Isaiah 9:1-7

8:21-9:1  Warned coming invasion Assyria (terrible vss. 19-21).  Especially N. Israel around Galilee where invasion began.  Severely ravaged 732 BC by Tiglath-Pileser, and became known as "Galilee of gentiles". Spiritually became pagan, morally became heathen, nationally became Assyrian.  Things not bleak, black! (2Kgs 15:29).  In this context, 9:1 becomes precious hope.  >darkness may seem as if God cares little about suffering but while gloom around her, it will not be upon her.  In other words, while situation hopeless, God’s people can hope, because this dark land about be engulfed in radiant light.  Even when God’s judgment falling around us, not mean His light will not fall upon us.        

 

Vs. 2       Isa declares as earth dark/dead/barren and light brought life, so too, dead, destroyed land shall receive the same light that illuminates heaven (Rev 21:23).  Mal 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.  Ever seen shaft of sunlight on dark day?  People always exclaiming looks like God coming down…  Mt 4:13-16

 

Vs. 3a     Isa turns and speaks LORD directly…His words explain that joy will come w/ Light.  Isa doesn’t tell us how they relate, but we now know!  Unspeakable joy of Jesus (read the “joy” vss)…Isa couldn’t fully know why joy was there, he is overwhelmed in trying to describe what God showing.

 

Vs. 6a     Yeled (not ‘na ar’ Isa 7, 8).  “Something born” rather than “male child”.  This Light come thru birth.  Lk 2:11-14 “Burning ones” in Isa 6.  Theoretically, Messiah could’ve been full grown (Adam was).  But Messiah FULLY identify w/ fallen humanity.  Didn’t have to eat (Moses didn’t on mt.), Didn’t have to sleep (God doesn’t Ps 121).  But according Phil 2:7 “emptied” according Heb 2:14 took on our weaknesses, according Hb 4:15 purposed to experience EXACTLY what YOU experience.  Jesus didn’t begin at birth (Jn 1:1) but did add humanity to His deity.  He is human, but don’t forget Lk 1:35   

 

Vs. 6b     JC clearly set about prove from heaven, not Bethlehem. When about raise Lazarus, prayed: “that they may believe that You sent Me.” Jn 8:23-29  That both God and man tells us how compatible the two natures are.  We have been made in image God.  We don’t have compatibility issues, but user error (sin).  1 Tim 2:5 says our intercessor is a MAN.   Now before birth, Joseph knew wasn’t dad, and he and Mary informed Child shall be a Son and His Father named “Jesus”.    

 

Vs. 6c     Ultimately, fulfilled Millennium, when rules earth (Isa 2:1-4, Rv 20:4-6, Zech 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.)  however, Vs. 7…lack of kingdom borders starts when He appears and shall be great.  What refer?  Dirt and rock?  His govt at work today.  Lk 17:21…   Whenever someone miraculously leaves drugs and restored!  Governed by God.  Whenever loving Christian cares orphans and poor…Whenever eagerly gather learn Bible or joyously praise…Whenever give up lucrative careers to share Good News…Whenever selfish become selfless…His government is perfectly alive and working.  There are no borders and it shall never end.  Now before keep read rest of Vs. 6, want note ancient Near East kings habit taking names when crowned. Usually, ridiculous and sometimes divine.  For example, one part Egypt rulers take five titles and had to refer a god, a specific land, a specific goal.  One recorded: “Let the great names of the good god and his titles be made: Mighty Bull, One Capable of Planning, Great in Wonders, Filled with Truth, Son to whom life is given.”  Now, unlikely ever live up their names.  How about our King? 

Wonderful: Literally “Miraculous!”  Used in Gn 18:14, Jr 32:27 as impossible.  Extraordinary, supernatural abilities. How hard born virgin?  Lk 7:22…Said, “was the Resurrection” then raised dead man!  Jn 3:2 

“Adviser”, “Therapist”.  Jn 2:25!  After speaking few short moments to Samaritan woman Jn 4:29 From a distance analyzed Nathanael Jn 1:47  What think meant in Rv to 7 churches?   I know your works!  All He needed to say, painfully clear.  Peter said, Jn 6:68.  (Woman caught in adultery, “Who first?”, Martha “One thing is needful”, rich young ruler “One thing lack”) When Jews sent to capture, returned empty-handed, Jn 7:46  Everything patterned after something.  Car—carriage—cart—sled…This Man has new and really good words!  A man be >psychologist if completely fixed 90% patients.  Jesus never found case too hard for Him, kids, elderly, sick, unclean, poor, even dead!  They’d bring all kinds desperate cases, but at a touch or a word from Him their troubles gone. The same true today, folks Hb 13:8 He even gave us His Spirit (Jn 14:16) for one on one counseling. 

“Powerful God”—Not just wonderful and counselor (or wonderful counselor) But, image of God.  Just announced in Chp 7/8 ‘Immanu-’el’.  John declares Jn 1:1 Paul who met Him much later Eph 1:21 and Tit 2:13, Jn 10:33

‘Everlasting Father?’ –The Messiah was to be known as the “Son,” not the Father, according to 2 Sam 7:14.  But here, called the Father. This seeming confusion shows up in a couple Isa’s prophecies (Is 48:15-16)  Touches on the Tri-Unity of God.  Jesus would have read this verse and responded Jn 10:30 or Jn 14:9 Jesus is the exact physical representation of the Father Heb 1:3  The everlasting Father rules as Jesus.  They are the one God and direct the “everlastings”! 

‘Head Man in charge of peace’—Lk 2:14, Jn 14:27 Peace, doesn’t mean lack of war.  Peace is when everything is as should be.  Elsewhere talk of lion lying down with lamb, children playing at viper’s nest, not just lack of war.  Once again, not fully seen till millennium, but I can tell you what happened to me! 

 

They were living in darkness, but told the Light coming.  How about us?  Can we hold on?  Rom 13:11-14.  In middle of terrible judgment, will we believe God cruel, detached or angry?  God stepped right down into that terrible darkness with them and showed Who He really was.  A kind, loving, understanding, forgiving Father Who is going to completely destroy Satan and the yoke, staff and rod he has placed upon people.  Read Rv 20:10                In days ahead, whenever, appears everything in ruin, remember Jesus called Wonderful, because has inconceivable methods helping and power beyond our conception.  Whenever confused or need counsel, remember Counselor who knows everything.  When need strength to go on, remember He is Mighty God. When all around us seem to abandon, or sudden fears come upon us, let us remember He is not just Father, but Father forever to you.  When we inwardly tossed by circumstances or temptations or anxiety, let us remember He is Prince of Peace.  He has broken the yoke, the staff and the rod of our oppressor and His light has dawned.  Amen!