Isaiah 9:1 –7 Unto Us a Child Is Born (Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15)
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.”
It is fitting that we are studying these verses on Christmas Eve. Of all the prophecies in Isaiah, this is one of the most encouraging. What was so significant about the lands of Zebulon and Naphtali? The lands of these tribes lay on a major trade route to the Mediterranean Sea, frequently known as the Way of the Sea. Trade routes make easy passages for invaders, and the tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali were among the first to be carried off into captivity. These tribes, along with the other eight tribes in the Northern Kingdom, had persisted in worshiping idols, plunging ever deeper into spiritual darkness. Isaiah predicted that when the Messiah came, he would bring light into that darkness. It was in that region that Jesus began his ministry and did much of his preaching, thus fulfilling this prophecy.
But “Galilee of the Gentiles” also has a second meaning. When King Hiram of Tyre helped Solomon, Solomon repaid him by giving him twenty cities in the Galilee area. From that point onward, those cities were referred to as “Galilee of the Gentiles” while there were other neighboring areas that were considered “Jewish Galilee.” It’s likely that once Tyre took over these cities, those people began worshiping the gods of Tyre, rather than the God of Israel.
It is a sad mistake to assume that the religion of a people has no effect on their land. The Sentinel Organization Transformation films have documented the complete transformation of communities previously mired in despair after Christians have banded together to pray for their communities. In places as diverse as Medellin, Colombia, villages in Guatemala, Eskimo villages in Alaska, and villages in Fiji, drug cartels have been brought down, land has become fertile, and fish and wild life have returned in large numbers.
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come to one of the most hopeless parts of Israel, and that light would shine in the darkness, and life and joy would abound. The yokes of oppressive government would be shattered and all symbols of that oppression would be destroyed. Even the garments worn into battle would be burned as fuel.
Messiah would come, and He would carry all authority “the government will be upon his shoulders.” Messiah would be so magnificent that he would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” But the wonders would not end with the arrival of Messiah, for he would establish a kingdom that would last forever.
“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.”
One mistake when considering prophecy is to assume that a prophecy can only work on one level; meanwhile, God is always packing more meaning into His Word than we can comprehend at a glance. When describing the start of Jesus’ ministry, Matthew quotes this prophecy as the reason that Jesus begins his ministry where he does. Matthew 4:12 – 17 “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” But part of this prophecy has yet to be fulfilled, for Jesus has yet to return to occupy the throne of David.
APPLICATION: All of us need this Word right now! This last year has been very difficult for the people of the world. Here in our small part of rural Ghana, we are facing concerns over the scanty nature of the recent harvests. Those who harvested 5 bags of rice from their farms last year are reporting yields of 1 ½ bags. The maize harvest has been similarly low, and soybeans and groundnuts have fared little better. The poor state of the global economy has also had a devastating impact on our local economy as well, causing prices of goods and services to rise daily. In the midst of this darkness, we need the light of the Messiah!
The term “Gospel” means “good news.” The Messiah is a wonderful Counselor – we all need guidance as we thread our way through life. The Messiah is a mighty God – these days, many people are pinning hopes on causes such as opposing global warming or saving the environment. But we are created to worship, and it is pointless to worship causes or people who can always fail. The Messiah is the Everlasting Father. While a few blessed people may have had loving fathers who helped and protected them, many have grown up without a father’s love. Many more have suffered untold abuses at the hands of their progenitors who can scarcely be referred to as fathers. We long for a perfect Father, someone who will love us and accept us and protect us and guide us.
The Messiah is the Prince of Peace. The world is full of conflict. As I am writing this, tribal rivalries have broken out again in a town 100 miles to the north of us and several people have died. Competition for land, for resources, for position, for survival – the reasons for fighting are endless. We need the peace of God that passes all understanding. Although many people are struggling to find peace in drugs or alcohol, only the Messiah can bring such peace.
Today, the Messiah has yet to return a second time, and the world is still full of trouble. But those of us who choose to follow Jesus the Messiah can enjoy peace and guidance even in the midst of turmoil. I stand in awe of friends who continue to minister in one city in Ukraine. While many others have fled the country, this couple continue to help in diverse ways, graphically demonstrating the love of Christ to all around them. Are my friends safe? No. They might be killed. But are they secure in Christ Jesus? Absolutely yes! Whether my friends live or die, they will always belong to Jesus and He to them as well.
When we realize who Jesus is and what He has done and is doing for us, there is only one thing left for us to say: Oh come, let us adore Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to realize just how much You care about us and how great Your provisions are for us. Thank You, that You truly are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. In the mighty and precious Name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment