Isaiah 9:1-2; 6-7 (plus selective passages)
“1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”… 6For 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. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:1-2; 6-7
1. God promised to bring everlasting peace.
· Israel was living in darkness at the time of Isaiah’s writing.
· Assyrians have defeated the Northern Kingdom (Zebulun and Naphtali being part of it) of Israel and exiled its people.
· It brought distress, fear, and uncertainty for the inhabitants of the Southern kingdom. The city of Judah was constantly harassed by her enemy and has finally become a vassal state of the Assyrians.
· The Roman empire had occupied Israel even before Jesus was born, thus, they continued to be living in “gloom and darkness.”
· God promised a “great light” that would appear in their darkness.
· Light is synonymous the Messiah – the promised Savior of God’s people.
· The promise was initially fulfilled in the 1st Advent, when Christ was born to a virgin named Mary. See Luke 2:8-14.
· Jesus will reign in the hearts of His believers and save His people from spiritual “darkness”.
· It will be completely fulfilled in the 2nd Advent when Christ, will physically reign in the new earth. He will be the King who will give perfect and everlasting peace for His people. See Rev. 22:23-27.
2. God brought us peace through Christ.
“6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” Isaiah 9:6.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-14.
· Favor means demonstrated delight.
· God’s favor resting upon an individual or a group of people means that God gives tangible evidence of His approval.
· His favor is anchored on His sovereignty.
“19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:19-20.
· God’s favour rests on His Son.
· Through Christ, God also gave all believers His unmerited favour.
3. God’s peace enables us to draw closer to Him.
John 6:44-45, “44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.”
· Draw in Greek is helkuo which means to drag fish to the shore by using a net.
· The way that God draws us to Himself is through the teaching of His Word. See John 6:45.
Romans 10:17 says, “17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
· We can’t come closer to God without knowing Jesus.
· We can’t know Jesus, His nature, His life and ministry without the study of the Bible.
· Truly knowing God changes the way we think, and it changes our attitudes.
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