Scripture reading – Isaiah 9; Isaiah 10
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Recent Scripture readings in our chronological study of the Bible have presented ominous prophecies of the sorrows and judgment that ultimately befell Israel and Judah. Despite the prophets’ warnings and the imminent threats of war and captivity, the people refused to repent of their sins. Yet, the LORD remembered His covenant with Israel and gave His people hope for the future.
A Day When Darkness and Gloom Will Be No More (Isaiah 9:1-2)
Zebulun and Naphtali, the tribal lands around the Sea of Galilee (Isaiah 9:1), suffered much under the Assyrian invasion and captivity. Yet, it was that same region of Israel where Jesus Christ, the future Messiah, based much of His earthly ministry. In His day, the Sea of Galilee and the lands east of the Jordan River teemed with enthusiastic multitudes eager to hear His teachings and witness His miracles (Matthew 4:13-16).
Seven hundred years before Christ was born. Isaiah prophesied, “The people that walked in darkness [would see] a great light: They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them [would] the light shine” (Isaiah 9:2). Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when the LORD declared, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Four Blessings Accompanied the Messiah’s Coming (Isaiah 9:2-5)
Isaiah foretold four blessings that would attend the Messiah’s coming. The first blessing would bring deliverance from the bondage of sin and darkness (Isaiah 9:2; John 1:4; 8:12; 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 John 1:5). The second blessing would usher in a spirit of rejoicing like the rejoicing in the time of harvest or when men divide the spoils of war (9:3). The third blessing was one of freedom for the Messiah’s coming promised that the LORD would deliver His people from captivity (i.e., the yoke of bondage) and remove the weight of oppression (Isaiah 9:4). Finally, the Messiah would bring perpetual peace to Israel (Isaiah 9:5).
The Promise and Birth of A King (Isaiah 9:6-7)
One of the most celebrated of Isaiah’s prophecies is recorded in Isaiah 9:6-7. The prophet foretold that the Messiah King would be like no other. He would be the God-Man, conceived and born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6a; Luke 1:34-35), the incarnate Son of God named “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; Philippians 2:6-7). Of Him, we read:
“6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Christ’s birth fulfilled the first part of Isaiah’s prophecy (9:6a), but the balance of Isaiah 9:6-7 will only be fulfilled at Christ’s Second Coming. When He returns, He will rule the earth, and “the government shall be upon His shoulder” (9:6b). He will sit on the throne of David and rule the world. His titles and attributes will be “Wonderful, Counsellor” [for He is the God of all wisdom]; “the Mighty [omnipotent, all powerful] God.” He is “the Everlasting Father [the Father of Eternity], and the “Prince of Peace” [the fount of everlasting peace]” (Isaiah 9:6).
On that day, Christ will establish His kingdom on earth and sit “upon the throne of David,” and the earth will be at peace (Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:6-9). Those promises were sealed and guaranteed by “the zeal of the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 9:7).
The Imminent Wrath and Judgment of the LORD (Isaiah 9:8-21)
Turning from the blessed hope of the Messiah, Isaiah foretold against Israel a prophecy that would be partially fulfilled when Syria led a coalition of nations against the nation (Isaiah 9:8-12). Syria’s invasion foreshadowed the Assyrian invasion, yet Israel refused to repent of her sins and turn to the LORD (Isaiah 9:13).
Isaiah 9:14-18 described how the LORD would pour out His wrath on Israel and cut off “the head and the tail” (the head being the elder statesmen, and the tail identified as lying, false prophets, Isaiah 9:14-15). Israel was blighted with wicked leaders who “caused [the people] to err…and led the [nation to be] destroyed” (Isaiah 9:16).
Despite the troubles, famine, and anarchy suffered by Israel (Isaiah 9:18-20), the nation would not repent and even determined to make war with Judah! Isaiah warned, “For all this his anger is not turned away, But his hand is stretched out still” (Isaiah 9:21).
Closing thoughts –
Isaiah foretold that the Messiah King would be like no other, for He would be the incarnate Son of God named “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; Philippians 2:6-7). Yet, His people rejected Him as Isaiah foretold, and Christ suffered a humiliating, vicarious, substitutionary death (Isaiah 53:3-10). He died bearing the sins of the world (John 1:29; Romans 5:8).
Romans 5:8 – 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith
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