A SON IS GIVEN

Isaiah 8:19-9:7

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.”

Introduction

The background of this passage is both Isaiah 7 & 8. Isaiah also lived in troubled times. King Ahaz of Judah was afraid of the powerful nations to the north. "The hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.." (7:2) He was afraid of Syria and Northern Israel. Fear made him foolish. He asked Assyria for help. The Assyrian empire that was poised to strike Syria and Northern Israel, would come like flood waters into his own country, Judea, as well. Whenever we have trouble, we tend to fix our eyes on it. It is hard to look up to God and with God continually. Isaiah 8:17-18 reads, “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. 18 Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.” “I will wait for the LORD” means to be totally attentive to the LORD, focused on His every move, and responsive to His every desire. At times it means inactivity, but even that is an "active inactivity," where we stand before the LORD, totally focused on Him, waiting for what He wants next. Isaiah had been called to prophesy, and to use his children in his prophetic messages. So he declares, “Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty who dwells on Mount Zion.” In other words, he is saying, "Do not look at enemies. Look at us! We are the message!" May the Lord use us like Isaiah!

1. Read 8:19-22. Where did people seek guidance and help? (19) Where should they have sought counsel? (20a) What was the condition of the people without God’s word? (20b-22)

1-1, Read 8:19-22.

When someone tells 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? 20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. 21 Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

1-2, Where did people seek guidance and help? (19)

When someone tells 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?

• In the present danger from Syria and Israel, and in the coming danger from Assyria, Judah will be tempted to seek guidance and comfort from those who are mediums and spiritists.

• Isaiah exposes the foolishness of this, when he says, "Should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?"

• What sense does it make to seek the dead on behalf of the living? The dead are the dead, the living are the living.

• The living God speaks through His living Word and His living people to guide us. There is no reason to seek the dead. Go to God's Word instead.

1-3, Where should they have sought counsel? (20a)

Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning.

• Instruction(Law) and testimony each refer to God's Word. In other words, Isaiah pointed out, “Let us go back to the Scripture.”

1-4, What was the condition of the people without God’s word? (20b-22)

If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. 21 Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

• If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

• The word judges the messenger. The messenger doesn't judge the word.

• They will be driven into darkness: When they forsake God's word and trust in mediums and wizards and the dead, they are courting darkness, not light.

• Darkness deepens when people give in to fear and do not turn to God. They let anxiety overwhelm them.

• Isaiah wrote to directionless people who did not study the Bible or pray.

• He continues, "If you do not speak according to this word, you have no light of dawn."

2. Read 9:1-2. What is the good news for those who are in distress and darkness? To what event do these verses look forward? (Mt 4:14-25)

2-1, Read 9:1-2.

Nevertheless, 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.

2-2, What is the good news for those who are in distress and darkness?

Nevertheless, 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.

• This gloom carries over from Isaiah 8, where Isaiah warned Judah concerning the coming invasion from Assyria.

• Isaiah 8:21-22 said, Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness.

• The invasion of the Assyrians would be terrible for the Jewish people, especially for the northern regions of the Promised Land, the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali.

• In this context, the promise of Isaiah 9:1 is all the more precious: The gloom will not be upon her who is distressed.

• The northern regions of the Promised Land - around the Sea of Galilee (Galilee of the Gentiles) - were most severely ravaged when the Assyrians invaded from the north.

• The promise is that this land, once seemingly lightly esteemed by the LORD, will one day have a special blessing.

• The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light … upon them a light has shined.

• The northern tribes were the first to suffer from the Assyrian invasions, so in God's mercy, they will be the first to see the light of the Messiah.

2-3, To what event do these verses look forward? (Mt 4:14-25)

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16 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.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,”Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

• Matthew 4:13-16 quotes this passage as clearly fulfilled in the Galilean ministry of Jesus.

• Since the majority of Jesus' ministry took place in this northern part of Israel, around the Sea of Galilee, God certainly did have a special blessing for this once lowly esteemed land!

• Jesus preached the kingdom message here. He raised His disciples in Galilee as well.

• “Nevertheless” - Even though Galilee was hopeless, distressed, and darkened, God would honor it in the future because the people in Galilee became humble and obedient to God’s word through God’s training in humility.

• Now it was the time for God’s blessing. How did God bless them? By sending his Son Jesus Christ as the great light, God honored Galilee.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3. Read 9:3-5. What are the sources of joy that Isaiah mentions here? How do these things point to Jesus?

3-1, Read 9:3-5.

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

3-2, What are the sources of joy that Isaiah mentions here?

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

• The ministry of the Messiah would bring joy and gladness to Israel.

• Jesus said His ministry was like experiencing a wedding party (Matthew 9:14-15, John 2:1-10).

• They will rejoice according to the time of harvest, the time when one’s hard work has paid off and one is able to enjoy the bounty of one’s harvest.

• They will rejoice as men rejoice when they divide the spoil, with a celebration of victory, as in the locker room of a championship team.

3-3, How do these things point to Jesus?

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

• This refers to Gideon's great victory over Midian in Judges 7. Just as his victory over the Midianites was wonderful and joyful, so it is the same with the Messiah, Jesus.

• Victory is complete. The reference to every warrior's sandal and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel for the fire means that the battle is over. This is what you do when battle is finished and you’ve won!

• Each of these promises - the reference to great joy, the breaking of the yoke of his burden and the rod of his oppressor, and the complete victory over all enemies has spiritual application to Jesus' work in our lives. These things are ours in Jesus!

• As we are in Jesus Christ, we share in His victory! We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

• The risen, glorified, ascended Jesus experiences all of these things, and He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Praise Jesus!

Ephesians 2:3b-7 reads,

“Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

4. Read verse 6-7. Who is the child? What are the meanings of his four names? (6) What are the characteristics of his kingdom? (7a) How will this kingdom be established? (7b)

4-1, Read verse 6-7.

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. 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.

4-2, Who is the child?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

• Isaiah repeated twice, “For to us a child is born,” and “to us a son is given.”

• The Child is the great Light Jesus. He humbly came to us as a child in a manger. In the eyes of worldly people, this tiny boy was insignificant.

• But this tiny baby was the Son of God who has the government on his shoulders. He is the Sovereign Ruler of the whole world. He is the Lord of lords and King of kings.

• Even though Jesus is the Ruler, he is different from worldly kings. He does not cruelly rule people like political or military leaders.

• Rather he is the Humble King who was born in the most humble situation and understands our difficulties very well. Verse 6b shows us why Jesus is the Humble King

• Jesus, the Messiah, is fully God and fully man. Jesus being both God and man tells us that man really is made in the image of God (Gen 1:26).

• It also says that our problem is not our humanity, but our fallenness. To say “I’m only human” is wrong, because Jesus was fully human yet perfect. It is more accurate to say, “I’m only fallen.”

• Jesus remains a man eternally (Acts 7:55-56, 1 Timothy 2:5). He is now a man in a resurrection body, as we will one day have.

• If Jesus were not fully man, He could not stand in the place of sinful man and be a substitute for the punishment man deserves.

• If He were not fully God, His sacrifice would be insufficient. If Jesus is not fully God and fully man, we are lost in sin.

• The government is alive and working although the government will be... Often silently, mostly unseen. We can be and are, by choice, governed by God.

• Hope, joy, peace, and rest cover its subjects. Justice, mercy, and grace, amazingly coexist. We like this Kingdom. The borders are open. Come on in!

4-3, What are the meanings of his four names? (6)

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

• He will be called - His names will depict who He is and what He has come to do.

Wonderful Counselor

• In fact, it was by a bad Counsellor that this world was ruined. Satan counseled the woman with his craftiness.

• But thank God for sending Jesus as our Counselor through His living Words for our good.

• Jesus’ counsel is necessary counsel. Jesus’ counsel is faithful counsel, without any self-interest. Jesus’ counsel is hearty counsel.

• “Christ is the Counsellor whom I desire to consult every hour, and I would that I could sit in his secret chamber all day and all night long...” (Spurgeon)

• Jesus Christ is our Friend who is available at all times and in any place. It may reminds us of a hymn song, “What a Friend We have in Jesus.” Jesus guides each of us to His best way step by step! Praise Jesus who kindly and truthfully counsels us always.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XRmGEbH0qs

“What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer. Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.”

Mighty God

• The Child born to us is the Mighty God. He is the one worthy of our worship. He is the Word who was with God in the beginning.

• He is God who holds the whole world in his hand. He is the God who divided the waters of the Red Sea; the Mighty God raised Jesus from the dead.

• John wrote in Revelation, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise” (Rev 5:11-12)

• Jesus is God. Jesus is the Mighty God. He created all things. He said, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?

• The Lord is the everlasting God. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom...” (Isa 40:28-31) Jesus is the Mighty God.

• Nothing is impossible for the Mighty God. He created all things.

• Mighty God stooped to save helpless sinners. When we worship Jesus, the Mighty God, we have peace.

Everlasting Father

• A father is one who should give love and protection to his children. There are many fatherless children in our world today.

• There are those who have broken relationships with their fathers. Children deprived of the love and care of a father feel that something is missing in their lives.

• Some become angry and crooked. They are vulnerable, and so are easy prey for the devil.

• In the times of John the Baptist the hearts of fathers were far from their children. John the Baptist called people to repent. He called fathers to turn their hearts to their children... (Lk 1:17)

• Only the Everlasting Father, Jesus, can give what is missing to everyone always. He gives real love and protection.

• Human fathers, even the best of fathers, cannot be everlasting. Through personal Bible studies we met Jesus the Everlasting Father.

• But Jesus is our Everlasting Father. He promised, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (Jn 14:18).

• Jesus is a Father who cares about all his children. He gave his life to rescue his children from the power of the evil one. Jesus is full of love.

Prince of Peace

• When Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

• The other names of Jesus–Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father–all seem to lead up to and find a climax in Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

• Everyone longs for peace. Sometimes we seek peace by going to a quiet vacation spot. Some people seek peace in drugs or alcohol.

• Some seek to forget their troubles by playing sports or video games. Some seek peace in listening endlessly to music or by sleeping in all day.

• These things may give temporary peace, but only Jesus can give us real and lasting peace. Praise Jesus!

Ephesians 2:14-17 reads,

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”

4-4, What are the characteristics of his kingdom? (7a)

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.

• Handel had it right in the Hallelujah chorus of Messiah: “And He shall reign forever and ever.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHRR5zAdz0

4-5, How will this kingdom be established? (7b)

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

• This is a fulfillment of God’s great covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7.

• All this may sound too good to be true, but the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

• God has promised to accomplish this Word, and part of it has already been accomplished. Already, God has powerfully advanced His Kingdom today and surely has and will accomplish all!

Conclusion

Jesus is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace for everyone. We lack nothing because of Jesus. Praise Jesus! As we have seen Jesus preaching the gospel and making disciples from Galilee, He wants us to make disciples in our own times and bring the good news of the Prince of Peace to all the people of the world. His kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. This is our hope and it will surely be accomplished by the zeal of our Lord, Almighty God.

One Word: Prince of Peace!

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