Post by Admin on Oct 29, 2019 4:06:44 GMT
We open our four-part Advent discussion with Isaiah's prophecy of a son born, from Isaiah 9:1-7 (NIV):
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For 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.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to 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.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. 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.
Here is a little context on the references to Tribes of Israel that begin this scripture passage, from a devotional by Ligonier Ministries, "The Coming Mighty God."
In order to understand this passage, we need a little bit of context. We must first go back to the reign of King David, who was responsible for establishing the golden age of Israel under the old covenant (1 Chron. 18:4). In the sovereign providence of God, David, who started out as a humble shepherd, was able to unite the confederacy of Israel’s tribes and turn the nation into a major power in the ancient world (2 Sam. 5). This was no easy feat due to the constant threats the Israelites faced in the Promised Land. The Promised Land was a strategically important area in the ancient world, for it connected Asia, Europe, and Africa, and whoever controlled Israel’s God-given territory could exercise great economic and military power. David’s wisdom and skill in accomplishing this, as well as his godliness and ability to unify the people of God and usher in an era of peace and prosperity, was so great that the prophets foresaw the coming reign of the Messiah as a new Davidic era (Jer. 23:5; 33:14–15; Zech. 12:8).
Because of the sins of David’s line, the golden age of David and his son Solomon could not last. Idolatry was pervasive, the kingdom was split in two (1 Kings 12:16–20), and mighty empires such as Assyria, Babylon, and Persia conquered the people and ruled over them. But God promised that Israel’s suffering under these pagans would not be the last word for His people. Today’s passage reveals that at a specified time—after the Assyrian capture of Israel and invasion of Jerusalem—God would put a new leader on the throne, a son of David who would be even greater than his forefather. Though Isaiah has much to say about this figure, perhaps the most notable aspect of the prophecy is that this king would be “Mighty God.” The Lord would enter history and reign in human flesh.
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For 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.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to 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.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. 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.
Here is a little context on the references to Tribes of Israel that begin this scripture passage, from a devotional by Ligonier Ministries, "The Coming Mighty God."
In order to understand this passage, we need a little bit of context. We must first go back to the reign of King David, who was responsible for establishing the golden age of Israel under the old covenant (1 Chron. 18:4). In the sovereign providence of God, David, who started out as a humble shepherd, was able to unite the confederacy of Israel’s tribes and turn the nation into a major power in the ancient world (2 Sam. 5). This was no easy feat due to the constant threats the Israelites faced in the Promised Land. The Promised Land was a strategically important area in the ancient world, for it connected Asia, Europe, and Africa, and whoever controlled Israel’s God-given territory could exercise great economic and military power. David’s wisdom and skill in accomplishing this, as well as his godliness and ability to unify the people of God and usher in an era of peace and prosperity, was so great that the prophets foresaw the coming reign of the Messiah as a new Davidic era (Jer. 23:5; 33:14–15; Zech. 12:8).
Because of the sins of David’s line, the golden age of David and his son Solomon could not last. Idolatry was pervasive, the kingdom was split in two (1 Kings 12:16–20), and mighty empires such as Assyria, Babylon, and Persia conquered the people and ruled over them. But God promised that Israel’s suffering under these pagans would not be the last word for His people. Today’s passage reveals that at a specified time—after the Assyrian capture of Israel and invasion of Jerusalem—God would put a new leader on the throne, a son of David who would be even greater than his forefather. Though Isaiah has much to say about this figure, perhaps the most notable aspect of the prophecy is that this king would be “Mighty God.” The Lord would enter history and reign in human flesh.