Focal Passage: Isaiah 8:20-9:7
I was in high school the first time I heard a live performance of Handel’s Messiah. The climax was The Hallelujah Chorus; everyone stood. But I’d been even more impressed earlier as the tympani drummer in the orchestra pounded the rhythm and the exuberant choir sang: “And His name shall be called, WONDERFUL! COUNSELOR! THE MIGHTY GOD! THE EVERLASTING FATHER! THE PRINCE OF PEACE!”
Those words are from Isaiah 9, the prophetic passage in today’s lesson from our current series, Looking Forward to CHRISTmas. But first let’s deal with some “gloom, despair, and agony on me,” as the cast of HeeHaw mournfully sang years ago. It’s found in Isaiah 8:20-22.
Isaiah describes many in his day who sound like today’s society. They aren’t consulting God’s law and testimony, Isaiah says. In fact, God’s truth doesn’t even dawn on them; they wander through the land … famished and enraged. These angry, starving souls look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction. Is that from our evening news?
Dawson
But chapter 9 opens with a thrilling word: Nevertheless! Now we see why those gloomy, distressing verses are in today’s lesson on Looking Forward to PEACE. Now Isaiah points to the coming LIGHT and the coming PEACE. In verse 1 Isaiah mentions Zebulun and Naphtali, the first two tribes of Israel to be deported by the Assyrians; they represent the other tribes who were humbled by the captivity.
He also refers to Galilee. Later in the New Testament, Matthew describes Jesus being in these same three areas at the start of His ministry (Matthew 4:12-17). Jesus would in the future bring honor … to the land where He traveled so freely.
Verses 2-9 are prophetic pictures of a time when the bloodied garments of war would become fuel for peace-time campfires. Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled, however, not just in a nation seeking peace, but in a person. He’s the Prince of Peace, Jesus Himself — born that first CHRISTmas day, with angels proclaiming “PEACE on earth.”
Now Isaiah’s message is in contrast to his words of chapter 8. The people are no longer walking in darkness, but now the dawn has come and they are in the light. Isaiah remembers the oppressive yoke the people have borne, like the nation of Midian had put on them (Judges 6-7). At last they’ll be free of the oppressor; they will now have peace. Who IS the coming King who’ll bring peace?
(1) The King’s NATURE, verse 6a. This King will be the GOD-MAN … in his nativity: a child is born … and in his nobility: a son is given … also in is His availability: unto US!
(2) The King’s NAME, verse 6b. Many people see four titles given to the coming King; I see five. He is Wonderful in the Joy He brings. As Counselor He brings Encouragement. MIGHTY God brings Strength. Everlasting FATHER brings Understanding. And as Prince of PEACE He brings Salvation. Thus the Name above every name — J-E-S-U-S!
(3) The King’s NATION, verse 7. This verse is all about Christ’s Kingdom, which Vance Havner calls “the only Christian nation.” Verse 7 can be summarized in the title of an old hymn: Jesus Shall Reign. And — when HE reigns, peace pours! B&R — Dawson is pastor emeritus at First Baptist Church, Columbia, and has served as transitional interim pastor at numerous churches across the state since his retirement from full-time ministry.
