Sunday School Lesson
August 12,2012
Lesson Focus:
God's justice
always comes
Lesson Scripture:
Isaiah 9:2-7
INTRODUCTION. In our previous lesson, we saw how only God is perfectly trustworthy and that true justice and mercy are found only in Him. Man is mortal and untrustworthy. The ultimate form of a just and righteous government will be seen when the Messiah, God in human form, reigns over the earth.
II. A TIME OF JOY AND PEACE (Isaiah 9:2-5). Chapter 8 provides the background for this week’s lesson. The northern tribes in Israel were being invaded by the Assyrians, and Samaria was soon to fall. Although Judah, or the southern kingdom wouldn’t fall to the Assyrians, they would still feel the pressure from that nation. At a time when the Israelites should have turned to the Lord for help, they were cursing Him and going to mediums (see Isaiah 8:19-21). As a result of Israel’s disobedience and willful rebellion, Isaiah prophesied that they would be “driven to darkness” (see Isaiah 8:22). In Isaiah 9:1, God, through Isaiah gave His people a message of hope. In that verse Isaiah identified the northernmost part of Palestine (Israel), specifically the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. These northern tribes were among the first to be attacked by the Assyrians and ultimately fell carried into captivity in 721 B.C. In our lesson text, Isaiah prophesies about a future time when Israel’s gloom would be removed.
A. Israel will one day enjoy God’s light and blessing (Isaiah 9:2-4).
1. (vs. 2). This verse says “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” When the prophet spoke of “The people that walked in darkness” and “they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death” he was referring to the northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali which was a reference to the entire 12 tribes of the northern kingdom. Isaiah’s message was that this part of Israel also called “the land of the shadow of death” because the people walked in spiritual darkness, would be the first to be blessed by “a great light.” This light of course was Jesus. He grew up in Nazareth in Galilee and later went to live in Capernaum. Galilee was where the tribes of Zebulun and Napthali were located in New Testament Times. Those in Galilee were the first to see this “great light.” Note: When Isaiah made this prophecy, the Light had not yet appeared and wouldn’t appear for another 700 years. Yet Isaiah spoke with prophetic certainty. Matthew made it clear that Isaiah’s words described the coming of Christ (see Matthew 4:12-16). Other New Testament Scriptures also identify this light as Jesus Christ (see John 1:5, 9; 8:12).
2. (vs. 3). Here Isaiah spoke directly to the Lord saying “Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” Again, Isaiah spoke prophetically. The phrase “Thou hast multiplied the nation” is in the past tense although it had not yet taken place. But Isaiah could speak confidently as if it had already happened. The “nation” is Israel and Isaiah prophesied that the population of this nation would be “multiplied” or greatly increased. Of course this would occur in the distant future (see Isaiah 26:15; Jeremiah 30:19; 33:22). The phrase “and not increased the joy” appears to contradict the statement that follows which stresses joy, not a lack of it. Most scholars agree that the word “not” should mean “to it,” thus this phrase is best read as “and to it increased the joy.” Therefore, the meaning would be that the Lord has increased both Israel’s population and joy. The prophet used two illustrations to describe how great this joy will be. The first is “according to the joy in harvest.” The Hebrews’ harvest season was the most important time on their calendar and great joy was expressed with an abundant harvest. This will be the kind of joy the Jews will enjoy in the future messianic kingdom (see Amos 9:13-15). The prophet’s second illustration of the joy the Jews will have is “as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” This reminds one of the joy of victorious warriors as they divide the spoils of war, whatever they took from the enemy.
3. (vs. 4). The reason Isaiah gave for Israel’s joy was “For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.” The prophet used three metaphors to illustrate the types of oppression from which the Jews will be delivered. First, Isaiah said God “hast broken the yoke of his burden.” Israel is likened to an animal subjected to hard work and beaten severely. A “yoke” is a wooden frame put over the necks of working animals. It was connected by ropes to the plow or wagon the animals pulled. The “yoke” refers to servitude or hard labor that Israel was familiar with. They experienced it in Egypt and the Assyrian yoke was soon to fall on the northern tribes. The second metaphor of oppression that would be broken was “the staff of his shoulder.” This refers to a stick or rod used to goad or beat the animal to work harder. Israel was familiar with this because they had suffered such beatings, literally and figuratively by oppressors. Third, Isaiah spoke of the “rod of his oppressor.” This would remind the Israelites of life of their ancestors while in Egypt. Note: Israel faced this oppression because for centuries they gave in to another yoke of bondage---sin, transgressions and disobedience. They refused to heed the warnings of the prophets, and now the ten northern tribes were about to pay for their sins (see II Kings 17:6-41). Unfortunately, the southern kingdom of Judah would eventually suffer the same fate and go into Babylonian captivity (see Lamentations 1:1-8: Jeremiah 39:1-10). But Isaiah looked beyond the time of captivity to the day when the Lord will have “broken the yoke of his (Israel’s) burden.” Although this prophecy concerned the removal of the immediate threat of the Assyrians (see Isaiah 10:24-25; 14:25), it also looked forward to Israel’s final deliverance from all enemies by the Messiah. Isaiah wrote that Messiah would deliver Israel “as in the day of Midian.” This refers to the victory by Gideon and his 300 men over the huge Midianite army (see Judges 7; Isaiah 10:26-27).
B. Israel will cease from war (Isaiah 9:5). The absence of oppression implies conditions of peace, and that is exactly what Isaiah foretold in this verse as he wrote “For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.” The idea of this verse is that the garments and weapons of war following the Lord’s final victory over His enemies will be destroyed by fire. This no doubt is a reference to the Battle of Armageddon which will be a bloody and gruesome battle (see Revelation 16:16; 19:11-21).
III. A PERFECT RULER (Isaiah 9:6-7)
A. The character of the Perfect Ruler (Isaiah 9:6). All the blessings of the millennial age when Christ rules on earth are dependent upon the birth of a Child. Therefore Isaiah prophesied “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” The word “for” connects this verse with the promises in the previous verses. It indicates that the reason Isaiah’s prophecy will be fulfilled is because the child born to be King will accomplish it. The use of the word “us” means that the child would be born in Israel. The phrase “For unto us a child is born” means that this future Ruler would be like any child, but born in Israel. However this child would be born miraculously (see Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). The prophet also says “unto us a son is given” implying that He is the gracious gift of God (see John 3:16; 4:10; 6:32). The word “son” is also a reference to the Son of God; both human and divine (see Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5). Isaiah also said that “the government shall be upon his shoulder” meaning that the Messiah will be totally responsible for governing during the millennium. Christ will rule the world from the throne of David in Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 23:5-6; Revelation 14:9). The phrase “his name shall be called” does not refer to proper names but to the essential characteristics of the Messiah. Bible scholars disagree on whether there are four or five qualities listed. Some translations combine “Wonderful” and “Counselor” into one characteristic “Wonderful Counselor.” If the passage is read like that, each of the four characteristics are broken down into a divine element and a human element.
a. “Wonderful Counselor” – The Hebrew word translated “Wonderful” is “wonder” and refers to something that is beyond human understanding. It is also translated as “secret” in Judges 13:18. “Wonderful” is the divine element because in the Hebrew it describes the awesome miracles God performed. “Counselor” is the human element and is used in Micah 4:9 as a synonym for “king.” As the “Wonderful Counselor” Christ’s counsel will be miraculous, arousing wonder in the people.
b. “The Mighty God” – The word “mighty” is the human element and the word “God” is the divine element. The Hebrew word for “God” used here is “El” and is used by Isaiah as part of the name “Immanuel” (see Isaiah 7:14) which literally means “with us is God.” The word “Mighty” (Hebrew is “gibbor”) has the idea of heroic as someone who leads his people out of some difficulty (see Judges 11:1). The Ruling Messiah will be a Hero to His people.
c. “The everlasting Father” – This quality expresses the eternalness of the Messiah. He is eternal by nature and also gives eternal life to those who trust Him. Isaiah saw the Messiah as the fatherly ruler of His subjects. The word “everlasting” is the divine element and “Father” is the human element. As “The everlasting Father” the Messiah will be the tender, faithful and wise trainer, guardian, and provider for His people throughout eternity.
d. “The Prince of Peace” – Here “Prince” is the human element and “Peace” is the divine element. Isaiah was looking forward to a future Descendent of David, the Messiah. On the human side He would be a Prince, receiving the right to rule by virtue of His relationship to the Davidic line. When Christ ascends to the throne of David during the millennium (thousand-year) reign, He will cause all wars to cease (see Isaiah 2:4; Revelation 20:4-6) and will usher in an era of peace never known before. Note: Real peace goes beyond the ending of hostilities between men. It includes the foundational peace that must exist between God and man. Jesus has already provided a deeper peace with God and among men through His death on the cross (see Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14).
B. The sovereignty of the Perfect Ruler (Isaiah 9:7). Isaiah concludes this portion of his prophecy with “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” The prophet lists five aspects of the Messiah’s reign as the Perfect Ruler. First, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” speaks of the eternality of His rule. Second, “Upon the throne of David,” speaks of Christ’s royalty. Third, “and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish it” speaks of Messiah’s authority. Fourth, “with judgment and with justice” speaks of Messiah’s ability to dispense justice and righteousness for all. Fifth, “Henceforth even for ever” speaks of Messiah’s term in office---it will be everlasting. No doubt Isaiah’s listeners wondered how all these things could happen in light of their present condition. The last sentence says “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” In other words, the “zeal” or “jealousy” of the Lord would bring the prophecy to pass. The word “zeal” or “jealousy” comes from a Hebrew word that means “glowing fire” or “deep red.” If we view the word “zeal” from the standpoint of jealousy, we understand that jealousy fights for the object of its love against everything and everyone that touches either the object or the love itself. The God who jealously guards His people and His honor will overcome all obstacles and prove Himself faithful to all His promises.
IV. Conclusion.The Son of God has already come, but the day is coming when He will return and show Himself to be the reigning King.The promised Messiah will rule the world in perfect righteousness and justice.Having already appeared as God in the flesh,Jesus will one day fully The manifest His righteous rule, fulfilling the many prophecies concerning Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment