Daily Bible Reading Wednesday 25th December 2024

Isaiah 9:1–7

For to Us a Child Is Born

9:1 1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.2

  3 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
  those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
  You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
  they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
  For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
  For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
  For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
  and the government shall be upon4 his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called5
  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
  Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
  on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
  with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Footnotes

[1] 9:1 Ch 8:23 in Hebrew
[2] 9:1 Or of the Gentiles
[3] 9:2 Ch 9:1 in Hebrew
[4] 9:6 Or is upon
[5] 9:6 Or is called

(ESV)

Teaching by Rev. William Moody

Isaiah is sometimes referred to as ‘the fifth gospel’, because he so regularly points to the hope that is to be found in the coming Messiah, Jesus.

The background to this familiar passage, is the increasing threat of invasion that is coming from the nation of Assyria. In many ways this threat is because of poor leadership from the Kings of Israel and Judah. So where is hope to be found, it has to be in God’s appointed leader who would not just be good, but be perfect and all powerful (v6-7).

The different regions highlighted (v1) would be those who would be the first to experience the force of the Assyrian army. Into these regions would come the light of the Messiah (v2). Galilee who was mentioned (v1), would be of course the region where Jesus would perform so much of His earthly ministry. One day, these dark territories would witness a great light.

The characteristics of Jesus that are highlighted include that He is a wonderful counsellor (v6). All the wise advice and guidance we need in life we receive from Jesus through His Word. The coming Jesus would be a man but also ‘mighty God’. He has all the power we ever need. He is the ‘everlasting father’, probably better translated as the father of eternity. He holds eternity in His hands for His people as He is the Prince of Peace.