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Good morning “Walking with Jesus” friends, today we look together at one of the most famous Christmas prophecies of the Old Testament, Isaiah 9.
It is so appropriate since this weekend is the 78th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and a war that touched most of our world. The verses we’re going to look at today speak of war, and governments and military power. When Jesus came there were many expectations of Messiah that He did not fulfill, causing great turmoil, even among His own disciples. Today we’ll understand that a bit more.
One other thing… did you know that following WWII there was a great wave of missionary volunteers, many of whom had served in the armed forces and felt led of God to return to the very countries where they had been fighting! These men and women brought the Gospel to the Philippines, Japan, France, Italy, even Germany! They raised their families there and their kids were able to see the contrast between the stories they heard of war-time devastation and the miraculous healing power of the Gospel in those places! Many of them are now in those countries as second generation missionaries! The Church of Jesus Christ in those countries today, is in some ways the spiritual fruit of WWII… think about that!
Yesterday I gave you the context of these chapters in Isaiah, written about 730bc during the reign of wicked king Ahaz and just before the invasion and destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel (722bc).
Yesterday we looked at Isaiah 9:1,2 and how they point to the place where Jesus lived most of His life in the northern region of the Galilee, and how Jesus’ light of the truth words He spoke, and the miracles He performed, brought hope into that area which had been in darkness so long.
Let’s continue now looking at vs. 3 & 4 through spiritual lenses. “You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest…” (Is. 9:3) In an agriculture society, everyone understands the boundless joy of harvest season when the harvest is bountiful! Our Thanksgiving Day is rooted in that right? All four of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) tell us the story of Jesus’ life and ministry, and this verse in Isaiah certainly describes how many people responded to Jesus, right?
Mark 1 is a good example. Mark tends to write in a condensed format. In this chapter Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James & John to leave their fishing boats and follow Him for a while. They do, and in vs. 21-39 Mark describes one very busy and powerful day for the five of them. Jesus frees a man in the Synagogue from demonic control; teaches God’s truth with such authority and clarity the people are amazed; heals Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever, that evening does many miracles of healing and demonic freedom with people brought to Him. The next morning the entire town has come to find Jesus! That’s Isaiah 9:3 happening with Jesus, and it happened often in many places!!
Isaiah 9:4 speaks of Midian, and that of course, is a reference to the remarkable story of Gideon, in Judges 6&7, remember? Gideon, and a small group of soldiers, defeated a huge army from Midian, as God created panic among the Midianite invaders and they fled. The Midianites had been attacking Israel at harvest time and stealing the harvest, leaving Israel destitute. If you look at this through spiritual eyes, do you see what Isaiah is predicting about Jesus? “As in the day of Midian’s defeat, You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.”
As Jesus spoke God’s truth, people were set free from despair and confusion. As Jesus healed people, they were set free from blindness and paralysis and even demonic control. Jesus brought FREEDOM to body, mind and soul, to all who had faith in Him. Remember how often Jesus told people it was to the degree of their faith, that they experienced the power of God? In Matthew 9:18-31 Jesus heals a woman who’d had a bleeding disorder for many years, and two blind men, in response to their faith in Him. So how big is your faith today my friends, in view of the issues facing you as we near the end of 2019?
Now in Isaiah 9:6&7 we finally come to two of the most famous Christmas prophecies. “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” In this verse may I suggest you replace the word “government” with the word Sovereign Authority?
Jesus was respected as wise and His messages were “wonderful counsel” for those who heard Him and lived according to His teaching. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a good example. By His miracles, Jesus proved God’s mighty power was available to Him as He controlled storms, healed sick people, raised dead people to life, and cast out demons. He spoke of Himself as being one with the Father (John 10:30) and being eternal (John 8:58), and He promised a peace that passes all understanding (John 14:27; 16:33) .
Finally Isaiah 9:7 says “He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” David’s throne is of course the royal line of king David over the united kingdom of Israel. Jesus was born into that line but His ‘reign’ is not political or military or even governmental. His reign is much more important… it’s spiritual!
Politics, military and government, cannot change the soul and heart of a person. Authority in those domains may control behavior of people and nations, but Jesus’ reign is a spiritual reign and His kingdom is eternal… past, present and future. His kingdom knows no limits with geography or culture or language or ethnicity. Remember that beautiful picture of Revelation 7:9 in heaven? That is Jesus’ kingdom, and of course it required Jesus coming to earth so He could explain it all to humanity, and then pay the full price through His death & resurrection, so we could be set free from our bondage to sin, Satan and death! Now free from that, we who are followers of Jesus, have certainty that we will live here with His Holy Spirit within us, and we also have eternity with Him in His heavenly kingdom!
For centuries, those who read these prophecies of Isaiah assumed it meant a strong yet just and righteous leader would rise up one day, to lead Israel back to dominance and prosperity as in the days of King Solomon (1 Kings 10 & 2 Chronicles 9). So for nearly 700 years… think of that friends, that’s 7 centuries, and the US has only been a nation for not even 250 years… generation after generation watched to see if God would raise up this great leader in their generation. Can you see why so many did not view Jesus as fulfilling the expectations and the mandate of a great military, governmental leader who would defeat Rome and return Israel to prominence? Can you understand, as they saw His miraculous powers displayed, that they began to imagine how that power could be turned to victory over their enemies and multiply their prosperity?
Now consider Gabriel’s word to Mary, and try to imagine what she and others assumed Gabriel meant, in view of Isaiah’s words: “You have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30-33)
Does this help us understand why Jesus was always facing the question…“Who are you and what is your purpose”? So, as 2019 draws to a close with such political and governmental strife everywhere, and such widespread poverty and despair in every society of our world, and even in our own America… may I ask each of us?
Who do you say Jesus Christ is?
What were His purposes when He came to earth?
What is His kingdom that will never end?
What priority do you place on being His follower and participating with Him to accomplish His purposes on earth today?
Is Isaiah 9:2-7 alive and well in your part of the world and are you helping others experience this new life in Christ, this vibrant living, as a member of Jesus’ kingdom? Oh how we thank God for Christmas and Jesus coming to earth!
Thank you Jesus for being the wonderful fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies and bringing hope and eternal life to so many people… may Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth today, as it is in heaven!
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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