Isaiah 8:18–9:7
18 Here I am with the children the Lord has given me to be signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Armies who dwells on Mount Zion. 19 When they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the spiritists who chirp and mutter,” shouldn’t a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Go to God’s instruction and testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them.
21 They will wander through the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged, and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.
Birth of the Prince of Peace
9 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy.The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.
4 For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders the staff of their oppressor just as you did on the day of Midian.
5 For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child will be born for us a son will be given to us and the government will be on his shoulders.He will be namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
HEAR:
In Isaiah 8 we see that Israel is in rapid decline and headed into darkness, but in Isaiah 9, Israel moves from the darkness to the dawn. Isaiah 9 introduces the long expected Jesus – the ideal monarch. We see a King who will shine forth in beauty, holiness, and truth.
Use this time to listen to the Holy Spirit and pray. Specifically think about:
Have you inquired of the Lord? Or are you following your own plan and your own agenda? Turn to God’s instruction and testimony (vv. 19-20).
Where is the distress in your own life? (v. 22). Trust that through Christ, the “oppressive yoke” will be shattered (v.4).
Are you viewing Jesus according to your own expectations? See him rightly as King (v.6).
RESPOND:
In this text, we see a universal, never-ending kingdom backed by the zeal of the Lord of Armies. Isaiah describes a day to come in which the gloom will lift and glory will return. A child will become the king of Israel, and he will also become the everlasting King who will rule forever.
Use this time to pray quietly to yourself or to pray for the whole room. Respond to God:
Pray that God would stir up a hunger within his church to see him enthroned (v.7).
Intercede for the lost in our city, that they may come to know Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Pray that they may receive the open invitation (Revelation 19:16).
Pray for revival. Pray that dawn would be brought from the darkness (v.2) and for an increase in joy (v.3).
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