Isaiah 9: A light for Galilee

• v.1-7 A Promise of Blessing for the future
• v.8-21 The Lord’s Anger Against Israel

[Preliminary Note: Chapter 9 falls into two clear parts:

In chapter 8 a warning was given of Assyria being used by the Lord to come down on Judah, the southern kingdom. This also meant that Israel, the northern kingdom, would also suffer, as they so often did when invaders came from the north. (This mostly happened because to the east was a large desert area, not conducive to armies invading from that direction.)

So now in the first Part, in 9:1-7, what we first have is a prophecy that says a bright light will come to the north (Galilee). Matthew, in his Gospel, specifically applies this prophecy being fulfilled to Jesus who spent much of his three years of ministry in Galilee.

Nevertheless in Part Two, 9:8-21, this is balanced by a warning of destruction being brought to Israel in respect of the present. Blessing will come in the distant future but in the near future it will be judgment.]

v.1-7 A Promise of Blessing for the future

v.1,2 A Light coming to the North (Israel)

v.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 nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

v.2 (The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness  a light has dawned.

[Notes: The north [Israel] has often been humbled by invaders from the north, but in the future it will be honored. This land of darkness [from invaders] will see a great light.]

v.3-5 How this light will be felt

v.3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

v.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.

v.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.

[Notes: Yes, in the future there will be great rejoicing, for freedom will come to the land, and peace, as all fighting comes to an end.]

v.6,7 The One who is the Light

v.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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

v.7  Of the greatness 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.

[Notes: The light will be an amazing child who will become a great ruler.

v.8-21 The Lord’s Anger Against Israel (Samaria)

v.8-10 Israel’s false confidence

v.8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.

v.9 All the people will know it—  Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride  and arrogance of heart,

v.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.”

[Notes: Back to the present, a word comes to Israel, to the proud in the north who thing they can overcome any misfortune.]

v.11-14 But God’s judgement WILL come on them

v.11 But the Lord has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.

v.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.

v.13 But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.

v.14 So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day;

[Notes: The truth is that God is stirring up their enemies, Aram from the east, and the Philistines from the south-west. Why? Because these foolish people have not learnt from God’s discipline so far, so there will be a pruning going on in Israel

v.15-18 Specific guilty groups

v.15,16 the elders and dignitaries are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail.

v.16 Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.

v.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 folly. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

v.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.

[Notes: There has been a national and spiritual failure of leadership and so those who have led God’s people astray, indeed all who have spoken foolishly, will find that their  wickedness will bring destruction on them.]

v.19-21 The judgment will come

v.19 By the wrath of the Lord Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; they will not spare one another.

v.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 their own offspring:

v.21 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.

[Notes: God’s anger over this people will result in a destructive fire, and poverty and famine will come upon them so one half of the north will turn on the other, and then on Judah in the south.]

[Summary: So blessing is destined in the future for Galilee, a light that brings freedom and peace – but that is far off. In the present, unrighteousness prevails in Israel (Samaria) and so the Lord will bring discipline first through the Arameans and the Philistines and then by the north turning on the south.  In a sense verses 1-7 look past the present where judgment is necessary to show that present judgment doesn’t mean total destruction. Hope is always held out for the future]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: