Every word of the Bible is true and still works. It’s either all inspired or none at all. God’s choice of words in this scripture is marvelous. Verse 6 says “for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” In fact, every verse opens with the message of truth like flower petals in the morning sun. These 7 verses are enough to convince us of his coming. It was “to us”—a people in that time. It was “unto us” in Herod’s day. It is “unto us” now.
Isaiah 9:1 “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
In Jesus we have the totality of heaven; it’s in him and him alone. The totality of the human dilemma is in this child. Everything in heaven was given to solve every problem of humanity. The very problem is our soul, and it affects our total person in every way, shape and form. It is “unto us”—everyone and “unto us”—each of us individually. It took all heaven had to deliver us. An angelic being could not deliver us from even one sin. Only the triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, could do it, and they were in every part of it. The Father was present when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary. The Son left his throne. The objective seemed impossible. It had never been done before. The objective was the soul of mankind, its redemption and release from eternal damnation in hell. The triune God took this on as a Deity. The impossible was accomplished. It was done long before we were born.
We should never feel impossible as if the world no longer exists for us. All things are possible with God. It’s all for us; it’s all “unto us.” Jesus concentrated and focused on us then and now. We have the focus of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He’s our Savior right now and will never leave us or forsake us.
Verse one uses the words dimness, vexation, and affliction. Sin is not a blessing. It can be enjoyed for a while, but it’s not a blessing. Vexation is a curse and the immediate result of sin. There was no cure and no getting around it—no matter what. The effect of vexation is dimness in recognizing God and the blessing of knowing him. The more in sin a person is, the more darkness there is. It affects the joy, happiness and peace of a person. This results in affliction. There is spiritual death now, and there will be hell after death. The way of a transgressor is hard. It is for us, the ones of Adam’s race, that God sent his son. In the midst of darkness a great light is seen because of that first Christmas. As soon as the baby cried, the world witnessed a great light, and no matter how dark it is in our soul, the light can be there.
Hanukkah is referred to by Haggai. The word means eternal light. The people of God kept the light burning with a determination that it would always be lit. These are called the silent years, but God spoke through that ever burning light. Many wanted to stop it yet the eternal candlestick of the Lord was never put out. Verse two says “they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” We too live in a dark, fearful time. What’s ahead looks scary. There is a lot we can’t count on—financial stability, the integrity of our nation, our health, and the list goes on. In the midst of this, the light still shines. We do not have to be in the shadow. When Jesus went back to heaven the Holy Spirit came. Jesus is not in the stable; he’s not on the cross; he’s not in the tomb. He’s in our hearts because he’s in heaven on his throne.
Verse 4 says “For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor…” No matter how the darkness feels, no matter what staff or rod the oppressor puts on us and no matter what the enemy uses in the fuel for his fire, we know HE has broken it. The New Testament says we are made more than conquerors. Why? A child was born. It was not an earth-shaking event. A child was born in the poorest conditions and circumstances in a town of little significance. It was a private affair. Joseph and Mary were there with God and then Jesus was born, the son from everlasting to everlasting.
Isaiah said “unto us” a child is born. “Unto us” a son is given. US—everyone and US—each one. If only one, he would have come. He’s your Savior and he’s my Savior. This was no hiccup in power; there was no pause in the victory. Every moment mattered. “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Zeal—God won’t give up. Zeal—God is going through with his plan. Zeal—He won’t be stopped. God got it done and “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”
Enjoy Christmas. We should. But it’s not Christmas without Christ. The Lord determined that nothing would get in the way of getting “unto us.” He came “unto you” and “unto me.” If he went that far for us, let nothing stand in our way of going unto him.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 