Isaiah 9
Today's Passage: Isaiah 9
Our chapter today is an interesting one. In the beginning, there is hope and joy for the future.
But then, the chapter takes a turn. There is future devastation coming too. Here is what I mean:
Isaiah 9 includes a Messianic Promise. We hear this verse a lot around Christmas time (which
isn’t too far away…), but verse 6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a child is given; and the
government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”
I love how the ESV Study Bible describes this verse: A gift of divine grace to sinners. That is
exactly what Jesus is for us. We didn’t deserve this gift. We didn’t earn this gift. Instead, God,
out of the abundance of His grace, gave us the best gift – His only Son, who lived a life we could
not and died the death we deserved so we could have a way to God.
And while we are thankful and hopeful, we cannot ignore the end of Isaiah 9. In verses 8-21,
God is pronouncing coming judgment for Israel. Their arrogance turned them away from God,
and God was going to punish them for it. Self-seeking will become self-destruction for Israel. At
this time, they were not looking or longing for the Messiah to come (who Isaiah prophesied
about in verse 6-7). They were full of pride (v. 9) and the leaders were corrupt (v. 16).
Both of Isaiah’s prophecies come true. Israel gets conquered by the Assyrians. The Savior of the
World is born 700 years later.
For us, I think Isaiah 9 should serve as a reminder that there is still coming a Judgment Day. God
will punish the arrogant and proud, but for those who have trusted in the Messiah, there is an
eternity with God awaiting. We need to rejoice, but also live on mission for those who are not
in relationship with God.
Written By: Brice Stockton
Our chapter today is an interesting one. In the beginning, there is hope and joy for the future.
But then, the chapter takes a turn. There is future devastation coming too. Here is what I mean:
Isaiah 9 includes a Messianic Promise. We hear this verse a lot around Christmas time (which
isn’t too far away…), but verse 6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a child is given; and the
government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”
I love how the ESV Study Bible describes this verse: A gift of divine grace to sinners. That is
exactly what Jesus is for us. We didn’t deserve this gift. We didn’t earn this gift. Instead, God,
out of the abundance of His grace, gave us the best gift – His only Son, who lived a life we could
not and died the death we deserved so we could have a way to God.
And while we are thankful and hopeful, we cannot ignore the end of Isaiah 9. In verses 8-21,
God is pronouncing coming judgment for Israel. Their arrogance turned them away from God,
and God was going to punish them for it. Self-seeking will become self-destruction for Israel. At
this time, they were not looking or longing for the Messiah to come (who Isaiah prophesied
about in verse 6-7). They were full of pride (v. 9) and the leaders were corrupt (v. 16).
Both of Isaiah’s prophecies come true. Israel gets conquered by the Assyrians. The Savior of the
World is born 700 years later.
For us, I think Isaiah 9 should serve as a reminder that there is still coming a Judgment Day. God
will punish the arrogant and proud, but for those who have trusted in the Messiah, there is an
eternity with God awaiting. We need to rejoice, but also live on mission for those who are not
in relationship with God.
Written By: Brice Stockton
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