READ: Isaiah 7-12; 53; 60-66

We are all familiar with various Messianic prophecies in Isaiah, those announcing that a child would be born, but are we aware of their original context? Perhaps a quick overview would give us a newfound insight into these passages. 

The first five chapters of Isaiah serve as an indictment against the people of Judah. The ten northern tribes seceded from the two southern tribes following the death of Solomon. Judah, in the south, retained the royal lineage of David, while the northern kingdom, referred to as Israel or Ephraim, was ruled by a broken line of usurpers. While the north was completely corrupt, Judah did not fare much better and was often seduced into idolatry. 

Isaiah received his call to ministry in chapter 6 where he was caught up into the throne room of heaven. During his encounter with the holiness of God, Isaiah was brought under deep conviction, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5)! But then an angel took a burning coal from the altar, touched his mouth and declared, “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:7). When the LORD asked who He should send as His messenger to Judah, Isaiah responded, “Here I am! Send me” (Isaiah 6:9). The LORD then commissioned Isaiah with signs and prophecies, but they would only harden the hearts of the people. 

IMMANUEL

By the time we are introduced to King Ahaz in Isaiah 7, Judah has already suffered a major defeat at the hands of the northern kingdom and Syria, their allies. These two armies then began to march on Jerusalem. Ahaz panicked. In an effort to save his throne he turned to another foreign power, Assyria. He stripped the temple of its gold and silver to pay a tribute, he worshiped their pagan gods, and even sacrificed his own sons. (You can read more about Ahaz in II Kings 16 and II Chronicles 28.) 

Isaiah warned Ahaz, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all” (Isaiah 7:9b). In this he reassured the king that God would not allow his enemies to defeat him. To prove this, Isaiah offered him a sign of his own choosing, but Ahaz refused, claiming it would be wrong of him to put the LORD to the test. Ahaz was trying God’s patience. Isaiah offered a sign anyway, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). 

This is a well known verse quoted by the angel who appeared to Joseph and told him to take Mary as his wife (See Matthew 1:23). The child she was carrying was a fulfillment of this promise. But how does a prophecy fulfilled 730 years later serve as a sign to Ahaz? And why would God protect this wicked king when he refused the LORD’s help? 

Long before Ahaz, God made a promise. It was foretold in the Garden of Eden that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). Later, Abraham was promised to be the father of a miracle child, and later still, King David was assured that the Messiah would come from his royal line. Isaiah’s prophecy of a child to be born was in a long line of promises. He was simply reminding Ahaz of God’s covenant with David, a covenant Ahaz was unwilling to honor.  

This child would be called “Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” Ahaz may not have walked with God, but God would not walk away from His commitment to keep His word. 

PRINCE OF PEACE

After addressing King Ahaz, the LORD then spoke to Isaiah, “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:12-13). God is warning us not to follow the foolish decisions of Ahaz, who feared men rather than the LORD. 

God will either be a sanctuary, a stone of offense, or a stumbling block for us (Isaiah 8:14-15). If we have faith in God, it will result in peace and rest. If we blame God for our circumstances we will be controlled by bitterness. If we doubt God or ignore His instruction, we will fall for temptation. This is what happened to Ahaz, he refused to follow God’s counsel and was ensnared into a trap that would inevitably bring his own destruction. The only means of safety is in trusting the LORD. 

The faithful must bind the Word of God deep in their souls so that they will be able to weather the difficult times ahead (Isaiah 8:16-17). Faith requires waiting on the LORD. Though it may take some time, God will always keep His promises.

Isaiah’s two sons were given names as signs and warnings (Isaiah 7:3; 8:1-3, 18). Shear-jashub meant, “A remnant will return,” and Maher-shalal-hash-baz meant, “Quick to the spoils, hurry to the plunder.” These names spoke to the reality that the judgement of God would be imminent and swift. However, He would preserve those faithful few. 

In continuing with the the same prophecy of a child’s birth from Isaiah 7:14, we then arrive at our second familiar text, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). 

Notice that it says, “To us,” a son and child is given. This is the reward for the faithful remnant binding God’s Word deep in their hearts and resting in the promises. He will be the Wonderful Counselor, guiding His people along the way that pleases the Father. He will be the Mighty God who holds all of the power of creation in His hands. He will be the Everlasting Father, co-equal, co-existent, and co-eternal with God. He will be the Prince of Peace who bears the weight of government upon His shoulder, bringing peace on earth through perfect justice and righteousness. God Himself will fulfill these promises by His own power, “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7b). 

SHOOT FROM THE STUMP OF JESSE

The next section details the inevitable judgment of Israel, Judah, and Assyria (Isaiah 9:8-10:34). In fact, all of the kingdoms of this world will fail and be brought to ruin. God will not allow evil to go unpunished. The prophetic imagery described their judgement as a forest being chopped down (Isaiah 10:33-34). Each tree depicted a different kingdom. None would be able to stand against the judgment of God. 

But there is a glimmer of hope for the faithful remnant. Isaiah 11:1 describes a shoot that comes from the stump of Jesse. David was the son of Jesse, therefore this new growth would come from his line. Even though the Davidic Kingdom appeared to be cut off with the judgement of Judah, it would not stop God from keeping His promise. Later this new branch is described as the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10). How could the Messiah be both the root and the shoot? Because this is no ordinary heir to the throne. Jesus is the physical descendant of David, but also the divine LORD who made the initial covenant with David. 

While God protected Ahaz’ throne, He did not spare the wicked king and the people from their judgement. Ahas lost everything he was desperate to protect, but God preserved hope even in the midst of Judah’s destruction. This serves as a stirring reminder not to put our trust in the kingdoms of this world, but to seek first the Kingdom of God. 

MAN OF SORROWS

Continuing the theme of a shoot from the stump, the Messiah is described as a young plant growing from the dry ground (Isaiah 53:2). This new life out of a devastated wasteland, however, would have a tragic storyline. The Savior would become the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3).

The prophecy of Isaiah is utterly striking in how it predicts the suffering of Jesus, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed..and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6). 

This was how the Suffering Servant would bring us peace on earth and peace with God. Jesus was born to go to the cross in order to atone for our sins, suffer our punishment, and bear the wrath of God. Without the Man of Sorrows, we would not be able to have a relationship with the Father. 

REDEEMER 

Finally, Isaiah 60-66 describes the New Heaven and New Earth. The LORD is called Savior, Redeemer, and Mighty One of Jacob (Isaiah 60:16b). In this vision of the future the forest is repopulated with mighty oak trees (Isaiah 61:3). We will rule and reign with Christ in perfect harmony in this new creation. 

Luke tells us that at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry He went into the synagogue in His home town of Nazareth and read from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor” (Isaiah 61:1-2a, Luke 4:18-19). Then, Jesus sat down and declared, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:20b). Jesus put Himself right at the center of this promise, declaring Himself to be the Redeemer, the Messiah. 

This prophecy of the New Heaven and New Earth is repeated by the Apostle John at the end of Revelation, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, and we wait patiently for Christ’s return when the totality of this promise will be finally realized. 

Isaiah allows us to look back at how these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ birth. He is the heir to David’s throne, born of the virgin Mary. These passages give us great comfort and joy, but they are also written to provide us with hope. Jesus has promised that He will return. As Christians, we wait with longing anticipation for the second Advent. Come, Lord Jesus, come.