Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Pre-exilic Prophets 2 (6)
Pray Psalm 110.1, 2.
The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Sing Psalm 110.1, 2.
(Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
“Sit by Me at My right hand,” the LORD says to my Lord,
“until I make Your foot stand on all who hate Your Word.”
The LORD sends strength from Zion: “Rule all Your enemies.”
While those who Him rely on go forth their LORD to please.
Read Isaiah 9.1-21; meditate on verses 6, 7.
Preparation
1. How do we know this Child is God?
2. What will be the characteristics of the Child’s Kingdom?
Meditation
Isaiah 9 deals with two themes. The first is birth. A Child is to be born, and with His birth, a Kingdom of peace which will endure forever (vv. 1-7). This is for the long term, however, and will be fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. Note the names by which this Child is known: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These names alone would have provoked faithful Jews to wonder and anticipation.
In the short term, a people and a kingdom were about to die, having rejected the LORD and His ways. The Leader of the Kingdom which is to be born will bring the people into the favor and blessing of God, His judgment, justice, and peace. The leaders of the kingdom which is dying lead their people into rebellion, immorality, wickedness, and death (v. 16).
The fate of Israel (vv. 8-21) was meant as a warning for the people of Judah and Jerusalem, a warning which they would not heed. The judgment of God against Israel would be unrelenting, emphasized in the repetition of the phrase, “For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still” (vv. 12, 17, 21). God will make a complete end of the nation of Israel.
By contrast, the Kingdom which is coming, ruled by the Child Who is God, will never end (v. 7). As zealous as God is to judge and punish His people, He will be even more zealous to establish His eternal Kingdom in the last days (Is. 2.1-4).
A death is coming, and it will be violent, terrible, and final.
But a birth is coming as well, and it will bring peace, safety, and eternal life.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
And to enjoy eternal life, there is another death needed, and that is our own.
Jesus died to free us from our sin and from ourselves.
Death to self leads to life with this Promised One, Who came to fulfill the prophecies of freedom from the power of sin, and abundant life in His Kingdom.
Jesus said to His followers, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, will save it” (Lk. 9.23, 24).
Paul instructed us this way: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12.1).
It is a small price for us to pay to enjoy the beauty of being ruled by our glorious King, Jesus.
Who else is loved and led by One so perfect? So majestic? So multi-faceted and glorious?
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—the entire rule of all the world and cosmos being upon His shoulder—and of the increase of His government and His peace there will be no end (Is. 9.6, 7). This is our God. This is Jesus.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2.20).
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…” (Is. 9.6).
Living for Jesus a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, gladhearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place, bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call, Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Living for Jesus wherever I am, Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss, Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, My heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
(Thomas O. Chisholm, 1917)
Reflection
1. What does it mean to die to yourself? Why is this so important in following Jesus?
2. How is the Kingdom of God coming on earth as it is in heaven in you?
3. Whom will you encourage in their life with King Jesus today?
It is a prophecy of him and of his kingdom, which those that waited for the Consolation of Israel read with pleasure. This Child was born for the benefit of us men, of us sinners, of all believers, from the beginning to the end of the world. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Isaiah 9.1-7
Pray Psalm 110.3-7.
Pray that you will realize more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of Jesus, so that more of His righteousness, peace, and joy attend your every moment.
Sing Psalm 110.3-7.
(Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
Your people in Your power, arrayed in holiness,
like dew of morning’s hour shall serve like youth refreshed.
The LORD has sworn and never will He His promise check:
“You are a priest forever after Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at Your right hand to execute His wrath,
and judge all kings and all lands—doomed sinners in His path.
Then, all His foes defeated, He takes His hard-won rest,
in glorious triumph seated with us, redeemed and blessed.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
