ⓘBeyond destruction there is hope. In the Messiah’s...
Beyond destruction there is hope. In the Messiah’s kingdom, the darkness would give way to great light, which was to dawn in Galilee and reach the whole nation, and then the whole world. The Messiah’s rule would be marked by the vindication of the oppressed and the end of all oppression. He would bring justice and righteousness forever in a kingdom of peace.
1NTNevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galileeof the nations:
2NTThe people walking in darknesshave seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of death,a light has dawned.†3You have enlarged the nationand increased its joy.The people rejoice before Youas they rejoice at harvest time,as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.4For as in the day of MidianYou have shattered the yoke of their burden,the bar across their shoulders,and the rod of their oppressor.5For every trampling boot of battleand every garment rolled in bloodwill be burned as fuel for the fire.6For unto us a child is born,unto us a son is given,and the government will be upon His shoulders.And He will be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7Of the increase of His government and peacethere will be no end.He will reign on the throne of Davidand over his kingdom,to establish and sustain itwith justice and righteousnessfrom that time and forevermore.The zeal of the LORDof Hosts will accomplish this.
Judgment against Israel’s Pride
ⓘThis prophecy of judgment was against the northern...
This prophecy of judgment was against the northern kingdom of Israel. Despite God’s message that the Assyrians would crush them (chs 7–8), the people of Samaria were foolishly confident that they could withstand the siege.
8The Lord has sent a message against Jacob,and it has fallen upon Israel.9All the people will know it—Ephraim† and the dwellers of Samaria.With pride and arrogance of heartthey will say:10“The bricks have fallen,but we will rebuild with finished stone;the sycamores have been felled,but we will replace them with cedars.”11The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against himand joined his enemies together.12Aram† from the east andPhilistia from the westhave devoured Israel with open mouths.Despite all this, His anger is not turned away;His hand is still upraised.
Judgment against Israel’s Hypocrisy
ⓘGod’s punishment was intended to bring repentance, not...
God’s punishment was intended to bring repentance, not destruction; but Israel was apostate and refused to repent or seek the Lord.
13But the people did not return to Him who struck them;they did not seek the LORDof Hosts.14So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail,both palm branchand reed in a single day.15The head is the elder and honorable man,and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.16For those who guide this people mislead them,and those they mislead are swallowed up.17Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men;He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows.For every one of them is godless and wicked,and every mouth speaks folly.Despite all this, His anger is not turned away;His hand is still upraised.
Judgment against Israel’s Unrepentance
ⓘFollowing the decimation of leadership, civil war would...
Following the decimation of leadership, civil war would destroy the nation like an out-of-control brushfire.
18For wickedness burns like a firethat consumes the thorns and briersand kindles the forest thickets,which roll upward in billows of smoke.19By the wrath of the LORDof Hoststhe land is scorched,and the people are fuel for the fire.No man even spares his brother.20They carve out what is on the right,but they are still hungry;they eat what is on the left,but they are still not satisfied.Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.†21Manassehdevours Ephraim,and EphraimManasseh;together they turn against Judah.Despite all this, His anger is not turned away;His hand is still upraised.
Commentary
Isaiah 9:1
Zebulun and Naphtali were northern tribes in Israel (Judg 6:35). They were humbled by the Assyrian invaders under Tiglath-pileser III in 734 and 732 BC. In Jesus’ lifetime, this prophecy was connected with his coming out of Galilee (Matt 4:14–16).
Galilee of the Gentiles was the region of Israel between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. It was heavily influenced—culturally, religiously, and politically—by the surrounding Gentile nations.
The people experienced the rule of other nations as a yoke of . . . slavery and a heavy burden (Jer 30:8).
oppressor’s rod: In Isa 10:5, the Assyrians are called “the rod of [the Lord’s] anger.” Just as God’s anger will cease, so will Assyria’s oppression of Judah (14:5).
The Lord had destroyed the army of Midian through Gideon (see Judg 6:35; 7:22–25).
Commentary
Isaiah 9:5
Burning the boots and uniforms marked the end of the need for instruments of war.
Commentary
Isaiah 9:6
a child is born to us, a son is given to us: This child, the Messiah, would be David’s descendant (11:1).
he will be called: These names can be read as four throne names, signifying the nature of the child’s rule: (1) The Wonderful Counselor conforms to God’s wisdom (11:1; 25:1; 28:29; 40:13), unlike the counselors of Judah (1:26; 3:3). (2) Mighty God is an affirmation of the Messiah’s divine nature. (3) He cares for his children as the Everlasting Father, the father whose care continues forever (cp. 22:21; 63:16). (4) The Prince of Peace is a leader who brings peace.
Alternatively, the four names could be collapsed into two: (1) “A Wonderful Counselor [is] the Mighty God”; and (2) “the Everlasting Father [is] a Prince of Peace” (on his nature, see 11:1–9).
Like Ahaz, this ruler will be a descendant of David. Unlike Ahaz and the rulers of Jerusalem (1:21–23), he would trust God and rule with justice and righteousness (11:1–3). Jesus the Messiah reigns for all eternity (Luke 1:32–33).
In their proud confidence, Israel thought it would replace whatever was lost with more expensive items (see 2:13–16; Amos 5:11).
Commentary
Isaiah 9:11
Rezin’s enemies were the Assyrians (7:4, 17; 8:4). Rezin was king of Syria (see ch 7).
Commentary
Isaiah 9:17
Even widows and orphans, ordinarily objects of God’s compassion (1:17, 23; 10:2), became objects of his wrath when they were unrepentant.
Commentary
Isaiah 9:21
Manasseh and Ephraim represent the northern kingdom as its largest tribes. The two largest tribes of Israel and Judah fought amongst themselves. This is probably a reference to the war between Judah and the alliance of Syria and Israel, which is commonly called the Syro-Ephraimite War (7:1–12). In that conflict, brothers savagely fought against brothers (2 Chr 28).
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