Come Bible study with me (Isaiah 9: 1-7)

Well, we are almost through the first 10 chapters of Isaiah. When I first felt God leading me to do this Bible study blog, I thought we would be moving at record speed. However, we all know that we are still doing life as we study, so I fell behind because we were moving and several other things came up. I'm sure you can relate. As you know, reading the word has never been about how fast we can read it in order to check off a box. That's not God's desire for us. He wants us to read His word, understand it, connect with it, and apply it to our lives. If it takes an entire year to finish one book, He wants to draw you and I nearer as we engage with His word.

With that being said, we are going to now dive into Isaiah chapter 9. We will continue with the asking questions (annotating strategy) to summarize this chapter. 


Remember, it's important to reread and use scholarly resources to help you better understand the parts of the scripture if you get stuck.
 

Let's jump into chapter 9! Here are my list of questions and answers as I read through the chapter: 

This chapter begins where chapter 8 left off. Isaiah begins this chapter prophesying what the people will encounter in the future, a great light that will shine on them. 

When was I ever in need of a flashlight or other source of light? 
I found this question in my Life Connections Study Bible. It really got my attention because light is so significant, and the word of God references it often.

My answer to the question is I needed a flashlight or other source of light when we loss power and we couldn't see in front of us. This answer helped me visualize what Christ does for us. In this dark and fallen world, we are wandering the earth in spiritual darkness without the light of Christ, which is redemption, renewal, and transformation. When we accept Him, we are like those walking around shining their flashlight into the darkness to know the way to go. The flashlight is Christ and His power moving in our lives. However, we have to acknowledge that the darkness is overtaking us. Then, we grab the flashlight, the source of light and allow it to guide us. This is the light Isaiah speaks of in the first part of this chapter. 

Why do people living in darkness need light rather than simply better circumstances? 
This question is powerful. The context of the scripture is how spiritually the leaders and people of Judah had fallen. Much like people today, they couldn't fix that with better circumstances. God had given them better circumstances when He brought them out of the bondage in Egypt. Yet, they still turned from Him. Why? Because mankind needs the power of God to spiritually change their hearts. 


What titles are given to the child who will come?
In verses 6, the titles given to the child to come are as follows:
 
a.) Wonderful Counselor - the supernatural power of God will advise, consult, help, and/or lead others. He would be an extraordinary strategist (Moody Bible Commentary).

b.) Mighty God - God is a warrior; God is mighty; divinity (Moody Bible Commentary). 

c.) Everlasting Father - the adjective eternal/everlasting speaks to the idea of one who is forever; the author or creator of time; God the Son, distinct in person from God the Father. The title pictures the king as the protector of his people (NET Translation notes). 

d.) Prince of Peace - The king who destroys their enemies. The ruler whose reign will bring about peace because the nations will rely on his just decisions (The JESUS Study Bible). 


How does this prophecy connect to Jesus' birth and ministry?
According to Luke 1:32-33, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to Galilee to tell Jesus' mother Mary that she would find favor with God, the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and she would conceive a son. Jesus would be called the Son of the Most High, He would give to Him the throne of His father David, and He would reign over the House of David forever. He, the light of the world, brought the light by preaching, healing, and delivering in Galilee. 


Why is peace emphasized so strongly?
During Isaiah's time and all throughout Israel's history, as they disobeyed God, they experienced much turmoil from their enemies. When Jesus died and was raised from the dead, He was given all authority: "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:21-23 ESV)."

In other words, for those who placed/place their faith in Him, He would/will give them total peace because they would/will live free and rest in His eternal power. This is our testimony!

Which of these titles about the coming Messiah is too magnificent to be fulfilled by one of the kings of Judah?
Of course, the giveaway is that He would be Eternal/Everlasting. We all know that no human leader is deity. However, I want to focus on the "Prince of Peace."

​When I think of things from a practical standpoint, I think back from when I was a kid until now. There has never been complete peace on this earth because human beings are flawed. In government, there is always a side one should take, and often leaders make things more about them instead of the people God created and placed in the earth. However, when I think about Jesus, He has become my peace and yours as well. He cares for us. He loves us and builds us up. 


What stood out the most in Isaiah 9:1-7?
The thing that stood out to me the most was how God encouraged them in the midst of correcting them. He made them understand (as I said before) that He does not want to destroy them, only to turn them back to the truth (HIM). 

What's the theme of this chapter?
I think the theme of this chapter is "God had a plan from the beginning." I say this because He knew what He created in humanity. He knew what we would become. He knew what our hearts could be like. Therefore, He planned to redeem each and every one of us. He and only He could and would save us. 

Are you fully experiencing the promised Messiah, whom Isaiah spoke of thousands of years ago? 
Yes, I am fully experiencing the promised Messiah. He is my LORD and savior. He has truly become my peace. My past may have been difficult, but my present (in Him) is filled with love, joy, and peace. Can I get an amen? 

 What were your questions from chapter 9? Add them and the answers below and any other comments you have. Share this and encourage someone else. 
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Thank you for stopping by the blog! 


Be Blessed & Keep Studying with "HOPE in CHRIST"
Denise M. Walker
Founder of Hope-in-Christ Ministries
Minister, Author, Speaker, & Podcaster