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Isaiah study & commentary

Isaiah 9

By Doug Ford
The Government of the Promised Son;
The Punishment of Samaria

Isaiah 9:1-2

The end of the previous chapter painted a picture of doom and gloom.  The 'nevertheless' changes direction and tells us the gloom and distress won't last forever.  Naphtali was the northernmost territory of Israel and occupied the northwest part of the lake of Galilee up to the base of Mt Hermon.  It was lightly esteemed because nothing of importance happened there since the times of the judges.  As the northernmost territories, Naphtali and Zebulun would be the first to be invaded from the Assyrians.  In time, the heavy oppression will end and a great light will come from Galilee.  It will become a gateway to the nations, coming in peace to worship God.  This refers to Jesus and is quoted in Matthew 4:12-17.  In the land of Zebulun and Naphtali is the area where Jesus grew up and ministered.  Jesus is the great light that is seen and has dawned.  If we stay faithful, God will lead us through. 

 

Isaiah 9:3-5
Isaiah continues to add to the 'nevertheless' of the first verse.  The nation would be multiplied, thereby multiplying the joy.  The Abrahamic covenant says that the Israelites will multiply and be a great nation.  God promised this and it will come about.  It will bring joy like that of harvest time; like men rejoice in victory as they share spoils. 

 

The yoke of oppression would be broken; the ever present enemies and threat of foreign domination would be removed.  This is pictured as similar to when Gideon chased the Midianites from the land in the time of the judges.   

 

Isiah looks forward to a time when there will no longer be any need for battle.  The sandal and garment of the warrior can be burnt for fuel because they will have no other use.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7
A child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  Ahaz had rejected the offer to choose a sign; he was therefore given a sign in 7:14 that a son would be born of the virgin.  His name would be 'God with us' – Emmanuel.  The 'Son' given links this child to the line of David.  The fulfillment is found not in the son of Ahaz or his son Hezekiah, but in Jesus Christ. 

 

The government has not yet been on his shoulders, this will come when Jesus comes back to rule in the millennium.  See Luke 1:32 for fulfillment of this passage of prophecy.  He is Wonderful Counselor and will rule with supernatural wisdom.  He is Mighty God He will accomplish militarily what no one else could.  He will be the Everlasting Father and rule with compassion and discipline over His people like a father.  As the Prince of peace, He will establish a world peace like many have sought but none could attain.  His kingdom will be established, and it will have no end.  Jesus will rule forever as rightful heir to the throne of David. 

 

See 2 Samuel 7:12-16 for this prophecy.

 

Isaiah 9:8-12
This passage is an oracle against the northern kingdom.  Israel was blinded with pride and arrogance, trusting in themselves, in their ways, apart from God.  Ephraim were the informal leaders and prominent tribe that set the tone for the direction of the northern kingdom.  Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom and thereby the center of this pride and arrogance.  They thought they could rebuild with their own land and overcome God's judgment.  This sounds very much like the building of the tower of babel.  Because of their pride and rebellion, God strengthened Rezin's adversaries.  Rezin was king of the Syrians and so the adversary was the Assyrians.  The northern kingdom had made an alliance with Rezin and the Syrians.  Ahaz, king of Judah, had appealed to the Assyrians for help against Syrian/northern kingdom alliance.  Israel remained prideful and confident even when surrounded by enemies.  Isaiah exclaimed that they would be devoured; even then God's anger would not be satisfied.  This is an indication that this would affect every person in the country.  It was not just a military loss or national incident, but it would become personal to all.

 

Isaiah 9:13-17
God is still angry at them and His hand is still stretched out against them.  The people haven't turned from their evil ways, they hadn't sought the Lord.  'Therefore' the judgment would continue.  The 'head and tail' of Israel were the elders and the prophets who teach lies.  This implies that they would be cut off from one end to another.  The Palm branch and bulrush is another picture of the totality of the judgment; top to bottom, low growth to high growth.  This would happen in a day – meaning a time or season leading to a pre-determined culmination of that judgment coming in a single day.  This might be the death of Jeroboam II or the fall of Samaria or some other event finalizing their demise.  The leaders had led them astray and the people followed and both will be destroyed.  Everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness.  It's interesting that the ungodly and wicked are spoken of separately.  Is it that ungodliness leads to wickedness?  Even then, God's anger is not turned away – this is the 2nd appearance of this phrase.


Isaiah 9:18-21
God allows this self-destructive behavior to become a judgment in, and of, itself.  The wickedness of the people spread, and it burned like fire.  The entire land would be scorched.  The people were determined to be fuel for the fires of judgment. 

 

They didn't even realize that the judgment had been perpetuated by their wickedness.  It was destroying the land and the people and they failed to see it.  They would eat and still be hungry and not be satisfied.  They would continue in their wicked ways until they had eaten each other up and there is nothing left of the land or people. 

 

Even at this, God's anger is not turned away – this is the 3rd appearance of this phrase.

 

©2018 Doug Ford