The section of prophecy that we are studying at this time is chapters 7-12. Chapters 7-12 were prophesied during the reign of King Ahaz, the evil king – said to be the most corrupt ever of the kings of Judah. Where chapters 1-5 emphasized the spiritual needs of the nation of Judah during King Jotham’s reign, chapters 7-12 emphasizes the political situation of Judah. Overall we see leaders who do not trust the Lord for the victory over their enemies and Isaiah calling them to stand firm in their faith…

Our keepsake truth from last week: Isaiah 7:9b

Chapter 8 ends with a description of a time of darkness and distress because people are seeking answers through mediums and spiritists and not the living God of Light. Now in chapter 9, Isaiah lifts up there eyes to the future. The darkness will not be permanent.

What I want to emphasize today is that God is relevant to us – He is real and available for our lives today. We can see this through the promises of Isaiah as he explains who Jesus is.

Let’s look first at Isaiah 9:1-5.

Jesus is the Light of Life: Isaiah continues to point to the promise of the coming Messiah. The places referred to in verse one, indicate the places in Capernaum where Jesus began his ministry. There will be a dawning of a new day – "The people walking in darkness will see a great light."

Jesus speaks in John 8:12 and says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jesus is the great light! In verses 3-5 of Isaiah 9, it is stated that when Jesus comes to our world, He will bring us joy like at harvest time, instead of sorrow; He will bring us the victory of battle, instead of defeat; and He will bring us the freedom of being released from the things weighing us down, like an ox relieved of his burden. Has this Jesus entered into your world? The every day happenings of your life? Releasing you from the darkness of your sin? In John 3:17, Jesus said , "For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Then continuing in John 3:19 -20,"This is the verdict; Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." Who likes to look at themselves in bright light? What about those dressing rooms with the fluorescent lights? Don’t you like to avoid them? Those bright lights show every little wrinkle – fault – whatever. That’s exactly what the people were doing in Isaiah’s time – they did not want to look at what was true and rejected the light. It was as if they turned the light off. Have you come into the light – not just knowing the claims of Jesus, but believing them for yourself and receiving forgiveness and cleansing of your sin? Jesus promises that if you follow him, you will have the light of life! Not death! Death is represented by darkness. Isn’t that what happens when someone literally dies – the lights go out for a time and you can’t see your way.

In Luke 1:78-79 we see Zechariah sing in response to seeing John the Baptist. John the Baptist would be a prophet of the Most High God, preparing the way for the one, Jesus, who would follow him. Verse 79 says, "…the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Are you following Jesus? Does His light rise in your heart, so you can see your way?

Isaiah is giving them a sign of hope, promises of joy and victory and freedom, and he doesn’t stop with Jesus being the light of our life.

In Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah just explodes into explaining more about who this Jesus is!

His Humanity: "For to us a child is born." The Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelled among us! He was born flesh and blood, experiencing the same troubles and weaknesses as we do, but without sin. Do you know Jesus sympathizes with your every weakness – that He understands. (Hebrews 4:15). This child was born "for us!"

His Royalty: "To us a son will be given." Jesus would be a royal son. When the word "son" was used, the Israelites knew it meant a descendant of the royal line. God had a plan to establish His kingdom through the line of David. Look at II Samuel 7:16. "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." David was promised that his house and kingdom would be forever. The promise of this son, Jesus, would be the fulfillment of God’s plan and promise to David. Jesus was born of the family of David – look in Luke chapters 1 and 3 for that fulfillment. Do you know him as God’s son given to you?

His Reign: "And the government of his kingdom will be on his shoulders." There will be a day when Jesus returns to earth and will establish his kingdom and reign for 1000 years. Even though the Jews were looking for this at the first coming of Christ, we know in reality it did not happen. Jesus will accomplish his full reign on earth when he returns the second time! Shoulders are a picture of strength. He will be strong to rule with righteousness and justice. We see this future reign of Christ described in verse 7 – there will be no end to his reign of peace. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it by justice and righteousness from that time on and forever! Do you seek Jesus to rule your life with justice and righteousness?

What will this child, this son, this king be called? Look back at verse 6.

"And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

These are names of God, not just descriptive adjectives.

The definition here of counselor is one who plans and purposes and carries out a plan of action in wisdom.

Christ has been made to us wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30).

How we need to look to him for wonderful wisdom and the plan to walk it out in our lives. And there is nothing dull about his counsel! In fact his counsel is amazing - sometimes difficult to describe. His counsel might astound you! It might take you out of your comfort zone or your own ways, or the ways of the world, but His counsel can be trusted. Go to Jesus for help when you need the plan and strategy and wisdom to carry it out. Remember God has no counselor! (Romans 11:34). He can penetrate the deepest confusion and discern the truth. What kind of counsel do you need today? Some astounding wisdom? Go to Jesus!

He is Mighty God: He is not only able to give you a plan but able to carry it out, because he is "EL Gibbor." He is omnipotent – all power on heaven and earth has been given to him. He has the power to exercise wise plans. He is able to intervene into your life. Isaiah 43:10 this Mighty God is able to "uphold you with his righteous right hand." Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father and God in his wisdom and power allowed Jesus to enter into our world, to save us. Can’t he uphold us by intervening into the affairs of our lives? You better believe it! I’ve been praying this for myself, for my husband, for my children – for those who need an intervention in their lives. Jesus upholds us by intervening into the affairs of our lives! Go to Jesus!

He is Everlasting Father: Avi-ad: Father of Eternity: Eternal Father

He is our Eternal Father. To the Jews "Father" meant originator or source. We know Jesus as the source of all life. He is our eternal source!

John 1:3 "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

Colossians 1:16 "For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or ruler or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

He is the source of everything – he is our Eternal Father. Go to the source for what you need! Go to Jesus!

He is the Prince of Peace: Sar-Shalohim

He is a leader. That’s what a prince is – he has a given right in a kingdom to lead. He is the leader of peace. What does peace mean here? Not the absence of war, as we often relate to this word, but wholeness, completeness. He is the one who leads us into complete well-being in all aspects of our lives! I often just cry out to God for peace of mind or absence of strife or noise – just for a moment. But Jesus wants to give us wholeness of body, soul and spirit – true peace. Does anything need to be made whole in your life today? Run to the Prince of Peace! Go to Jesus!

Do you need light, counsel, power, peace? Go to Jesus!!!!

Look at Isaiah 9:7. How are these things accomplished in our lives? By the zeal of the Lord Almighty! He is jealous for us. He is passionate for us to experience who he is, here and now. He will be who He says He is!!! To you-Today!

Isaiah 9:6 "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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."