Zebulun and Naphtali was a land that death overshadowed and Isaiah prophecies that it will be a place where light will spring up─a son will be born and given the throne of David and his kingdom was to be henceforth forever. This was going to happen and did happen when Christ came and lived in Galilee of the Gentiles. More prophecies regarding the invasion of Israel by the Syrians and Philistines and the cutting off of the head and tail of Israel, then he denounces their leaders for destroying the nation and bringing on a crises─their wickedness is likened to a raging forest fire that destroys everything before it. Finally the land is darkened and this overshadowed death hole results in their eating their own flesh. Read the exposition for more fine points.
Unveiling the Great Light and Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:1
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
In former times the land of Zebulun and Naphtali had been afflicted but in the future these very lands would be filled with glory. These people had felt the first brunt of the invasion of Assyria. She is called Galilee of the nations because Assyria had taken the Jews into captivity and repopulated the country with other nationalities.
Cross References
- 1 Kings 15:19-20: Benhadad smote Ijon, Dan, Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
- Read: 2 Kings 15:29; 2 Chronicles 16:4; 1 Chronicles 5:26
Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
These people had walked in a death shadowed land for generations and now there is a ray of hope, the son of righteousness is going to shine on them. Jesus the light of the world will live in this dark region.
Cross References
- Matthew 4:16: The people which sat in darkness saw great light.
- Read: Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 60:19; Micah 7:8-9; Luke 1:78-79; Luke 2:32
Isaiah 9:3
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
The nation had increased with migrants and still walked in darkness till the “Son of Righteousness” appeared with healing in his wings. There was abundant joy and exuberating when Christ came. It is compared to the joy of an abundant harvest or booty taken in war. It was a festival of joy and great celebration.
Cross References
- Isaiah 25:9-10: The ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy.
- Read: Isaiah 26:15; Isaiah 49:22; Nehemiah 9:23; Zechariah 2:11; Zechariah 10:8
Isaiah 9:4
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
God had removed the cross bar from their shoulder and taken the goad or whip from the driver and freed them from their captivity like what had happened in the days of Gideon.
Cross References
- Isaiah 14:25: Then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
- Read: Isaiah 47:6; Jeremiah 30:8; Nahum 1:13
Isaiah 9:5
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
All the clothing of these invading solders will be soaked in blood and burned in a large fire.
Cross References
- Isaiah 37:36: The angel of the LORD... smote in the camp of the Assyrians... they were all dead corpses.
- Read: Psalm 46:9; Ezekiel 39:8-10
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
This verse predicts the coming of Jesus. He is not only a child but he is a son and his name shall be called wonderful. He is our:
- Advocate
- Lamb of God
- The Resurrection & The Life
- Shepherd and Bishop of Our Soul
- Judge
- Lord of Lords
- Man of Sorrows
- Head of the Church
- Master
- Faithful & True Witness
- Rock
- High Priest
- The Door
- Living Water
- Bread of Life
- Rose of Sharon
- Alpha & Omega
- True Vine
- Messiah
- Good Shepherd
- Light of the World
- Image of the Invisible God
- The Word
- Chief Cornerstone
- Savior
- Servant
- Author and Finisher of Our Faith
- The Almighty
- Everlasting Father
- Shiloh
- Lion of the Tribe of Judah
- I Am
- King of Kings
- Prince of Peace
- Bridegroom
- Only Begotten Son
- Dayspring
- The Amen
- King of the Jews
- Prophet
- Redeemer
- Anchor
- Bright and Morning Star
- The Way, The Truth & The Life
He is our Messiah!
Cross References
- Luke 1:35: That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
- Luke 2:11: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- Read: John 1:1-3
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The government of this ruler was to be a government of peace that would have no end and he was to sit upon the throne of David and rule henceforth forever. Jesus is declared to be the son of David and the scriptures proclaim that he was to sit upon David’s throne. On the day of Pentecost Peter preached that Jesus was resurrected and was seated on David’s throne. I have quoted the scriptures─you decide!
Cross References
- 2 Samuel 7:16: And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee.
- Psalm 2:8: I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.
- Read: Psalm 72:8; Psalm 89:35-37; Jeremiah 33:15-21; Daniel 2:35-44; Daniel 7:14; Daniel 7:27; Luke 1:32-33; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Acts 2:29-36
Isaiah 9:8
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
The prophet returns to speaking about Jacob and Israel─Jacob is the head and Israel is the people who sprang from him.
Cross References
- Micah 1:1-9: The word of the LORD that came to Micah... concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
Isaiah 9:9-10
And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
This group of people was rebellious and lacked a proper respect for God and was filled with pride and arrogance. They were so haughty that they were saying if disaster comes we will rebuild better than before and if the army cuts down our sycamores then we will replant them with cedar trees.
Cross References
- Isaiah 10:10-11: Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
- Malachi 1:4: They shall build, but I will throw down.
- Read: 1 Kings 7:9-12
Isaiah 9:11-12
Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
God is going to stir up the Assyrians and cause Israel’s enemies to join with Rezin. Syria from the East and the Philistines from the West are going to take on Israel with open mouth and gulp them down but God is still angry and his hand is ready to strike.
Cross References
- 2 Kings 15:29: Tiglathpileser king of Assyria... carried them captive to Assyria.
- Psalm 79:7: For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
- Read: 2 Kings 16:6; 2 Chronicles 28:18
Isaiah 9:13
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
They didn’t come looking for him and they didn’t come running to him. God had chastened them but they still would not repent.
Cross References
- 2 Chronicles 28:22: And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD.
- Read: Isaiah 10:4; Isaiah 57:17; Jeremiah 5:3
Isaiah 9:14-15
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
God hacked of the head─big headed elders were the head─lying prophets were the tail. The head is the authorities and the tail is the ones that give lying assurances.
Cross References
- Isaiah 19:15: Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.
- Jeremiah 5:31: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means.
- Read: 2 Kings 17:16-20; Isaiah 29:10; 1 Kings 13:18; 1 Kings 22:22-24; Hosea 8:8
Isaiah 9:16
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Their leaders had led them down the path to ruin they promised them that all was well to their own undoing.
Cross References
- Matthew 15:14: Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.
Isaiah 9:17
Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
The nation as a whole had become very corrupt both young and old. It was therefore appropriate that God would have no joy in them. They were hypocritical and dirty mouthed.
Cross References
- Isaiah 13:18: Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb.
- Jeremiah 18:21: Therefore deliver up their children to the famine.
Isaiah 9:18
For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
This lawlessness and ungodliness had blazed like a never ending fire in a forest with deep underbrush and now it had come back to burn them.
Cross References
- Malachi 4:1: For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven... and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble.
- Read: Isaiah 66:16; Isaiah 33:12; Nahum 1:10
Isaiah 9:19-20
Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
Through the vengeance of the Lord the country was ravaged, burned black and scorched by his fury. In this time of war each was fighting to steal the others food. They were fighting over the food allotment─no one had enough and conditions worsen and finally they eat their own children.
Cross References
- Isaiah 24:11-12: There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened.
- Leviticus 26:29: And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.
- Read: Jeremiah 13:16; Amos 5:18; Jeremiah 19:9; Lamentations 4:10
Isaiah 9:21
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Manasseh tore at Ephraim and Ephraim thirsts for the blood of Manasseh and both were against Judah. God’s anger was not turned away─his hand still poised to strike them.
Cross References
- 1 Samuel 14:20: Every man's sword was against his fellow.
- Read: 2 Chronicles 28:6-8