"The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad for when they divide the spoil."
Isaiah 9:2-3
"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."
Isaiah 9:6
"For all this his anger has not turned away.
and his hand is stretched out still."
Isaiah 9:12b, 17b, 21b
The people of Israel saw much trial and heartache in their history. Chapter 9 acknowledge this, but also speaks of the great joy that is to come because of a Savior. Though they once walked in darkness, they will now be in the light. I just love that promise: the darkness won't last forever. Too many times, I'm caught thinking it will. Too many times I've decided God let me get in over my head, but that's simply not the case. The light will come in all it's glory.
I love that Jesus' names are capitalized. You know it's a big deal when four names for you are capitalized! And how true those four names are: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
First in chapter 9 we get the good news, then comes the bad news: "The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel; and all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and arrogance of heart: 'The bricks have fallen, be we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.'" In other words, we don't need God, WE CAN DO IT!
I've had that attitude many a time. I make "exceptions" thinking God didn't get it quite right so I'll make do with something else, not realizing that by doing that rather than seeking His counsel, I'm rebelling against Him. Jacob - Israel - Ephraim - Samaria, they all rebelled against the the worship of the Lord. So, they get attacked.
You see a side of God here that we don't like to think about because it's not the "sunshine and rainbows" God we'd rather see. We see a God who's upset with His people. A God who knows there are consequences to His people's actions, no matter how much He loves them. It reminds me of my younger day when my parent's spanked me for disobeying. They would say it hurt them too, but I never understood that being the one who was getting swatted. But I have a MUCH better grasp now. God didn't enjoy seeing His people suffer, but He knew they HAD too. "For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still."
That phrase is repeated 3 times in 13 verses. God still loves His people and He's still there for them, but He also has to let them suffer.
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad for when they divide the spoil."
Isaiah 9:2-3
"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."
Isaiah 9:6
"For all this his anger has not turned away.
and his hand is stretched out still."
Isaiah 9:12b, 17b, 21b
The people of Israel saw much trial and heartache in their history. Chapter 9 acknowledge this, but also speaks of the great joy that is to come because of a Savior. Though they once walked in darkness, they will now be in the light. I just love that promise: the darkness won't last forever. Too many times, I'm caught thinking it will. Too many times I've decided God let me get in over my head, but that's simply not the case. The light will come in all it's glory.
I love that Jesus' names are capitalized. You know it's a big deal when four names for you are capitalized! And how true those four names are: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
First in chapter 9 we get the good news, then comes the bad news: "The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel; and all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and arrogance of heart: 'The bricks have fallen, be we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.'" In other words, we don't need God, WE CAN DO IT!
I've had that attitude many a time. I make "exceptions" thinking God didn't get it quite right so I'll make do with something else, not realizing that by doing that rather than seeking His counsel, I'm rebelling against Him. Jacob - Israel - Ephraim - Samaria, they all rebelled against the the worship of the Lord. So, they get attacked.
You see a side of God here that we don't like to think about because it's not the "sunshine and rainbows" God we'd rather see. We see a God who's upset with His people. A God who knows there are consequences to His people's actions, no matter how much He loves them. It reminds me of my younger day when my parent's spanked me for disobeying. They would say it hurt them too, but I never understood that being the one who was getting swatted. But I have a MUCH better grasp now. God didn't enjoy seeing His people suffer, but He knew they HAD too. "For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still."
That phrase is repeated 3 times in 13 verses. God still loves His people and He's still there for them, but He also has to let them suffer.
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