(1) “But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. In the former time He brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath He made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. (2) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (3) Thou hast multiplied the nation, Thou hast increased their joy: they joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. (4) For the yoke of His burden, and the staff of His shoulder, the rod of His oppressor, Thou hast broken as in the day of Midian. (5) For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire. (6) For unto us a Child is born, unto 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. (7) Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.”
Golden Text.—“His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Verse 6.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) When was this prophecy spoken? What was the condition of God’s people at this time? Note 1. (2) What hopeful promise is made, even while in this sad condition? How are the former and latter times contrasted? Verse 1. (3) What was shown to the people in their hour of great darkness? Verse 2. Note 2. (4) What is the prospect for their prosperity? What is to be the character of their joy? Verse 3. Note 3. (5) What is said of their burden of oppression? Verse 4. Note 4. (6) What shall become of the burden of war and of all war implements? Verse 5. Note 5. (7) In what lies the assurance of all this great promise? What titles indicate His ability to accomplish such a wonderful work? Verse 6. Note 6. (8) What is said of the duration of His government. What of its character? And what will perform all this? Verse 7. Note 7.
NOTES.
1. This prophecy was spoken during the reign of King Ahaz. A better understanding of the condition of sin and darkness that obtained at that time will be gained by reading 2 Kings 16:1–8; 2 Chronicles 28, and Isaiah 7 and 8. Nevertheless, however dark the times, there were rays of light and hope for the future.
2. “A great Light” evidently refers to the Messiah. This is verified by Matt. 4:12–16. The people were dwelling in such a state of moral and physical darkness as to be on the verge of destruction—in the very “shadow of death” as a nation; yet even to this low depth did the Star of Hope send His rays.
3. The prophetic vision, notwithstanding natural appearances, saw a greatly-increased nation, and a joy “according to the joy of harvest.” This multiplied nation is the spiritual seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:29), which will be gathered in the great “harvest” time at the “end of the world” (Matt. 13:36–43).
4. The promise in verse 4 refers, first, to Israel’s physical oppressors (the Assyrians)—if the people would repent and turn to God; and, secondly and especially, to their moral oppressor, Satan, whose yoke it was the Messiah’s prime mission to break. See Heb. 2:14, 15; 1 John 3:8.
5. From verse 5 we learn that all that pertains to war—the armor and the weapons of the soldier, and the garments saturated with blood—shall be swept away with fire. This will come to pass when the earth that now is shall be destroyed, and the works therein burned up. See 2 Peter 3:10. Then the men who give themselves to the business of war should know that they have chosen a calling that will eventually end in utter destruction.
6. The assurance of all that has been said up to this point is in the fact that “unto us a Child is born” who will take the reins of government in all the earth, and that a “King shall reign in righteousness.” Isa. 32:1. In Him are all the promises of God fulfilled. 2 Cor. 1:20. The titles here ascribed to the Messiah indicate His wonderful majesty and power and dominion. He inherits the “more excellent name” (Heb. 1:4) of the Father Himself.
7. That there will be “no end” of “peace” in His government is another assurance that war will not have any place in His kingdom. The great controversy with Satan, who is the cause of all carnal warfare, will have ended in the triumph of the Prince of Peace. There shall be no end to “the increase of His government,” tho a government of peace. This would indicate that a peaceable government is the only species of government that is entitled to endless existence and endless growth.
