Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah. Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.
Isaiah 9.
We’ve talked about doom and gloom here in Isaiah, and will continue to see warnings of doom and gloom in future chapters. But today there is hope and a promise!
“But those who have suffered will no longer be in pain.” (v 1 CEV).
What is the promise of this torment-free future?
“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!” (v 2 MSG)
Who is this great light?
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (v 6-7 NIV).
This is one of several famous prophesies of Jesus in the book of Isaiah. And, yes, He has come! But some people don’t call Jesus “wonderful counselor.” And is He really still reigning on David’s throne in Israel? Today the country is not governed by a king but by a prime minister and the Knesset.
So, how is it that His Kingdom will reign forever in The Land when it hasn’t?
The Spiritual reign of Jesus, which began on earth in Bethlehem 2000+ years ago continues forever. Even though some people have rejected His physical reign, His Kingdom of peace and righteousness is available to all who want to accept it.
The Contemporary Jewish Bible translation makes it clearer (for me anyway…):
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; dominion will rest on his shoulders, and he will be given the name Pele-Yo‘etz El Gibbor Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom [Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace], in order to extend the dominion and perpetuate the peace of the throne and kingdom of David, to secure it and sustain it through justice and righteousness henceforth and forever. The zeal of Adonai – Tzva’ot will accomplish this.” (v 5-6 CJB).
Through the dominion of Jesus there is perpetual peace, justice and righteousness forever!
Look at how the great rabbi Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) describes this kingdom and its availability to all who believe:
“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:22-24 NIV).
God’s Kingdom, through the child king in the line of David, is given to us. To you. To me. Can you embrace this eternal peace? It is a great hope for everyone!
(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.
RichRonald.com 