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Book of Isaiah

Isaiah Chapter 9

This chapter contains a tremendous prophecy, partly to comfort the church and people of God, against the calamities predicted in Chapter 8, and partly of the punishment to be inflicted upon the ungodly Israelites by their enemies.

The Comfort promised comes from the appearance of Christ, the great light, in some certain places of the land mentioned, said before to be afflicted (vs.1), which would bring joy to them; illustrated by certain symbols: by the joy in harvest, and at the dividing of spoils (vs.3), the reason of which is a deliverance from a burdensome yoke of tyranny and bondage, brought about differently from all other salvations, which are usually obtained with noise and war (vs.5), the Author of which is the Messiah; who is described by His Birth as Man, and by His divine Sonship as God; or by His unique Person, having two natures united in Him; and by the government entrusted to Him, by His several different Names, which express the greatness and glory of His Person and Office; and by the increase and rule of His government (vs.6), which follows with a condemnation of judgment on Israel (vs.8), and the persons described that would suffer, high and low, rich and poor, young and old (vs.14). The reasons of it, their making light of former corrections, their impenitence and hardness under chastenings (vs.13), their going astray because of their leaders; and their hypocrisy and wickedness (vs.16), all of which would bring down the wrath of God to burn against them, and consume them and through hunger and want of provisions, they would destroy one another (vs.20).

Theme: Prophecy of the Child coming to David's throne and the dark days attending His First Coming and preceding His Second Coming

This chapter is one with which Christians are usually familiar because of the prophecy concerning the Coming Child, who is Christ Jesus.

The words found in Isaiah Chapters 7-12, contains prophecies that Isaiah made during the reign of Ahaz. Ahaz was the one bad king that reigned during the period in which Isaiah prophesied. Isaiah began to prophesy at the death of Uzziah, who was a good king and reigned for fifty-two years (2 Ki.15:32; 2 Chron.26:3). The next king was Jotham, Uzziah's son, who was also a good king. The next king was Ahaz, the grandson of Uzziah and the son of Jotham, who was a bad king and a very deceptive one besides. It was during the reign of Ahaz that Isaiah made these prophecies concerning the Messiah. It was a dark period in the history of the nation of Israel.

The Hope of Israel (9:1-7)

Isaiah 9:1  Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. (KJV)

Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation . . . some interpret this to be the king of Assyria: for there shall be no weariness to him that afflicts . . . others understand it of Titus Vespasian, who would not be weary of, but unrelenting in carrying on the siege of Jerusalem, and in distressing the Jews in all parts.
When at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali . . . either by Pul, king of Assyria, in the reign of Menahem king of Israel (2 Ki.15:19), or rather by Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, in the reign of Pekah king of Israel, since by him Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali, were carried captive (2 Ki.15:29), which at the time of this prophecy was past, and was but a light affliction when compared with what followed.
And afterwards did more grievously afflict her . . . by Shalmaneser king of Assyria, in the reign of Hoshea, king of Israel, who took Samaria, and carried Israel (or the ten tribes) into captivity, from where they did not return, and yet it is suggested, that the tribulation and distress that would come upon the Jews by the Romans would be greater than the heaviest of these; and that there would be no fleeing, no escape, not of any, as at those times mentioned, but that the wrath of God would come upon them to the uttermost, and especially in the following places.
By the way of the sea . . . which some understand to be the Mediterranean Sea, and of that part of the land of Israel which lay next it; but others seem to think this to be the sea of Tiberias or Galilee.  
Beyond Jordan . . . a part of the land of Israel so called (Mat.4:25).
In Galilee of the nations . . . which was inhabited not only by Jews, but by people of other nations, and therefore so called. Places such as these suffered much in the wars between the Jews and the Romans, by skirmishes, sieges, robberies, plunders. Some interpreters understand all this, as if it would be less than in former times; but it is certain that it was to be, greater tribulation than has ever been known to man (Mat.24:21). This speaks of the last days.

***** The first words of this chapter clearly refer to the close of Chapter 8, where everything looked black and gloomy. Trouble, darkness and dimness are bad, yet not so bad, that to the upright there shall arise light in the darkness (Ps.112:4), and at evening time it shall be light (Zec.14:7). But it shall not be such dimness as sometimes there had been. In the worst of times God's people always have a tremendous Comfort within themselves (Rom.8:9), something to calm and relieve their troubles . . . they may be persecuted, but not forsaken (2 Cor.4:9), they may at times feel sorrow yet they always rejoice (2 Cor.6:10). It should be a matter of comfort to us, when things are at the darkest, that He who forms the light and creates the darkness (Isa.45:7) has appointed to both their bounds and set the one over against the other (Job 26:10). The LORD can tell the dimness to go away, or to stay, and He can tell it how long it shall last, that it go no further. What an awesome God we have!

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. (KJV)

The people that walked in darkness . . . I do not think this means the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, in the times of Hezekiah, when Sennacherib besieged them, as some interpret it; and much less the people of Israel in Egypt, as others interpret it . . . but instead, Galilee in the times of Christ (Mat.4:16; Jn.1:48), and is a true character of ALL people of God before conversion, who are in a state of darkness, under the power of sin, imprisoned in their unbelief. They are in total ignorance of their condition of sin, and the eternal danger they are exposed to by that sin. They have NO desire of divine and spiritual things; NO desire of the grace of God; of the way of peace, life and salvation by Christ, and of the work of His Holy Spirit; and of the Truths of the Gospel. They are in darkness, and so they walk in darkness.
Have seen a great light . . . Christ Himself, who spoke among the Galilaeans, preached unto them, and caused the light of His glorious Gospel to shine into many of their hearts. Only when a person SEES Christ . . . can their darkness be removed.  Not only did they see Christ, this Great Light, with their bodily eyes, but with the eyes of their understanding! Christ Jesus may be called the Light (Jn.1:5, 9), because He is the Author and Giver of all light. He is the sun, the greatest light, the sun of righteousness, the light of the world, both of Jews and Gentiles; He is the only true light, in opposition to all false ones, and who in His Person IS God.
http://www.godcannotlie.org/is_jesus_god.htm  
They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death . . . as Galilee might be called, because it was a poor, miserable and uncomfortable place, from where no good came; and this character correctly describes God's people in a state of stubborn unregenerate hearts, who are dead in Adam, dead in law, and dead in trespasses and sins, where they dwell and abide in this state, until the grace of God brings them out of it (Jn.12:44-46; Eph.2:8-9).
Upon them hath the light shined . . . Christ in human nature, through the ministration of His Gospel, by His spirit, so as to enlighten them who walk in darkness, and to quicken them who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, and to comfort them in their desolate estate. See more on GALILEE in Special Comments at the end of this chapter.

*****It is clear that the people in Galilee were despised because they were in the darkness of paganism and religious tradition, as SO many people today! That is one place where the Old Testament and paganism from the outside were mingled and mixed. When the Lord Jesus began His ministry in that area, the people DID see a Great Light. They saw the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the world (Jn.1:4-9; 3:19).
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (KJV) . . . This was fulfilled at the First Coming of Christ (Lk.2). I think that the first two verses of Chapter 9 refer to our Lord's First Coming.

So, to what do the following verses refer? Some Bible commentators think that there is an interval (a break, a pause) between verses 2 and 3, so that while the first two verses refer to Christ's First Coming, verse 3 refers to His Second Coming (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21).  

Isaiah 9:3 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. (KJV)

Thou hast multiplied the nation . . . with light, knowledge, honor and glory, even Galilee of the nations (vs.1) before mentioned, the land of darkness and of the shadow of death (Job 10:21-22; Jer.2:31), where the people dwelt; on whom Christ, the Light (Isa.42:6; Lk.2:2; Acts 13:47; Jn.1:9; 8:12), shone in the care of His Gospel to them, mainly the rapid increase of Israelites after the return from Babylon; and more fully, the rapid spread of Christianity at first.
They joy before thee . . . before thee is a phrase taken from sacrificial feasts; the tithe of harvest was eaten before God (Deut.12:7; 14:26); the words, both in this and in the preceding clauses, are addressed to God, and show that as the work of conversion, the increase of spiritual joy are from Him; so that joy that is given by Him is expressed before Him, and it is in His sight, and means the truth and sincerity of that joy.  
According to the joy in harvest . . . such joy as is expressed by men in harvest time, both by the rich owners and managers, when they have a good harvest, and by the poor, who have a prospect of a comfortable supply. Christ and His ministers are sowers of seed, of the Word of God (Mat.13:3-8); and hearers of the word are compared to seed sown in different places (Mat.13:18:23); and when any number of these are converted, it is a harvest which occasions great joy (        Mat.9:37-38).
And as men rejoice when they divide the spoil . . . taken in war: also in redemption when Christ has taken the prey from the mighty, and delivered the lawful captive, and has divided the spoil with the strong; and an effective calling binds the strong man armed, and spoils his goods, and delivers souls out of his hands, and this is matter of great joy (Isa.53:12;Ps.119:162). Divide the spoil refers to the judgments on the enemies of the Lord and His people, which usually accompany revelations of His grace.

*****The nation had been greatly multiplied and the people were more religious, but their joy was gone. They had much religion, but they did NOT have Christ.

It seems that the interval between verses 2 and 3, has already been two thousand years. Why didn't Isaiah give any prophecy about this period? I think it is because during this time period, God is calling out the church which was NOT known to Isaiah. Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (KJV)

I think that Paul makes it very clear that the prophets passed over that which they did not see, as Isaiah does in Chapter 9. In Isaiah Chapter 63, we see where Isaiah passes over a period of time that is two thousand years long. The people in Isaiah's day had no idea about the church, it was a mystery to them. But today the church has been revealed and that interval is filled in. This makes it clear that the rest of this chapter refers to the nation Israel, and the nation that was multiplied was the nation over which Ahaz was king. Consider that Paul says it was made known to all nations for the obedience of faith (Rom.16:26, above). The revelation of the church was for a different group of worshipers. Isaiah was speaking ONLY to one nation, his own nation of Israel. For more on MYSTERY, see Special Comments at the end of this chapter.

Isaiah 9:4 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. (KJV)

For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden . . . of Galilee, of the nation multiplied, of the spiritual inhabitants of it, whose joy was increased; and this is one of the reasons for it, because they were delivered by the LORD from the burdensome yoke of the ceremonial law, which was broken off and abolished by Christ; and from the tyranny of Satan, the god of this world (2 Cor.4:4), out of whose hands they were ransomed and delivered; and from the dominion of sin (Rom.6:14), under the power of which they had been kept in bondage.
And the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor . . . different sayings express the same thing; the bondage and slavery of the law, sin and Satan. (        Jn.8:34; Acts 8:23; Rom.6:16; 7:14; 8:2; gal.2:4; 4:3; 1 Tim.3:7; 2 Tim.2:26; Heb.2:14-15; 2 Pet.2:19).
As in the day of Midian . . . when Gideon got an entire victory over the Midianites, with just a few unarmed men, by the sound of trumpets, and breaking of pitchers (Judg,7:16), and may mean the easy manner in which Christ obtained a conquest over all His and our enemies (Rev.19:11-21). We are freed from our bondage to spiritual enemies . . . by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, compared to the blowing of trumpets; and which is a Treasure put into earthen vessels (2 Cor.4:7), frail and weak men.

*****When will the burden be broken? Only ONE answer! It will be broken when Christ Jesus Comes again (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21).

Why is it that Israel has NO peace today? Because they rejected the TRUE Messiah!

Why are they afflicted and troubled on their every border? Because God said they would be (Zec.12:2). http://www.godcannotlie.org/zec_ch12.htm
They are having all this trouble because they rejected the only One who can bring them peace, the TRUE Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ . . . Whom they rejected! The power of their oppressor will NOT be broken until the Lord Returns!

Isaiah 9:5 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. (KJV)

For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise . . . every battle, every armored warrior in the noise of battle, all warlike tools of the trade shall be destroyed, as no longer required in the new era of peace (Isa.2:4; 11:6-9; Ps.46:9; Eze.39:9; Mic.4:1-4; 5:5, 10-12; Zec.9:9-10).
And garments rolled in blood . . . the military garment (cloak) rolled in blood, shall be for burning, and fuel for fire of them that were slain in battle. Garments rolled in blood, which shall be for burning, the fuel of fire, shall be utterly consumed; and so there shall be NO more war, only perpetual peace in the Kingdom of Christ!  
But this shall be with burning and fuel of fire . . . some refer this to the sudden destruction of the Midianites, which was as soon over as with any combustible matter that is burnt with fire. Others say this was to the quick and easy conquest that Christ obtained over sin, Satan, the world and death. And there are some who think that this of the destruction of the devil, his angels, of the devil’s Antichrist, and all wicked men by fire at the last day (Rev.20:10-15).

*****Israel has a Messiah whom they have rejected. He is the Prince of Peace, and He is the only One who can bring peace to this greatly troubled and persecuted people. While these verses do complete the thought of verse 3, they also look to the last days, beyond the immediate time . . . on into the Great Tribulation period. This terrible Tribulation time (Mat.24:21), shall take place immediately following the Rapture of the saints (1 Thes.4:13-18) which is the next prophesied event on God’s calendar! http://hisservants.org/end_times_events_h_s.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_signs_rapture.htm
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/noah_end_times_what_happens.html

Having spoken of the glorious light, joy and victory of God’s people, Isaiah now proceeds to show the ground for it, and by what Person these things are obtained.

Isaiah 9:6 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. (KJV)

For unto us . . . unto us, the Jews, of whom Christ was born (Jn.1:11), and to whom He was primarily sent (Mat.15:24; Lk.2:11), for their (and our) benefit.
A Child . . . the TRUE Messiah, not only for Christians, but the Jews! The ancient Hebrew doctors understood this, while the later Jews, because of great opposition to Christ, thought it to be Hezekiah; which is extravagant conceit, as it has absolutely NO foundation whatsoever in this or any other text of Scripture; and it is fully refuted by the following Titles of Jesus! For such Titles as these, would have been utter blasphemy and garbage to be ascribed to Hezekiah, or to any mere mortal man. BUT all the following facts do truly and exactly agree to Christ Jesus.  
Is born . . . or shall be born, as the prophets generally speak.
Unto us a son is given . . . Isaiah determines the sex of the child. The Son, of the virgin of whom Isaiah spoke before (Isa.7:14).  A son given . . . (Ps.2:7), God's free Gift, on which man had no claim. Is given, means Christ, God’s only begotten Son, and is an absolutely FREE Gift graciously given to us by God the Father (Jn.3:16; Rom.6:23; Eph.2:8-9). Other children also are said to be given by God (Gen.30:6; 48:9), but NOT in this exceptional manner, and therefore Jesus is called the gift of God  (Jn.4:10; Rom.8:32; 2 Cor.9:15; Eph.2:8).  
The government shall be upon his shoulder . . . government of Israel, or of God’s people, to whom the Messiah is given. Isaiah mentions His shoulder because great burdens are usually laid upon men’s shoulders, as are all government, if it is rightly managed. So the government (kingdom, rule), is a very heavy burden, requiring extraordinary care, diligence and self-denial. Possibly here may be also an allusion to the ancient custom of carrying the ensigns of government before the magistrate upon the shoulders of their officers; or maybe to the cross of Christ, which was laid upon His Shoulders (Jn.19:17), which also was the Way (Jn.14:6) to His everlasting Kingdom or government (Ps.14:13; Dan.4:3, 34; 7:14, 27; Lk.24:26; 2 Pet.1:11). He will reign as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev.19:16).
And his name shall be called . . . His name refers to His essential characteristics.
Wonderful . . . our awesome God does wonderful things (Ps.40:5; 78:4; 107:8, 15, 21; 111:4; 119:129; Isa.35:1; 28:29; Mat.21:15). Wonderful speaks of His Person and His work.
Counsellor . . . speaks of His wisdom in government; there is NO one anywhere a better Counsellor than Jesus (Ps.73:24; 119:7; Pro.8:14; Isa.11:2-4; 40:13; 48:17; 50:4; Rom.11:33-34; 1 Cor.1:24; Col.2:3). Because Christ has been the Counsellor of His church in all ages, and the Author and Giver of all those excellent counsels delivered not only by the apostles, but also by the prophets (1 Pet.1:10-11).  
The mighty God . . . the omnipotent, supreme Ruler; this title can agree to NO man anywhere at any time except JESUS, the Christ, the Messiah! Only JESUS was/is God as well as Man (Jn.1:14), to whom the title of God or Jehovah is given, both in the Old and New Testament (Jer.23:6; Jn.1:1; Rom.9:5). Mighty God (Isa.10:21; Ps.24:8; Tit.2:13). Some translate this God the mighty man. God is equal to Immanuel (Isa.7:14), God with us.
Everlasting Father . . . the Father and Source of eternity, eternal Himself (Jn.1:1-3). He confers eternal life on ALL those who believe in Him (Jn.1:12-13). There is a two-fold revelation in this Name: #1. He inhabits and possesses eternity (Isa.57:15). #2. He is a loving, compassionate, tender, an all-wise Instructor, Trainer and Provider.
This marks Christ Jesus as Wonderful, and that He was a child, yet He is the Everlasting Father (Jn.10:30; 14:7, 9, 20; 12:45; Col.1:15; Phil.2:6). ALL Earthly kings leave their people after a short reign because they die; but this King will reign over and bless them forever . . . eternally! He will NEVER die!  
Prince of Peace . . . Shalom (Shiloh, (Gen.49:10). Christ shall bring everlasting peace to the Earth (Isa.2:4; 9:7; 11:6, 9; 14:3, 7; 32:17; 33:20; 60:18; 65:25; Jer.46:27; 50:34; Hos.2:18; Mic.4:4; Zec.9:10; Lk.2:14; Eph.2:14; 1 Tim.2:2).
For more on peace (shalom), see Special Comments at the end of this chapter.

 *****I have brought the following, from our Bible Study Booklet: Is Jesus God?
Consider for a moment the Names that are given to our Lord Jesus: “Wonderful” this is not an adjective; this is a noun, His Name. People today still do not know just how wonderful Jesus is! Even Christians who have trusted Him as Saviour really do not know how wonderful He is.“Counsellor” Jesus never sought the counsel of man, and He never asked for the advice of man. Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (KJV) God has NO counsellor. Jesus NEVER had to ask anyone for help like we do. Most of us are not very smart. We must go to Him for help. “The mighty God” Jesus is the One to whom all power is given. He is the omnipotent God. Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Mat.28:18). Jesus is the Mighty God! “The everlasting Father” Jesus is the Father of eternity. This simply means that He is the Creator of all things, including time and the far-off purpose of all things. As John said, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Jesus is the Father of eternity. “The Prince of Peace,” there can be absolutely NO peace on this Earth until Jesus reigns in His Kingdom. He is going to occupy the throne of David. This shall be a literal throne which He will occupy at His Second Coming. Justice will dominate in His rule. God’s purpose, not man’s insane plans, will accomplish this. http://www.godcannotlie.org/is_jesus_god_ch4.htm

Ten Ways Isaiah Uses ‘Child’ in his writings
1. Child contrasted with ancients (Isa.3:5)
2. Isaiah's first child (Isa.7:3, 16)
3. Isaiah's second child (Isa.8:1-4)
4. The Messiah child (Isa.9:6-7)
5. The child that writes (Isa.10:19)
6. The Millennial child (Isa.11:6)
7. The Millennial sucking child (Isa.11:8)
8. The Millennial weaned child (Isa.11:8)
9. The Millennial 100-year-old child (Isa.65:20)
10. The man-child (Isa.66:7)

Isaiah 9:7 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. (KJV)

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end . . . Of the increase . . . no end, His princely rule shall continually increase and be unlimited (Dan.2:44). His peaceable and joyful government shall be enlarged with no end; and with no end of time period, it will be forever. It will, have no end of limitation, or no bounds. It shall not be confined to a narrow spot of ground (the land of Canaan), but shall be extended far and wide to all the ends of the Earth.
The throne of David . . . which was promised to David, and to his seed forever. Throne of David: (1 Ki.8:25; Ps.2:6; 132:11; Jer.3:17-18; Eze.34:23-26; 37L16, 22; Lk.1:32-33; Acts 2:30).
With judgment and with justice . . . there will be NO oppression nor tyranny, by which other kingdoms are usually managed, but the Kingdom of Christ shall be ruled by the administration of justice. His Kingdom will NOT be of mere force and power, but of justice and righteousness (Isa.42:21; Ps.45:6-7), which could only be attained in and by the Almighty Messiah.
From henceforth even for ever . . . from the beginning of it (the first day) unto all eternity.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this . . . this great work, which surpasses all the power and skill of men, shall be brought to pass by Almighty God, out of that fervent regard which He has to His own Name and glory, and to the great honor of His dearly beloved Son (Jn.3:16), and unto His church and His people. Zeal includes not only Christ's hidden spiritual victory over Satan at His First Coming, but the coming victory attended with judgments on Antichrist and every enemy at the Second Coming (Isa.59:17; Ps.9:6-8; Rev.20:7-15).

The remainder of the chapter, verses 8-21, covers the local situation in Isaiah's day and will be partially fulfilled in that time, but it also looks forward to the time of the Great Tribulation for a full and final fulfillment. God will continue to punish Israel and all nations that have turned their backs on Him, until He comes again. People today do NOT want to hear this, they want instead to hear something comforting, just as they did in Isaiah’s time (Isa.30:10). Check your Bible to see what happened to Israel and other nations who turned their back on God. They have had a sad, sordid story, and I am afraid that we live in a nation that is getting ripe for judgment. If we escape, we will be the only nation in the history of the world that has ever escaped God’s wrath on sin. Do you honestly think people will escape God’s wrath IF they continue on in their sin? They will NOT escape!

Prophecy as to the Ten Tribes (Isaiah 9:8 through 10:4)

Some say that the ninth and tenth chapters of Isaiah should have been so divided.

Terrible Warnings against the People of Israel, Which Would Be Brought to Utter Ruin (9:8-10)

Isaiah brings some terrible warnings from the LORD, which are directed mainly against Israel, the kingdom of the ten tribes, Ephraim and Samaria. The ruin of which is here foretold, with all the woeful confusions that were the introductions to that devastation, all which came to pass within a few years after the prophet spoke the words . . . but his words also look further into distant future of the last days, to all the enemies of the Throne and Kingdom of Christ, the Son of David, and reveal the doom of ALL the nations that forget God, and refuse to have Christ to reign over them.

Isaiah 9:8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. (KJV)

The Lord sent a word . . . a prophetical and threatening message by Isaiah; for the prophet, after having brought some comforting passages for the support of God’s faithful people, now returns to his former work of bringing divine threats of vengeance           against the rebellious Israelites.
Into Jacob . . . against the ten tribes. The LORD always warns BEFORE He carries out His wrath against sin. He sent notice through His servant, Isaiah, of what He would do, that the people might take the warning . . . but they would not listen, they did NOT turn away His wrath by turning from their sin . . . . so the LORD’S judgment came down upon Israel. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (KJV) . . . For NO Word of God shall not return unto Him void, NO Word shall fall useless to the ground.
And it hath lighted upon Israel . . . it fell, in the prophetical style. It shall certainly be accomplished. God’s judgment fell upon Israel as a violent storm of rain and hail from on high, which they could not avoid! ALL those (nations or individuals) that willingly ignore the wrath of God revealed from heaven against sin and sinners shall hear about it on Judgment Day, for ALL people are given enough knowledge to know right from wrong!  Romans 1:20-21 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (KJV) . . . People have NO excuse! See: God's Wrath Against Man . . . Romans 1:18-32. http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_romans_ch.1.htm

Isaiah 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, (KJV)

And all the people shall know . . . by experience; they shall know whether God’s Word is true or false; they shall feel the effects of it. Shall know at their expense, as they experiment with sin (Hos.9:7), as will people today. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (KJV) . . . Dear one, God sees everything that you do!
Even Ephraim . . . the people of the ten tribes, and especially Ephraim, the strongest and proudest of them all.
And the inhabitant of Samaria . . . the strongest place, and the seat of the king and court, who were the most secure and arrogant. Samaria was the capital of Ephraim (1 Ki.16:29; 22:51; 2 Ki.13:1,10; 15:8).
That say in the pride and stoutness of heart . . . within themselves, and one to another. They purpose and boast of their sin, like so many today. There is NO fear of the Lord in today’s world, much like it was in Isaiah’s time.

Isaiah 9:10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. (KJV)

The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones . . . Israel admitted it had received some damages from their enemies; but Rezin and the Syrians were now their friends and allies, so they thought that they would quickly repair the damage with great glory and advantage.
Sycomores are cut down . . . sycamores were wild fig trees, a disgraceful sort of tree, if compared with cedars. Sycomores were quite abundant in Canaan (1 Ki.10:27; 2 Chron.1:15; 9:27; (Isa.9:10).
But we will change them into cedars . . . they would put cedars into their buildings instead of sycamores (Jer.22:13,15). They proudly boasted that they would replace their cottages with palaces.

Isaiah 9:11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; (KJV)

Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him . . . set them on high, exalt them above him, and make them superior to him, and conquerors of him, meaning the Assyrians; who, being sent for by Ahab, went up against Damascus, took it, and carried the people captive, and slew Rezin the king of Syria, the head of which was Damascus (2 Ki.16:7-9). This is mentioned, because Israel put great trust and confidence in this prince, with whom they were in agreement; and this is said to stop their pride, arrogance and haughtiness, before stated (vs.11).
And join his enemies together . . . or mix them the Assyrian army, which consisted of a mixture of various nations; and instigate them against him. Some understand this to be all Israel, against whom the adversaries of Rezin, namely, the Assyrians, would come, as they did, and invade their land, and carry them captive; with whom were various other people, as follows.

Isaiah 9:12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (KJV)

The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind . . . Rezin, king of Syria, the ally of Israel, being slain, his people joined the Assyrians against Israel; and they, with others mentioned, plagued them on all sides, before and behind, east and west, as some render it . . . the Syrians on the east, the Philistines on the west.
And they shall devour Israel with open mouth . . . one would attack them in the front and the other in their rear, so that they would be surrounded with enemies on all sides, who would consume them with open mouth. The Philistines were not at that time looked upon as very bad enemies, and the Syrians were looked upon as firm friends . . . yet these shall devour Israel. Any time that men's ways displease the Lord, He makes even their friends to be at war with them. BEWARE! You do NOT want the LORD as your enemy!
For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still . . .
meaning the anger of God was NOT turned away. The LORD had not yet stirred up all of His wrath, He was not done with them yet! He had still other judgments to bring upon them; and His Hand continued to be stretched out against them, to inflict them . . . WHY??? Because they refused to be brought to repentance by what had already been done to them. Again I say, BEWARE! You do NOT want the LORD as your enemy! You CANNOT win!

Because of Their Impenitence and Hypocrisy, All Their Supposed Help and Support Would Be Totally Cut Off (9:13-17)

The sins charged upon the people of Israel, which provoked God to His wrath, to bring these judgments upon them, was their choice, not His. WHY don’t people realize that God hates and cannot tolerate sin, and that if they refuse to stop it, His wrath because of it brings down terrible judgments, that they could have avoided!

Isaiah 9:13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. (KJV)

For the people turneth not to him that smiteth them . . . meaning the LORD of hosts, as it is explained in the next clause; it was God Himself that had struck these people with the rod of correction and chastisement (Pro.22:15; Heb.12:8-13), by various afflictions and sufferings which He had brought upon them; in order to bring them to a sense of their sin and duty.
Neither do they seek the LORD of hosts . . . they refuse to recover from their backslidings; the judgments had no effect on them; they refused to return to Him by repentance and restoration, from whom they had turned themselves away by their evil ways, away from His worship, away from His Word and ordinance. This is to be understood of the people of Israel, the ten tribes, whom the prophet calls this people (Isa.8:6, 11-12), NOT My people, nor the people of the Lord, because they were unworthy of that name and character. Eze. 24:13 In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee. (KJV) . . . The character of an unregenerate man (Hos.5:15; 7:10, 16. Rom.3:11).

Isaiah 9:14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. (KJV)

Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail . . . the head means the ancient and honorable (vs.15), men in high places, civil magistrates, judges, governors and elders of the people, the king as supreme, and all subordinate officers. The LORD will destroy from Israel the prince and the ruler. The people of Israel are compared to a beast with a tail, being so corrupt, likened to the Roman Antichrist in both his capacities, civil and ecclesiastical, is compared to a beast (Rev.13); and the Saracens and Turks to locusts with tails like the tails of scorpions, (Rev.9:10, 19).
Branch and rush, in one day . . . another image with the same thought (Isa,19:15). The branch is on the top of the tree: the rush is coarse and low. Some render it great and small . . . the word great means the great men of the nation, in flourishing circumstances, like branches of trees; the small means the common, people, like reeds and rushes, weak and feeble. This may mean the utter destruction of the people of Israel, fathers and children, high and low, rich and poor (Mal.4:1).

Isaiah 9:15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. (KJV)

The ancient and honourable, he is the head . . . the elder in office, NOT in age; but who, because of his office, dignity and riches, is honored by men, and is respected when seen and looked upon by others, and is received by persons with pleasure and joy. Some render it, who admire or have men's persons in admiration, which is the character Jude gives of false teachers. Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (KJV) . . . Who are next described:
And the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail . . . so called from their low extract, being often of a low descent; or rather from the meanness of their spirits, their flattery of princes and great men, to whom they tell lies, and prophesy smooth and false things (Isa.30:10; Jer.23:26-29; Eze.13:7-10, 18-22), for the sake of a little sordid gain, in reference to dogs that wag their tails at their masters; or from the poison of their doctrines, some creatures having poison in their tails, and do much mischief with them (Rev.9:10-19).

Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. (KJV)

For the leaders of this people cause them to err . . . means those who bless this sinful people, or who praise this people (Isa.8:6, 11-12), that call them blessed, pronounce them happy (Mal.3:15) and promise them happiness, both in this world and that to come, even though they are guilty of ungodly sins, and live an immoral and vicious and vile course of life. When bad leaders do this, they harden the people in their iniquities, and cause them to wander farther and farther away from the way of right living and truth and; leading them to make fatal, eternal mistakes. These seem to mean the religious leaders of the people, the blind leaders of the blind (Isa.3:12; Mat.15:14). This is SO true in today’s world. So many cults (a church NOT teaching the Word of God), so many greedy preachers out to get rich on the Name of Christ. http://worldlychaos.org/w_c_cults_rich_preachers.1.htm
And they that are led of them are destroyed . . . they that are supposedly blessed of them are swallowed up . . . and irrecoverably lost; the deceivers and the deceived perish together . . . for it is a sin for teachers and leaders of the people to teach them false things, and NOT lead them OUT of the broad road to Hell (Mat.7:13).
Matthew 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (KJV) . . . It is a crime against Almighty God to lead and teach something that opposes the Holy Word of God! The people to be led and taught by false teachers and false leaders, must be very careful of what they hear and receive; because IF they willingly receive falsehoods, both they and their teachers shall one day be rightfully punished by God (Rev.20:15).
http://www.hisservants.org/conditions_false_prophets_are_dangerous_h_s.html
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_bible_signs_false-christs_false_prophets.html

Isaiah 9:17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (KJV)

Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men . . . take no delight and pleasure in them; but shall hate them, and shall destroy them, being depraved and corrupted by the bad instructions and examples of their parents.
Neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows . . . who are objects of pity and compassion; yet these also being wicked, as well as the fathers of the one, and the husbands of the other, shall not be spared . . . this states both the over-all corruption and destruction of this people.  No joy, neither mercy, shows that this means, the Lord shall have no delight in their youthful warriors, however much they may be the nation's delight and reliance, as to save them from the enemy's sword (Isa.31:8; Jer.18:21).
For every one is a hypocrite and an evildoer . . . what is a hypocrite? It is someone that is outwardly good, and inwardly wicked; which was the over-all character of the people of Israel in Isaiah's time, just as it was of the Jews in the times of Christ (Mat.23), and so true of those in today’s world, which are many! It is people who pretend to do good, but were the exact opposite! Hypocrites are doers of evil, workers of iniquity, continually committing sin; and yet are thought to be very upright and sincere, both in their religion towards God, and in their dealings with men; but totally deceitful in both.
And every mouth speaketh folly . . . folly is falsehood, lies. All lies are foolish; all  vain words (Eph.5:6) are foolish, all immoral and irreverent words are foolish, and every idle word and all distasteful, corrupt and blasphemous speech is foolish!  
For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still . . . this is repeated from verse 12 because of its importance. Any time something is repeated, it is important, Pat attention!

*****In the last day, Almighty God will in one day destroy both small and great who are His enemies and the enemies of His people! He will not spare the sturdiest nor the most helpless; He will one day destroy ALL evil everywhere! Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev.22:20).

And That by the Wrath of God against Them, and Their Wrath One against Another, They Should Be Brought to Utter Ruin (9:18-21)

The judgments threatened against Israel for their wickedness; shall take place; let not anyone think that they witll go unpunished.

Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke. (KJV)

For wickedness burneth as the fire . . . means the punishment of their sins, brought on by the wrath of God for sin, which is poured out like fire, and consumes as fire does; for wicked people shall be consumed with the fire of His divine vengeance. Wrath of God: (Ps.78:31; Jn.3:36; Rom.1:18; 2:5; Epj.5:6; Col.3:6; Rev,14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15).               
It shall devour the briers and thorns . . . briers and thorns are sinners and the ungodly, meaning the wicked who for their unfruitfulness to God and their harmfulness to others.
And shall kindle in the thickets of the forest . . . there seems to be a shift in these words, whereas the fire first begins to burn the thorns and smaller wood, and then proceeds to the greater parts of the forest . . . so too, wickedness consumes first the little ones, who are the thorns, and after that it consumes the dense thickets of the forest, who are the great ones . . . the kingdom of Israel is compared to a forest; and the thorns, briers and thickets  may mean the common people and their governors, who ALL are guilty of wickedness, would not escape the vengeance of God.
And they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke . . . they shall be lifted up like the vast areas of smoke is lifted up in a blazing forest fire. Their pride shall be as smoke which soon vanishes away in the wind. The wickedness of the people of Israel burneth as a raging forest fire, after years of a drought situation, and urged on with extremely high winds!

Isaiah 9:19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. (KJV)

Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened . . . the land is brought into great distress and affliction; painful judgments and calamities being upon it . . . this darkness is not a natural one, but a symbolic darkness (Isa.5:30; 8:22; 9:1-2; Jer.13:16; 23:12; Amos 5:18-20; Zep.1:14-15). The reference is to the ascending of the smoke (vs.18), from the fire being kindled in the thickets of the forest, which filled the air with darkness; as smoke in a large amount does.
And the people shall be as the fuel of the fire . . . this reveals who the briers and thorns, and thickets of the forest are . . . it is the inhabitants of the land of Israel, who are the fuel of the fire, for they were the objects of the LORD’S divine wrath and fury because of their sin against Him.  
No man shall spare his brother . . . which may be credited either to the darkness and confusion in which they would be, that they are not able to tell the difference between a friend from a foe, as persons surrounded with smoke; or possibly to their hateful spirit, cruelty and inhumanity, not only doing ill to their enemies, but to their own friends and relations, to their own flesh and blood; there shall be deep discord breaking apart the closest ties of nature (Isa.13:18; Jer.12:6; Eze.9:5; Mic.7:6).

Isaiah 9:20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: (KJV)

And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry . . . rob and plunder all within his reach; or with his teeth, as cannibals, or beasts of prey that catch, rip and rend in pieces, whatever comes their way; and yet their hunger is not satisfied.
And he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied . . . ravage and spoil on every side, and yet not be content.
They shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm . . .  destroy their near relations, who are their own flesh and blood, or take away their substance from them. Some say the flesh of his own arm should be the flesh of his neighbor. Jeremiah uses the same expression: ‏andevery one the flesh of his friend in the siege (Jer.19:9). Some think that this gives the true meaning and sense of this time, meaning that they shall harass and destroy one another. Shall eat: (Lev.26:29; Deut.29:53-57; 2 Ki.6:26-29; Isa.9:20; Lam.2:20; 4:10; Jer.19:9; Eze.5:10).

Isaiah 9:21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (KJV)

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah . . . Manasseh, Ephraim, the two sons of Joseph were so closely united as to form between them one tribe; but now they are thirsting for each other's blood. Disunited in all things else, but united together against Judah. Manasseh shall destroy Ephraim, and Ephraim, Manasseh . . . these two tribes were most closely connected both in blood and situation as brothers and neighbors; and both of them in the midst of their own conflicts shall agree to prey upon Judah. The words, shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm, in connection with what follows, seems to be a good picture of the above mentioned in verse 20. Manasseh shall join with Ephraim, and together they shall go against Judah.
For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still . . . meaning the anger of God was NOT turned away. The LORD had not yet stirred up all of His wrath, He was not done with them yet! He still had other judgments to bring upon them; and His Hand continued to be stretched out against them, to inflict them . . . WHY??? Because they refused to be brought to repentance by what had already been done to them. Again I say, BEWARE! You do NOT want the LORD as your enemy! You CANNOT win!

*****Verses 18-21 tell us that the wickedness of the people is like a fire, which first grabs hold of the briers and thorns, then gaining strength, sets afire the whole dense forest. The land will be visited by the LORD’S wrath, and the people will be like cannibals, with the land torn apart by a ruthless civil war. Yet God’s Hand is still stretched out, to bring more disaster, and this looks to the last days when His wrath shall be fully realized.

There are those who say that the first 4 verses of Chapter 10 belong with Chapter 9, so I will place them here as well as in Chapter 10. You be the judge.

Isaiah Chapter 10 (10:1-4)

Isaiah 10:1-4 differs in several ways from the rest of the chapter, and may result from another situation, which attacks unjust judges, who deprive the poor and defenseless of justice, that they may defraud them. What will they do when the storm of vengeance sweeps on them from afar? To whom can they turn?

Isaiah 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; (KJV) 

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees . . . some understand this as a threatening to be condemned; and is to be understood as the lying against lawgivers and judges, political rulers and governors of the people, that made unrighteous laws; laws which did not agree to the law of God, nor right reason; and were harmful to the persons and properties of the people; and which were intended for the oppression of good people, especially the poor, and for the protection of wicked men, who had no conscience of their wickedness. Them that decree, is mainly unrighteous judges, but includes anyone going along with the evils of it.
And that write grievousness which they have prescribed . . . grievous and intolerable laws being made by ungodly people, who wrote them or ordered them to be written and published  . . . and forced the people not to question them. This means the same persons as before; not religious but political governors, and such as lived before the Babylon captivity. Write grievousness . . . the magistrates who caused unjust decisions, literally, injustice or grievousness, to be recorded by them (Isa.1:10, 23; 65:6).

Isaiah 10:2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! (KJV) 

To turn aside the needy from judgment . . . the laws being made discouraged the people to apply for any kind of justice; and, when they did try, they were agitated and harassed with such long, annoying and costly trials, that forced them to stop. The cause was generally given against them, and for the rich. Sounds like today!
And to take away the right from the poor of my people . . . not to do justice to the poor is the same as to plunder and rob them, and take away by force what rightfully belongs to them. Take away the right . . . make plunder of the poor a rightful claim of the strong and mighty. Again, sounds like today.
That widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless . . . those who have none to protect and defend them, are taken advantage of by those judges who should be protecting them. Civil magistrates should be imitating God, whom they are supposed to represent, the LORD who is the Judge of the widows and the fatherless; and therefore this is observed as an aggravation of their sin, which was very great indeed. It is very wicked for a judge to pervert the judgment of the poor and needy, the widow and the fatherless, because that is totally opposed to laws that are made by God.

Isaiah 10:3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? (KJV) 

And what will ye do in the day of visitation . . . what will ye do, what way of escape will there be for you? Visitation of God's wrath (Isa.26:14; Job 35:15; Hos.9:7). I believe that this looks forward to the last days and Judgment Day. Are you ready for Judgment Day? All people who have ever lived shall take their turn to stand before the Great Judge Jesus! http://www.judgmentcoming.org/judgment_day.htm
http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_judgment_coming.1.htm
Day of visitation: (Isa.10:3; Jer.46:21; 50:27; Mic.7:4; Lk.19:43-44; 1 Per.2:12)      
And in the desolation which shall come from far? . . . from Assyria, which was far from the land of Judea. Desolation indicates a storm, tumult, noise and confusion; referring to what would be made by the Assyrian army, when it came upon them.
To whom will ye flee for help? . . . Rezin king of Syria, their confederate, being destroyed; and Syria, with whom they were in alliance, had now become their enemy Isa.9:11).
And where will ye leave your glory? . . .  their high-up titles, and badges of honor as princes, judges and civil magistrates, which they should be stripped of; and too their unrighteous wealth, which they gotten by perverting the judgment of the poor and needy, the widow and the fatherless, of which they gloried; and which now would be taken away from them, when they should go into captivity. No one can take anything with them when the die, be it glory, honor, possessions or wealth (Job 1:21; 27:19; Ps.49:17; Ecc.5:15; Lk.12:20; 1 Tim.6:7). On the day of visitation, the day of reckoning, the unjust judges shall stand before the Just Judge.

Isaiah 10:4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (KJV)  

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain . . . because they have been forsaken by the LORD, and were deprived of His help, they shall bow down. Because they are without God, they are this people (Isa.9:13, 16), not His people, and do not hearken to Him, therefore they shall bow down. They left God for their sins, they would either be, bound or carried captive, or slain with the sword, and one or the other would be the lot of every one of them.
For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still . . .  the final and utter destruction of the nation of Israel had not yet come, when carried captive to Babylon, there remained a much greater calamity for them, to come by the hands of the Romans in the last days.

This distortion of justice works itself out in all sections of society. It affects all men and brings about deterioration and degradation. Today we are at a new low as far as morals are concerned in the eyes of Almighty God.

These first four verses of Chapter 10 seem more correctly to belong to Chapter 9.  

Special Comments

Names, Nicknames and Titles of Christ

Adam (1 Cor.15:45) Advocate (1Jn.2:1) Almighty (Rev.1:8) Alpha and Omega (Rev.1:8) Amen (Rev.3:14) Angel (Gen48:16; Ex.23:20-21) Angel of His Presence (Isa.63:9) Anointed (Ps.2:2) Apostle (Heb.3:1) Arm of the Lord  (Isa.51:9-10) Author and Finisher of our faith (heb.12:2) Beginning and end of the creation of God (Rev.3:14; 22:13) Beloved (Eph.1:6) Blessed and only Potentate (1 Tim.6:15) Branch  (Jer.23:5; Zec.3:8) Bread of life  (Jn.6:48) Bridegroom  (Mat.9:15) Bright and Morning Star  (Rev.22:16) Brightness of the Father's glory (Heb.1:3) Captain of the Lord's host (Josh.5:14) Captain of Salvation (Heb.2:10) Carpenter (Mk.6:3) Carpenter's Son (Mat.13:55) Chief Shepherd (1 Pet.5:4) Chief Cornerstone (1 Pet.2:6) Chiefest among ten thousand (Song 5:10) Child (Isa.9:6; Lk.2:27, 43) Chosen of God (1 Pet.2:4) Christ (Mat.1:16; Lk.9:20) The Christ, Messiah (Mat.16:20; Mk.14:61) Christ, a King (Lk.23:2) Christ Jesus (Acts 19:4; Rom.3:24; 8:1; 1 Cor.1:2, 30; Heb.3:1; 1 Pet.5:10, 14) Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Tim.1:12; Rom.8:39) Christ of God (Lk.9:20) Christ, the chosen of God (Lk.23:35) Christ the Lord (Lk.2:11) Christ, the power of God (1 Cor.1:24) Christ the wisdom of God (1 Cor.1:24) Christ, the Son of God (Acts 9:20) Christ, Son of the Blessed (Mk.14:61) Commander (Isa.55:4) Consolation of Israel (Lk.2:25) Cornerstone (Eph.2:20) Counselor (Isa.9:6) Covenant of the people (Isa.42:6) David (Jer.30:9) Daysman (Job 9:33) Dayspring (Lk.1:78) Day Star (2 Pet.1:19) Deliverer (Rom.11:26) Desire of all nations (Hag.2:7) Door, the (Jn.10:7) Elect (Isa.42:1) Emmanuel (Isa.7:14) Ensign (Isa.11:10) Eternal Life (1 Jn.5:20) Everlasting Father (Isa.9:6) Faithful and True (Rev.19:11) Faithful Witness, the (Rev.1:5) Faithful and true witness, the (Rev.3:14) Finisher of faith (Heb.12:2) First and last (Rev.1:17; 2:8; 22:13) First begotten (Heb.1:6) First begotten of the dead (Rev.1:5) Firstborn (Ps.89:27) Foundation (Isa.28:16) Fountain (Zec.13:1) Forerunner (Heb.6:20) Friend of sinners (Mat.11:19) Gift of God (Jn.4:10) Glory of Israel (Lk.2:32) God (Jn.1:1) God blessed forever (Rom.9:5) God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim.3:16) God of Israel, the Saviour (Isa.45:15) God of the whole earth (Isa.54:5) God our Saviour (1 Tim.2:3) God's dear Son (Col.1:13) God with us (Mat.1:23) Good Master (Mat.19:16) Governor (Mat.2:6) Great Shepherd of the sheep (Heb.13:20) Head of the body (Eph.1:22-23; 5:23; Col.1:18, 24) Heir of all things (Heb.1:2) High priest (Heb.4:14) Head of every man (1 Cor.11:3) Head of the corner (Mat.21:42) Holy child Jesus (Acts 4:30) Holy One (Ps.16:10; Acts 3:14) Holy One of God (Mk.1:24) Holy One of Israel (Isa.41:14; 54:5) Holy thing (Lk.1:35) Hope, our (1 Tim.1:1) Horn of salvation (Lk.1:69) I AM (Ex.3:14; Isa.46:9; 48:12; Jn.8:58; Rev.1:8) Image of God (Heb.1:3) Israel (Isa.49:3) Jehovah (Isa.40:3) Jehovah's fellow (Zec.13:7) Jesus (Mat.1:21) Jesus Christ (Mat.1:1; Jn.1:17; 17:3; Acts 2:38; 4:10; 9:34; 10:36; 16:18; Rom.1:1,3,6; 2:16; 5:15,17; 6:3; 1 Cor.1:1,4; 2:2; 2 Cor.1:19; 4:6; 13:5; Gal.2:16; Phil.1:8; 2:11; 1 Tim.1:15; Heb.13:8; 1 Jn.1:7; 2:1) Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom.1:3; 6:11,23; 1Cor.1:9; 7:25) Jesus Christ our Saviour (Tit.3:6) Jesus of Nazareth (Mk.1:24; Lk.24:19) Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (Mat.27:37; Jn.19:19) Jesus, the Son of God (Heb.4:14) Jesus, the Son of Joseph (Jn.6:42) Judge (Acts 10:42) Just Man, Just Person, Just One (Mat.27:19; 27:24; Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14) King (Mat.21:5) King of Israel (Jn.1:49) King of the Jews (Mat.2:2) King of Saints (Rev.15:3) King of Kings (1 Tim.6:15; Rev.17:14; 19:16) King of Glory (Ps.24:7-10) King of Zion (Mat.21:5) King over all the earth (Zec.14:9) Lamb (Rev.5:6,8; 6:16; 7:9-10,17; 12:11; 13:8,11; 14:1,4; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7,9; 21:9,14,22,23,27) Lamb of God (Jn.1:29) Lawgiver (Isa.33:22) Leader (Isa.55:4) Life (Jn .14:6) Light (Jn.8:12) Light, everlasting (Isa.60:20) Light of the world (Jn.8:12) Light to the Gentiles (Isa.42:6) Light, true (Jn.1:9) Living Bread, the (Jn.6:51) Living Stone (1 Pet.2:4) Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev.5:5) Lord (Rom.1:3) Lord of Lords (Rev.17:14; 19:16) Lord of all (Acts 10:36) Lord our righteousness (Jer.23:6) Lord God Almighty (Rev.15:3) Lord from heaven (1 Cor.15:47) Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet.1:11; 3:18) Lord Christ (Col.3:24) Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59; Col.3:17; 1 Thes.4:12) Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 11:17. 16:31; 20:21; Rom.5:1,11; 13:14) Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour (Tit.1:4) Lord of glory (Jam.2:1) Lord of Hosts (2 Sam.5:10; 1 Ki.18:15; Ps.24:10; 84:12; Isa.1:9,24; 2:12;  3:1,15; 5:7,9,16,24; 6:3,5; 8:13,18; 9:7,13,19; 10:16,26,33; 13:4,13; 14:22-24,27; 17:3; 18:7; 19:4,12,16-18; 19:20,25; 21:10; 22:14,25; 23:9; 24:23; 25:6; 28:5,29; 29:6; 31:4-5; 37:15-16,32; 44:6; 45:13; 47:4; 48:2; 51:51; 54:5) Lord of hosts is found 273 times in the KJV of the OT. Lord, mighty in battle (Ps.24:8) Lord of the dead and living (Rom.14:9) Lord of the Sabbath (Mk.2:28) Lord over all (Rom.10:12) The Lord's Christ (Lk.2:26) Lord, strong and mighty (Ps.24:8) Lord, the, our righteousness (Jer.23:6) Lord, your holy one (Isa.43:15) Lord, your redeemer (Isa.43:14) The Man Christ Jesus (1 Tim.2:5) Man of sorrows (Isa.53:3) Master (Mat.23:8) Mediator, the only (1 Tim.2:5; Jn.14:6) Messenger of the covenant (Mal.3:1) Messiah (Dan.9:25-26; Jn.1:41) Messiah the Prince (Dan.9:25) Mighty God (Isa.9:6) Mighty One of Israel (Isa.30:29) Mighty One of Jacob (Isa.49:26) Mighty to save (Isa.63:1) Minister of the sanctuary (Heb.8:2) Morning Star (Rev.22:16) Most holy (Dan.9:24) Most mighty (Ps.45:3) Nazarene (Mat.2:23) Offspring of David (Rev.22:16) Only begotten Son (Jn.1:18; 3:16,18; 1 Jn.4:9) Only begotten of the Father (Jn.1:14) Only wise God, our Saviour (Jude 1:25) Overseer (1 Pet.2:25) Passover, our (1 Cor.5:7) Plant of renown (Eze.34:29) Potentate (1 Tim.6:15) Power of God (1 Cor.1:24) Physician (Mat.9:12) Precious Cornerstone (Isa.28:16) Priest (Heb.7:17) Prince (Acts 5:31) Prince of Life (Acts 3:15) Prince of Peace (Isa.9:6) Prince of the kings of the earth (Rev.1:5) Prophet (Deut.18:15,18; Mat.21:11; Lk.24:19) Propitiation (1 Jn.2:2) Rabbi, Rabboni (Jn.1:38,49; 3:2; 6:25; 20:16) Ransom (1 Tim.2:6) Redeemer (Job 19:25; Ps.19:14; 78:35; Pro.23:11;        Isa.41:14; 43:14; 44:6,24; 47:4; 48:17; 49;7,26; 54:8; 59:20; 60:16; 63:16; Jer.50:34) Resurrection and the Life, the (Jn.11:25) Redemption (1 Cor.1:30) Righteous Branch (Jer.23:5) Righteous Judge (2 Tim.4:8) Righteous Servant (Isa.53:11) Righteousness (1 Cor.1:30) Rock (1 Cor.10:4) Rock of Offence (1 Pet.2:8) Root of David (Rev.5:5; 22:16) Root of Jesse (Isa.11:1,10) Rose of Sharon (Song 2:1) Ruler in Israel (Mic.5:2) Salvation (Lk.2:30) Sanctification (! Cor.1:30) Sanctuary (Isa.8:14; Eze.11:16) Saviour (Lk.2:11) Saviour, Jesus Christ (2 Tim.1:1,10; Tit.1:3; 2:13; 2 Pet.1:1) Saviour of the body (Eph.5:23) Saviour of the world (1 Jn.4:14) Sceptre (Num.24:17) Second Man, the (1 Cor.15:47) Seed of David (2 Tim.2:8) Seed of the woman (Gen.3:15) Servant (Isa.42:1; 52:13; 53:11; Mat.12:18) Servant of rulers (Isa.49:7) Shepherd (Zec.13:7; Mat.26:31; Mk.14:27) Shepherd and Overseer of souls (1 Pet.2:25) Shepherd, Chief (1 Pet.5:4) Shepherd, Good (Jn.10:11) Shepherd, Great (Heb.13:20) Shepherd of Israel (Ps.80:1) Shiloh (Gen.49:10) Son of the Father (2 Jn.1:3) Son of the Blessed One (Mk.14:61) Son of the Highest One (Lk.1:32) Son of David (Mat.9:27) Star (Num.24:17) Sun of Righteousness (Mal.4;2) Surety (Heb.7:22) Stone (Mat.21:42) Stone of Stumbling (1 Pet.2:8) Sure Foundation (Isa.28:16; 1 Cor.3:11; 1 Pet.2:6) Teacher (Jn.2:3:2) True God (1 Jn.5:20) True Vine (Jn.15:1) Truth (Jn.14:6) Unspeakable Gift (2 Cor.9:15) Very Christ (Acts 9:22) Vine, the (Jn.15:1) Way, the (Jn.14:6) Wisdom (Pro.8:12) Wisdom of God, the (1 Cor.1:24) Witness (Isa.55:4; Rev.1:5) Wonderful (Isa.9:6) Word (Jn.1:1) Word of God (Rev.19:13) Word of Life (1 Jn.1:1) Victor . . . our victory through Christ Jesus (1 Cor15:54-57; Phil.3:20-21) Thank You Jesus!

Facts about the Land of GALILEE,
The Northern part of Palestine

It was a city of refuge: (Josh.20:7; 21:32; 1 Chron.6:76)
Cities in Galilee, given to Hiram: (1 Ki.9:11-12)
Galilee taken by king of Assyria: (2 Ki.15:29)
Prophecy concerning: (Isa.9:1; Mat.4:12-16)
Called Galilee of the nations: (Isa.9:1)
Herod (Antipas), tetrarch of Galilee: (Mk.6:21; Lk.3:1; 23:6-7)  
Jesus resides in Galilee: (Mat.17:22; 19:1; Jn.7:1, 9)
Teaching and miracles of Jesus in Galilee: (Mat.4:23, 25; 15:29-31; Mk.1:14)
People of Galilee, receive Jesus: (Jn.4:45, 53)
Disciples of Jesus, were mainly from Galilee: Acts 1:11; 2:7)
Women of Galilee, ministered to Jesus: (Mat.27:55-56; Mk.15:41; Lk.23:49, 55)
Jesus appeared to His disciples in, after His resurrection: (Mat. 26:32; 28:7, 10,16-17; Mk.4:28; 16:7; Jn. 21)
Roads from Galilee to Judaea: (Judg.21:19; Jn.4:3-5)
Language of Galilee: (Mk.14:70)
Galilee called Gennesaret: (Mat.14:34; Mk.6:53)
Worshipers in Galilee: (Acts 9:31)

SEA (LAKE) OF GALILEE
Called Sea of Tiberias: (Jn.21:1)
Called Lake of Gennesaret: (Lk.5:1)
Called Sea of Chinnereth: (Num.34:11; Deut.3:17; Josh.13:27)  
Called Sea of Chinneroth: (Josh.12:3)  
Jesus calls His disciples on the shore of the Sea (Lake): (Mat.4:18-22; Lk.5:1-11) Jesus teaches from a ship on the Sea: (Mat.13:1-3)
Miracles of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee: (Mat.8:24-32; 14:22-33; 17:27; Mk.4:37-39; Lk.5:1-9; 8:22-24; Jn.21:1-11)

Ten Ways Isaiah Uses ‘Child’ in his writings
1. Child contrasted with ancients (Isa.3:5)
2. Isaiah's first child (Isa.7:3, 16)
3. Isaiah's second child (Isa.8:1-4)
4. The Messiah child Isa.9:6-7)
5. The child that writes (Isa.10:19)
6. The Millennial child Isa.11:6)
7. The Millennial sucking child (Isa.11:8)
8. The Millennial weaned child (Isa.11:8)
9. The Millennial 100-year-old child Isa.65:20)
10. The man-child (Isa.66:7)

What is a mystery in Scripture? It is NOT a whodunit or a mystery story, and it is NOT something you wonder about: Was it the butler who committed the crime? A mystery in Scripture means that God is revealing something, that up to that time, He had not revealed. There are two elements which always enter into a New Testament mystery: #1. It cannot be discovered by man, for it is always a revelation from God; and #2. It is revealed at the right time and not concealed, and #3. Enough is revealed to establish the fact without all the details being disclosed.

There are fifteen mysteries in the New Testament:
#1. The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mat.13:3-50; Mk.4:11; Lk.8:10).
#2. The mystery of His will (Eph.1:9).
#3. The great mystery of Christ and His church (Eph. 5:32; Col.4:3).
#4. The mystery of the Gospel (Eph.6:19).  
#5. The mystery of Israel's blindness during this age (Rom.11:25).
#6. The mystery of the faith (1 Tim.3:9).
#7. The mystery of the translation of living saints at the end of this age (1 Cor.15:51-52; 1 Thes.4:13-17).
#8. The mystery of the N.T. Church as one body composed of Jews and Gentiles (Eph.3:1-12; 6:19; Rom.16:25; Col.4:3).
#9. The mystery of the Church as the bride of Christ  (Eph.5:23-32).
#10. The mystery of being in Christ (Gal.2:20; Col.1:26-27).
#11.  The mystery of Christ as the incarnate fullness of the Godhead embodied, in whom all the divine wisdom for man subsists (1 Cor.2:7; Col.2:2,9).
#12. The mystery of godliness (1 Tim.3:16).
#13. The mystery of iniquity (2 Thes.2:7; Mat.13:33).
#14. The mystery of the seven stars (Rev.1:20).
#15. The mystery of the woman (Rev.17:5,7).
My friend, even with all these, God has NOT revealed everything to us. There are many things God has NOT told us, because it is not necessary for us to know. When it is necessary, He will reveal them to us.

Meaning of the Jewish word Shalom 

Most people know that the Hebrew word shalom means peace. But, peace is only a part of the meaning. Shalom is used to both to say hello and to say goodbye. Shalom means welfare: health, prosperity, peace.

Hebrew words convey feelings and emotion. Shalom is more than just peace; it means a complete peace. Shalom is a feeling of being content, complete and well-being.Shalom means completeness, fullness, harmony, health, peace, welfare, wholeness, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, rest, the total absence of agitation or discord. Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the clearly related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be paid in full.

Anyone who is wise knows that there is only one way to find TRUE shalom . . . and that is in the Word of YHWH. The ancient Hebrew language that the Old Testament was written in did not have vowels in its alphabet. In written form, ancient Hebrew was a consonant-only language. In the original Hebrew, God’s Name translates to YHWH, some versions of the Bible translate YHWH as Yahweh or Jehovah; and most translate YHWH as LORD (all capital letters, which is found in 5470 times in the KJV of the Old Testament).

Many search for fulfillment, happiness and contentment in material possessions, money, pleasure, sex, entertainment, etc. But those things can NEVER fill that ‘God-shaped’ hole in our soul . . . only GOD can fill that hole! Worldly things only serve to distract and prevent us from finding true peace . . . the shalom (peace) that can only come from Him who created and put all things into place. JEHOVAH: (Ex.6:3; Ps.83:18; Isa.12:2; 26:4). LORD: (5470 times in OT). The term Lord GOD is found 3 times in the Book of Psalms; Isaiah uses the term Lord GOD 22 times; Jeremiah uses the term Lord GOD 11 times;         Ezekiel and Amos use the term Lord GOD 240 times. Obadiah use it once (1:1).

The word shalom is a mighty blessing on several levels! Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (KJV) . . . SO . . . whenever you use the word shalom, you are speaking into someone's life all the wonderful things that shalom means! Peace truly is a correct translation of the term, but shalom implies so much more than lack of conflict.

True shalom comes only from God. Romans 5:1-3 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (KJV) . . . We are no longer God’s enemies, for He has made peace with us through the Blood of Christ.

Even more, in God we are made complete. 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV) . . . The old has gone, the new is here!
Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV) . . . As we await that final completion, we can trust God for our welfare. Jesus told His disciples, and us:
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (KJV) . . . Let us keep watch as we wait for our final transformation.  
Phil.3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (KJV)

Commentaries on Old Testament Books

Book of Isaiah . . Isaiah's Mini-Bible

Isaiah Ch.1 . . Isaiah Ch.2 . . Isaiah Ch.3 . . Isaiah Ch.4 . . Isaiah Ch.5 . . Isaiah Ch.6 . . Isaiah Ch.7 . . Isaiah Ch.8 . . Isaiah Ch.9 . . Isa.Ch.10 . . Isa.Ch.11 . . Isa.Ch12 . . Home Page

JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS . . . . . Isaiah Ch.13 . . Isaiah Ch.14 . . Isaiah Ch.15 . . Isaiah Ch.16 . . Isaiah Ch.17 . . Isaiah Ch.18 . . Isaiah Ch.19 . . Isaiah Ch.20 . . Isaiah Ch.21 . . Isaiah Ch.22 . . Isaiah Ch.23 . . Home Page

ISAIAH’S APOCALYPSE . . . . . Isaiah Ch.24 . . Isaiah Ch.25 . . Isaiah Ch.26 . . Isaiah Ch.27 . . Home Page

ISAIAH'S SIX WOES . . . Isaiah Ch.28 . . Isaiah Ch.29 . . Isaiah Ch.30 . . Isaiah Ch.31 . . Isaiah Ch.32 . . Isaiah Ch.33 . . Isaiah Ch.34 . . Isaiah Ch.35 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Historic Part . . Isaiah Ch.36 . . Isaiah Ch.37 . . Isaiah Ch.38 . . Isaiah Ch.39 . . Home Page

Isaiah Speaks of Messiah's Incarnation. . Isaiah Ch.40 . . Isaiah Ch.41 . . Isaiah Ch.42 . . Isaiah Ch.43 . . Isaiah Ch.44 . . Isaiah Ch.45 . . Isaiah Ch.46 . . Isaiah Ch.47 . . Isaiah Ch.48 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Introduction to the Suffering Servant

Isaiah's Suffering Servant Prophecy. . . Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Isaiah's Redemption Through the Suffering Servant . . . Isaiah Ch.49 . . Isaiah Ch.50 . . Isaiah Ch.51 . . Isaiah Ch.52 . . Isaiah Ch.53 . . Isaiah Ch.54 . . Isaiah Ch.55 . . Isaiah Ch.56 . . Isaiah Ch.57

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