Exposition by Max A Forsythe
There are several schools of artistry from places in Europe long ago where the darkened edges of canvas brightened in the glow of personality, which was made to shine forth from the character that was the focus of the work. In such a way may we understand the brightness of the Lord revealed against the darkness of these Judean times. Here we pass from the darkness at the end of chapter eight to consider the brightness of the coming Messiah.
Isaiah points out in the beginning of this chapter that the tribal lands of Zebulun and Naphtali had already fallen under the shadow of the oppressor. The darkness had begun to gather, it would get even worse. How little we have really understood the darkness of such times in this country, in this continent. Unfortunately, we are learning now in the midst of darkening times what Lord Grey noted in the late summer of 1914:
"The Lights are going out all over Europe" and we shall not see them alight again in our life time." Even though such a tragedy had already come to the Galilee districts, those who would live under the dread Assyrian shadow will one day know of the true light. Matthew picks up on this prophecy to remind us that in Jesus' coming to Capernaum, Isaiah's words are indeed fulfilled. And what is the true nature of that light? If you will be patient I will read the rhymes of the
Scottish Paraphrases:
The race that long in darkness pin'd
Have seen a glorious light;
The people dwell in day, who dwelt
In death's surrounding night.
To hail thy rise, thou better Sun!
The gath'ring nations come,
Joyous, as when the reapers bear
The harvest treasures home.
For thou our burden hast remov'd
And quell'd th'oppressor's sway,
Quick as the slaughter'd squadrons fell
In Midian's evil day.
To us a Child of hope is born;
To us a Son is giv'n;
Him shall the tribes of earth obey,
Him all the hosts of heav'n.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
For evermore ador'd,
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The great and mighty Lord.
His pow'r increasing still shall spread,
His reign no end shall know;
Justice shall guard his throne above,
And peace abound below.
Jesus was indeed that light, not only to those in Galilee but also on through out the whole wide world. This role He affirmed in
John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Just as the Jews of Jesus time rejected the One prophesied here, so do many reject Him still. A Rabbi Hertz who has been widely quoted, has this to say about
Isaiah 9:6: This is quite impossible. No true prophet - indeed no true Israelite - would apply a term like
'Mighty God' or 'Everlasting Father'
to any mortal prince. No wonder Paul also found it so intolerable that he tried to put away any of the early Church who proclaimed that Jesus was this
'Mighty God'. What happened to Paul? That very God-man that Jewish traditions and Paul himself rejected appeared to Paul himself. To Paul the divine nature of these titles were well proved. Now, in our passage before us, some commentators see six, five or four titles. The best arguments would seem to indicate that the
NIV is correct in listing only four titles. The first of these is "Wonderful Counsellor". The Hebrew word here for wonderful implies beyond understanding. The word for counselor is used with the word king as a necessity of the king's ministry. The combination of these two words raises the nature of an earthly king's ministry to the very heights of heaven. This wonderful counselor of Isaiah's prophecy is indeed characteristic of God Himself.
The second title is "Mighty God". The Hebrew here is
"El Gibbor", it contains one of the names of God. As it is used, divinity is implicit in this very name,
"Mighty God". Jesus declared his divine nature in the miracles he performed. He used his miraculous works to substantiate his claims. The apostle John links this Godly nature of Jesus with the prophecies of Isaiah. Then he adds in
John 12: 41: "Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him."
The third title is "Everlasting Father". Many world leaders have taken the name of Father to their people and most have failed to live up to that responsibility. The implication of the phrase means "Father of Eternity". Dr Young suggests that paraphrasing
"One who is eternally a Father" might bring out the thought "Is this not the work of our Lord Jesus Christ?" Now and forever He guards His people and supplies their needs.
The fourth title is "Prince of Peace". In contrast to the mighty conquests of warrior emperors, kings and princes, ours is a Prince of Peace. And His kingdom advances peacefully. Since the peace of His kingdom is eternal, it is clear that this peace includes more than a temporary cessation of hostilities among nations. The cessation of active war in itself does not bring about peace, as we well know from the realities of the cold war. There must also be removed the cause of war which is human sin. When this cause of war is removed, then there can be true peace. For human sin to be removed, however, there must be a state of peace between God and man. Paul would tell us in
Romans 5:1 that in our "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through out our Lord Jesus
Christ". True peace comes to us because a Child was born. That Child, and He alone, is the Prince of Peace. If we would have peace, it is to Him that we must go.
Calvin observes that these three titles ought to "confirm us more and more in the faith of Christ and justify us against Satan and against hell itself." Even as this glorious portion is sandwiched between two darkened passages of woe that have happened and will happen through the power of Assyria, so may we understand that against the bleak backdrop of a darkened world, the light of Christ has and will continue to shine forth. Many times we wonder if indeed the kingdom has come or ever will come? Luke reports from Mary that Jesus will inherit David's throne. Peter, Paul, John support this fulfillment and even the crowd affirms it on that Palm Sunday a long time ago.
The strange thing about Christ's relationship to this throne is the silence of Jesus Himself. Why did He not openly declare during His earthly ministry that He was indeed David's Son who had come to sit on David's throne and rule over the house of Jacob forever, instead of leaving it until later, when He revealed it to John on the island of Patmos? One of my commentators, Harry Uprichard suggests that Jesus' attitude is both important and instructive. Jesus spoke sparingly because of the popular first century expectation of a Messiah who would be a material "Son of David". Jesus' silence on "David's son" and "David's throne" was because he rejected the political and materialistic views of the Messiah and of Messiah's kingdom that were so prevalent in His day. The rule he came to establish was to be built upon justice and righteousness in the hearts of men. The deliverance he brought was from the chaos of sin, not from civil disorder or from the disruption of foreign oppression. In our time if we would be delivered from the growing chaos and potential disorder, we must learn to depend upon the Christ whom Isaiah, Calvin and all the rest would point us towards. Only in Christ is our deliverance certain, only in Christ is there any hope in heaven. Only in Christ may we become part of His Kingdom. May we reflect the greater light of Christ in the deepening darkness of our time? And may Christ through us shine out and pull those whom He is even now preparing for salvation into His eternal and glorious Kingdom. May the zeal of the Lord Almighty accomplish this. Amen.
Resources Used:
Ellis, Charles..
The Wells of Salvation.
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentery Series: God Delivers.
Uprichard, Harry..
A Son is Given: Christ in Isaiah.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah..
The Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America) -
Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c) 2001
21 November 93
Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.