August 13 - To Us a Child is Born

August 13 - Isaiah 9:1-7; 11:1-16 - To Us a Child is Born

We take these words from Isaiah for granted, but think about the moment that he received them from the Lord. Can you imagine what was racing through his mind as he began hearing the Lord speak these words to him?

Much of the prophecy that Isaiah delivered to the people of Israel was a warning. The Lord was desperately trying to get His people to stay away from other gods and out of the hands of the armies that were surrounding them. He wanted His people to stay close to Him, yet they kept running off to things that seemed more exciting.

Isaiah's time with the Lord had to have been stressful and then comes the day that the Lord says to Isaiah, "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress," and the great prophecy of the child coming to save a nation was given.

Consider the power of these words, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:2)

Light coming in to darkness. John 1:4 says about Jesus, "In him was life and that life was the light of men." In John 8:12, Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

The light of life will dawn on the land of the shadow of death. The Lord Almighty promised and brought forth the light to save His people.

Now, Isaiah 9:7 tells us that the child who will bring a peaceful government will reign on David's throne and this will all be accomplished by the zeal - by the power - of the Lord God Almighty. (Isaiah 9:6-7). As we turn to Isaiah 11, this is confirmed by the words, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." (Isaiah 11:1)

The peacable kingdom, a place where judgment is pronounced by righteousness and peace will rule over everything. "In that day, the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people..." (Isaiah 11:10-11) as the Root of Jesse will stand forth bringing all nations to himself. Isaiah goes on to say that the kingdoms will be reunited. In Isaiah 11:13, Ephraim is used to signify the northern kingdom of Israel while Judah represents the southern kingdom.

The Lord promises that there will be a highway for the remnant of his people, a path for them to return to Him. (Isaiah 11:16).

We see the continuation of this promise in Revelation 7:4, when God calls forth 144,000 from all of the tribes of Irael. The remnant will never be forgotten. And as for the peacable kingdom, we first see the signs of this in Revelation 20 when Christ conquers the beast and locks him away for one thousand years. Christ brings all nations to himself and they reign with him.

Finally, we see that the healing of the nations comes in Revelation 22:2. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. We will see His face. And they will reign for ever and ever. The promises of Isaiah, the continuation of these promises in the Revelation, are trustworthy and true (Rev. 22:6). We can be sure of one thing. Jesus is coming soon.