Meditation

Hi there,

Today's passage, the third in the series of nine, is titled "The prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour," which is drawn from Isaiah chapter 9 and will be very familiar to us as his famous prophecy of the birth of Christ confirmed in ​Matthew Chapter 4.​

The authors of the service joined verses 2 to verses 6 and 7, omitting verses 3-5. I have left them in here for context as they speak of His great victory over sin and death. So we see not just who he is but also what he has done...and for whom.

This context aside, I'll make one further point before you copy out today's very brief section. Isaiah is prophesying a state of affairs that has not yet happened. Written in 733 BC, Isaiah gives us a prophecy about the coming invasion and the ultimate fall of the Northern Kingdom, an event which happens eleven years later, and then he gives us a prophecy about the Lord's rescue and salvation of that people 700 years later.

So certain are these future events that they are recalled in the past and present tense.

Today's passage is Isaiah 9: 2-5 (and are highlighted in black)

Tomorrow's passage will be verses 6-7. I have included them today to give you the flow of the full passage.

Isaiah 9

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Encouragement

These prophesies recall actual historical events, but the prophet is clear that the fall of the northern kingdom isn't an arbitrary event brought about by the whims of the Assyrians.

All of the Northern Kingdom's kings had followed false Gods. Isaiah is announcing God's judgment through the Assyrian invaders because of the sin of idolatry in the Northern Kingdom.

All our day-to-day misfortunes are rooted in sin.

Andy

God's Word in Your Hand

This week's readings are accompanied by this video of favorite carols from England. The first image as you click through is of Canterbury Cathedral. My home town.

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