The Lord\u2019s message to Isaiah combines prophecies foretelling punishment for the wicked with promises of mercy and comfort for God\u2019s remnant people. Judah\u2019s enemies were tools in God\u2019s hands, enlisted to bring judgment on the nation that forgot the Lord. Yet even as Assyria assembled to do God\u2019s will, a message of hope accompanied God\u2019s warnings. Isaiah spoke of a coming child, the virgin\u2019s child, whose kingdom and power will never end. The Lord was thoughtful to comfort His people despite the trouble and sorrow ahead.<\/p>\n
Isaiah\u2019s gospel<\/p>\n
Soon Israel would be ravaged, Judah and Jerusalem would follow, but deliverance and salvation is the portion of all to whom the Lord shows grace. The gospel comforts all who rest upon God\u2019s word and Isaiah preached the gospel. Isaiah\u2019s hearers lived in days of great darkness yet into that darkness shined a greater light and this light shined on them. This light is the Wonderful child whose birth is foretold, the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. Many years would pass before the Christ-child actually came, yet present tenses, \u2018is born\u2019 and \u2018is given\u2019 are used for the future certainty of His arrival.<\/p>\n
Particular grace<\/p>\n
We should note the precision of Isaiah\u2019s language here in this great Messianic prophecy. This child who will come, the child born and the son given, is given to and for God\u2019s elect. It is specifically and particularly \u2018unto us\u2019 the Son is given. Here the remnant people upon whom God\u2019s grace comes with sovereign purpose are identified separately from those upon whom judgment will fall. The prophet distinguishes between those to whom grace is sent, the \u2018us\u2019, (v. 6), and those who do not turn to the Lord (v. 13). Judgment does not bring repentance, only effectual grace can soften a sinner\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n
Seeing Jesus<\/p>\n
Here Isaiah\u2019s sublime descriptions of the Messiah lift the eyes of the downcast that they might glimpse the Lord\u2019s Anointed. Here is solid ground for faith and hope. Here is more evidence of Immanuel, God with us. The child born is also the son given. Both facts blend sweetly together. To be born in flesh Jesus left His Father\u2019s side. To save His people He was freely given.<\/p>\n
The Prince of Peace<\/p>\n
Now we learn of Christ\u2019s fitness to reign and His strength to shoulder the weight of kingly office and righteous government. We learn of His names and nature: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. These are potent, glorious names that display to believing minds the true character of the child and the true identity of the Son. We learn Christ\u2019s kingdom shall endure forever and consist in perfect peace.<\/p>\n
Faith in Jesus Christ<\/p>\n
The revelations of Christ\u2019s coming were sent to the elect remnant to sustain them through centuries of oppression and captivity. They continue to illuminate the church in every dark age. Whatever it is that you who trust in Christ are called to endure in this life you know your help is found in the Lord Himself and not in the strength of men. Long before the Saviour was born of Mary, Christ\u2019s people were already being sustained by faith in His accomplishments.<\/p>\n
Holiness and love<\/p>\n
But let us note, too, how holiness and love, justice and grace, punishment and mercy co-exist side by side in the Lord\u2019s dealings with fallen men and women. As God\u2019s righteousness is visited upon His enemies in judgment His pity flows to His children in love. The final section of our chapter reminds us that wickedness shall never go unnoticed nor evil unpunished. The hand of God \u2018is stretched out still\u2019, displaying His purity and truth.<\/p>\n
Reconciled by His death<\/p>\n
This message was given to believers long ago from God by Isaiah. Christ\u2019s coming brought hope to the hopeless. It spoke peace to those surrounded by enemies. It gave courage to a people gripped by fear. The elect of God looked to Jesus, the coming Prince of Peace, and by faith found comfort in trusting Him. God\u2019s elect still look to Jesus and experience the peace procured through the blood of His cross.<\/p>\n
\u2018His hand stretched out still\u2019<\/p>\n
As the Lord gives us eyes to see our own sin, discernment to know the enemies around us and within, He also lifts our eyes to see Christ and gives us faith to trust in Him. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. He who comforted His people in days long past comforts His people still. The same \u2018hand stretched out still\u2019 to judge, is stretched out still to bless.<\/p>\n
Amen<\/p>\n