“…unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name 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…” – Isaiah 9:6–7 

Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:1-7

The prophet, Isaiah, lived in a time which was devastating for believers. Israel had fallen into idolatry and into every kind of evil. The northern tribes were conquered and enslaved during the life of Isaiah. The kings of Judah, increasingly, had failed to lead according to God’s law. The consequences of these sins were beginning to pile up. Isaiah’s calling was to bring many warnings, rebukes and calls to repentance to a disobedient people, and he did this faithfully.

Isaiah also, however, was given messages of comfort for the true children of God. One central theme was that the Lord had revealed that the Messiah would come. Throughout the book of Isaiah, there are clear prophecies about Him. In Isaiah 9, His identity is clearly laid out. The Messiah will be born as a child, given as a Son. He would be truly human. And yet, He would be much more than that. Isaiah knew that the Messiah would be God, with all of the attributes of God. He would be amazing, wise, almighty, eternal and the King of Kings. Isaiah described the Lord Jesus Christ in beautiful poetic language, even 700 or so years before He was born.

Imagine the comfort that this prophecy brought to disappointed believers living in dark times! We continue to hold the same hope and trust in the same prophecy that Isaiah gave, knowing that there will be no end to His peace and government.

Suggestion for prayer

Pray that governments would submit to God, and that as Christians, we would be able to live a quiet and peaceable life (1 Timothy 2:2).

Pastor Robert VanDoodewaard currently serves the Free Reformed Church in Powassan, Ontario, Canada as a minister of the gospel.