“Prophets and the Hope of Salvation”
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned...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 greatness 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 9:2,6-7
Background:
- Tradition first recorded late 400s
- Week 1 Hope
- The OT Prophets Waited in Hope of a Messiah
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned...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 greatness 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 9:2,6-7
Tradition of Wreath 1839 Lutheran
The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the "Prophet’s Candle." The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival.
- Diagnosis à Isaiah 8:19-22
8:19 When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. 21 Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.”
- Told to listen to other voices: you should consult God
- Find His instructions and warnings
- Notice who says something different than what is found in God’s word
- They will find themselves desperate, and will then blame their condition on God
- They will bring Judgement upon themselves
- This was historically spoken to the people of God
- Foretold – Confirmation of the Message: Historical, Powerful, Spiritual à Isaiah 9:1
9:1 “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
- Confirmation has a historic context
- Confirmation, especially for the OT prophets came with truth – even about the future [not primarily about the future]
- Lands of Jacobs sons conquered by Assyria and humbled in former times
- Would bring hope from a land that was a crossroads and a melting pot, because of location and trade routes in the North
- The Way Forward – Message of Hope à Isaiah 9:2-3
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
- A promise to Israel
- A promise to the gentiles – in greater darkness
- Enlarged their nation – beyond borders and ethnicity (a promise to all nations)
An End to Tyranny and War à Isaiah 9:4-5
4 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.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
- God’s power overwhelms the oppressor
- God’s power overwhelms sin (corporate judgement, downfall or even use to bring judgement)
- God’s power overwhelms sins effect (personal)
- The implements of war will be burned
- The memory of struggle will be no more
The Child of God à Isaiah 9:6
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.
- The beauty of a savior fortold
- Promises for now
- Promises for a future
- He has done it
The Rule of God à Isaiah 9:7a
7 Of the greatness 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.
- Promises of a future
- Greatness and peace without end
- Justice and Righteousness without end
- Just as foretold
The Passion of God à Isaiah 9:7b
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 8:19–9:7
- He has done it
- Confirmed: Fulfilled, The Message Today à Romans 8:14-16
Confirmed By His Spirit
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Romans 8:14–16
- Hope
- Because of what God Has Said
- Because of what God Has Done
- Because of God’s Spirit at Work
