A Promised Future Blessing Amid The Reality of A Present Struggle

Isaiah 9 continues from the previous chapter and brings together both a promise of a future blessing (v.1-7) and the reality of a present struggle (v.8-21).

Isaiah 9:1-5

“But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness- on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.”

The land of Zebulun and the land of Nephtali point to the Northern kingdom of Israel. At this time, it was already colonized by the Assyrians and headed to destruction because of the people’s idolatry. Yet God would one day honor this very same land, for his Son would live and minister there (v.1). And at that time the people walking in darkness would see a great light (v.2). The future of the Everlasting Father (the Messiah) who will reverse the humiliation and bondage of Israel and usher in an era of peace in which garments of war will no longer be needed by them (v.5).

“The rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian” is referring us back to the miracles found in Judges 6-7 that God worked through Gideon and his pitifully outnumbered band of warriors. The Day of Midian was the day that God vanquished Israel’s foes through a mighty defeat that depended on a group of men armed with clay pots, torches and trumpets. God saved the day and made it quite plain that this was no ordinary military victory: this was the arm of the Lord at work, mighty to save. So when Isaiah mentions Midian Israel would have known that he was describing a supernatural salvation.

Isaiah 9:6

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Here we see another messianic prophecy. It’s language is very precise. A child will be born for us, a son will be given to us. This tells us that Jesus had to be born as a child to come to us in Bethlehem, even though the Son existed since the beginning of time. 

At that appointed time, that we are still waiting on, Jesus will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace, and the one government (including all heaven and earth) will be on his shoulders. Here we see the unraveling of God’s will as we know the Son, Emanuel (God with us), was born and thus given over 2,000 years ago, but the one government including both heaven and earth has not yet been set on his shoulders. Therefore, for now, we still live amongst governments that multiply all manner of greed, idolatry, and injustice.

Isaiah 9:7

“His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom (Jerusalem or Mont Zion), to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness. This shows us that God’s government is a righteous government, not filled with greed and corruption as is the norm of governments today and historically. This detailing of God’s government has direct implications for Christians today who seek to be good stewards of the church, in our communities, and in our homes, so we strive to ensure that all is pleasing in God’s sight as work toward the mutual upbuilding of one another.

There are also government and political implications made by the description of God’s righteous government. World leaders, elders, dignitaries, and those who serve in the manner of prophets, will all be held accountable for how they manage their positions of authority. Therefore leaders that rule with injustice and unrighteousness methods are in direct opposition to the Christ’s Kingdom and lead in ways contrary to truth.

Isaiah 9:8-12

“The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it fell on Israel; and all the people knew it- Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria- but in pride and arrogance of heart they said: "The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place." So the LORD raised adversaries against them, and stirred up their enemies, the Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west, and they devoured Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still.”

The stark shift from coming judgement (Isaiah 8), to promised blessing (Isaiah 9:1-7), and then to a present judgement (Isaiah 9:8-21), is a common pattern in Isaiah and other biblical prophetic writings.

Even though Isaiah was primarily a prophet sent to Judah, the Southern kingdom, here we see that he also delivered a message from a God to Jacob (Israel), the Northern kingdom, as well. This is a message that shows God’s anger toward Israel’s arrogance when they vowed that they would recover from and make themselves even stronger from the calamities that fell upon them, yet they did not vow to alter their ways. And so “In all this, His anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike.”(9:12, 17, 21)

In this we see the stiff-necked nature of Israel (he who wrestles with God), they were given warnings and ample time to repent, but they did not consider God’s mercy a thing to value and sought to firmly establish themselves in their sin.

Isaiah 9:13-19

“The people did not turn to him who struck them, or seek the LORD of hosts. So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in one day- elders and dignitaries are the head, and prophets who teach lies are the tail; for those who led this people led them astray, and those who were led by them were left in confusion. That is why the Lord did not have pity on their young people, or compassion on their orphans and widows; for everyone was godless and an evildoer, and every mouth spoke folly. For all this his anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still. For wickedness burned like a fire, consuming briers and thorns; it kindled the thickets of the forest, and they swirled upward in a column of smoke. Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land was burned, and the people became like fuel for the fire; no one spared another.”

It is because Israel refused to repent and turn back to the LORD that the LORD would have no more pity on them, saying that he would “cut off Israel’s head and tail.” This meant that Israel’s wicked leaders, elders, dignitaries, and prophets who teach lies were named as being guilty for leading Israel into confusion. Yet it was not only the leaders but also the oppressed, the orphans and widows, who are normally the first to get compassion from God, would also feel the force of God’s anger.

This anger was against faithless Israel on all socio political levels, and Isaiah said it would not turn away until their destruction was complete. It is not directly said how this destruction was experienced, but the final words of this chapter give us a clue to what kind of destruction Israel encountered.

Isaiah 9:20-21

“They gorged on the right, but still were hungry, and they devoured on the left, but were not satisfied; they devoured the flesh of their own kindred; Manasseh devoured Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh, and together they were against Judah. For all this his anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still.”

Israel experienced a self destruction in this particular description of judgement. God has not called for a forign army this time, instead Ephraim and Ephraim Manasseh devoured each other although they are both Israelite peoples in the North kingdom, and together they both also turn against Judah who are Israelite peoples in the Southern kingdom.

As you reflect on this prophesy of both Israel’s current judgement as well as their future blessing:

• Considering how God is moving during today’s current climate of protest against the history of violence done to black people all over the world by law enforcement, do you think that a racist institution could bring destruction on itself because of its refusal to accept people of other races as being made in God’s image and likeness?

• Israel’s hope in the Prince of Peace gave them the vision to look to a future hope in the midst of their current struggle. How does Jesus give you peace and hope while black lives continue to be taken unjustly? 

You are welcomed to pray with me:

Eternal God,

I give you thanks for your wise plan of salvation for all people, and your ultimate plan to restore your righteousness on the earth. My heart greaves at the countless number of loss of black life as a result of racism and systems of white supremacy. I have faith in your plan to restore justice, but even now I ask for your deliverance, for many people have died and many more are afraid. But my hope is in you, our hope is in you, so we will let you be our strength. Show me when to move and when to rest, show me how I can use the tools I have to join in your fight for the liberation of the oppressed and to recover the sight of the blind. Have your way in me, for in the end you will be victorious, so I choose to stand for justice with you, in Jesus Name! Amen.

In memory of George Floyd
(1973-2020)
Rest in Power