Isaiah 9:6 NIV
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.
This part of Chapter 9 is an encouragement for Judah at a bleak time, and the names or titles for this Child are awesome. But the word that has stood out as I have pondered this verse for this season is “us.” Jesus did all of this for US!
Isaiah 9:2 NIV
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
Chapter 9 of Isaiah is another great Jesus chapter. Starting in Chapter 8 this section of Isaiah is an encouragement to “fear God” and to not trust in mediums.
The land of Zebulun and Naphtali, which was the west side of Galilee, was not part of Judah. This is the area of Nazareth and where much of Jesus’ ministry took place.
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
The Lord had called Isaiah to encourage Ahaz (did not do right) son of Jotham (did do right) while the Northern Kingdom attacked Jerusalem/Judah. 2 Kings 16 says that Ahaz made a deal with Assyria, and even built an altar to impress them, this may have been after this section of Isaiah. The Lord gave Ahaz the opportunity to ask for a sign that Isaiah’s prophecy would come true. Ahaz refused and in so doing angered God. His refusal sounded good, but probably stemmed from Ahaz’s pride rather than true belief in the Lord. Verse 9b is an awesome verse, and is truth to last the ages.
Verse 14 is the heart of Christmas, and Jesus’ mission in just fifteen words. Once again, we see the Lord being faithful and offering hope, even though the judgement of Judah/Israel was being predicted.
Isaiah 4:2 NIV
In that day, the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land
will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.
This verse of hope is given in a section that talks about the judgment that was coming on Jerusalem. This passage focuses on the women of the Land. In 4:2 – 6 the fruit of the Land (Jesus), redemption, the Spirit, and a reference back to the Exodus. The cloud of smoke and fire represents the refuge and hiding place that Jesus is for His people.
The “Branch” is a theme that shows up several places in reference to the Messiah. We will see Him as a Branch from Jesse, David, and the Lord. Branch here is tsemach (Strong’s 6780), it is also used in Jeremiah and Zechariah. In Isaiah 11:1 it is nester (Strong’s 5342).
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Malachi 3:3b NIV
Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.
Start reading at verse 1 of chapter 3, it is very much a Messianic passage. It opens with John the Baptist, then the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:2, His mission to “clean us,” and then this section on what could be the Wise Men.
Mark's Bible Study 