Long Verses for the Day
Isaiah 9:1-7 NCV
1 But suddenly there will be no more gloom for the land that suffered. In the past God made the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali hang their heads in shame, but in the future those lands will be made great. They will stretch from the road along the Mediterranean Sea to the land beyond the Jordan River and north to Galilee, the land of people who are not Israelites. 2 Before those people lived in darkness, but now they have seen a great light. They lived in a dark land, but a light has shined on them. 3 God, You have caused the nation to grow and made the people happy. And they have shown their happiness to You, like the joy during the harvest time, like the joy of people taking what they have won in war. 4 Like the time You defeated Midian, You have taken away their heavy load and the heavy pole from their backs and the rod the enemy used to punish them. 5 Every boot that marched in battle and every uniform stained with blood has been thrown into the fire. 6 A child has been born to us; God has given us a son to us. He will be responsible for leading the people. His name shall be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. 7 Power and peace will be in his kingdom and will continue to grow forever. He will rule as king on David's throne and over David's kingdom. He will make it strong by ruling with justice and goodness from now on and forever. The Lord All-Powerful will do this because of his strong love for his people.
Note: No More Gloom and Coming of Messiah
Isaiah speaks of a coming deliverer who would one day lead God's people to joy, peace, righteousness, and justice. This person is the Messiah--Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This prophecy reveals several important truths about the coming Messiah.
(1) For the most part, He would minister in Galilee
(Is.9:1; Matt.4:13-14).
(2) He would bring the light of salvation and hope
(Is.9:2; Matt.4:15-16).
(3) He would enlarge the community of God's people, primarily by the inclusion of Gentiles in the household of faith
(Is.9:3; Acts 15:13-18).
(4) He would bring peace by delivering His people from the yoke of oppression and crushing their enemies (KJV Is.9:4-5).
(5) The Messiah would come from the nation of Israel and be called Wonderful, Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and the prince of Peace (Is.9:6).
(6) He would rule over God's people forever (Is.9:7; 2 Sam. 7:16).
Isaiah--whose name means "The Lord is salvation" or "The Lord saves"--is the prophet of salvation. He uses the specific term "salvation" nearly three times more than all other O.T. prophetic books combined. Isaiah reveals that God's full purpose of salvation will be realized only in connection with the Messiah.
Continued to part 2- A New Day is Coming.
