35. Rise of the Great Light (2)

Hymn: 209 Because He Lives 333 Yesterday, Today, Forever 334 Sweet Peace, the Gift of God’s Love

Isaiah 9:1-7

¹ Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. ² The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. ³ Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. ⁴ For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. ⁵ For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. ⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

Rise of the Great Light (2)

OUTLINE

(1) Light in Midst of Darkness (v1-2)

(2) Deliverance and Peace (v3-5)

(3) Coming of God’s Son (v6-7)

Continue…

When our Lord Jesus began His ministry, after His temptation in the wilderness, it was recorded the fulfilment of Isaiah 9:2 , some 700 years after Isaiah gave the prophecy in Matthew 4:12-17 (KJV) Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Jesus was that Great Light. Isaiah predicted the incarnation that God would come in human flesh. The Apostle John revealed this truth.

John 1:1-5 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

The forerunner of Christ, John the Baptizer has suffered sore persecution, he was cast into prison for proclaiming Christ. 

John 1:6-14 (KJV) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The true Light, was the great Light that Isaiah predicted would come, the Saviour of the world. The presence of God with His people finds its culmination in God coming to dwell with man in human flesh.

The Apostle Paul testified that he was an unworthy candidate for salvation having persecuted the church and blasphemed Christ. Christ came that He might give everlasting life to as many as believed in Him – 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (KJV) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(3) Coming of God’s Son (v6-7)

⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The vision of the prophet is, that the long-expected Messiah is born, and is seen growing up amidst the surrounding darkness of the north of Palestine (v1). 

This child that is born is fully man and yet the Son of God, fully God – John 1:1-2 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God… John 1:14 (KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We see the fulfilment in the Gospel of Luke which recorded the angels announcing and rejoicing concerning the Messiah’s birth. 

Luke 2:8-12 (KJV) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

This is an extraordinary Child. EJ Young said well: “This is a climatic sentence and it may be paraphrased as follows: “There is great rejoicing among God’s people, because God has broken the yoke of burden and oppression, and the burden and oppression are removed because the weapons and garments of the warrior are destroyed, and the basic reason for these blessings is that a Child is born.” In contrast to the mighty foe of Assyria and also to the Syro-Ephraimitic coalition, a Child brings deliverance to the people of God. The form of the verb (the perfect) really emphasizes the historical nature of the birth. The deliverance which brings rejoicing to the people of God is not something vague but something to be brought about by a birth in history upon this earth at a definite time and at a definite place. The birth of this Child is a gift of God. He is a Child, but He is also a Son. But must not a male child, be a son? Why then, inasmuch, as it is so obvious that any male child born is a son, is this Child also designated Son? He is of course a son of David, a legitimate heir to David’s throne, for He is to bear the government with all its responsibilities, and this He will do upon David’s throne – Isaiah 22:22 (KJV) And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”

Messiah is not only the Son of David but also the Son of God. 

Psalm 2:7 (KJV) I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Isaiah has also prophesized that a virgin would bring forth this Son, and the Apostle John stated in John 3:16, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” The word “only begotten” means “not created”. Jesus is the Self-Existing Son of God before His incarnation.

If this Child is to be a legitimate ruler upon David’s throne, it is redundant to say that He is David’s Son.

Hebrews 1:2 tells us that God has spoken in a Son. The Child to be born is a Son, a unique Son, a Son par excellence.

Isaiah has already pointed out the blessing that the Son’s birth will bring. He already pointed out that the Messiah would be with us (Immanuel) to bring us a blessing, He is to be a blessing for us.

The emphasis of the text is upon the eternal kingdom of God, not so much this earthly kingdom where men under the curse of God since the fall will experience sin and inevitably death. There is little comfort if life is seen only from an earthly perspective which we as earthlings tend to look at ourselves. But God wants us to see ourselves as eternal beings through Christ where the curse would be lifted by His first coming, though men still experience death there is a lifting of the curse at the Second Coming with the giving of the resurrection bodies for all believers.

⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful …

CH Spurgeon observed well, “The person spoken of in our text is undoubtedly the Lord Jesus Christ. He is a Child born, with reference to His human nature; He is born of the virgin, a Child. But He is a Son given, with reference to His divine nature, being given as well as born. Of course, the Godhead could not be born of a woman. That was from everlasting and is to everlasting. As a Child, He was born, as a Son He was given. “The government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful.” Christ is first by Name, called Wonderful, because He is so.”

The Name “Wonderful” means “something extraordinary, marvel”, He is called Marvellous, Miraculous, for He is more than a man, He is God’s highest miracle. He is “the Chief among ten thousand and altogether lovely.”   

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

He is Wonderful because of His past. He is the eternal Son of God.

Proverbs 8:22-23 (KJV) The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

Proverbs 8:30 (KJV) Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

He was the Word at the beginning of no beginnings. He is the King of ages, the Everlasting Father, begotten, not made, co-equal, co-eternal, in every attribute, “very God of very God.” 

The divine nature is indeed wonderful. This is that nature that imparts life to us.

2 Peter 1:4 (KJV) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

This is the One that says to us Matthew 11:28 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

He addresses “all that labour and are heavy laden.” It is a wide description: it comprises multitudes in this weary world. All who feel a load on their heart, of which they would fain get free, a load of sin or a load of sorrow, a load of anxiety or a load of remorse, all, whosoever they may be, and whatsoever their past lives, all such are invited to come to Christ.

We should mark what a gracious offer Jesus makes: “I will give you rest. Ye shall find rest to your souls.” How cheering and comfortable are these words! Unrest is one great characteristic of the world: hurry, vexation, failure, and disappointment, stare us in the face on every side. But here is hope: there is an ark of refuge for the weary, as truly as there was for Noah’s dove. There is rest in Christ, rest of conscience, and rest of heart, rest built on the pardon of all sin, rest flowing from peace with God. [JC Ryle]

Burdens are lifted when we come to Christ. What a Wonderful Saviour!

⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor …

This word expresses a distinct attribute or quality. The name “counsellor” here, yuets, denotes one of honourable rank; one who is suited to stand near princes and kings as their adviser. It is expressive of great wisdom, and of qualifications to guide and direct the human race. [Matthew Henry]

Christ is God’s Counsellor. He imparts God’s counsel to us and He is a Counsellor to us. 

As we study the life of Christ, we receive great counsel from His teachings. He showed us the way to God. He taught men personally as He walked on Earth. He spoke as One with authority. His counsel brings God’s blessing to men. He showed men the way of everlasting life. 

Matthew 7:28-29 (KJV) And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

By listening and obeying Him, we find rest and peace in our souls.

John 14:27 (KJV) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Christ imparts wisdom to His people through His Word – Colossians 2:2-3 (KJV) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Christ’s counsel is faithful counsel. Spurgeon observed well, “When Ahithophel left David, it proved that he was not faithful and when Hushai went to Absalom and counselled him, he counselled him craftily so that the good counsel of Ahithophel was brought to nought.” Christ’s counsel on the other hand is without any self-interest, good and profitable for us. 

We can come to Him through prayer and He intercedes for our good always.

Psalm 55:22 (KJV) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 27:14 (KJV) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

To be continued…