Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
For 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
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. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.
Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isaiah 9 offers a powerful blend of prophetic pronouncements, shifting from a vision of future glory to a stark warning of impending judgment. Understanding this chapter requires recognizing its place within the broader context of Isaiah, particularly its connection to the preceding chapter and its foreshadowing of the Messiah.
From Darkness to Light (Isaiah 8:20-9:7)
Isaiah 8 concludes with a bleak depiction of spiritual darkness engulfing Israel, a consequence of their rejection of God's word (Isaiah 8:20-22). Isaiah 9:1, however, acts as a beacon of hope, potentially serving as a conclusion to the previous chapter while simultaneously introducing a new theme. While judgment looms, Israel's story doesn't end there. The prophet unveils a future where darkness gives way to a "great light" for those who once walked in gloom. This light will particularly shine in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, areas of the northern kingdom of Israel that had already experienced the sting of Assyrian oppression. Isaiah 9:1 alludes to a time when God would bring honor to this land, a prophecy fulfilled in part by Jesus' ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:15-16).
This "great light" signals a restoration and a reversal of fortunes. The Lord will increase the nation and fill them with joy like the joy of harvest or victory. The tools of oppression and war will be destroyed (Isaiah 9:2-5). This dramatic shift is made possible by a divine intervention: the birth of a child destined to rule.
The Promised Child-King (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Isaiah 9:6-7 stands as one of the most significant Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. The prophet declares, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
The language used here is deliberate and profound. The phrase "a child is born to us, a son is given to us" points to both the humanity and the divinity of the coming Messiah. Jesus was born as a child in Bethlehem, entering our world in human form. Yet, He is also the pre-existent Son of God, eternally existing and "given" to us as a gift of grace.
The titles bestowed upon this child-king are equally remarkable:
- Wonderful Counselor: He possesses wisdom and understanding beyond human comprehension, guiding with divine insight.
- Mighty God: A clear declaration of His divine nature and power.
- Everlasting Father: This title speaks to His role as protector and provider, a source of unending love and care for His people.
- Prince of Peace: He brings reconciliation and wholeness, establishing a reign of tranquility and justice.
These titles highlight that this king is far more than a mere mortal leader. He is the promised Messiah, destined to rule not just Israel, but the entire earth. Isaiah emphasizes that His government and peace will have no end, established with justice and righteousness on the throne of David forever (Isaiah 9:7). This is not just a spiritual kingdom but one with tangible social and political implications. The Messiah's reign will be characterized by justice for the oppressed and righteous rule over His subjects.
Many Christians misunderstand these aspects of the kingdom, thereby marginalizing its authority and influence in their lives and in the land. Some have so spiritualized the kingdom, in fact, that its sociopolitical features have become little more than an ideology lacking modern application. This has led to a sad reduction of the vast socioethical implications of the church, creating an organism that offers little power toward transforming society.
The multifaceted nature of the kingdom of God is very real, biblically substantiated, and relevant to the manifestation of the church’s greatest and true potential. Our kingdom activity today should be reflective of, and point to, the ultimate kingdom of Jesus Christ in which he will execute justice for the oppressed and rule righteously over his subjects (see 10:1-2).
The Shadow of Judgment (Isaiah 9:8-21)
The tone shifts dramatically in Isaiah 9:8, as the prophet returns to the theme of judgment. This alternating pattern of blessing and judgment is characteristic of the prophetic books. While Isaiah's primary audience was the southern kingdom of Judah, this section addresses the northern kingdom of Israel, also referred to as Jacob (Isaiah 9:8).
The Lord has sent a message against Israel. The people, however, are arrogant and unrepentant, boasting that they will rebuild what has been destroyed, making it even grander than before (Isaiah 9:9-10). But God has a different plan. Their enemies will devour them, and they will face destruction at the hands of their adversaries. A recurring refrain underscores the severity of God's displeasure: "In all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out" (Isaiah 9:12, 17, 21).
Because Israel refused to turn back to the Lord, he would cut off Israel’s head and tail. In other words, Israel’s wicked leaders, the elders and the prophets who led the whole nation astray, would be punished (9:14-16). God’s fury against his faithless people would not be quenched until their destruction was complete. The people were like fuel for the fire (9:19).
This judgment extends to all levels of society, from the leaders to the people. The leaders have misled the nation, and the people have embraced wickedness. The consequences are devastating, with internal strife and societal breakdown. The chapter concludes with a vivid image of unchecked wickedness consuming the land like a fire, fueled by sin and resulting in both societal destruction and divine wrath (Isaiah 9:18-21).
Conclusion
Isaiah 9 presents a complex and multifaceted picture. It offers a glorious vision of hope and restoration through the coming Messiah, the Prince of Peace. Yet, it also delivers a sobering warning of judgment for those who reject God and persist in their sin. The chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and faith, urging us to turn from darkness to the light of God's grace, embodied in the person and reign of Jesus Christ. The "near" and "far" aspects frequently occur in Old Testament prophecy because Jesus was born two thousand years ago as a child, but the government of the universe has yet to be placed “on his shoulders.” This will happen at his coronation as King of kings and Lord of lords in the millennium.
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
For 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
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. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.
Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isaiah 9 offers a powerful blend of prophetic pronouncements, shifting from a vision of future glory to a stark warning of impending judgment. Understanding this chapter requires recognizing its place within the broader context of Isaiah, particularly its connection to the preceding chapter and its foreshadowing of the Messiah.
From Darkness to Light (Isaiah 8:20-9:7)
Isaiah 8 concludes with a bleak depiction of spiritual darkness engulfing Israel, a consequence of their rejection of God's word (Isaiah 8:20-22). Isaiah 9:1, however, acts as a beacon of hope, potentially serving as a conclusion to the previous chapter while simultaneously introducing a new theme. While judgment looms, Israel's story doesn't end there. The prophet unveils a future where darkness gives way to a "great light" for those who once walked in gloom. This light will particularly shine in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, areas of the northern kingdom of Israel that had already experienced the sting of Assyrian oppression. Isaiah 9:1 alludes to a time when God would bring honor to this land, a prophecy fulfilled in part by Jesus' ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:15-16).
This "great light" signals a restoration and a reversal of fortunes. The Lord will increase the nation and fill them with joy like the joy of harvest or victory. The tools of oppression and war will be destroyed (Isaiah 9:2-5). This dramatic shift is made possible by a divine intervention: the birth of a child destined to rule.
The Promised Child-King (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Isaiah 9:6-7 stands as one of the most significant Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. The prophet declares, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
The language used here is deliberate and profound. The phrase "a child is born to us, a son is given to us" points to both the humanity and the divinity of the coming Messiah. Jesus was born as a child in Bethlehem, entering our world in human form. Yet, He is also the pre-existent Son of God, eternally existing and "given" to us as a gift of grace.
The titles bestowed upon this child-king are equally remarkable:
- Wonderful Counselor: He possesses wisdom and understanding beyond human comprehension, guiding with divine insight.
- Mighty God: A clear declaration of His divine nature and power.
- Everlasting Father: This title speaks to His role as protector and provider, a source of unending love and care for His people.
- Prince of Peace: He brings reconciliation and wholeness, establishing a reign of tranquility and justice.
These titles highlight that this king is far more than a mere mortal leader. He is the promised Messiah, destined to rule not just Israel, but the entire earth. Isaiah emphasizes that His government and peace will have no end, established with justice and righteousness on the throne of David forever (Isaiah 9:7). This is not just a spiritual kingdom but one with tangible social and political implications. The Messiah's reign will be characterized by justice for the oppressed and righteous rule over His subjects.
Many Christians misunderstand these aspects of the kingdom, thereby marginalizing its authority and influence in their lives and in the land. Some have so spiritualized the kingdom, in fact, that its sociopolitical features have become little more than an ideology lacking modern application. This has led to a sad reduction of the vast socioethical implications of the church, creating an organism that offers little power toward transforming society.
The multifaceted nature of the kingdom of God is very real, biblically substantiated, and relevant to the manifestation of the church’s greatest and true potential. Our kingdom activity today should be reflective of, and point to, the ultimate kingdom of Jesus Christ in which he will execute justice for the oppressed and rule righteously over his subjects (see 10:1-2).
The Shadow of Judgment (Isaiah 9:8-21)
The tone shifts dramatically in Isaiah 9:8, as the prophet returns to the theme of judgment. This alternating pattern of blessing and judgment is characteristic of the prophetic books. While Isaiah's primary audience was the southern kingdom of Judah, this section addresses the northern kingdom of Israel, also referred to as Jacob (Isaiah 9:8).
The Lord has sent a message against Israel. The people, however, are arrogant and unrepentant, boasting that they will rebuild what has been destroyed, making it even grander than before (Isaiah 9:9-10). But God has a different plan. Their enemies will devour them, and they will face destruction at the hands of their adversaries. A recurring refrain underscores the severity of God's displeasure: "In all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out" (Isaiah 9:12, 17, 21).
Because Israel refused to turn back to the Lord, he would cut off Israel’s head and tail. In other words, Israel’s wicked leaders, the elders and the prophets who led the whole nation astray, would be punished (9:14-16). God’s fury against his faithless people would not be quenched until their destruction was complete. The people were like fuel for the fire (9:19).
This judgment extends to all levels of society, from the leaders to the people. The leaders have misled the nation, and the people have embraced wickedness. The consequences are devastating, with internal strife and societal breakdown. The chapter concludes with a vivid image of unchecked wickedness consuming the land like a fire, fueled by sin and resulting in both societal destruction and divine wrath (Isaiah 9:18-21).
Conclusion
Isaiah 9 presents a complex and multifaceted picture. It offers a glorious vision of hope and restoration through the coming Messiah, the Prince of Peace. Yet, it also delivers a sobering warning of judgment for those who reject God and persist in their sin. The chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and faith, urging us to turn from darkness to the light of God's grace, embodied in the person and reign of Jesus Christ. The "near" and "far" aspects frequently occur in Old Testament prophecy because Jesus was born two thousand years ago as a child, but the government of the universe has yet to be placed “on his shoulders.” This will happen at his coronation as King of kings and Lord of lords in the millennium.