Friday
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation, and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For unto 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. 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.
(Isaiah 9:2-7, NIV)
In the middle of the prophet Isaiah’s warning to Judah not to fear attack by the kings of Aram (Syria) and the northern kingdom of Israel (7:7-9), and immediately before his announcement concerning God’s judgment against Israel (9:8ff.), Isaiah proclaims the birth of a child. The baby boy, a royal son, will sit on King David’s throne and will rule with justice and righteousness. Isaiah’s powerful image of a kingdom of shalom that will never end has been firmly planted in the minds of many of us because of the chorus in Handel’s “Messiah.” Yet have we noticed the political terminology used by Isaiah, or his image of political authority resting on the shoulders of the promised King?
The four titles used by Isaiah in this well-known passage are not like normal Old Testament personal names, but refer to different dimensions of Christ’s kingship over all of creation. What will distinguish this king from other kings? He will establish justice and righteousness and then will maintain them. He is ruler of a kingdom of shalom, in which peace is intimately linked to justice and righteousness.
And to make sure that his people will believe the promises of God contained in this prophecy, Isaiah adds this guarantee: “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Prayer
Lord Almighty, the One who controls the course of history and who raises up and brings down nations, we thank you for the prophecy about your Son, who came into our world to establish a kingdom of justice and peace, in which we can participate now in part and someday experience in its fullness. Amen.