Chapter 9

Verse 1 Nevertheless- Chapter 9 begins by looking back at the ending verses of chapter 8:19-22
When they say (Israelites, Ahaz, others) say unto the sign (Isaiah, his sons) (maybe Isaiah’s witnesses) seek after our ways, shouldn’t they be seeking the true God instead of living men seeking dead gods. There is no light in those who do not speak according to the law and testimony (the truth). When those who do not have the light Pass through it (could be their land or their chosen path) they will do it distressed and hungry. They will blame their king and God and only be in deeper darkness. - Primarily continuing the prophesy of Assyria pouring over Judah and breaking Israel into pieces (8:9) because the made unholy alliances and became confident of themselves.
*The dimness shall not be as such - Three ways to look at this phrase
Not as bad (most commentaries) - Not the same - Even worse
It is talking about the dimness (lack of the presence of the light from the Lord) not the punishment
will not be as bad -
Could be speaking of earlier times when God used Assyria to chasten Israel -
2Kings 10:31-33, 2Kings 15:19, 29;

Verse 2- Darkness, shadow of death - they were always one step away from being slaughtered by their enemies.
The great light hat shined - Word Of The Lord - Moses and the law, the judges, prophets, David, Solomon
(Future Christ would come to the Jews first
Israel constantly refused the light from God- made themselves to walk in darkness and because of the rejection of God’s light. David understood that the Lord is the answer to darkness and death - Psalm 23:4
Jeremiah 2:6 & 13:16 ---Luke 16:29-31 The Jews would not believe Lazarus - They didn’t believe The Christ
The three applications
Their present - in darkness & death (rejected Moses and the prophets) - Assyria coming
Their future the birth and ministry Christ - rejected Him even after He rose from the dead - remained under the control of their enemies always facing persecution and death.
Their future when their eyes are opened and the see The Holy One Of Israel - The 1000 year reign of Christ

Verses 3-5 More of their condition in spite of what God had done
Their past God increased this nation to the greatest the world has ever known under David & Solomon - they never experienced the true Joy (in the LORD)
Their present: they were in the land given to them by God - their darkness overshadowed their joy
Their future no joy in captivity
Their lack of joy could be that which add to the fire - the anger of the Lord -

Verses 6 & 7 - Their promised of a child born unto them who will set His government upon the throne of David for eternity (Daniel 2:44) - This Child - The Christ -
The zeal of that Child - For His house - For His people, Israel - For David (1Sam 13:14)
God is not through with the nation of Israel - they will be established for eternity with Christ as their King -

This was a promise Judah and Israel could always look to throughout all their trouble - That Day when He The Child is upon the Throne - Bring Judgment and Justice - that is His zeal

Verses 8-12 God is desiring to save Judah God has sent a word (of judgment & justice) - Let be known I (The LORD) will raise up your enemies and bring judgment because of your self-pride, staying upon self and others instead of the LORD - His anger is not going to be stopped - could that hand stretched out be the strong hand that was used to tell Isaiah not to follow the sinful ways of Judah -

Verse 13- This judgment is coming because His people do not turn to the Lord, the One who has the true power to destroy

Verse 14-15 - cut off the head and the tail, the branch and the rush .
great and small from the body
Cut off the head and ail all that is left is the body - without the head the body died
Head - older leaders respected by people
Tail - false prophets
They will be divided, cut into pieces (8:9)

Verses 16- Israel is going to be cut into pieces because the leaders (kings, priests, governors) all lead the nation against The Light - they followed the leaders - they too will face judgment

Verses 17 - no one is going to be spared the judgment - there is no one who will turn God’s anger away from Israel - the people are the fuel - what keeps God’s anger going

Verses19-20 - The wicked can not be satisfied. God is going to bring Israel against Judah because of the Judah’s wickedness and Ahaz did not believe God.

All the trouble that came upon both was because they did not believe of the LORD.


V21 God’s hand stretched out in judgment is also a hand stretched out in hope
Hope in judgment - a virgin shall conceive
A child will be born that will rule Israel forever.
God will bring Israel back - “That Day” - The 1000 year reign of Christ