As we have now finished the story of Jesus’ birth and childhood, in the last four days before Christmas we want to gain an expanded perspective of the baby in the manger. We want to look more closely at who Jesus is and his purpose for coming to earth. Isaiah foretold of Christ’s coming and said that its impact would extend far into the future.
Isaiah 9:1-7
For to Us a Child Is Born
9 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 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.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
Who would God honor? (1)
What would the people walking in darkness see? (2)
What would be shattered? (4)
What is a yoke and what does it do?
Who would be born? (6)
What would be the names by which the child is called? (6)
What would there be no end to? (7)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
Think through how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah.
· Verse 1: What area of Judea did Jesus come from? (Matt. 4:12-13)
· Verse 2: What did Jesus refer to himself as being? (John 8:12)
· Verse 4: What did Jesus say would set the people free? (John 8:32) What did he say about his yoke? (Matt. 11:28) Why is everyone under a yoke? (Rom. 6:16)
· Verse 6: How do the names by which the child would be called relate to Jesus? (The verses in parentheses refer to what Jesus said about himself to his disciples.)
Wonderful Counselor (John 16:7-8)
Mighty God (John 14:6-7)
Everlasting Father (John 16:28)
Prince of Peace (John 16:33)
· Verse 7: Why is there no end to Christ’s kingdom? (John 18:36, 2 Peter 1:11)
PRAYER:
Thank God that his Word is true and that you can put your trust in him. Thank him for giving prophecies as to the coming of the Messiah and that those prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus.
FOCUS VERSE: Isaiah 9:6
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.