Isaiah 9 Commentary
Chapter 9 is very interesting. The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; Galilee of the nations; land by Way to the sea and land beyond the Jordan. The scripture is describing territories occupied by Judah’s sister kingdom called Israel or Ephraim. They were in distress but not anymore.
By the time of this volume, the land beyond the Jordan had been lost already. And the opening chapters of this Book have talked about the scattering of Samaria. Chapter 7 mentioned Immanuel. Because of Immanuel, Judah would be protected, albeit temporarily. And because of the same Immanuel Samaria and Damascus would be scattered.
Chapter 7 presented to us Immanuel – a sign. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.” God with us.
Chapter 8 has another pregnancy and another son is born. But by all looks, this son is very much human and his name is ‘Quick Loot, Fast Plunder’.
Chapter 9, today’s chapter, has yet another pregnancy. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Verse 6. Look at the names and know immediately that this son isn’t at all human but He is born, nevertheless.
Because of this son, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light. Interestingly, it is because of the same son that the same nations are scattered in the very first place. Isaiah toggles between the justice of God and the compassions of God. Both are represented by the son.
Verse 6 brings all the pieces together. The opening chapters lamented humanity’s lack of leadership. Of course, it was an important pointer to the loss of the blessing of dominion that humanity suffered in Genesis chapter 3. Verse 6 is an answer to this problem. The son is an entire government by Himself.
The desolations associated with the scatterings are cleared by the presence of the Prince of Peace. He has gathered us together under one obedience and under one submission.
For sure, Isaiah is talking about the same son that the LORD said would succeed David in second Samuel 7. An everlasting dynasty!
Isaiah then returns to his own time and focuses on the LORD’s judgment on Samaria. He has given dates already for Samaria’s destruction. Ephraim is under attack from all sorts of places. Will the people see the calamities as God’s judgment and repent?
Ungodliness within the community of God’s peoples will increase. Wickedness will burn like a fire. Aren’t we describing our own world today?
The saint does well to remember the compassions of the LORD God during these times and talk about the Prince of Peace – an everlasting Father whose rule never comes to an end. Thank you, LORD Jesus Christ, because you are on the throne! Amen.
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