June 5 – Isaiah 9
This amazing chapter starts out with a forward look toward Messiah. Perhaps Isaiah says this first, so that the people will know that even though their generation is basically doomed, God still loves His people and the day will come when He will rescue them. The story of Jesus is all over Isaiah 9:1-7. These first few verses outline so clearly that God intends to send a Savior to Israel.
I love that Matthew studies our passage today and applied it to Jesus in his gospel. Read this from Matthew 4:12-17. Right after Jesus returned from His forty days in the wilderness, Matthew reports this:
“When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Wow. And, of course, in our first section we also read that wonderful passage of the child born to us who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Oh what HOPE Isaiah gave Israel for a future that would be better than their soon-to-come disastrous present.
And then, for the rest of the chapter, Isaiah launches into the bad news. God has had it with the sins and idolatry of His people. They have not listened and all have turned away. There will be righteous anger and punishment visited on them. They should expect it. And if they are wise, they will turn and beg God for forgiveness. Oh what sadness to read these verses, knowing that those to whom Isaiah is preaching and pleading will ignore the warnings!
My verse: Isaiah 9:7 “His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
My response: And this has indeed happened. Your passionate commitment was so great You died for us and conquered death. You reign. You will always reign. We live in the time between Your comings, Lord Jesus, and yearn for that final victory! I love that You showed Isaiah not a man-Savior, but God – for who else could reign for all eternity?
