God’s Messiah

ISAIAH 9:2-7—“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.” The “darkness” here mentioned is apparently that which is referred to in the last verse of the previous chapter. In a general way, the 8th chapter of Isaiah’s prophecy emphasizes the failure of all human efforts to establish peace, prosperity, and happiness in the earth, and shows that this failure stems from neglect to follow in the ways of the Lord—“To the law and to the testimony: if. they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.”—Isa. 8:20

God’s dealings with typical Israel are highlighted in the 8th chapter, and their failure, through disobedience, to enjoy his blessings, brought to our attention. But “all ye of far countries” are also mentioned, and they are told that their efforts to associate themselves for protection would fail, and that when they took counsel together it would “come to nought.” (Isa. 8:9,10) Thus does the prophet reveal the cause of the symbolic darkness which enshrouds the earth, and the gross darkness which beclouds the minds of the people as they wait for the manifestation of him who is to be the light of the world.

And it is this great Light-bearer from heaven that is promised in verse 6 of our lesson—“Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Jesus is the One here promised, and it is the birth of this Savior and King that the professed Christian world commemorates at this season of the year; although the true date of his birth was in October not December. His birth was announced by the angel as being “glad tidings” which eventually would be to “all people”; and this prophecy also will be fulfilled in God’s due time.—Luke 2:10

Jesus came into the world to be more than a Savior, for the prophet foretold that the government would be “upon his shoulder.” This suggests rulership, that God’s Messiah was destined to be the Head of a world government. When Pilate asked Jesus if he were a King, he replied, “To this end was I born.” (John 18:37) Because the professed followers of Jesus have misunderstood the divine plan being worked out through him, most of them have reached the erroneous conclusion that Jesus’ kingship is merely a matter of his ruling in the hearts of his followers. But this is not the thought of the prophecy. His government is to be a real one, and through it all the divine promises of blessing for a sin-sick and dying world will be fulfilled.

“And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.” Scholars differ in their opinions of this phrase, some claiming—as indicated in the punctuation here shown—that “Wonderfu1” and “Counsellor” are intended to be separate titles; while others say that the comma should be omitted, making “wonderful” merely a descriptive adjective, and that the name would therefore be “Wonderful Counsellor.” Inasmuch as ancient Hebrew did not contain punctuation marks, there seems to be no definite way to determine which of these views is correct. But actually it doesn’t make too much difference. We know that Jesus is Wonderful, and we know that he is a Wonderful Counselor.

Jesus is also a “mighty God,” although not the Almighty God. When he was raised from the dead he declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28:18) Jesus said that the Father wants the people to honor his Son even as they honor him. (John 5:23) And he has bidden that all the angels should worship his Son. (Heb. 1:6) Yes, Jesus is a “mighty God,” and it will be to him that, throughout the Millennium, the people will look for guidance and blessing.

Jesus will also be “The everlasting Father.” The word “father” means life-giver, and Jesus will give everlasting life to the people; hence will be their everlasting Father. In this respect his rulership will far surpass anything for which the people have ever dared to hope. In all the human theories of utopian governments, peace, equality, liberty, and economic security have been the advantages promised, but never lasting health and life. But in the government which will rest upon the “shoulder” of Jesus, death will be swallowed up in victory, and the tears caused by death will be wiped from the faces of all people.

And Jesus will be “The Prince of Peace.” First, and fundamental to all peace, he will establish peace between God and men. This will be done upon the basis of his shed blood. He will also establish peace among nations and they will learn war no more. He will establish peace within nations, and will teach all men the true spirit of brotherhood.

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,” Isaiah wrote. This suggests that the kingdom of Christ will not suddenly become universal in its control of the world, but that its influence will “increase” and spread. It will, however, be sudden by comparison with the six thousand years of misrule by Satan, for all the evil results of that long and dark night of sin will be removed within a thousand years; and we may assume that early in that period the sovereignty of The Christ will be recognized throughout the whole earth.

One of the most significant statements of truth to be found in the Bible is that which closes verse 7—“The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Despite the failures of the past nineteen centuries to establish the kingdom of Christ through human schemes and by human authority, the professed Christian world has not yet learned the great truth that God does this quite apart from human efforts. Those who grasp this important truth are well on their way to a proper understanding of the divine plan of the ages as it centers in Christ Jesus—God’s Messiah.

ISAIAH 11:1-5—The promise here is that God’s Messiah, so far as his relationship to the human race is concerned, would come from the davidic line, the “stem” of Jesse. It was not this, however, that qualified him from a practical standpoint to be the One through whom the promises of God on behalf of a dying world were to be fulfilled. His qualifications for this great work were based on the fact that the Spirit of the Lord would rest upon him.

Thus again is emphasized that “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” The Spirit of the Lord that endows his Messiah with ability to deal with and bless the people, is “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.”

This Spirit makes God’s Messiah to be of “quick understanding in the fear of the Lord.” Because he will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, he will not “judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears; but with righteousness shall he judge the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.”

The “rod of his mouth” with which God’s Messiah will “smite the earth” is evidently his word of authority. To a world steeped in sin, this rod of righteous rulership will for a time seem harsh, like a “rod of iron.” And indeed it will be harsh toward those who do not yield to its authority, for the prophecy declares that he will “slay the wicked” with “the breath of his lips.” Peter stated this same truth, saying, “Every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”—Acts 3:23

Verse 5 speaks of his “girdle.” This is suggestive of his service to humanity. Jesus said that he came, “not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” to serve. (Matt. 20:28) And we can be confident that he will he faithful to the task entrusted to him by the Heavenly Father, and that his service will promote righteousness in the earth. Yes, the righteous service of God’s Messiah will result in the whole earth being filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s glory, and the destruction of all unrighteousness. And how thankful we should be that the accomplishment of this divine purpose has not been left in the hands of imperfect men, but that “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”!

QUESTIONS

Explain the manner in which the “darkness” mentioned in Isaiah 9:2 is described in the preceding chapter.

What is the significance of the statement concerning Jesus that “the government shall be upon his shoulder”?

In what sense is Jesus “Wonderful,” and also a “Wonderful Counsellor”?

Is Jesus the Almighty God?

What is implied in the title, “Everlasting Father”?

Explain the manner in which Jesus is “The Prince of Peace.”

What assurance do we have in the promise that “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”?

What is the agency by which God’s Messiah is empowered to accomplish the divine purpose of blessing all the families of the earth?

What is the “rod of His mouth” and the “breath of His lips”?

Of what is the “girdle” a symbol?

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