A Child is Born

     Life is precious! It is a gift from God and as such must be used for God's purposes. Isaiah's purposes were twofold: (1) to warn the Hebrews that God expects their love, and if it is not forthcoming, they will be destroyed, and (2) in spite of their rebellion, a child will be born who can save them. Isaiah looked to the future, and thus, was a prophet.
    Prophets are those who speak divine revelations usually about the meaning of scripture or future events. All prophecy has been fulfilled as far as future events, so modern-day prophecy is all about understanding what has already been written. Christians oftentimes are given the gift of prophecy (Rom 12:6) which is in proportion to faith and is a spiritual gift (1 Cor 14:1).  Not to be proud, but it seems that I have that gift which I prefer to call discernment. When I write, I consider God's Word and reveal what it means. That's what commentary is! If what  write does not reveal scriptural truth, my words are not from the Holy Spirit. Of course, maturity comes with study, and sometimes God corrects my youthful error. He is patient with me.
     On the other hand, God's purpose for Isaiah was prophesy of coming events. What Isaiah relates is the inspired Word of God, or God speaking through him. What I write is understanding what God spoke. There is a big difference, so obviously unlike Isaiah, commentators today are not prophets of the same vein. We all make mistakes but God corrects us if we are discerning, and seek God's will rather than our own agenda.
     Isaiah's agenda was God's Agenda. He rebuked and admonished the Hebrews. Another "agenda" was to purvey the advent of Immanuel such that the Hebrew people would change. Do not misunderstand, it was not obedience God demanded but reverence. The difference is that obedience is coerced but reverence is an attitude of willingness which results from love. Why should they love the Lord? Because the Lord was with them, and they were His favored people!
     Up to this time, it does seem that the Lord would come for the Jews. As Immanuel, God was with them on a daily basis, guiding and protecting the Hebrews from themselves and subterfuge by Satan. Time and time again, Satan would deceive them: If you enjoy this pleasure, you will not die! They enjoyed yet still did not die! Isaiah, as a spokesman for God continually warned the Jews that indeed they would die! Isaiah chapter nine is a warning how they would die, and die they did! The Babyloniana killed or scattered (the diaspora) ten tribes of the Hebrew nation, but by grace God allowed two tribes to be saved to fulfill his promise of a coming Savior. Assyria was about to destroy them and the temple. Chapter nine is revelation of the Savior and who he was for:

Isa 9:1 (ESV) ...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.

    "No gloom" is what God was talking about to Abraham. In the past, there was little hope. Someday "Hope" would be born!  Before, this land was held in contempt by God; in time this land would be made glorious. It is to be in Galilee - and the Word (Jesus's ministry) was primarily in Galilee to the Galileans. Ironically, in Isaiah's time, Galilee was mostly Jews. However, in apostolic times the majority were Gentile. The root word for Galilee is transliterated "Gentile". Jesus of Galilee was a Jew, as were the apostles, but they were from a Gentile nation. Jesus of Galilee may just as well be Jesus of the Gentiles, as it turned out from the time of Paul. In other words, Isaiah was privy to God's Plan all along, God, with His foreknowledge, knew that He would be rejected by His people (Psalm 116:22; Acts 4:11) but lifted up by the Gentiles (Gal 1:16). Christians are more Mosaic than even the Jews! "To us a child is born!" Who is "us"? They are everyone because God wants that "none should perish" (John 3:16). Isaiah knew that well in advance (Isa 9:6-7).

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon^[d] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^[e]
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.

 
     Why do I believe in Jesus Christ? Because Isaiah knew him personally long before he was ever born! Within that prophesy, Isaiah not only foretold of Jesus's coming but how he was to come! By  "the zeal of the Lord of hosts". God's eagerness to bring peace to mankind begot this Child! His zeal was God's Holy Spirit who conceived this Special Child - called Jesus and God With Us!