Dec 6 - Unto Us A Child is Born

Unto Us a Child is Born

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

by Debbie Stauffer

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

Key Verse:

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. Isaiah 9:6

 

I cannot read these verses about Christ being born without  hearing Handel's "Messiah" playing in my head!  I have so many wonderful memories of going to "The Messiah" at our community performances & at our church.  It is the iconic classical Christmas event (kind of like watching the iconic Christmas movie  "It's a Wonderful Life" each year!).  But in preparation for writing this devotional, I delved deeper into the assigned Scriptures to see what nuggets are there, & to see if I could gain more understanding of what Isaiah was prophesying. 

Isaiah, whose name means "salvation of the Lord," was a prophet approximately 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  His book is about both judgment and hope.  He began his ministry about 20 years before Assyria invaded and conquered the northern 10 tribes of Israel.  God called him to also warn little Judah (the southern two tribes of Israel that weren't conquered by Assyria) that judgment would come to them, too, if they didn't repent.  But, there would be healing to come.

Isaiah was able to paint word pictures that helped the people see better what he was telling them.  Despite the fact that the people were living in great darkness, very difficult times, Isaiah reminded them of good things:  when they were brought into the Promised Land and became a nation; what it's like to have a great harvest; what it's like to win in battle; and  how God gave Gideon victory over the Midianites with clay pots & torches.  Isaiah then goes on to tell of how these boots & garments used in war will be burned as fuel for the fire, because a great day is coming!

For to us a child is born (Christ will come as a human), to us a Son is given (Christ is God, fully divine), and the government will be on his shoulders (after His Second Coming).  Then we have these beautiful descriptions of Christ:  Wonderful Counselor (He is wisdom-we can seek Him for the right answers to every question); Mighty God (All Powerful, All Knowing, Present Everywhere); Everlasting Father (Eternal--no beginning, no ending); Prince of Peace (we can have His peace now when we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, but after His Second Coming, there will be true peace on earth).  

Isaiah goes on to say:  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end (this again shows the Eternality of Christ's reign that will be instituted after His Second Coming).  He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom (this refers to what the Angel Gabriel told Mary when he announced that she was going to give birth to the Messiah. Gabriel said, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1: 31-33)  Again, Isaiah describes what Christ's rule will be like.  It will be established (set in place), & He will uphold it with justice (perfect wisdom and holiness) and righteousness (His Truth) & it will be established forever.  The Zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this (God's fervor and  determination will accomplish this).

In summation, during a very dark time (similar to today's world) God promised to send His Son as a light into the world to show mankind the way to Him.  The first part of Isaiah's prophesy has been accomplished by Jesus being born in Bethlehem.  The second part of his prophecy is yet to be accomplished.  We can be assured that God will fulfill what He promised:  that during a very dark time, Christ will come again, conquer evil, and establish His Millennial Kingdom with Him on earth.  Then, the whole world will experience the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of  Peace!  Come Lord Jesus!!!!

Have a wonderful Christmas remembering  that the amazing gift of the Baby Jesus in the manger is also the amazing gift of the One who will bring us peace on earth when He comes again in all His glory!

Let Me Serve You – St. Theresa of Avila

Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you in the way you will and not as I choose. Let me die to myself so that I may serve you; let me live to you who are life itself. Amen.