Promises of a Messiah: Isaiah 7,9 and 11 (part 2)

Last time we were talking about the sign that was given to King Ahaz – that a virgin would conceive and have a son – Immanuel.  We talked about how this is actually a part of a bigger picture that Isaiah is giving us, which is why we’re talking about prophecies from Isaiah 7, 9 and 11.

As we head into chapter 9, we see that the Messiah would appear in the land by the sea of Galilee, which is just where Jesus grew up and had His early ministry (Mat 4:12-17).

Then Isaiah continues with a sparkling jewel of a promise, one of the most famous in all Scripture:

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 with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isa 9:6-7)

The ancient Jewish rabbis believed this passage to be speaking of the Messiah.  In his book Behold Your King, William Webster includes these quotes, the first from the Targum of Isaiah (the targums are ancient translations or paraphrases):

The prophet saith to the house of David, A child has been born to us, a son has been given to us; and he has taken the law upon himself to keep it, and his name has been called from of old, Wonderful counsellor, Mighty God, He who lives forever, the Anointed one (or Messiah), in whose days peace shall increase upon us.

And this one from the Midrash Rabbah, Deuteronomy (rabbinic commentaries on Deuteronomy):

Another explanation: He said to him: ‘I have yet to raise up the Messiah,’ of whom it is written, For a child is born to us (Isa. IX,5)

One sparkle at a time…

Let’s look at this jewel one sparkle at a time.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…  The Messiah would be human.  The expression here about the government refers to the governing authority that the Messiah would have over Israel.

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor…  The Messiah would speak with wise authority – surely a good description of Jesus!

Mighty God…  Another link with the term Immanuel that we heard in Isa 7:14.  The term Mighty God is used of the True God in Jer 32:17-20:  "It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."

Everlasting Father…  This is not talking about Jesus as Father God – Jesus is the Son, not the Father (the context confirms this of course).  The Hebrew literally means Father of Eternity.  The idea then is that Jesus is the author of eternity – in other words, the Creator of all things (Joh 1:1-3).

Prince of Peace…  This term may at first seem strange when you remember Jesus’ words,"I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Mat 10:34).  But the key may be in the coupling of the two words – Prince of Peace.

Peace was an ongoing theme for Isaiah, and for the writers of the New Testament as well.  Peace is something that goes together with righteousness.  When the world is as it should be – under the rule of a righteous God – that is when there is peace.  More than once the Lord points out "there is no peace for the wicked" (Isa 48:22; Isa 57:21).  Yet in following God there is peace, and ultimately there will come a time of great peace when all the earth will accept God on His throne.

Jesus came to bring division between those of the kingdom and those who fought it.  And yet to His disciples, to those who accepted His leadership, His message was constantly one of peace.  Maybe He summarized it best in John 16:33:  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

The Prince of Peace will ultimately overcome a world of hate and bring perfect peace.  Here we see the prophet not only looking ahead to Jesus’ first coming, but His second coming.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…  As we were just talking about.

on the throne of David and over his kingdom…  He is the heir of David.

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore…  His kingdom will be everlasting.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.  This is not a questionable prophecy – it will happen.  God keeps His promises.

And we’ll finish this incredible look forward as we finish with Isaiah 11 next week, and then on to other promises of a Messiah!