16/07/17 Isaiah 9:1-12 “Like the good news; ignore the bad news!”

 

Isaiah 9:1Nevertheless the dimness [shall] not [be] such as [was] in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict [her by] the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

 

dimness – gloom, darkness. This follows on from Isaiah 8:22And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and [they shall be] driven to darkness. where “dimness” in Isaiah 9:1 is a different term from 8:22, yet it clearly relates to the dimness (gloom) and darkness (or gloominess) at the end of Ch.8.

vexationstraitness; constraint; distress.

lightly afflicted – made light of; treated with contempt; brought contempt or dishonour.

more grievously afflict – made heavy, dull, unresponsive, grievous; cause to be honoured.

Galilee of the nations – sometimes understood to be Upper Galilee, or Galilee of the Gentiles, but actually means “circuit of the nations”. Upper Galilee was in between Lower Galilee and Lebanon.

 

This verse does have some difficulties of understanding, but when read in context (see Vs 2), appears to contrast Isaiah 8:22 with that great light which is coming: the coming of Immanuel (already foretold by Isaiah), a child who will have the attributes of Almighty God – see Vs 6 & 7.

So, “Nevertheless, the gloom won’t be the same as it was in her distresses of the past, when at first God lightly afflicted (brought dishonour upon) Zebulun and Naphtali, and afterward brought more grievous affliction by the way of the sea beyond Jordan, in Galilee (or the circuit) of the nations.” That is, it’s bad but not really all bad! Compare with Romans 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

But “more grievously afflict” can also mean “cause to be honoured”, a meaning that appears to fit in better with Biblical consistency (see Isaiah 9:2 below).

Thus, “Nevertheless, the gloom won’t be the same as it was in her distresses of the past, when at first God lightly afflicted (brought dishonour upon) Zebulun and Naphtali, but afterward causes honour to come upon her by way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.”

Pulpit commentary – The way of the sea; i.e. the district about the sea of Tiberias, called "the sea of Kinnereth" (equivalent to "Gennesareth") in Numbers 34:11, and "the sea of Galilee" in John 6:1. Beyond Jordan; i.e. the tract east of the sea and of the upper Jordan, where the five thousand were fed, and where our Lord was transfigured.

 

Isaiah 9:2The 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.

 

The people (this nation) who were walking (living; existing) in darkness (see Isaiah 8:22) have seen (perceived; observed) a great light (of day; daybreak; dawning; light of instruction); they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death (the land of distress or extreme danger – see Psalm 23:4): upon them has this light (or dawning of a new day) shone (or enlightened). This was fulfilled by Jesus, according to Matthew.

Matthew 4:12-1612 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, [by] the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

(Nazareth was in Zebulun. Naphtali was along the west side of the Sea of Galilee, and north of Zebulun.)

John 1:9[That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

Isaiah 9:3Thou hast multiplied the nation, [and] not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, [and] as [men] rejoice when they divide the spoil.

 

The straight- out meaning seems to be that they have no joy, yet they actually do have joy, which appears illogical. 

So either “You have multiplied (or magnified) the nation; You have increased their joy.” (which then seems to oppose the wording somewhat)

Or preferably “You have multiplied (magnified) the nation, but did not (at first) increase their joy. …..”

Thus, “You have multiplied the nation; You have not increased their joy (at first), (but now) they joy (rejoice) before You as those who joy (rejoice) in a good harvest, and as those who rejoice when dividing up the spoils (booty; plunder) of war (after victory) (or dividing up the prey).”

The meaning seems to be that their joy was not increased, but then it was.

Either way, though, the context here is all about Immanuel, their coming Messiah, the One in whom they would rejoice.

Zechariah 2:10-1110 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. 11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

 

Isaiah 9:4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

 

For you have broken (a) the yoke that laid a burden upon your people, (b) the staff that beat upon the shoulder (backs) of your people, and (c) the rod (club; staff; spear-shaft; truncheon) of the oppressor (taskmaster; tyrant; exactor of tribute) of your people.

Matthew 11:28-3028 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

 

as in the days of Midian – as happened when Gideon threw off the burden of Midian.

Isaiah 10:26-2726 And the Lord of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and [as] his rod [was] upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt. 27 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Judges 7:23-2523 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites. 24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth–barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth–barah and Jordan. 25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

 

Isaiah 9:5For every battle of the warrior [is] with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but [this] shall be with burning [and] fuel of fire.

 

battle – sandal; boot. Here it probably means the battle armour worn by soldiers on their lower legs and feet; boot armour.

warrior – one who treads or tramps. Both battle and warrior are from the same root word.

confused noise – quaking, rattling, shaking as in an earthquake; the quaking, shaking or quivering of a person.

blood – red like wine.

For every boot of them that tramp making a quaking (that is, noisily with vibration), with garments (or mantles or cloaks) rolled in (or soiled with) blood, shall be fit for burning, as fuel for the fire.

This probably refers to Vs 4 where those who attempted to oppress them would be worth only to be thrown into the fire to be burned (or their clothing and/or equipment of war). It signified the victory of God’s people over all their enemies, the end of war and the beginning of peace, a major theme of the next two verses.

Romans 8:36-3736 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

Isaiah 9:6For 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

For unto us the child Immanuel is born (begotten) (Isaiah 7:14), unto us a son (ben) is given (bestowed upon us), and the government (rule; dominion) shall be upon his shoulder (back in general – see “shoulder” in Vs 4); and his name (reputation – where “name” signifies rank or position) shall be called (known as; proclaimed; appointed) ……

 

Wonderful (Marvellous)Psalm 118:23This is the Lord’s doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

Mark 12:10-1110 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11 This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

 

Counsellor (One who counsels)Psalm 16:7I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

Colossians 2:3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

 

The Mighty GodPsalm 24:8Who [is] this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

 

The Everlasting (Ancient of Days; Eternal; I AM) Father (God; the One from whom all things flow; Creator)   John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 10:30I and [my] Father are one.

 

The Prince (Ruler; Captain; Leader) of Peace (Shalom)Ephesians 2:14-1514 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

 

Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 

It doesn’t actually say that His government will increase, but rather that government (in general) will increase. That is, government will be consistent and ongoing, not a lacking of proper government as was happening in Isaiah’s day. The same word used for “government” in Vs 6.

 

He is called The Prince of Peace (Vs 6), and there shall be no end (that is, eternal) to that same peace here in Vs 7. The wording also suggests that there shall be no end to the increase of government either. Government and peace will last forever.

 

The Messiah (Immanuel) will rule His kingdom from the throne (seat of power and authority) of His ancestor David. The increase of government and never-ending peace will be from this throne of David (that is, it will not happen on any other throne) and upon the kingdom signified by the authority of that throne.

 

The purpose of this government and (of?) peace is to order it (establish; provide for; arrange; put in order), and to establish (support; sustain; strengthen; uphold) it with judgment and with justice (or justice and righteousness, that is, with due legal processes to establish that which is right).

 

Once this process is begun (“from henceforth”) it will never cease, for the zeal (ardour; passion) of the Lord Sabaoth (Lord of hosts) will perform (ensure; bring about) this. That is, the only limit on this government (of peace) will be the capability of the Lord of hosts to perform it, that is, infinite, limitless!

 

Ezekiel suggests that this process will only begin when God has accomplished His anger against His people.

Ezekiel 5:13Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

 

Isaiah 9:8The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

 

This begins a new section of prophecy, coming back to the reality of the times of Isaiah, a passage which appears to end at Isaiah 10:4. There are two passages of five verses each and two of four verses each, and each of the four passages ends with the words “For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still”. It thus appears to be a poetic passage starting with Isaiah 9:8 and ending at Isaiah 10:4.

The Lord sent a word (utterance) into Jacob (the nation), and this word has lighted (fallen; settled; fallen into the hands of) upon Israel.

But, is Jacob a synonym of Israel, or is it used as a contrast? In Isaiah 2, Jacob seems to be applied to Judah and not all Israel, whereas this passage is clearly discussing the northern tribes; note the use of Ephraim and Samaria (Vs 9).

This utterance of God (more of a dire warning of the consequences of the anger of God which is not turned away yet) focuses upon the sins of God’s people (here defined as Jacob and Israel).

 

Isaiah 9:9And all the people shall know, [even] Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,

 

Israel will surely know what is coming, whether they wish to admit it or not. Their pride (haughtiness), and their stoutness (insolence; a feeling of greatness and majesty within themselves) of heart (inner thinking; inclination; moral character), prevent them from admitting the obvious, that utter destruction is now upon them.

Hosea 9:7-97 The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. 8 The watchman of Ephraim [was] with my God: [but] the prophet [is] a snare of a fowler in all his ways, [and] hatred in the house of his God. 9 They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

Proverbs 16:18Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

 

Isaiah 9:10The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change [them into] cedars.

 

And they say in their pride and stoutness of heart: The houses of clay bricks and common sycamore trees might be destroyed, but we will replace them with hewn stones and long-lasting cedars. That is, bring all this destruction upon us and we will simply rebuild with better and more costly materials just to spite those who cry “doom and gloom” all the time. A spirit of bravado exists among these wicked ones who can never consider that anything could ever overcome their mightiness! It might even be said that they were doing their best to deny God His right to judge and punish them!

Amos 5:11Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

I

 

Isaiah 9:11Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;

 

Therefore, if that’s the way Israel (Ephraim and Samaria) wants to play this “game”, then God, knowing their attitude beforehand, has already set up the adversaries (oppressors) of Rezin (of Syria) in order to be against him (Ephraim and Samaria). That is, Assyria (under Tiglath-pileser), the oppressor of Rezin (and Syria), will then be set up against Israel (Ephraim and Samaria), thus joining (weaving) his enemies together into one. Syria (Rezin) had been the ally of Israel, but Syria is defeated by Assyria. Syria’s resources will now be used by Assyria with which to now make a full attack upon Israel (Ephraim and Samaria). That is, those who were the adversaries (oppressors) of Rezin (of Syria) would now turn against Israel, but now Israel not only has Assyria against her, but Syria has been added (joined; woven) to her enemies.

 

As an extra note, Ahaz of Judah had wanted Assyria to assist him against his enemies (Syria and Israel), but once Assyria had taken both Syria and Israel, she turned her sights upon Judah now, using her superiority to the north to use as many of these resources as possible in order to now attempt to take Judah. The picture is of Assyria defeating her enemies who would then be forced to be allies against the next desired conquest of Assyria, and so on.

 

Isaiah 9:12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

 

Note Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

 

While the Philistines are not specifically mentioned in historical accounts of this era, it is likely and quite possible for them to have taken advantage of the discomforting of Israel, traditionally their enemies for a long time. So, “The Syrians in front of them (to the “east”, although they are actually to the north-east), and the Philistines behind them (thus denoting to the west) shall devour (eat up; slay with the sword; destroy as of drought; devour as of oppression) with open mouth (orifice; opening; mouth).”

Note Isaiah 5:14Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Israel is going to be sandwiched between two opposing forces, although the far greater force would be Assyria using the resources of Syria to basically wipe Israel almost off the map. (Philistia doesn’t get a mention in history books!) And in spite of all this judgment brought against Israel, God’s anger is not yet assuaged but His hand remains stretched out (in anger).

There are three more “verses” of this “poem” which we will try to cover next week.

 

Today’s passage commenced by continuing on from the end of Ch.8, then moving into that great light of the future, their Messiah, and moving again back to the present (for Isaiah) by the uttering of more prophecy concerning the destruction of Israel (Ephraim and Samaria). It emphasises the power and authority of God who alone may make such outrageous statements as if they were fact (which indeed they are!).

 

Many today may be doing exactly the same evil as Israel back then, deciding that they know the answers already, and if the Bible should contradict them, then they’ll refuse to acknowledge its truth, declaring instead that we have to move with the times, or become more mature, or some other inane reason. And God simply declares that if they want to play the game this way, then He’ll call their “bluff” and deliver what He has promised without being put off in any way by their “strong-man” tactics. The truth is that the consequences have been clearly listed for non-compliance with God’s law, yet all too many prefer to think of such consequences as negotiable or even dispensable. (Just go to a few funerals to listen to the irrational statements declaring that such-and-such has gone to his (or her) eternal reward, while painting in glowing word colours the future life with no more pain and sorrow!)

 

Isaiah 9:9-10 shows their rebellious attitude very clearly indeed: Yes, we’ve heard everything you’ve been saying, Isaiah, over and over again. We’ve got the message! But we’re happy doing what we’re doing already, so nothing’s going to change. We’ve got a good thing going for us now, so why spoil it all by your constant whingeing! So what if an enemy comes and breaks down some of our houses; we’ll just rebuild them bigger and better than ever. We won’t be put down, nor will we accept that we deserve any less than we have now.

And the same could very well apply to all those who have determined what they would like the Bible to say and teach, and won’t be put off by those trouble-makers who claim that such views are rebellion against a holy God. They have determined that their doctrines are right, and therefore everything else has to be measured up against those “right” doctrines! But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9)

 

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