< Isaiah 9 >

Jesus came among the people of Israel as a great light to enlighten the minds of men, and Isaiah prophesied of this event: vs.1-2;Isaiah 9:1-2XWaiting for response Matthew 4:12-16.Matthew 4:12-16XWaiting for response Jesus began preaching the gospel in Galilee and the light of his teaching spread over the whole land. Israel then, as most of the world now, was both in darkness and in the shadow of death, but God’s truth not only enlightens but also brings salvation from death.

The Saviour brought joy to be realised in the harvest of the earth v.3Isaiah 9:3XWaiting for response when he will break the power of the oppressors of Israel, as Gideon did of old v.4;Isaiah 9:4XWaiting for response Judges 7:19Judges 7:19XWaiting for response when the Midianites were confused with noise and overcome.v.5Isaiah 9:5XWaiting for response But first the Saviour had to be born, as Isaiah foretold: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given”. v.6Isaiah 9:6XWaiting for response When the conception of Jesus was announced, Mary was told he would reign over the house of Israel for ever upon the throne of David Luke 1:32Luke 1:32XWaiting for response in accordance with God’s promise to David. Therefore Isaiah prophesied: “The government shall be upon his shoulder... of 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”.vs.6-7Isaiah 9:6-7XWaiting for response The day will soon come when God will do what he has promised and set his Son on his throne in Jerusalem to reign over his kingdom of Israel and over all nations, for “the zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this”.v.7Isaiah 9:7XWaiting for response

Jesus’ “name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” v.6Isaiah 9:6XWaiting for response and these titles describe the character of his reign. “Everlasting” in the original Hebrew means “age lasting” and for the duration of the future age Jesus “shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah” because God “will commit his government into his hand”. Isaiah 22:21Isaiah 22:21XWaiting for response He will be a “Wonderful” ruler, able to do wonders by God’s power. He will be a “Counsellor”, ruling by the wisdom of the LORD. He will be the “Mighty God”, a powerful one as the words mean. And he will be the “Prince of Peace”, establishing everlasting peace in the earth.

This passage is often taken out of context in support of the trinity, but if it did indeed prove that Jesus was a member of the trinity “the everlasting Father” would make him “God the Father”!

Before Jesus is made the ruler characterised v.6,Isaiah 9:6XWaiting for response Israel would be punished by the LORD for their wickedness vs.17-21Isaiah 9:17-21XWaiting for response and would be afflicted by neighbouring countries.vs.11-12Isaiah 9:11-12XWaiting for response Nevertheless, at the set time, Jesus will save Israel from all her enemies.