Isaiah 9--The Government of the Son

Whenever you consider Isaiah 9, you usually think about the government of a small child. Since Christmas 2019 just passed, the birth of this small ruler is announced long before he came to earth. In a time of deep darkness and despair from the previous chapter of Isaiah, the whole world is offered light to overcome the darkness.

Time of Darkness and Despair

Here in Isaiah 9:1, darkness and despair represents a time in history for man when no hope existed. Not much hope existed for the Gentiles at all. The Jews had been chosen as God's people. God married them at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19-20. Therefore, their spiritual cause, for the moment, was resolved. Yet, their physical problems of unrest and takeover by the enemy was a real and present danger.

Yes, God's plan was for the Jews to take his marriage of faith and repentance to the Gentiles, too. However, their feelings of superiority got into the way. Few Gentiles were offered the spiritual blessings of hope in the life after death message that could ex spell their darkness.

An End to the Darkness

Because of the lack of a spiritual savior, spiritual darkness dwelt in the lands of the Gentiles. Yet, Isaiah sees a time when an end to the darkness and despair for them would take place. Isaiah was shown that a time was coming when spiritual light would come to the Gentile nations.

Although it is entirely possibly that Isaiah didn't understand a word he wrote. Yet in this ninth chapter, Isaiah writes about the Messiah as he does throughout his entire book.

Yet for all Isaiah's revelation into the Messiah, Peter writes, "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look" (1:10-12).

The prophets longed to know to what extent their prophesies would come to pass and when. The Spirit within them assured that they were writing correctly. However, they didn't recognize exactly who the person of Christ would be.

Zebulun and Naphtali

Following God's lead through the Holy Spirit's input, Isaiah uses Zebulun and Naphtali, the closest and most exposed tribes on the route the enemy would take into Israel. Even in the time of their darkness and despair, the hope of salvation through grace is promised.

Isaiah and other prophets existed during this time of darkness and despair bringing light and hope to the peoples. One is coming who will walk even in the lands of Galilee to bring a gospel of peace. He would bring light into a dark and dying world. He would bring hope to the Jews and especially to the Gentiles. Light always overcomes or expels darkness (John 1:5).

Because Jesus would walk and minister along this very road, the land would be filled with glory. A great light of spiritual truth would be seen in this region and beyond (Isaiah 9:2). Much of Jesus' ministry was done in Galilee. His ministry indeed let light shine into a dark world.

God's Glory

Whenever God's glory appears, there is abundant light. Isaiah says that the road, which runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with God's glory. He follows this statement with, the people who walk in darkness will see a great light.

This light will be available to every person especially the one who walks in the darkest moment of his life. Deep darkness could refer to those who think they need no light. Jesus said of the Pharisees, ". . .If you were blind, you would nave no sin; but since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains" (John 9:41b).
Those who believe they see the light but do not are only fooling themselves. It is they who need the light, too!

Then in verse 4, God changes his message. He begins to focus on the person of the light rather than the light. Since they are one and the same, there's no problem doing this. God says, "You will enlarge Israel" (Isaiah 9:4).

Promise of Enlargement

Because of the light the person in Isaiah's message would bring, Israel would no longer be small. Their land area would remain the same size; however, their population would increase. Paul writes, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise"(Galatians 3:29).

Isaiah didn't know about this coming person "on whose shoulders the government would rest" (9:6b). Isaiah was told, "his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" (verse 6).

Even if Isaiah didn't know who or when, his faith in God told him that light would come. That the deep darkness would be penetrated by this light.

Government of His People

The light would become the person on whom the government of his people would rest. Isaiah was given several names for the light. He longed to know who the light was, so he would keep watching for the perfect governor to run the perfect government that lit up the darkness of the world.

I'm here to help. If you have questions or comments, please let me know. I'll get back really soon.

Blessings,

Howard

PS: A complete study on Isaiah is available at B. C. Ministries, Inc. Email us if you'd like a free copy.

PSS: Our first novel, The Red-Haired Master Shepherd, has been published. The novel is fiction about a little known Biblical character who meets Jesus. Check it out here. Or you can email us for your copy.

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