Jesus, Prince of Peace
Isaiah 8:19-9:7, Key Verse: 9:6
“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.”
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NEVERTHELESS, GOD SENT A SON
Isaiah 8:19-9:7, Key Verse: 9:6
“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.”
Today’s passage is written at the time of king Ahaz. In chapter 7, he was fearful of invasion by King of Aram and King of Israel. God sent his prophet, Isaiah, to tell Ahaz to ask for a sign of victory. But he refused due to his unbelief. Nevertheless, God promised to send a son through a virgin. The prophecy is fulfilled through Jesus, which is the reason we celebrate the birth of Jesus, called Christmas. This passage is revealing the time and who the child is. As we meditate on this passage, we find that the time of King Ahaz seems similar to today’s time as history repeats. May God help us to see our time from God’s perspective. Amen!
1. The Earth, Utter Darkness (8:19-22).
Though his father, King Jotham, lived right before God, King Ahaz did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He worshiped idols and depended on Assyria in order to defeat his brother country, Israel. It was the time of repentance and turning to God; yet what did they do? Look at verse 19. “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” In this dark time, people tried to find something to depend on and they consulted not God but mediums and spiritists who lied, claiming to call the dead and talking to the spirits. Even though they were God’s chosen people, they did not seek God but idols. This shows the spiritual condition of the Jews. They did not believe in God but rejected God as their helper.
Why? Look at verse 20. “Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.” It is because they would not listen to God’s word. Through Moses, God gave the people of Israel his clear instructions for how to worship God and treat others in God’s love. But they did not follow God’s instructions. According to Deuteronomy 28, God gave them clear warnings concerning blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience of his instructions. All the disasters God brought on the Egyptians and other nations will come on them if they do not obey God. According to chapters 7-8, God gave King Ahaz warnings of invasions from Egypt and from Assyria even though he allied with Assyria. God even gave Isaiah a son as a warning and reason why, saying, “Because this people has rejected… therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria with all his pomp.” It was the time for them to repent and come back to God for the forgiveness of their sins. Yet, they did not turn from their evil ways. They loved the darkness instead of light. There were consequences of their unbelief and disobedience.
What were the consequences? Look at verses 21-22. First, they will be distressed. How distressed they will be when they are conquered by many powerful countries. Secondly, they will be hungry because there will be no food. When they have no food, they will roam around restless but find none. Thirdly, they will curse their king for their poor condition. Fourthly, they will curse God. Just as Adam blamed God for bringing Eve to him, they will blame God for their miserable life. Finally, they will fall into utter darkness, where there is no light, total hopelessness, and fear of having another gloomy day. They are like people who grope around in darkness, not knowing where they are and what to do without any light. Have you been in such darkness?
The author added the reason why they fall into utter darkness. It is because they will look toward the earth. When they looked toward the earth, they found kings who did evil and they became like blind people who are groping around utter darkness. Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” As they deserted God and God’s word, their hearts were darkened and they become so foolish they exchanged God for manmade images.
When we look at the world, we see people who depend on not God but everything else. When they have a problem, they either Google or YouTube or even use ChatGPT, anything but pray and depend on God. According to the Council on Foreign Relations' Global Conflict Tracker, there are currently 33 ongoing conflicts worldwide. These conflicts include: Drug wars, Terrorist insurgencies, Ethnic conflicts, Civil wars, and wars between nations, including Ukraine and Russia, and between Israel and Hamas. If we include the war on drugs, all countries are included. Based on today’s passage, the warning is loud and clear. It is the time to repent and come to God, preparing ourselves for the Second Coming of Christ at any moment. But the people are looking toward the earth. These days, even Christians try to find their hope and light on earth, so they are so confidently affirming their choice for the presidential election or on a political agenda. Their attitude is that if you did not vote their choice, you are evil even though you are a Christian. Some people shouted with joy when their candidate was elected. But they curse their chosen president because of the evil things he is doing now. Eventually they will curse God for their miserable life. They will fall into utter darkness because of hopelessness in their miserable life. They will be economically living in distress, mentally depressed, and spiritually disgraced because they neither trust in God nor have the living word of God. If we are true godly people, instead of looking toward the earth, we should look toward God. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus who is the pioneer and perfector of our faith. Amen!
2. Nevertheless (9:1-7)
Look at 9:1-2. “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.” The word “nevertheless” is a beautiful prediction of a turning point. The people of Judah, who were supposed to be godly people, worshiped other gods and thus became distressed because of God’s punishment; nevertheless, God promised no more gloom. The land of Zebulun and of Naphtali was conquered by the Assyrians because of their sins; nevertheless, God will honor them, even Galilee, the most rural area of the nation. They were in utter darkness because they did not trust in God; nevertheless, God will shine the great light. It is God’s one-sided grace. They don’t deserve God’s blessing; nevertheless, God will restore them and increase their joy.
What are more blessings? Look at verses 3-4. “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. 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.” Based on these verses, there are two main blessings for them to rejoice in. 1) God will enlarge the nation beyond Jordan. In fact, the kingdom of Israel was divided after Solomon. The nation Israel became so small after Rehoboam took the northern part of Israel with 10 tribes and other countries took their cities one after another. Nevertheless, God will defeat the nations who took their land. God gave an example of Judge Gideon, who defeated the Midianites not by depending on the number of soldiers but by faith in God’s instruction. God will bring joy of harvest as if they won a war, getting the spoils of war. They will be free from their slavery. This means that they will be free from their sin and shame.
2) No more war but peace. Look at verse 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.” Winning a war is one thing, but bringing peace is totally different. This is what Rome tried to do after conquering nations with the motto, “Pax Romana,” but the means of peace was strong military power. The peace of God is quite different. When God brings peace, people don’t need a military power to maintain it. When God battles, he wins not their land with weapons but their hearts and souls with nuclear power of love. Therefore, they will burn the warriors’ boots and bloody garments. How will God do this?
It will be by a child, a son given by God. The kingdom of the Son is different from the kingdom of the world. Look at verse 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.” Isaiah prophesied that a child will be born as the ruler of the new kingdom. He will be called with four names; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Let’s think about each name. First, Wonderful Counselor. A ruler usually has many counselors; such as a secretary of economy, of defense, of transportation, of veterans, of foreign affairs and so on. But the son will be called Wonderful Counselor. A good counselor understands a client by listening patiently and telling them what to do wisely. When we meet such a counselor, we would take their advice 100%, paying a lot of money. In this generation, we need a good counselor, who can help and guide us to do right in our situation. But people look for counsel from search engines or from psychologists instead of God and His word. Recently, there was a documentary made, titled the Social Dilemma, where the founders of social network apps testified that they made an algorithm through which people will be indoctrinated for their payers. For example, if the payers are politicians, they will lure people to watch or read what the politician paid for. Nevertheless, God will send the child who will be called Wonderful Counselor. He will listen to our hearts and guide us into the path of righteousness and peace. Isaiah 48:17b says, “I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Moreover, this Wonderful Counselor is free, and we can ask whenever we need. What a wonderful counselor we have! Amen!
Secondly, Mighty God. Might means possessing great and impressive power or strength. Many kings had impressive power; like Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered with massive killing. Nevertheless, this child will conquer people’s heart and soul because his great power and strength will be displayed with his love and righteousness. He will fight against our enemies until he gives his own life on our behalf for final victory. Psalm 24:8 says, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord is mighty in battle.” With this child, we can go to war with the assurance of victory! Yet the war is not with flesh and blood but with our spirit against the devil. Moreover, the Son already won the victory through his death and resurrection! Amen!
Thirdly, Everlasting Father. A father is like a big tree which stands firm and provides all necessary things for a family, so that we can depend on our father at all times. Our human father loves and disciplines us for our good but cannot live with us to the end. Nevertheless, the Son of God will be our everlasting father, whom we can always depend on at all times. Our heavenly father lives forever, loving and disciplining each one of us. In fact, each one of us is born again to his family and adopted to be his children by faith. He is a Father to a fatherless as we all lose our earthly father sooner or later. Amen!
Fourth, Prince of Peace. All rulers display their power and authority by oppressing their subjects. They punish mercilessly, so that their subjects obey them due to fear; but this child will rule his subjects with peace. I was always puzzled to know why so many girls and women loved the bedtime story “Sleeping Beauty”. A prince comes and saves a girl who was poisoned, sleeping forever. But when I studied the Samaritan woman who had been waiting for the Messiah to come and save her from the miserable life in John 4, I could understand the reason. Jesus’ gentle touch of her heart opened her spiritual eyes to see her prince, Jesus as the Promised Messiah. In fact, all human beings are waiting for their Prince Charming, who will come to rescue them and bring them into the new kingdom. When Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Lk 2:14) When we trust in Jesus, we can not only overcome trouble in the world but also find peace that is from above. (Jn 16:33)
Finally, Isaiah reveals who the child is and what kind of kingdom he will establish. Look at verse 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.” The child will be the king who is born in the line of David and will reign on his throne and over his kingdom. He will rule like King David who ruled the kingdom with justice and righteousness as a good shepherd. But no king could rule any kingdom forever, which reveals that this is a prophecy of the coming Messiah. This prophecy was fulfilled as God sent his Son Jesus Christ. He did not come as a pompous ruler but as a baby in a manger. When he came, the angels sang, “glory to God and peace on earth.” He came to save people from their sins and conquer the hearts of the people with his mighty love. He rules with righteousness and justice. His kingdom is ever increasing. No kingdom on earth will last forever except the kingdom of Jesus in heaven. God has accomplished this promise all by himself. Thus, all glory and honor and praise go to our God and savior. Moreover, his world salvation plan will be accomplished by the zeal of the Lord Almighty. We just need to trust in him and live by faith as His kingdom is great and increasing forever. Amen!
I had been in utter darkness when I lived my sinful life without God. When I was handcuffed and put in a dark discipline room because I got in trouble with my sergeant in the army, I felt that my life was in utter darkness, hopeless and directionless. I cried with tears, but God gave me a song in that cold and dark room. The song goes, “Where are you going? Why are you wandering, wandering in the darkness. Come back, come back to me for Christ died on the cross for you and your sins.” I could not understand the second part but only the first part because I felt utter darkness. But God turned the utter darkness, shining his great light through Bible study and Jesus forgave all my sins on the cross and became my wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father and prince of peace in the same year, 1986 Christmas. I could serve my first Christmas dancing and singing with great joy. Thank you Jesus!
Today, we learned that the world is dark just as in the time of Isaiah. Rulers and people are not worshiping God but idols. They are not listening to the voice of God but that of the world. They look toward the earth but fall into utter darkness, hopeless and directionless. In this dark world, we know that more gloom will follow with wars and signs of the end of the age. Then where should we look toward? We should look not toward the earth but up at God, who sent the child, who is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Let’s not be distressed by the world but come to Jesus, a baby in a manger, who will guide us into righteousness, save us with his mighty hand, discipline us as our Father, and rule us with peace and love. Amen!
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