| | | | Isaiah Chapter 9 - Hope in the midst of correction My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT)
If you've had children, then you know that there are times when you must correct your child. Yes, its hard, but if you love your child, its necessary. See the easier path would be to let things slide, however any parent that has done this can attest; Failure to discipline a child actually hurts the child! They end up having little or no respect for authority, and believing that rules don't apply to them. The reality of adult life will be a huge shock, and there will be many problems. There will come a time when that child will look back and wish that their parents had disciplined them!
And you'll also find that after you have disciplined your child, there's a reconciliation that happens that actually draws the child back to you. They might have been mad before you instituted the punishment; but deep down they'll know you did it because you love them!
Bottom line: If you love your child, you will discipline them when they break the rules.
I couldn't help but think of that verse in Proverbs when reading through these chapters in Isaiah. In the midst of God informing Israel and Judah of their impending punishment, He's beckoning them them to repent and turn from their sin. In the midst of the dark future He's showing them, He is also promising that there will be a drawing back of His people to Him. His children will be disciplined, but then they will be one again!
A Light will Shine...
Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:1-2)
The gloom expressed here carries over from Isaiah 8, where Isaiah warned Judah about the coming invasion from Assyria. Isaiah 8:22 said,
Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness. (Isaiah 8:22)
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.
But in this context, the promise of Isaiah 9:1 is all the more precious: 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.
Matthew 4:13-16 clearly fulfilled this promise: Since the majority of Jesus' ministry took place in this northern area of Israel, around the Sea of Galilee, God fulfilled His promise and gave a special blessing for this once lightly esteemed land!
A Child is Born, A Son is Given...
The ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to Israel and Judah will be found in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ:
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus was be born into the human race, fully human, but He was also born of God, fully God. Why is this important?
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.
The fact this He is BOTH give Him a unique role in the human realm, and in the Heavenly realm.
And the government will be upon His shoulder...
In His unique role, the Lord Jesus Christ is given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18), and so He will rule all! This will be first recognized in the Millennial Kingdom, but also forever (Rev 11:15).
What might such a government look like? I like how Gayle Erwin describes it: - His government shows its workings in wonderful ways. Whenever I see someone who miraculously leaves a life of drugs or alcohol and is restored to his family and work, I can see that he is now governed by God.
- Whenever I see loving Christians gently caring for orphans and those rejected by family, I know I am watching people governed by God.
- Whenever I see people eagerly learning the Bible and joyously praising, I know they are governed by God.
- Whenever I see people give up lucrative careers simply to go and share the Good News of Jesus, I know they are governed by God.
- When I see pastors carefully teach and lead the flock God has given them, I know they are getting signals from the great King.
- When I see people leave family to live and teach in distant lands because they love the people who have not heard, I know they are governed by God.
So, indeed, the government is alive and working. Often silently, mostly unseen. We can be and are, by choice, governed by God. Hope and joy and peace and rest cover its subjects. Justice, mercy and grace, amazingly coexist. I like this Kingdom. The borders are open. Come on in!
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Wonderful - As we see the power of the gospel to change lives, it is indeed truly wonderful! When we see Him face to face, how wonderful it will be!
Counselor - When we're not sure what do do, He is there to guide us. When we're hurting, He is there to comfort us.
Mighty God - His power and glory are without compare, He opens doors doors and no one can close them; He closes doors and no one can open them (Is 22:22)
Everlasting Father - Jesus is the source or author of all eternity, that He is the Creator Himself.
Prince of Peace - Jesus is the mediator between God and fallen man, through Him we have peace with God, peace with one another, and peace in life!
Verse 6 & 7 are a bright light of hope in the midst of the chastisement of God upon His children! They represent that God in his great love and great wisdom, will bring hope to all who are willing to hear, and turn to Him.
In Isaiah 8:8 - chapter 10:4, the prophecy returns to the warning, and I think verse 13 is the saddest verse:
For after all this punishment, the people will still not repent. They will not seek the Lord of Heaven's Armies. (Isaiah 9:13)
In this section you'll notice the phrase "For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." repeated four times. This tells us that the discipline of God is persistent to the end. Like a parent seeking to turn a wayward child to the right path, God is relentless in His pursuit of mankind.
Bottom line: The time to turn to God is NOW, not later. Even death will not spare a person from the judgment of God, as hell is forever.
As God's partners,we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it. For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NLT)
Pastor Clay
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