Today we are reading the first part of chapter 9. We see the promise given again. It is given in the midst of incredible hardship, violence, and pain. We see God offering us the same promise.
9 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.
Isaiah 9:1
Commentators suggest these verse might fit better as the conclusion to Isaiah 8. Isaiah has been describing the gloom of anguish. Thick darkness will fall upon those who reject God’s Word (Isaiah 8:20–22). No relief of morning’s light will come for them.
Now, Isaiah speaks of a time to come, when that despair and darkness will lift. Yesterday, as we read the story of Christ’s birth, this is the morning the people hoped for. This is the promise Isaiah was giving people lost in a deep darkness. Isaiah spoke that the anguish will end in Israel.
Specially, Isaiah is speaking of the northern region of Israel that once belonged to the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. The Assyrians first struck that area with their destructive power. They swept through the land. The area around the Sea of Galilee was taken by Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, around 733 BC. The Assyrian king repopulated it with Gentile settlers from other lands. This was normal practice for the Assyrians. They moved those they defeated into other places. They separated people versus keeping them together.
Assyrian records from that time show that this conquered, occupied region was divided into three Assyrian districts. Isaiah mentions those same three districts in this passage. “Galilee of the Gentiles” was also known as the Megiddo province. It extended from the Litani River in the north to the Valley of Jezreel. “The way of the sea” is the Dor province: along the Mediterranean from Joppa to Haifa. The “along the Jordan” or “beyond the Jordan” is Gilead. These are territories east of the Jordan River from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee.
Isaiah speaks, though, of a time to come when this region will be made glorious once more. The darkness will be dispelled. The light will return in splendor. It will come in the form of a child. This child will become much more than just a king. He will be the Messiah.
2 The people walking in darkness
Isaiah 9:2
have seen a great light;
a light has dawned
on those living in the land of darkness.
This famous verse describes that future reversal of sorts. Isaiah speaks of these events in the past tense. They will not take place until Jesus arrives on earth as the Messiah. The people of Israel who suffer under ignorance, unhappiness, and insecurity will be given a hopeful sign. That is like “light” shining into a dark place. It will be made obvious in the New Testament that the light is none other than Jesus the Messiah. Those living in Israel at the time will see Him cutting through the darkness with their own eyes.
Jesus will teach that even then, before He fully establishes His kingdom, not everyone will receive the light. Some will still choose darkness.
19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
John 3:19-21
3 You have enlarged the nation
Isaiah 9:3
and increased its joy.
The people have rejoiced before you
as they rejoice at harvest time
and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.
Isaiah has described a great darkness that is coming to cover the land of Israel.
22 They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.
Isaiah 8:22
This is due to their unbelief in the Lord and their unwillingness to follow Him. That darkness will include the invasion and occupation by the Assyrians, but it will not end there. The darkness will not last forever. In His grace, the Lord will eventually send the light once more (Isaiah 9:2). Believers today know that Isaiah speaks of Jesus the Messiah. He is the one who will bring the light back to the land of God’s people. As the Messiah, He will eventually free the people completely from their oppressors and return abundance to the nation.
Writing in the past tense of future events, Isaiah says that the Lord has “multiplied the nation“. This would be an increase of the population. The Lord will also increase their joy. As well as their joy for abundant harvests and military victories. Isaiah describes a time when the nation will be thriving in safety, security, and plenty. The source of all of this will be the Lord.
4 For you have shattered their oppressive yoke
Isaiah 9:4
and the rod on their shoulders,
the staff of their oppressor,
just as you did on the day of Midian.
Isaiah is describing in past tense Israel’s glorious future. This is when the Lord will return the light to their dark land and give them reason for joy. At that time, they will live in both abundance and security. Rejoicing will become normal again (Isaiah 9:2–3).
How will the Lord do this for His people?
He will free them from their enemies. The Assyrians are said to have boasted about placing yokes on the necks of the people that they conquered. This was a literal yoke. This was to further humiliate those under their control. A yoke was a kind of heavy harness placed on oxen and other animals. This device enabled a farmer to control and drive the animals to work for him. Isaiah has prophesied that Israel and Judah would soon come under the yoke of oppression.
In this future time of glory, the Lord will shatter the enemy yoke, their staff, and their rod. The Lord will break every weapon and means of control Israel’s enemies could use against them.
Isaiah’s first readers must have pictured the irresistible might of the Assyrian army. They wondered how such a thing could possibly be true. His mention of the day of Midian is meant to remind them of the story of Gideon in Judges 6–7. The Lord insisted on reducing the size of Gideon’s army. He reduced it until it was extremely small. No one could make a mistake and think that the victory came from anyone but the Lord. He will do the same again, and this time it will be once and for all.
5 For every trampling boot of battle
Isaiah 9:5
and the bloodied garments of war
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
Now Isaiah adds that the end of that oppression will not lead to more oppression. This will bring the end of ALL oppression. The devices of war will be destroyed. The description he provides echoes what he wrote in chapter 2 about the kingdom of the Lord on earth:
“they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore”Isaiah 2:4.
The Lord will reign as king on earth. He will bring lasting peace. He will end war itself. Israel will rest secure and thriving, without fear of future enemies.
6 For a child will be born for us,
Isaiah 9:6
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
This verse begins to describe how God will accomplish all of this. He will do it through a person: a human being who will be human born. This is a famous verse that modern Christians tend to think of as a Christmas passage. That is because it predicts the birth of Jesus, the hope of salvation for all peoples. It is also the promise of God to Israel. It speaks of a deliverer, a Messiah. This Messiah will restore glory and joy to their nation. This child will be the King of Israel, as well as of the world.
This person Isaiah pictures is truly unusual and remarkable. He is undeniably human because He is born as a child. He will clearly be a king, because Isaiah states that the government “will rest on His shoulders.” It was not unusual for kings to be given lavish titles in this era. However, the titles given to this king quickly escalate. The titles start with the level of a crown prince, or specially empowered agent of God, to that of God. Isaiah leaves no room for question, this child Who will be born will be God Himself.
Isaiah writes that this deliverer will be called “Wonderful Counselor.” This describes the kingly wisdom of a monarch such as Solomon. He will be a leader. He will always make the best decisions in every scenario. He will give unfailing counsel to His subjects.
While that title might be given to an especially worthy human king, the next one could not. This person will be called “Mighty God.” Some scholars attempt to render the language here to mean “great hero.” But Isaiah is clear. He wants to communicate that this deliverer of Israel, and the world, will be divine in and of Himself. He is describing the Messiah, who will ultimately be revealed to be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
This king will be called both “Everlasting Father” and “Prince of Peace.” Many kings have been referred to as the father of their people. This king’s fatherhood will not end. He will continue as Father to one generation after another and then to all generations of His people for eternity. In short, He is God.
This king’s reign over Israel and the earth will be peaceful. He will not rule with an iron fist. This divine king will be immensely powerful. He will create lasting peace on the earth. He will bring an end to all war. He will rightly be given the title of “Prince of Peace.” This is one of the names for our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. He fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy.
7 The dominion will be vast,
Isaiah 9:7
and its prosperity will never end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
There can be no mistake, this will be no mere mortal. His government will never end. The peace it brings will not cease, unlike the situation with the death of even an extraordinary monarch. This king will occupy the throne of David to the end of time. He will be king of Israel and the world forever. This could only be true of an eternal being. Finally, this coming king will be good and will never become corrupt. He will rule with justice and righteousness.
All of this will be brought about by the enthusiasm of the Lord of hosts. In other words, God will accomplish this because He wants to do it. It is His plan and purpose, and He will bring it about by His power. This is Israel’s great future.
Isaiah is speaking this to a broken people. We are broken people. Today, take the time to let these words wash over your heart.
Where do you see the contrast of light/dark, joy/sadness, now/not yet?
Are there places in your life right now you feel burdened and held captive? What yoke are you carrying that only Jesus can remove?
What character(s) of the Lord is being revealed to you today?
© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.
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