Unto Us A Child is Born

Amazing! God used pagans to purge His people of ungodliness. He compared Assyria to an ax, a saw, and a club in workman’s hand. Only a remnant of His people were saved in the day of His wrath against ungodliness. The remnant consists of those who trust in and obey the Lord. Many in Israel had betrayed and abandoned God. They were the weak links that caused the nation to fall.

The ungodly rejected God’s efforts to reform them. When God took down the brick walls of Samaria and Ephraim, they said we will rebuild them with dressed stone. When He took down their fig trees, they said we will replant them with cedar trees. They refused to acknowledge God and give Him glory. [1]

God used Assyria to destroy Samaria and Ephraim. God warned Judah’s political and religious leaders that the same was about to happen to them unless they repented and returned to Him. But Judah’s leaders persisted in abandoning God and leading those under their authority to do the same. They made unjust laws. They preyed on widows and robbed fatherless children. Eventually, they turned on one another and devoured one another. God used the cruel nation of Assyria to judge them, but later when Assyria became proud of its achievement, He turned His wrath against Assyria. [2]

Against the backdrop of impending judgment, the Lord proclaimed good news of salvation, and that from God. After years of darkness and distress, a great light would appear. A child would be born. A Son would be given. The government will be on His shoulders. His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. He shall reign on David’s throne over the kingdom. He shall establish and uphold His throne with justice and righteousness forever. God’s zeal will accomplish this.

Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. The kingdoms of this world shall become His kingdoms. After centuries of disappointment in our leaders and in ourselves, Christ will come again. Those who believe shall be saved and inherit His kingdom that is full of righteousness, justice, and peace! [4]

[1] Isaiah 9:8-12
[2] Isaiah 9:13-21
[3] Isaiah 9:1-7
[4] Revelation 19:11-16