이사야 Chapter 9

Translation: ESV

1

But there will be no gloom for her who 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 he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

Key Message

God's light shines first on the despised and marginalized regions, and this is the pattern of God's paradoxical choice.

▸Following the darkness of chapter 8, an era of light arrives.

Following the darkness of chapter 8, an era of light arrives. It is especially significant that the region of Zebulun and Naphtali—Galilee—is the first to be despised and then glorified. Matthew 4:13-16 declares this prophecy fulfilled when Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee.

Related Verses

the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.
2

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Key Message

God's great light shines on those in desperate darkness, and this is the essence of the salvation the Messiah brings.

▸The darkness of chapter 8 and the great light of chapter 9 contrast dramatically.

3

You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

Key Message

The Messiah's coming brings joy greater than harvest joy or victory joy, and this is the characteristic of God's kingdom.

▸This is the great joy that comes with the arrival of light.

4

For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Key Message

The Messiah's salvation breaks every yoke of human oppression and is accomplished by God's power, as in Gideon's victory.

▸The reason for joy is given: the symbols of oppression—yoke, staff, rod—are broken.

5

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

Key Message

Under the Messiah's rule all implements of war are burned, and complete peace is realized.

▸All implements of war being burned means the realization of complete peace.

6

For to us a child is born, to 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.

Key Message

The Messiah was born as a human but is simultaneously Mighty God, and as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace, he accomplishes complete salvation.

▸This is the most famous messianic prophecy in Isaiah.

7

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Key Message

God's zeal establishes the messianic kingdom, and this kingdom will endure forever with justice and righteousness.

▸The characteristics of the messianic kingdom are declared: endless peace, reign on David's throne, eternal justice and righteousness.

8

The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel;

Key Message

God's word sent to Israel will certainly be fulfilled, and both judgment and salvation are accomplished through God's word.

▸Isaiah 9:8-10:4 is a series of judgment oracles with a repeating refrain beginning in Isaiah 5:25 ('for all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still').

9

and all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart:

Key Message

Even the experience of judgment cannot break stubborn pride, showing how obstinately the human heart can refuse God.

▸Even as judgment comes, Israel does not repent but becomes even more arrogant.

10

"The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place."

Key Message

The arrogance of attempting to rebuild bigger by one's own strength after disaster, without returning to God, brings greater judgment.

▸This is an arrogant declaration to rebuild with something bigger and better even after experiencing calamity.

11

So the LORD raises the adversaries of Rezin against him, and stirs up his enemies.

Key Message

God's judgment on pride comes by sending stronger enemies, and God executes judgment through historical forces.

▸This is God's response to Israel's pride.

12

The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

Key Message

For people without repentance, judgment continues and intensifies, and God's anger does not turn away.

▸The refrain first appearing in 5:25 is repeated here: 'For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

13

The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the LORD of hosts.

Key Message

The purpose of judgment is repentance, but stubborn hearts do not return to God even under the most severe judgment, which only increases the judgment further.

▸The purpose of judgment was to lead to repentance.

14

So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in one day—

Key Message

God's judgment extends to all levels of society, and none can escape judgment without repentance regardless of status.

▸From the head (leaders) to the tail (lowest classes), from the palm branch (the noble) to the reed (the lowly)—all are removed.

15

the elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;

Key Message

False prophets who provide religious legitimacy to society's corruption are the most dangerous figures, and they receive the greatest share of God's judgment.

▸The metaphor of verse 14 is interpreted: head = elders and honored men; tail = false prophets.

16

for those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

Key Message

Wrong leaders lead the community to destruction, and a leader's responsibility extends to all those who follow.

▸Wrong leaders lead people to destruction.

17

Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

Key Message

When the whole society is corrupt, even the classes God normally specially protects are not exempt from judgment, and the anger does not turn away.

▸Judgment is so sweeping that even orphans and widows receive no compassion.

18

For wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns; it kindles the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.

Key Message

Wickedness is ultimately self-destructive, and wickedness spread through society burns everything like an uncontrollable wildfire.

▸The image of judgment spreading like a wildfire.

19

Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land was scorched, and the people became like fuel for the fire; no one spared his brother.

Key Message

Under God's wrath all social bonds collapse, and brotherly strife is the final expression of social breakdown.

▸The wrath of the LORD of hosts destroys even the most basic social structure—the fraternal bond.

20

They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry, and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own arm,

Key Message

Under God's judgment nothing brings satisfaction, and judgment leads to self-destructive behavior.

▸Extreme famine is described.

21

Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh; together they are against Judah. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

Key Message

Internal division and attacks between brothers are the climax of judgment, and without repentance God's anger does not turn away.

▸The brother tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim attack each other, and even together attack Judah (their southern brother).