Major Prophets Isaiah

The Prince of Peace

Discover Jesus as: Immanuel Isaiah 9-10 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 578 of 730
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INTRO

Studying Isaiah is heavy work. It seems as though we’ve already done 40 lessons in this book instead of just four. God called Isaiah as a prophet to deliver His message to Judah and Jerusalem. Most of the prophecy is not very positive (the coming judgment of Judah), but there is hope in the book (the coming remnant through the Messiah). The Assyrians were coming to conquer the Northern Kingdom, and most of the people would be exiled into captivity. King Ahaz of Judah was fearful of what was to come to Judah—Isaiah’s message was just to trust God. Isaiah gave five prophecies of what was to come. We covered two of those yesterday in chapter 7. There are more in chapters 7—8. Our word for Isaiah is Immanuel (7:14), reminding God’s people that “God is with us.” God came to earth to connect with us. In the midst of the chaos, there is hope.

Chapter 8 covers Isaiah’s message of the coming Assyrian invasion because Judah had not listened to the sign/message of the Lord. Assyria would conquer Syria and Damascus. Assyria would also pass through Judah, and Judah would not be able to stand against them because the Lord would be with the Assyrians (vv. 8–9). The Lord warned Isaiah not to walk in the way of His people by creating alliances with the powerful countries around them (vv. 11–15). Although Judah had rejected Isaiah’s message, some of the people had heard it (vv. 16–22). God’s Word would not be totally forgotten.

TEACHING

Isaiah 9:1-7: Isaiah then moved to the good news of his message. Isaiah explained that while some of the tribes (Zebulun and Naphtali) had faced gloom and contempt, the land beyond the Jordan would be made glorious (v. 1). Zebulun and Naphtali were just outside of Galilee and would be the first lands to face Assyria’s advance. They would be the first to face the dark days of captivity, but God would bring honor to that region (7:14). Verse 2 says they would be some of the first to experience the light of the coming Messiah (Matthew 4:15–16; Luke 1:78–79; John 8:12). Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1–2. Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah was given roughly 700 years before the birth of Christ (Isaiah 42:16; 49:6; 58:8; 60:1,19, 20). As the light comes into Zebulun and Naphtali and the nation, the people then passed that light on to ALL the nations.

In verse 3, “The Lord [again] confirmed His covenant with Abraham to multiply his physical descendants as the sands of the seashore (Genesis 22:17).”1 God would break the yoke that held them captive–the first coming (v. 4). Peace will come forever–the second coming (v. 5). MacArthur states, “The world will no longer need the accessories of warfare because a time of universal peace will follow the return of Christ.”2

Verse 6 begins one of the Christmas prophecies—those that tell of the coming of the Messiah. Others include:

  1. Micah 5:2: Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:6).
  2. Isaiah 7:14: He would be born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23).
  3. Isaiah 7:14: He would be called Immanuel (God with us) (Matthew 1:23).
  4. Isaiah 9:6: He would be God in human form (John 1:1).
  5. Isaiah 9:6: He would bring peace on earth (Luke 2:14).
  6. Isaiah 9:7: He would be born of the lineage of David (Matthew 1:1).

In verse 6, the names and roles of the coming Christ are given (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace), and in verse 7, His authority over governments from the throne of David is emphasized. Wiersbe states, “Isaiah 9:6 declared both the humanity (“A Child is born”) and the deity (“A Son is given”) of the Lord Jesus Christ.”3

Other important words from Isaiah 9:6–9:

Government(v. 6): Shows the fulfillment of Psalm 2:9 (Revelation 2:27; 19:15).

Wonderful Counselor(v. 6): “In contrast to Ahaz, this King will implement supernatural wisdom in discharging His office.” 4 (2 Samuel 16:23; 1 Kings 3:28).

Mighty God(vv. 3–5): “As a powerful warrior, the Messiah will accomplish the military exploits mentioned in 9:3–5.”5

Everlasting Father(v. 6): “The Messiah will be a Father to His people eternally. As Davidic King, He will compassionately care for and discipline them.”6 (Psalm 68:5–6; 103:13; Isaiah 40:11; 63:16; 64:8).

Prince of Peace(v. 6): “The government of Immanuel will procure and perpetuate peace among the nations of the world.”7 (Isaiah 2:4; 11:6–9; Micah 4:3).

Isaiah 9:8—10:4: God’s prophetic word was released. Israel (Ephraim and Samaria) fell despite their arrogance.

Isaiah 9:13–17: Israel refused to return to the Lord and repent, so they fell to the invading armies.

Isaiah 9:18–21: These verses summarize Israel’s punishment that was to come.

CLOSING

No one was willing to walk out the path of repentance with humility. No one was willing to return to the Lord. And they paid dearly for their disobedience.

BUT, praise the Lord, because even when the situation is terrible, there is still hope in the Lord—through the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.

  1. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 770.

  2. MacArthur, p. 770.

  3. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament (Colorado Springs, David C. Cook, 2002), p. 21.

  4. MacArthur, p. 770.

  5. MacArthur, p. 770.

  6. MacArthur, p. 770.

  7. MacArthur, p. 770.

Questions

  1. In the New Testament, where do we see the prophecies of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:1–2 fulfilled? What specific verse do you think of, in which Jesus said He is the Light of the world?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Isaiah 9:6

“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

God’s people weakened as Assyria sought their destruction, and yet the Lord continued to give Isaiah a message of hope. Isaiah foretold of the coming Savior, Immanuel—a child born for the people, a royal son who would carry the government on His shoulders. As the child reigned on David’s throne, His name would be: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The people, although in despair, again had hope.

The son’s name is Jesus, the Savior, the Son of God. The One God sent to save the world from death and give eternal life. Therefore, keep your eyes on Jesus in the midst of despair. Hold on to the hope found in Jesus. Even when your situation looks uncertain, even if you feel as though you are failing and alone, remember, God sent His Son for you—the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace. Get to know Him. Seek His heart as a counselor. Trust in His might. Believe in His eternal love. Rest in His peace. Seek the One who came, lived, and died so you may have eternal life and ever- lasting hope. Seek Christ alone.

“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

— Isaiah 9:6

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Psalm 72:17 — “May His name endure forever; as long as the sun shines, may his fame in-crease. May all nations be blessed by him and call him blessed.”
  • Isaiah 9:7 — “The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.”
  • Matthew 1:23 — “See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us.’”