PRINCE OF PEACE GOD S PUNISHMENT OF NORTH ISRAEL AND JUDAH ISAIAH 9:1-10:4

Transcription

1 1 Commentary and Questions by Clyde M. Miller PRINCE OF PEACE GOD S PUNISHMENT OF NORTH ISRAEL AND JUDAH ISAIAH 9:1-10:4

2 2 Texts: Isaiah 9:1-21, Prince of Peace God s Punishment of North Israel and Judah Commentary and Questions by Clyde M. Miller 1. Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan- 2. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing

3 3 and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. 8. The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel. 9. All the people will know it Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria who say with pride and arrogance of heart, 10. "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars." 11. But the LORD has strengthened Rezin's foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. 12. Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. 13. But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty. 14. So the LORD will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day; 15. the elders and prominent men are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail. 16. Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray. 17. Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. 18. Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke. 19. By the wrath of the LORD Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; no one will spare his brother. 20. On the right they will devour, but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of his own offspring:

4 Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. Isaiah 10:1-4, 1. Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, 2. to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. 3. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? 4. Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. Commentary: The Sign of the Prince of Peace (9:1b-7) Isaiah 9:1b-7, In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

5 5 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. I. This sign refers first to a time following the overthrow of Rezin and Pekah, a result of the Syro-Ephraimitic War ( B.C). A. We move from the wicked reign of Ahaz to the good reign of his son, Hezekiah Kings 18:3, He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. (NIV) 2. 2 Chronicles 29:2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. (NIV) II. Hezekiah s reign, including his overlap, must have been about B.C. A. Hezekiah did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David had done (2 Kings 18:3; 2 Chronicles 29:2) Kings 18:3, He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. (NIV) 2. 2 Chronicles 29:2, He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. (NIV)

6 6 B. Isaiah points out the contrast between the evil reign of Ahaz and the righteous reign of Hezekiah. 1. Isaiah 9:1, Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan. (NIV) 2. 2 Kings 15:29, In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria. (NIV) 3. 1 Chronicles 5:26, So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara and the river of Gozan, where they are to this day. (NIV) III. Verse 1 shows a contrast between what had happened in the past and what will happen in the future to the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali in the northwestern part of North Israel. A. Isaiah 9:1b refers to Tiglath-pileser s overthrow of Galilee and Gilead (cf. 2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chronicles 5:26). 1. Isaiah 9:1,2, Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-The people walking in darkness

7 7 have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (NIV) 2. 2 Kings 15:29, In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria. (NIV) 3. 1 Chronicles 5:26, So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara and the river of Gozan, where they are to this day. (NIV) 4. Isaiah 8:21, 22, Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. (NIV) B. The future honoring of Galilee of the Gentiles refers to the fortunes of the remnant after the above war and before Assyria s invasion of Judah in 701 B.C. Isaiah 9:2, The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (NIV) I. In verse 2, Isaiah turns his attention to Judah s fortunes.

8 8 A. Those walking in darkness were those who did not trust the Lord as Isaiah had pleaded with them to do. 1. They were living in the land of the shadow of death, that is, they were living in that state of gloom pictured in Isaiah 8: a. Isaiah 8:21-22, Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. (NIV) B. The New Testament applies Isaiah 9:1-2 to the preaching of Jesus in the synagogue at Capernaum in Galilee (Matthew 4:15-16), thus applying familiar language to the greater light that had come through the Messiah (Christ). 1. Isaiah 9:1-2, Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (NIV) 2. Matthew 4:15, 16, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (KJV)

9 9 C. The Old Testament reference is to the new hope of the people upon the accession of Hezekiah to the throne in 715 B.C. Isaiah 9:3, You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. (NIV) I. Verse 3 pictures a state of prosperity and joy in Judah during the period of rest following the Syro-Ephraimitic War and before Assyria s invasion of them. A. The enlarging of their population is portrayed under the metaphor of a bountiful harvest and the dividing of spoil after a great victory over an enemy. Isaiah 9:4, 5, For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. (NIV) I. The time alluded to in verse 4 is probably the rebellion of Hezekiah and Merodach-baladan II of Babylonia against Sennacherib of Assyria about 702 B.C. A. Militarily, it was the temporary alliance with Babylonia that gave Judah the victory. 1. From Isaiah s viewpoint, it was the fact that Hezekiah trusted in the Lord. a. Even though Hezekiah was out numbered, he won a signal victory, just as had Gideon in the day of the defeat of Midian (Judges 7:1-23).

10 10 i. Judges 7:1-23, Early in the morning, Jerub- Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' " So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go." So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up,

11 11 go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed." His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands." When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, "Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands." Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside. "Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.' " Gideon and the hundred men with him

12 12 reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. (NIV) II. Verse 5 elaborates the joy with metaphors of victors dividing the spoils of war. A. Hezekiah, however, made a great mistake in trusting the pagan nation of Babylonia for help, and he was made to pay a great price for it, as Isaiah chapters reveal. 1. Babylonia would eventually become Judah s oppressor. a. Isaiah 38:1-22, In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." Hezekiah

13 13 turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: "Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city. " 'This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.' " So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down. A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: I said, "In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?" I said, "I will not again see the LORD, the LORD, in the land of the living; no longer will I look on mankind, or be with those who now dwell in this world. Like a shepherd's tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me. I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me. I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!" But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds

14 14 life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back. For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness. The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD. Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover." Hezekiah had asked, "What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the LORD?" (NIV) b. Isaiah 39:1-8, At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, "What did those men say, and where did they come from?" "From a distant land," Hezekiah replied. "They came to me from Babylon." The prophet asked, "What did they see in your palace?" "They saw everything in my palace," Hezekiah said. "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them." Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD Almighty: The time

15 15 will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." "The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime." (NIV) Isaiah 9:6, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NIV) I. Verse 6 portrays the greatest reason for the joy of Judah. A. The word for is used to introduce verses 4, 5 and 6 in the Hebrew text, showing the relationship of the thoughts expressed. 1. The child pictured here is not the Immanuel of Isaiah 7:14. a. Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (NIV) 2. This child is a sign, the fourth given by Isaiah. a. Shear-jashub ( a remnant shall return ) was the first sign (7:3), Immanuel ( God is with us ) was the second

16 16 (7:14; 8:8), and Maher-shalal-hash-baz ( Hastens the spoil, speeds the prey ) was the third (8:1). i. Isaiah 7:3, 14, Then the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (NIV) ii. Isaiah 8:1,8, The LORD said to me, "Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, O Immanuel!" (NIV) II. Just as Immanuel was not the personal name of Jesus, but only an appellation (a name description), so it is with the name given in Isaiah 9:6. A. Isaiah 9:6 is not a direct prophecy about Christ, although the names could certainly be analogies of the Messiah. 1. These exalted names show Hezekiah s relationship with God. a. It is Hezekiah s God, rather than Hezekiah, who is being exalted. b. God is a Wonderful Counselor.

17 17 II. God is a Mighty God. c. His law is perfect, his statutes trustworthy, his precepts right and his commands radiant. d. They revive the soul, make wise the simple, and give joy to the heart (Psalm 19:7, 8). i. Psalm 19:7, 8, The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (NIV) A. He is described as the Lord Almighty sixty-three (63) times in sixty-one (61) verses in Isaiah in the NIV. B. God is the Everlasting Father. 1. He is not called Father many times in the Old Testament, but He is so called at least six (6) times (Psalm 2:7; 89:26; Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; Jeremiah 3:19; and Malachi 2:10). a. Psalm 2:7, I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. (NIV) b. Psalm 89:26, He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.' (NIV)

18 18 c. Isaiah 63:16, But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. (NIV) d. Isaiah 64:8, Yet O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (NIV) e. Jeremiah 3:19, "I myself said, " 'How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. (NIV) f. Malachi 2:10, Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? (NIV) g. Psalm 41:13, Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. (NIV) h. Psalm 90:2, Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (NIV) i. Psalm 103:17, But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children. (NIV) 2. That He is everlasting is a given (Psalms 41:13; 90:2; 103:17, et. al.).

19 19 a. Psalm 41:13, Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. (NIV) b. Psalm 90:2, Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (NIV) c. Psalm 103:17, But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children s children. (NIV) IV. Prince of Peace uses the word Prince in its primary meaning of a person of high rank, of extraordinary power and authority (Harper s Bible Dictionary). A. Certainly, God is that kind of person! 1. He is called The God of Peace in the New Testament (Romans 15:13; 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20). a. Romans 15:13, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (KJV) b. Romans 16:20, And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (KJV) c. Philippians 4:9, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (KJV)

20 20 d. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) e. Hebrews 13:20, Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (NIV B. In concept, Christ is also the Prince of Peace, although that specific title is not given to Him in the New Testament. 1. He came to give peace to those who obey Him (John 14:27 and 16:33). a. John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) b. John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (KJV) Isaiah 9:7, Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (NIV) I. Verse 7 describes the just rule of Hezekiah s reign.

21 21 A. The word forever is used here, as often in the Old Testament, to mean for a long time. 1. The idea of an eternal reign is not intended. 2. David s throne refers to the line of David, which involved all the kings of Judah, except for the brief period of six months when Athaliah of North Israel usurped the throne (2 Kings 11:3). a. 2 Kings 11:3, He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. (NIV) God s Punishment of North Israel and Judah (9:8-10:4) Introduction To This Section: I. After the oracle of hope in 9:1-7, there follow three (3) oracles of doom against North Israel (9:8-21), and one against Judah (10:1-4). A. Isaiah 9:1-7, Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be

22 22 fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (NIV) B. Isaiah 9:8-21, The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel. All the people will know it Ephraim and the inhabitants of Sa-maria who say with pride and arrogance of heart, "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars." But the LORD has strengthened Rezin's foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty. So the LORD will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day; the elders and prominent men are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail. Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray. Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke. By the wrath of the LORD Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; no one will spare his brother. On the right they will devour, but

23 23 still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of his own offspring: Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV) C. Isaiah 10:1-4, Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV) II. The literary pattern follows the form that was used in 5: A. Isaiah 5:24-30, Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the LORD's anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily! Not one of them grows tired or stumbles, not one slumbers or sleeps; not a belt is loosened at the waist, not a sandal thong is broken. Their arrows are sharp, all their bows are strung; their horses' hoofs seem like flint, their chariot wheels like a whirlwind. Their roar is like that of the lion, they roar like young lions; they

24 24 growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue. In that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks at the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be darkened by the clouds. (NIV) B. Each paragraph ends with the refrain, For all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised, or stretched out still. (RSV) 1. This refrain indicates that further divine judgment is coming. 2. Historically, it probably refers to the awful Assyrian scourge about to take place. Isaiah 9:8-12, The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.. All the people will know it Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria who say with pride and arrogance of heart, "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars." But the LORD has strengthened Rezin's foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV) I. In 9:8-12, Isaiah delivers an oracle against pride. A. The oracle is addressed to North Israel, as the terms Israel, Ephraim and Samaria indicate. 1. Israel is sometimes used in Isaiah of Judah, but the association with Ephraim, one of the largest tribes in North Israel, and Samaria, the capital of North Israel, shows that Israel here refers to the northern kingdom.

25 Israel was enjoying a brief period of prosperity that led to the arrogant pride of a feeling of self-sufficiency. B. The phrase, know it, means that they will experience it, that is, god s judgment against them (9:9). 1. Isaiah 9:9, All the people will know it Ephraim and the inhabitants of Sa-maria who say with pride and arrogance of heart, (NIV) 2. They arrogantly say that they will replace the bricks in the rubble remaining from the war with the more glorious dressed stone (9:10). a. Isaiah 9:10, "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars." (NIV) b. They claim that the fig trees that were stripped and destroyed will be replaced with stronger cedars. c. They, however, have left out of their considerations God s mighty hand of punishment which is coming because of their failing to put their trust in Him (9:11-12). i. Isaiah 9:11-12, But the LORD has strengthened Rezin's foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV)

26 King Rezin of Syria (11a) will no longer be a successful ally of Israel, because foes from the Arameans/Syrians from the east and Philistines from the west will have devoured Israel, that is, have soundly defeated her. Isaiah 9:13-17, But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty. So the LORD will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day; the elders and prominent men are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail. Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray. Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV) I. In 9:13-17, an oracle against impenitence is set forth. A. The attitude of impenitence is clearly defined in verse Isaiah 9:13, But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty. (NIV) B. Earlier judgments against the people have not caused them to return to the Lord Almighty. C. This designation of God emphasizes his power to overpower any supposed might of Israel. 1. The expression, Yet the people have not returned to him (God) that smote them, implies that God meant for

27 27 His previous judgment against Israel to lead the nation to repentance. 2. Israel s failure to repent would bring greater punishment. II. The metaphor of the head and tail (9:14a) is from the animal world, and that of the palm branch and reed (9:14b) is from the plant world. A. Isaiah 9:14, So the LORD will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day; (NIV) B. The combination of these metaphors indicates complete destruction of any meaningful livelihood. 1. The metaphors are explained in 9:15. a. Isaiah 9:15, the elders and prominent men are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail. (NIV) b. Corrupt leaders are the head, and false prophets are the tail. 2. Both leaders and followers are led astray (9:16). a. Isaiah 9:16, Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray. (NIV) b. The strength of the young men and the helpless condition of the fatherless and widows will not be spared God s judgment (9:17).

28 28 i. Isaiah 9:17, Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV) ii. The reason is that these groups are as vile as the rest of their society. Isaiah 9:18-21, Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke. By the wrath of the LORD Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; no one will spare his brother. On the right they will devour, but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of his own offspring: Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV) I. In 9:18-21, an oracle against internal strife is given. A. Wickedness is consuming the nation like a fire that consumes everything in its path (9:18). 1. Isaiah 9:18, Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke. (NIV) B. Verse 19 explains this metaphor as referring to the hot anger or wrath of the Lord Almighty that will burn like a fire, devouring the sinful people.

29 Isaiah 9:19, By the wrath of the LORD Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; no one will spare his brother. (NIV) C. The ravishing unsatisfied hunger, that is, aggrandizement of the people of Israel, will result in civil war (9:20-21). 1. Isaiah 9:20-21, On the right they will devour, but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of his own offspring: Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV) 2. Unsatisfied, Israel will turn on Judah, her own kin. 3. This metaphorical language portrays the effort of Israel to survive under duress. D. Manasseh and Ephraim, two prominent tribes in North Israel, are used as synecdoches (the part standing for the whole) of the entire nation. Isaiah 10:1-4, Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (NIV)

30 30 I. In 10:1-4, Judah comes under the judgment and punishment of God. A. The expression, my people (10:2b) shows that this oracle is against the people of Judah. 1. Isaiah 10:2, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. (NIV) 2. They, too, shall not escape the judgment of the Almighty. B. God had a special interest in the poor, the oppressed the widows and fatherless because of their pitiful plight. 1. God s people were instructed to care for the indigent (Exodus 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29, et. al). a. Exodus 22:21-24, "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. "Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless. (NIV) b. Deuteronomy 14:28-29, At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (NIV)

31 31 c. To refuse to do so would bring them under judgment. d. Verse 1 shows that these indigent people could not get redress in the law courts because of the iniquitous decrees that had been slanted against them. II. The day of reckoning and disaster (10:3a, b) that will come from afar, doubtless the Assyrians, will devour Judah s riches and take many of the people captive, leaving only a cringing remnant in the land. A. Isaiah 10:3, What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? (NIV) B. Greater punishment than any that Judah had formerly suffered would be brought upon them.

32 32 Questions Isaiah 9:1-10:4 1. When did the Syro-Ephraimitic War occur? 2. In the days of Isaiah, whose reign was wicked, and whose was generally righteous? 3. In what part of Palestine were the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali located? 4. What name had been given to this territory in the days of Christ?

33 With whom did Hezekiah make an alliance against Sennacherib of Assyria in about 702 B.C.? 6. Why was this, or any, alliance with foreign nations wrong in the sight of God? 7. Who is the Old Testament, and New Testament, Prince of Peace, respectively? 8. What is meant by the refrain, For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is still upraised?

34 What large tribe is mentioned in the first oracle of doom that identifies it with North Israel? 10. What was the capital of North Israel in Isaiah s time? 11. What does the expression, Israel will know it, mean? 12. With what kind of material did Israel boast that she would replace the bricks of destruction? What does this mean? 13. In the second oracle of doom, what does the expression, But the people have not returned to him that smote them, imply was God s ultimate purpose in sending destruction on Israel?

35 Who were the head and the tail that were under God s judgment? 15. Why would not God bless even those for whom He ordinarily had pity in Israel? 16. In the third oracle of doom, under what image is God s wrath against Israel pictured? 17. What tribes in North Israel are used as synecdoches for the whole nation?

36 In the fourth oracle of doom, what nation does Isaiah designate as my people? 19. Against what groups of people were the Judean leaders making unjust laws? 20. Only what would be left after God brought His full judgment against Judah?

37 37