Isaiah 9 - Bible Study in 5 Minutes
Isaiah 9 Short Summary:
The first half of Isaiah 9 is positive. Isaiah prophesied that God would send a child to bless the land of Israel in the future. This child would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The second half of the chapter is negative. God was going to bring judgement on the present evil of Israel. He was going to scorch their land with a wildfire of punishment and humble His proud people for refusing to repent of their sins.
Isaiah 9 Bible Study
TIMELINE:
As mentioned previously, the prophetic ministry of Isaiah spanned the reigns of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
The events of Isaiah 9 took place during the reign of King Ahaz (7:1).
KEY CHARACTERS:
Isaiah – The son of Amoz (1:1). God commissioned Isaiah as His prophet to Judah.
The Citizens of Israel – Isaiah’s words in this chapter are directed mainly towards the people of the northern kingdom of Israel. They had been rebelling against God for many decades.
DEFINITIONS:
Jacob (9:8) – Jacob was the father of the 12 Tribes of Israel. His name is sometimes used to refer to the people as a whole.
Ephraim (9:9) – Ephraim was the largest tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel. The name Ephraim is often used to refer to the whole nation.
Zebulun, Naphtali, and Manasseh – These were tribes of Israel. Their land was all located within the northern kingdom of Israel.
OUTLINE:
UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN (9:1-7):
In Isaiah 8, God spoke condemnation over the northern kingdom of Israel, but chapter 9 opens up with future optimism.
Though Israel would be punished, the land would be blessed in the “latter time.”
Light would shine in areas once consumed by darkness. The light of God would shine on the land and bring it joy.
Matthew (author of the Book of Matthew) tells us this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus went to live and teach in the land that was formerly Israel (see Mat 4:13-16).
That day would be like Gideon’s victory over Midian (Judges 7) when Israel threw off the burden of their oppressors. Jesus would throw off their burden of sin, and defeat their oppressor, Satan.
Isaiah prophesied that this great day of joy would come with the birth of a child.
Isaiah, speaking prophetically, said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (9:6-7).
This coming child would be a king to sit on David’s throne. His reign would bring peace and righteousness, and it would have no end.
JUDGEMENT ON PRESENT DAY ISRAEL (9:8-21):
While God promised hope for the future land of Israel, the wickedness of the present day had to be dealt with.
In the second half of the chapter, God speaks through Isaiah of the judgement He will bring on the nation.
The proud people of Israel thought they could rebuild their nation, but God was going to tear it down further.
He was going to use the Syrians and Philistines to “devour Israel.”
Israel was full of false guides and people who had allowed themselves to be misled by them.
God had corrected Israel many times, but they failed to repent, so now God’s punishment awaited them.
Isaiah spoke of God’s judgement as a wildfire fueled by wickedness. There was so much evil that the fire had no lack of fuel and would burn and burn until it scorched everything and everyone.
APPLICATION:
Wickedness, sin, godlessness, and immorality are like an invisible wildfire that tears through nations.
No institution is safe when it’s overtaken by immorality.
No government is secure when its politicians embrace sin.
No society can stand on principle when it discards its respect for God.
No person, adult or child, is safe when the lines between right and wrong are blurred.
