For to us a child is born

Isaiah 9:1-7

Key Verse 9:6

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.

This passage teaches us the meaning of the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Mainly it describes the establishment of God's eternal kingdom in the hearts of his people - those who believe in him and accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior.

1. Read v. 1. Who are "those"? Why were they in distress (8:19)? When did the Lord humble the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (2Ki 15:29)? When did the Lord fulfill this prophecy (Mt 4:13-15)?

** Immediately, "Those" refers to the people of Isaiah's day, like King Ahaz in Isaiah 7, and people under his poor leadership. Categorically however "those" refers to all who do not believe in the Lord but rather live according to their own ideas and feelings. 

** They do not live according to God's word. They are proud of themselves, so they do not pray to the living God, nor seek help from God’s servants like Isaiah. Often times they do come to God’s servants for advice, but when they do not like what they hear, they simply ignore it and live according to their own ideas and feelings.

Isaiah 8:19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

** This happened when the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III attacked northern Kingdom Israel in 734 and 732 B.C. 

2 Kings 15:29  In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria.

** The Lord fulfilled this prophecy when Jesus the Lord and Savior of the world came to Israel and began his ministry from Capernaum. 

2. Read vs. 2-5 and compare this passage with v. 6. According to this Bible passage what does the birth of the Messiah practically mean to you? To the U.S. as a nation? To the militant world we are living in? 

** It means: 1) there will be no more gloom for me who has been in distress; 2) no more walking in the darkness, for I have seen (experienced) a great light; 3) no more pining in the shadow of death, for a light (of life) has dawned on me; 4) fruitful life in the Lord (3); 5) life filled with joy; 6) freedom from the power of sin and death; 7) peace within rolling like a river. 

** She can send many missionaries to all peoples on earth. 

** The world can enjoy peace in the Lord, instead of being in terror and in constant fear of war and rumors of war.

3. Read v. 6a. What does this passage teach us about the role the Messiah would play? Why is "government" important to a man? A nation? To the world?

** He is the ultimate governor. 

** Government is important because God made man in his image, and so then man can only thrive when his life is governed (ruled or taken care of) in the way God designed it to be -- then it will prosper. 

 ** A nation consists of people, and just as each person needs to be governed according to God's way, so also a nation needs to be governed by the law of God. 

** The world consists of nations, so that just as a nation needs to be governed by God’s precepts, so also the world must be ruled by His rule. 

4. Read v. 6b. What does this passage tell us about the Messiah as a "governor"? How can one come under his governorship (John 1:12; Rev 3:20)? 

** He is the "ultimate" governor in that he is perfectly qualified for the job as a governor. Four qualifications are presented: 

1) Wonderful Counselor, indicating that he believes in each person who desires to run his or her own life according to his or her own free will, the will to make one's own choice on his or her own, and that based on this belief, he shares his wisdom with his people so people would make a right choice, and prosper. He is different from many fathers who impose their own ideas, rather than listening to their children, and then offer guidance. 

2) Mighty God, showing he has the power to empower people to do what they desire to do. He is different from many fathers who are weak. 

3) Everlasting Father, showing that he regards people as his children, and that just as every father is called to do, he being the ultimate father, faithfully provides for his children, being there himself for his children "all the time." He is different from many fathers who are not around or at the dinner table even on Thanksgiving Day. 

4) Prince of peace, showing he is a peaceful man and therefore is able to give peace to all. He is then different from many fathers who are violent and abusive.  

** We need to not only believe in Him but also accept Him into our lives and have an intimate fellowship with him, just as we eat and talk with family members while seated around the dinner table on Thanksgiving Day. 

5. Read v. 7a and compare the messianic government and its characteristic(s) with human governments and their characteristics in human history. How are they different? What does this comparison teach us about the hope we have in Jesus?

** Two major differences: his government is everlasting, whereas human governments are temporary; his government is peaceful, whereas human governments are warlike. 

** In Jesus we have the hope of all people living in perfect peace under His perfect leadership.

6. Read v. 7b. What does it mean for him to "reign on David's throne and over his kingdom" (2Sa 7:12-13, 16; Jer 33:15, 20-22)? Describe the way in which he establishes and upholds his kingdom. How can we receive His kingdom (Rom 3:25-26; 4:1-3)? 

** It simply means that Jesus is the one promised to come from the line of David's faith in the Lord (and his promises). It goes then to the authenticity of Jesus as the Savior. 

** Very simple: by securing two values (or agendas): righteousness and justice. Ultimately he did this by he himself dying on the cross for our sins, so we would all be set free from the power of sin and death, and be made righteous and holy. 

** By faith in His blood. 

7. Read v. 7c. Why do you think the Lord Almighty is so zealous in accomplishing this (Song of Songs 8:6-7)? 

** It is all because of his love for us. 

The end. 

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