Wednesday, December 16, 2020

From Isaiah to You, Merry Christmas Isaiah

 

From Isaiah to You, Merry Christmas

Isaiah

Isaiah 9:6 was written over 700 years before the Birth of Christ

When Isaiah says Merry Christmas

He says

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 increase of his government and peace

there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah saw purification and judgment

And he saw redemption and hope

He wants you and I also to see HOPE

Hope in Jesus Christ who was born as a child, but will rule

The government is on His shoulders

Isaiah reminds us God is in control

He sees things and announces them to us

Hundreds of years before they happen

Merry Christmas!

 

 

From Isaiah to You, Merry Christmas

Isaiah

 

Who brings us the greetings?

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

Isaiah 9:6

 

Who was Isaiah?

 

He was a pastor who preached weekly.

 

A man who loved God and people.

 

Isaiah was a major prophet.

 

A prophet who heard from God.

 

Isaiah 1:1, introduces us to Isaiah as a man with a

vision like that of John in the Book of Revelation…

 

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that

 Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah,

Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

 

His ministry span covered four

kings, three good and one bad.

 

Over all, the people living

in Judah were doing well.

 

They were increasing in wealth and power.

 

All looked good, but all was not good. 

 

The vision Isaiah has, takes

 on the picture of a law suit.

 

God was taking His people to

court and Isaiah was God's lawyer.

 

Throughout the discourse we see in the midst of the

condemning evident words of love and redemption.

 

Like the invitation in Isaiah 1:18…

 

"Come now, let us reason together,"

says the LORD.

 

And Isaiah 2:2-5…

 

In the last days the mountain of the

LORD's temple will be established

as chief among the mountains;…

Many peoples will come and say,

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,…

He will teach us his ways,…so that we may walk in his paths."

The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He will judge between the nations

and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war anymore.

 

The Book of Isaiah is called the 5th Gospel.

 

It is a Book calling all people,

all nations, to God.

 

Aside from the Psalms, Isaiah is the most

quoted Book in the New Testament.

 

Paul quotes from Isaiah 6:9, 10

 to promote the Gospel of Salvation

to the Gentiles in Acts 28:25-28.

 

In the 66 Chapters of Isaiah we see…

 

Chapters 1 through 35,

God’s Anger and Mercy.

 

Chapters 36 through 39,

 God’s Delivering Power.

 

Chapters 40 through 66

God’s Provision of Salvation and Purpose.

 

Isaiah lived between 740-680 B.C.

 

While the Bible does not tell how he died…

 

Tradition claims that Isaiah was martyred

during the reign of Manasseh (696-642 BC)

by being sawed in two, inside a hollow log.  

 

It is believed this is referenced in Hebrews 11:37.

 

Chapters 40 through 66 would have

happened after Isaiah’s death.

 

 So who are we hearing from?

 

There are two views…

 

1.     Isaiah was a prophet with a vision who

prophetically spoke and wrote Isaiah 40-66.

 

2.     Isaiah’s prophetic disciples

took his messages and wrote.

(Isaiah 8:16, 29:10-12, 30:8-9)

 

No matter which view you take, the Messianic

fulfillment in the Book of Isaiah are incredible.

 

Isaiah spoke of dark and troubling times.

 

Those who lived in Judea,

who enjoyed prosperity and freedom

were tied together and led into exile.

 

They lost everything,

 homes, jobs, family, and friends.

 

Life today is full of darkness…

 

 The fear of Covid-19, hatred and violence,

lies, cover up, conspiracies, lack of trust in government.

 

Fear of things getting worse is real and troubling.

 

God did judge rebellion, idolatry, and injustice.

 

God is doing it again.

 

Isaiah 9:6 was written over 700

years before the Birth of Christ.

 

When Isaiah says, Merry Christmas,

 He says…

 

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 increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:6-7

 

Isaiah saw purification and judgment.

 

He also saw redemption and hope.

 

He wants you and I also to see HOPE.

 

Hope in Jesus Christ who was

born as a child, but will rule…

 

The government is on His shoulders.

 

Isaiah reminds us God is in control.

 

He sees things and announces them to

us hundreds of years before they happen.

 

 Merry Christmas!

 

 

Scripture Reading

 

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

 

6 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.

7 Of the increase 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.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

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