Lesson Five • Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7
Jeannie Yates
It can be difficult to navigate the holiday season; especially when you get families together. You are supposed to avoid talking about controversial topics, but there is always that one person that just will not let it go! I saw a meme that said it well, “Mom always said don’t discuss religion, politics, or money. Seems as though the fanatics, politicians, and rich people failed to get the memo; they won’t stop talking!”
What comes to mind when you hear the word “government”? You immediately think of peace and tranquility, right? No, we usually think of division, arguments, dishonesty, and scandals. This is not anything new. Mankind has been arguing about who was or should be in charge ever since the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3. Kings and rulers can never seem to consistently govern with peace and justice. Only One can shoulder that responsibility. Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
In “The Bible Exposition Commentary,” Warren Wiersbe writes, “Isaiah 9:6 declares both the humanity (‘A Child is born’) and the deity (‘A Son is given’) of the Lord Jesus Christ. The prophet then leaps ahead to the Kingdom Age when Messiah will reign in righteousness and justice from David’s throne (Revelation 20). If His name is ‘Wonderful,’ then there will be nothing dull about His reign! As Counselor, He has the wisdom to rule justly and as the Mighty God, He has the power to execute His wise plans.”
We read more about the reign of the Messiah in Jeremiah 23:5, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” Jeremiah adds “Our Righteousness” to the list of titles foretold of Jesus in Isaiah chapter 9.
I long for the day when our wise, just, and righteous King takes His rightful place. I do not know about you, but that sounds like the type of government that we could talk about at the holiday dinner table! Until that day, we are not left in the dark. We are not supposed to sit on the bench and wait; our King has given us the job of Kingdom building. Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) says, “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”