Jesus Christ in the Old Testament: He Rules!
Isaiah 9.6-7
Introduction:
No one can afford the price of war. One website reports 64 nations are currently involved in armed conflicts. When and how will they end? We want peace, but not at the expense of justice.
Jesus was born during a time of “peace,” but it came at the cost of heavy-handed oppression. The Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”) existed only because Rome squashed all dissent.
Seven centuries before that time of relative peace, hostile armies prepared to invade Jerusalem. From the shadow of war, God made a remarkable pronouncement. “On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned,” the prophet declared (Isaiah 9:2). “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . . . Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end” (vv. 6-7). Matthew tells us that Isaiah’s prophecy found fulfillment in the Christ-child (Matthew 1:22-23)
We adore the tiny baby in the manger scene. Yet that helpless babe is also the Lord Almighty, “the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (Isaiah 13:13 NLT). He will one day “reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness” (9:7). Such a regime will be no oppressive Pax Romana. It will be the reign of the Prince of Peace.
We can never sufficiently thank the LORD for the Lord Jesus Christ who came to bring us peace with You through His death and resurrection. He will rule in both peace and righteousness.
Source: Tim Gustafson Our Daily Bread
Thesis: The Lamb Of God Is Also The Lion Of Judah.
I. The Government Will Be His 6
6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given
A. God Has Given Us A Child 6a
1. The historical/cultural context (this text/prophecy is for Judah)
a. The LORD tells us in Isaiah 1.1 the scope and duration of Isaiah’s prophecy
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
—Isaiah 1.1
i. The scope – this is a vision from the LORD GOD himself
ii. The duration – thru the reign of four Judean Kings
a. Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah
b. A period of about 50 years
b. During his ministry, Isaiah witnessed the genocide of his people Israel in 722BC at the hands of the Assyrians.
2. Some scholars believe that the Son/Child Isaiah was speaking of was the child of King Ahaz
a. But when Ahaz was told to ask the LORD for a sign, he refused.
b. The LORD gave a sign anyway!
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
—Isaiah 7:14
c. No son of Ahaz was Virgin-Born!
3. The Son in Isaiah 7.14 and the Son in Isaiah 9.6 are the same person!
a. Jesus Christ!
b. But His Virgin Birth and full fulfillment of this particular prophecy were still over 700 years distant at the time!
B. God Has Given Him The Government 6b
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
1. So I have a rhetorical question, “If Jesus is the Virgin Born Son of God who fulfilled all these prophecies…
a. Why didn’t he boot the Romans out of Israel?”
b. Turn the world back into a theocracy with himself as it’s only and rightly KING?”
2. Did you know this is one of the major stumbling blocks for Jewish people?
a. If Jesus is the Messiah, why didn’t he wipe out Rome and every genocidal monster since them?
b. Would you be surprised if I told you Jesus answered that question during His earthly ministry?
And Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." And they marveled at Him.
—Mark 12:17
C. God Has Given Him Wonderful Names 6c
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
1. And His name will be called Wonderful
a. A marvel.
b. An extraordinary wonder.
c. Something so amazing it is hard to comprehend.
d. A wonder of God’s acts of judgment and redemption.
e. That’s his first name!
2. His name will be called Counselor
a. Someone who advises, consults, counsels, purposes, devises, and plans.
b. This name sounds a lot like the Holy Spirit, but this is JESUS!
3. His name will be called Prince of Peace (this is where people get uncomfortable – Jesus is God)
a. He is the Sar Shalom – the Prince of Peace.
b. He is the Captian, Chief Ruler, general, LORD of Peace.
c. Define Peace
i. Peace is not the absence of war.
ii. Rather it is completeness, soundness, welfare, safety, welfare, health, prosperity, tranquility, and contentment.
4. His name will be called Everlasting Father
a. The definition of everlasting here is one of continuous existence.
b. Father God
5. His name will be called Mighty God
a. Gibbor (mightiest) el (One and only God)
b. God Almighty
D. Application To The Church
1. Names not only have meaning, but have roles as well.
a. Anyone could have been called child
b. Half of the population could have been called son
2. But only one person in all of time could wear these monikers.
a. Wonderful
b. Counselor
c. Mighty God
d. Everlasting Father
e. Prince of Peace
Illustration
II. The Government Will Be Holy 7
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,
A. Has There Ever Been A Holy Government? 7a
1. No! That is a contradiction of terms!
2. But! I think there were four times when it was close!
a. The government of Israel under the leadership of Moses.
b. The government of Israel under the leadership of Joshua. (Same name as Jesus)
c. The government of Israel under the leadership of David.
d. The government of Israel under the leadership of Solomon.
B. There Is A Government, Yet Future, That Will Be Holy 7b
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.
1. Jesus Christ is called the Son of David fourteen times in the NT.
2. Isaiah here indicates that the Son we find in his book in Chapters 7 and 9 is that Son of David.
3. He will ascend his father’s throne and rule ALL kingdoms in this manner:
a. With true justice and judgment
b. When the Messianic Kingdom of Jesus Christ is establish, time will cease to exist and He will rule throughout eternity!
C. This Government Is Founded Upon The Zeal Of The LORD Of Hosts 7c
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
1. Look at the word Lord – it is in all caps meaning this is the proper name of the one true God. (YHWH)(I AM that I AM)
2. LORD of Hosts
a. Technically this is the LORD of the Armies.
b. I really like the GWV that translates it as the LORD of the Angel Armies.
D. Application To The Church - Recap (Not Repreach)
1. The government will be His
a. The LORD has given us a Child/Son.
b. The LORD has given Him that government.
c. The LORD has given Him wonderful names.
2. His government will be holy
a. No government has yet been holy.
b. A coming government will be holy.
c. That government will be holy due to the zeal of the LORD of the Angel Armies.
3. This sermon was supposed to be about the Son – not his government
a. If you know Jesus, you will have a place in his Kingdom.
b. If you DON’T Jesus, he will say to you
And then I will confess to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you who work iniquity!’
—Matthew 7:23
III. Conclusion
