Title: Isaiah 9.1-7
1The King of Kings
2Isaiah 9.1
- There is no gloom for her who is oppressed. In
the early times, the territory of Zebulun and
Naphtali was made light of, but in the latter. .
. the Way of the Sea, across the Jordan, Galilee
of the nations will be honored.
3Isaiah 9.2-3
- The people who are walking in darkness have seen
a great light, - Those who live in the land of deep darkness,
light has shined on them. - You have multiplied the nation,
- You have made great its joy.
- They rejoice before you like the gladness at
harvest, - just like the joy at the dividing of the spoil.
4Isaiah 9.4-5
- For the yoke, its burden and the rod, its
shoulders, the club of their oppressors, - You have shattered like on the day of Midian.
- Surely, all boots, treading tumultuously,
- and garments rolled up in blood,
- have been burned by the consuming fire.
5Isaiah 9.6
- For a child has been born for us,
- a son has been given to us.
- And authority will be on his shoulder,
- And his name will be called
- Marvelous Counselor
- Divine Warrior
- Eternal Father
- Prince of Peace.
6Isaiah 9.7
- Authority in abundance and in peace without end
- upon the throne of David
- and upon his kingdom.
- To establish it
- and to sustain it,
- in justice
- and in righteousness
- from now and forevermore.
- The zeal of Yahweh Sabaoth will do this.
7Historical Settings
- Isaiah 9.1 places the liturgical poem of 9.2-7 in
the historical context of 733/32. - The "early times" look back at Isaiah 6-8, while
the "latter" refers to proceeding chapters. - Zebulun, Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, across the
Jordan, Galilee . . . . (a hint of Gideon the
Midianites)?
81. The Darkness that Precedes
- Isaiah 9.2 refers to "darkness" "deep darkness"
like Psalm 23. - King Ahaz - 2 Kgs 16.2b-3 ". . . He did not do
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, . . . . He
even made his son pass through fire, according to
the abominable practices of the nations. . . ."
91. The Darkness that Precedes
- King Ahaz - 2 Kgs 16.4 ". . . He sacrificed and
made offerings on the high places on the hills
and under every green tree."
101. The Darkness that Precedes
- In Isaiah 7 - Isaiah the prophet offers King Ahaz
a sign . . . any sign he wanted. (a hint of the
Gideon story!)? - But Ahaz lacked Trust/Faith in Yahweh
- A sign is still offered by Isaiah ". . . a sign
to you all, "a pregnant young woman and she is
about to give birth to a son. Let her name him
Immanuel"
111. Darkness the Nativity
- Political darkness in the form of Herod and the
Roman Empire - Darkness as seen and heard at the murder of the
children of Bethlehem, i.e. "Rachel weeping for
her children. . . ." (Matt 2.16-18)? - A Spiritual darkness at the time.
127 O'Clock News Silent Night
132. The Light of Victory
- The great light that out-shines darkness of every
form refers to the historical victory of Assyria
over the Syro-Ephraimite league, thereby
protecting Judah. - However a victory beyond that is sought.
142. The Light of Victory
- Resulting in
- 1. Enlargement of the nation a great joy like
harvest like dividing plunder. - 2. A total deliverance from oppression yoke, rod
club.
152. Victory Midian, Assyrian and Future
- "like on the day of Midian"
- 1. Both the Midianites and the Assyrians threaten
Israel's Zebulun Naphtali played an important
role (Judg 6.35 Isa 9.1)?
162. Victory Midian, Assyrian and Future
- "like on the day of Midian"
- 2. Midianites always came at harvest (Judg
6.4-5). After the victory against the Midianites
there was war plunder (Judg 8.24-25 Isa 9.3)?
172. Victory Midian, Assyrian and Future
- "like on the day of Midian"
- 3. Gideon refused to become king since it was
Yahweh himself who was to rule his people (Judg
8.22-23) n.b. "Yahweh will rule over you all."
This should be compared with Isa 9.6-7 where the
new king will rule by the power of Yahweh.
182. Victory Midian, Assyrian and Future
- "like on the day of Midian"
- 4. When Gideon was originally called into service
he states, ". . . if Yahweh is with us, why has
all this happened to us . . . .?" (Judg 6.13)? - Yahweh's response is ". . . I will be with you .
. . ." (Judg 6.16)? - This is the context of the request for a sign!
192. Victory Midian, Assyrian and Future
- "like on the day of Midian"
- 5. Gideon attacks the Midianites at night (Judg
7.9ff) and by morning Israel's victory was seen.
This parallels the light shining in the darkness
of Isa 9.2.
203. A Child/Son
- The Crucial verses about a child/son and his
authority seem to function as a royal
annunciation or in a royal accession ceremony. - The Egyptians used 5 names, while the Assyrians
used 4 very similar to those mentioned here.
213. A Child/Son
- Scholars argue that originally the names were
meant for Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz. Although
Hezekiah was to go on to be a great king, like
all biblical characters he never fulfills his
full potential.
223. A Child/Son Marvelous Counselor
- This king will be an able political guide and
leader. - This king will be a "planner of marvels"
- This king will not need advice for the royal
counselors.
233. A Child/Son Divine Warrior
- Rather than the traditional translation "mighty
God" - Exod 15.3 "Yahweh is a warrior, Yahweh is his
name!" - This king will have all power, especially
military at his disposal.
243. A Child/Son Eternal Father
- This title has not been appreciated because of a
poor understanding of the doctrine of the
Trinity. - This title "relates to the generative,
guaranteeing powers of the king, a massive
antidote to anxiety when things seem to be out of
control." (Brueggemann)? - Nothing will be out of control!
253. A Child/Son Prince of Peace
- This king will bring about an order unlike the
chaos of most human regimes. - It will be characterized by "authority in
abundance and peace without end. . . in justice
and in righteousness. . . ." (Isa 9.7)?
26(No Transcript)
27(No Transcript)