For to Us a Child Is Born (Isaiah 9)

Birth and Reign of the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:1-7)

By not trusting God, God's people experienced anguish and humiliation, darkness and defeat (Isa. 9:1), yet God himself would bring forth a great deliverance by shining upon them a great light (Isa. 9:2). God would restore their joy (Isa. 9:3) in 3 ways by breaking off all human oppression (Isa. 9:4), by bringing an end to war, and by the gift of a special son (Isa. 9:6), who is a descendant and the rightful heir of David's throne (Isa. 9:7), who will establish the kingdom of God "with justice and with righteousness." This son would be called by 4 names of God himself:

• Wonderful Counselor: He is wise, unlike intelligent but foolish Ahaz.
  
• Mighty God: As a warrior, God protects his people.
  
• Everlasting Father: The benevolent Father and King cares for his subjects.
  
• Prince of Peace: His government beings peace, not distress.
  

God's Anger with Israel's Arrogance (Isa. 9:8-10:4)

Pride and arrogance is the source of all the nation's disasters (Isa. 9:9). Because of their pride and arrogance to preserve and glorify themselves, God's "anger is not turned away" (Isa. 9:12,17,21,10:4; 5:25). The principle of retribution is an important biblical teaching. People reap what they sow, whether to destruction or benefit (Isa. 10:1-4; Gal. 6:7,8).

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