Isaiah 9

Isaiah 9 describes the coming of a great light to a people walking in darkness, symbolizing the hope of the Messiah. The chapter speaks of the joy and deliverance that God will bring through this divine ruler, who is described with majestic titles. It also addresses the judgment on the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn rebellion. The chapter emphasizes God's plan for both salvation and justice.

Isaiah 9:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

The northern regions of Israel, Zebulun and Naphtali, were the first to face invasion and hardship, but God promises that they will also be the first to witness His deliverance. This prophecy points to the ministry of Jesus, who would come from Galilee, bringing hope and light to a people burdened by sin and oppression.

Isaiah 9:3 (NKJV)
3 You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

The prophecy speaks of a future time when God's people will experience abundant joy, as in a bountiful harvest or a great victory. This joy comes from the divine deliverance that God will bring, renewing the nation and filling it with hope.

Isaiah 9:4 (NKJV)
4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

God’s intervention will be as decisive as His victory over the Midianites in the time of Gideon. He will break the chains of oppression and free His people from the burdens placed upon them, symbolizing both physical and spiritual liberation.

Isaiah 9:5 (NKJV)
5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire.

This verse envisions a future without war. The imagery of burning battle gear reflects the end of conflict and strife, signaling a time of peace and rest that will be brought about by God's rule through the Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)
6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name 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, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

These famous verses speak of the coming Messiah, a divine ruler who will establish an eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness. His titles—Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God—emphasize His divine nature and role in bringing salvation. This kingdom will fulfill the promises made to David and will be established by God's power.

Isaiah 9:8-10 (NKJV)
8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it has fallen on Israel.
9 All the people will know—Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria—who say in pride and arrogance of heart:
10 “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.”

God’s judgment on Israel begins with a warning against their pride. Despite suffering destruction, the people of Israel, particularly in Ephraim and Samaria, arrogantly believe they can rebuild on their own without repenting. This attitude of defiance is met with God's continued judgment.

Isaiah 9:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and spur his enemies on,
12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.

Because of Israel’s unrepentance, God allows foreign enemies like the Syrians and Philistines to attack them. Even in the midst of these attacks, God’s judgment continues as His hand remains stretched out in anger due to their persistent rebellion.

Isaiah 9:13-14 (NKJV)
13 For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.
14 Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, palm branch and bulrush in one day.

Despite the suffering they face, the people of Israel refuse to turn back to God. As a result, God will remove both the leaders (head) and the followers (tail) of Israel, symbolizing complete judgment and devastation upon the nation.

Isaiah 9:15-16 (NKJV)
15 The elder and honorable, he is the head; the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed.

The leaders of Israel, both civil and religious, are responsible for misleading the people. Their false teachings and failure to guide the nation in righteousness lead to widespread destruction. This shows the importance of godly leadership and the severe consequences of leading people astray.

Isaiah 9:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.
18 For wickedness burns as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and kindle in the thickets of the forest; they shall mount up like rising smoke.
19 Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts the land is burned up, and the people shall be as fuel for the fire; no man shall spare his brother.

God’s wrath extends even to the most vulnerable because the entire nation has become corrupt. The wickedness of the people is compared to a raging fire, consuming everything in its path. The land is devastated, and brother turns against brother, a symbol of the complete breakdown of society under God's judgment.

Isaiah 9:20-21 (NKJV)
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; he shall devour on the left hand and not be satisfied; every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm.
21 Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they shall be against Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.

The people are depicted as being consumed by their own desires and self-destruction. The tribes of Israel, specifically Manasseh and Ephraim, are at odds with each other, further deepening the internal strife. Even their hostility toward Judah does not satisfy God’s judgment, which continues due to their unrepentant hearts.