has made clear that the wisdom of mankind is folly. This is demonstrated in the counsel that is often trusted comes from worldly powers or in the word of pagans. Yet the coming king will give wonderful counsel to His people. His wisdom will be a well deeper than the deepest parts of the ocean. That is because he is more than a mere man.

Mighty God:This coming king will have the very might of God in His arsenal because He is God in the flesh. Those who try and make this title into something like that of great hero only do so to deny the deity of the king mentioned here. Any other time this phrase is used in Hebrew, it refers to God’s might. Therefore, we have no reason to see it differently here. Jesus is none other than the second member of the Trinity who became a man.

Everlasting Father: Kings of this time would often be referred to as the father of their people. They, however, were often self-serving. Jesus kingship though would be the opposite. He would be self-giving, dying in place of His people and bringing light to their darkness. Unlike the kings of the past and their self-claimed fatherhood, Jesus kingship is said to be everlasting.

Prince of Peace: He brings peace between people, and he brings peace between mankind and God. Jesus is a king who makes it possible for men to have peace with one another by giving man peace with God. Apart from him, peace is impossible.

All in all, Jesus is the very light that brings those who are in darkness out of anguish and into joy. His birth is a significant point in History for God’s kingdom is initiated by it. His birth is required for the New Covenant to be possible. God is building His kingdom in a way that is different than He did in the Old Testament. Rather than an ethnic people of God, He is creating people of God that are united to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. The people who are united with Jesus are those who trust in Him, and apart from Him, people remain in darkness. We must realize that Isaiah is seeing all of the Savior’s comings at once. He is seeing His birth and His consummating victory that ends all sin, oppression, and war. Jesus has been born, His kingdom has entered this world and is seen in the Church, for we are His people. However, his kingdom has not been completed… yet. People still walk in darkness, sin still exists, oppression is easily demonstrated, and wars take place all over the world. This time of the year we celebrate Christ’s birth, his grand entrance into human history, but let’s remember that his birth is a precursor to his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, and his second coming; where he will end this present age and make all things new. Darkness will be no more.

Transition: The people of God will have joy and victory because oppression will be removed, war ended, and a child will be born.

Conclusion:

Israel at the time of Isaiah was trying to find deliverance in all the wrong places. They placed their trust in foreign powers some that would later be the ones to oppress them. They put their faith in things that could not deliver what they promised. Much like my friend who placed his safety and welling being in my hands, Israel ended up getting hurt. We are often like Israel. We try to trust in many things that are unable to deliver. We as Americans prize self-sufficiency and place a lot of trust in our government to be an instrument of “salvation.” We show who we trust by the amount of time we spend in prayer and bible study. We show who we trust by how often we attend church. Where is joy found? Who should we trust? Where is deliverance to be found? Intellectually I am pretty sure most of us know the answer, but many aspects of our lives evidence that we don’t believe it. Our lack of prayer shows where our trust is. Our neglect of the Bible show where our trust is. We often trust in ourselves, our wisdom, and our abilities. We may place our trust in others. Either way, both are faulty. People fail, and we are all people.

I asked earlier, If trusting in worldly things like national superpowers and material resources only leads to gloom and anguish, then where should we place our trust? The answer is clear in light of today’s text we must place our trust in the child who was born, lived, died, rose again, ascended and will one day return. We must place our trust in and follow Jesus for his yoke is not like that of oppression but is light and gives rest. We must place our trust in and follow Jesus for he will bring an end to all evil including war. We must trust in and follow Jesus for he is the light that expels darkness and He is the source of joy. We as Christians and a church must make Him—His Lordship and salvation—known to those who are still in darkness. Let this Christmas be a time when you trust in and follow Jesus. Let this Christmas be a time where you rededicate your life towards the savior. Let this Christmas be a time where you fall to your knees and confess that you continue to place your trust in vain things. Let this Christmas be a time where you celebrate His forgiveness and where you look forward to His return. Let this Christmas be a time when you declare in deed and speech that the light has shown, the Child has been born, and He will come again. May we trust the eternal king, for we may know as the very last line of our passage says, “The zeal of the Lord of host will do this.” God will do as He has promised.