Day 201, Isaiah 9-12

For to Us a Child Is Born

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.
-Isaiah 9:2

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 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 forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.
-Isaiah 9:6-7

Each of the four throne names of the Messiah are used and have specific meanings:

• Wonderful Counselor: The coming son of David will carry out a royal program that will cause all the world to marvel.
  
• Mighty God: His divine power as a warrior is stressed.
  
• Everlasting Father: He will be an enduring, compassionate provider and protector.
  
• Prince of Peace: His rule will bring wholeness and well-being to individuals and to society.

Judgment

The next section discussed the judgment on arrogance and oppression, and the judgment on Assyria.

The Remnant of Israel Will Return

“In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.”

Even though the people of Israel were as many as the sands of the sea, only a remnant of them would return, as destruction was decreed, overflowing with righteousness. The Lord would make a full end, in the midst of all the earth.

The Lord told the people not to be afraid of the Assyrians, when they attack as the Egyptians had. In a little while the fury of the Lord would seize, and His anger would be directed in their destruction. On that day the burden of the Lord would depart from their shoulders.

The Righteous Reign of the Branch

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eye see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
-Isaiah 11:2-4

It discussed then the peace of the Messianic age with the reflections of weaker animals being safe around their predators, and little children not being harmed by what were deemed ferocious animals. These conditions are a description of the future consummation of the Messianic kingdom.

They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full
of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
-Isaiah 11:9

The Lord Is My Strength and My Song

You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.

Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”
-Isaiah 12:1-2

With Joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
Call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the Lord,
for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
-Isaiah 12:4-6