DBG - August 1 - Isaiah 9-13

In this chapter we have hope of the Messiah set against the threat of judgment.

vs. 1-7 – Against the backdrop of judgment in the previous chapter now God reveals rays of hope.  The territory of Zebulon and Naphtali in Galilee were the first to feel Assyria’s wrath, but they would be the first to see the light of the Messiah.  Matthew 4:15-16 points to Christ’s early ministry as fulfillment of these opening verses.  The two-fold work of the Messiah is celebrated: His victory over sin and His later victory over the enemies of Israel.  This would come because the Christ Child was born in vs. 6-7.  No man has ever born such wonderful titles as He. 

vs. 8-12 – The focus now changes to the coming judgment against the Kingdom of Israel.  Their pride was so great that they expected to rebuild their nation bigger and stronger if they fell.  God would however destroy them using foreign armies. 

vs. 13-17 – The people refused to trust in God and put their faith in their leaders.  These would be destroyed in judgment.

vs. 18-21 – The judgment is seen as the natural consequences of their sin.  What started as a small fire is now a raging wildfire that consumes everything in its path.  The Northern Kingdom was consuming itself as it stood against Judah.  Even though the natural consequences of their sins worked against them still God would pour out His judgment.

In this chapter Assyria’s use as an instrument of judgment is discussed as well as their defeat.

vs. 1-4 – An indictment against the sins of the wicked leaders of Israel.  These had perverted justice for personal gain.  They would fall in judgment.

vs. 5-15 – This passage deals with the question of how God could use a wicked people as His instrument of judgment.  Was He not blessing the Assyrians by using them to conquer Israel?  Was it disingenuous to use an idolatrous people to purge idolatry from the Jews?  God reveals that Assyria would face their own judgment.  Their great pride would be humbled when the nations turned against them and Babylon surpassed them in 612 B.C., about 125 years in the future.

vs. 16-19 – Description of the downfall of Assyria.  So few would be left that a child would be able to count them.  Note that the downfall is tied to their conquest of Israel.

vs. 20-23 – Israel would not be completely destroyed as the Assyrians would be.  God would preserve a remnant through the years that would come when they would be exiles in Assyria, Babylonia, and Persia.  A precious few would return to the Promised Land that the promises of God would not be void.

vs. 24-27 – Words of encouragement for Judah.  Assyria would not defeat them.  God would deliver the Southern Kingdom from them though they destroyed the Northern Kingdom.

vs. 28-32 – The progress southward of the Assyrian army is described as they approach Jerusalem.  The cities mentioned mark a path from Aiath near Bethel to Nob just northeast of Jerusalem.  The route is less than ten miles through the hill country.  At Nob the Assyrians would threaten Jerusalem but not conquer it.

vs. 33-34 – The fall of Assyria about 38 years later in II Kings 19:35-37 is described.

In this chapter we see beyond judgment to the coming Messiah and His Kingdom.

vs. 1-5 – The Kingdom of Judah would stop with the Babylonian conquest is 586 B.C. but it would begin again.  Just as a tree that is cut down may produce new shoots, so would David’s line be renewed in the Messiah.  Upon the Messiah would be the fullness of the Spirit.  His reign in the Millennial Kingdom would bring peace and prosperity as never before.

vs. 6-10 – The blessedness of the Millennial Kingdom is described.  The Curse of Genesis 3 is largely undone as predator and prey cease their cycle of violence.  Nature is at peace again and provides no danger toward humanity.  It is but another aspect of Christ’s Kingdom.

vs. 11-16 – The people of Israel are regathered from their diaspora.  Note that this is the “second time”.  The first is the return from the Babylonian Captivity.  This second is an aspect of the Millennial Kingdom.  The old divisions and rivalries will disappear as they unite under Christ as their Messiah and king.  All natural and political barriers to this regathering are removed.

In this chapter are the great songs of praise by Israel during the Millennial Kingdom

vs. 1 – The setting of the song is the restoration of Israel as they embrace Christ as their Messiah.

vs. 2-3 – The reason for the song is the salvation of the Lord in delivering Israel from judgment and raising them in the Kingdom.

vs. 4-5 – The praises are directed at God for His marvelous works.

vs. 6 – Celebration toward Christ as the Messiah-King in their midst. 

In this chapter the downfall of Babylon is foreseen.

vs. 1-5 – Reese’s Chronological Bible dates this prophecy to 717 B.C.  It looks at the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian empire in Daniel 5:30 which took place in 539 B.C.  The means of the fall is revealed as the stirring up of other nations against them, exactly as history records.

vs. 6-16 – The judgement against Babylon is vividly described.  The language here could be seen as figurative or as prophetic.  I think there is connection made between this fall of historical Babylon and the fall of spiritual Babylon in Revelation 17-18.

vs. 17-22 – The ruthless conquest of Babylon by the Medo-Persians in described.  Babylon faded from importance, especially after the death of Alexander the Great.  Roman writers within a century of Christ’s earthly ministry describe it as a “wasteland” (Strabo) and a “desert” (Pliny).  As I have stated before in similar settings, do not get too preoccupied trying to determine the exact species of the wild beasts mentioned here as they take up residence in the ruins of Babylon.  This is not a scientific statement but a poetic description. 

I cannot say I am much of an artist, but I do enjoy trying my hand at painting.  I was in part inspired to give it a try because of Bob Ross’s television program.  There are many “rules” that painters follow to help produce the best final product.  One of these is to paint your dark colors first and finish with the brightest highlights.  I do not understand completely why this works, but it does help your contrasts to be more vivid.  Why am I talking about painting?  Because that same rule of painting the brightest highlights over the darkest tones is common in prophecy.  God often lays a foundation of the blackest night of judgment, but then adds shining rays of hope over it.  Rarely does He leave His people without hope.

“The Race That Long in Darkness Pined” was written by John Morison in 1781 and is a paraphrase of Isaiah 9:2-8.  In most modern settings the word “race” in the opening line is replaced by other words such as “people” or “souls”. 

The race that long in darkness pined,
have seen a glorious light;
The people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death’s surrounding night.

To hail thy rise, thou better Sun!
the gath’ring nations came,
Joyous, as when the reapers bear
the harvest treasures home.

For thou our burden hast remov’d,
and quelled th’ oppressor’s sway,
Quick as the slaughtered squadrons fell
in Midian’s evil day.

To us a Child of hope is barn;
to us a Son is giv’n;
Him shall the tribes of earth obey,
him all the hosts of heav’n.

His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored,
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord.

His pow’r increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know;
Justice shall guard his throne above,
and peace abound below.