Isaiah 9:2–7
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(ESV)
A Joy for All
In this passage, Isaiah’s prophecy points to the coming of a good ruler who will reign over an everlasting kingdom—we know this is Jesus Christ. To the Israelites, this message would have felt like a glimmer of hope after being told they would be given over to their enemies as judgment for their rebellion against the Lord. This hope of their nation being restored to greatness would be their buoy as they watched their nation dwindle in the face of captivity. Yet, God’s master plan had something even grander in mind: this gospel of an eternal good kingdom would be for all people. Jesus says, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46). As we think about the implications of this, verse 3 conveys something even more profound: “You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy.” This nation is multiplied through the inclusion of all peoples who believe in Christ, from every nation, tribe, and tongue. What joy it is to reflect that from the beginning God had a salvation plan for all! Therefore, in our present reality, as we await the complete fulfillment of this prophecy, we too can take great joy in the hope of the eternal kingdom to come like the Israelites. We can also rejoice in the midst of our sufferings and trials, for the kingdom we adhere to is ruled by the One whose name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He will forever uphold eternal peace, justice, and righteousness. In the end, He will reign. Praise Him!
Steph Hanaoka