The Coming Peace

Isaiah 9:1-7

2 August 2016

Everyone looks for peace. Only One can bring true peace. The Old Testament prophet predicted that there would be a “Prince” who would come and bring peace. That coming Prince of Peace is Jesus of Nazareth. Here in Isaiah 9:1-7, God shares with Isaiah a two-stage development in which the true Prince of Peace would come.

First, Isaiah is told that there is a distress that only One can solve (Isaiah 9:1).

“Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.” (Isaiah 9:1, CSB)

God points to the present and then looks back in order to look forward.

Second, Isaiah shows that only one Person can bring light to darkness (Isaiah 9:2).

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” (Isaiah 9:2, CSB)

Only one Person can bring joy (Isaiah 9:3).

“You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.” (Isaiah 9:3, CSB)

Only one Person can shatter the oppressor (Isaiah 9:4).

“For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian.” (Isaiah 9:4, CSB)

One Person can end war (Isaiah 9:5).

“For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.” (Isaiah 9:5, CSB)

Only one Person is both God and Man (Isaiah 9:6).

“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, CSB)

Only one Person can govern the world with an arm of peace (Isaiah 9:7).

“The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:7, CSB)

The Prince came the first time to show us the life of peace. He will return a second time to lead the entire world with peace. It is the desire of the Lord that the Prince rule in peace. God’s desire is peace. He wants peace. He will equip His Prince to rule a world in peace.

Photo by corina ardeleanu on Unsplash