Prophecy 1: Isaiah 9:6

Daily Thoughts – December 2^nd   

Prophecy 1: Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Reading for today:
Isaiah 9:6 and cross references

There are over 400 prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah's birth, life, and death. Prophets in the Old Testament included Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and so many others. Each possessed a deep relationship with God the Father, rich in trust, faith and a knowledge of His power and strength.

For the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, I will be sharing one of these prophecies each day.

Isaiah 9:6 is by far the most widely known prophecy about the birth of Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote this around 700 B.C. Careful reflection will cause you to realize that he is not speaking to the Christians, but to the Jewish faithful. The Messiah will come as a baby, and the burdens of all mankind will be laid upon his shoulders. What follows are not just names or references, but important in that day. For Isaiah to call out that the coming Messiah would be a counselor of the weak and broken, but more importantly God himself incarnate in man.

In the book of John 1:1-3;14: we find reference to the Word - and the Word was God...through Him, all things were made...and the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. John, of course, is referring to the one and only Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, that Jesus and God are One and the same.

To God be the Glory for revealing His truths through the prophets of old.

- Rich

Who Was He?

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  -  Isaiah 9:6

Cold and afraid, in the dark of the night.  Surrounded by animals in the stable.  God provided salvation to the world through a child.  A baby shivering in the night air, comforted by his mother Mary and father Joseph, who themselves were afraid.  The King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Savior of the world was born in the most humble of settings. 

What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come peasant, king, to own him;
the King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

We’ve all seen some sort of nativity re-creation, depicting a kneeling Mary, a strong and confident Joseph and a small baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (a feed trough).  Have you ever attempted to insert yourself into that scenario?  What if you were the inn-keeper that cold evening, would you have found a room for a pregnant women?  What if you were Joseph, would you have lost your temper with God for putting you in this situation?  What if you were Mary, no mid-wife, no nurse, no doctor, no medication, no warm towels nor ice chips.  I’m sure this isn’t the setting which Mary had in mind for giving birth to the holy Son of God.

Imagine being Mary.  The angel Gabriel has come to you and told you that you would bear the Son of God.  You’re Jewish heritage helps you realize that the Messiah is to come as the Savior of the children of Israel.  She must have been confused, alarmed, scared and humbled to have been chosen by God directly.  What would this mean to his life on this earth?  How could she provide a life for the Son of God that is worthy of His holiness?  I have a 14 year old daughter, and I can’t imagine the shock and fear that would be present in her mind if she were informed of this same message.

What child is this, that will change the world?  What child this, that we will still be following, debating, discussing and celebrating 2000 years later?  What child is this, brings eternal salvation to those whom believe?  A single birth established the basis for the Gregorian calendar that we use to this very day.  More books have been written about this child than any other person in history.  His, is a name that is known in every country of the world.  Since his life and death, more people have chosen to believe in his path to salvation than any other path to eternity or paradise.

What child is this?  This, this is the Son of God, the King of Kings, Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords – the Savior of mankind, the Messiah for the children of Israel. 

Be Blessed,

Rich

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All is Calm

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  – Isaiah 9:6

By far the most widely known and treasured of all the Christmas carols is Silent Night.  The beauty of it’s lyrics and melody, whether sung by a choir of 100’s with pipe organs in Westminster Abbey, or sung by a single child a cappella in a classroom the words resonate with all who hear.  It is likely one of the first carols you learned as a child.  We can all picture in our mind the bustling streets of Bethlehem, the massive crowds come from all around to celebrate and reunite with family and friends from the line of King David.  Others, I am sure celebrated in a slightly less exuberant manner and  beat their chests and cried out to the Lord to come and release them from their bondage under the Roman government.  Stories are told of their younger years, the good old days under David and Solomon.  Some will pontificate on the future and quote the prophets of old and lay out their thoughts on why God has left them.  Still others, I imagine, could care less about any of that and are living in the moment.  Partying in the streets and carousing as if it were there were no tomorrow. 

Amidst all of this chaos, commotion and busyness God Almighty reached down and brought forth His one and only Son.  The screams of the woman in labor were heard by some, but likely blended into the surrounding noises of the celebratory atmosphere.  The world didn’t stop and take notice.  Shepherds came from the fields, wise men came from the East, but we have no written evidence that the thousands of people in Bethlehem that night stopped in awe and amazement.  The Bethlehem star shone above them, bright enough to be seen by the shepherds and wise men who traveled over miles to worship the King. Yet, this same star was missed by the very people in the city upon which it shined that night? 

Often times when we sing Silent Night we think that the world must have stopped for just one night and celebrated the birth of our Savior in reverence and adoration.  Unfortunately, I don’t believe that is what happened.  I believe the world looked right passed the event, for it came in such a way that it was easily missed by the masses.  There was no gathering outside the gates of a royal palace waiting for a sign from within stating the babe had been born.  There were no news media positioned with live cameras and breaking news alerts broadcasting to millions around the world.  No, our Savior came into the world in the lowest of all places – a stable, likely a cave carved out of the side of a hill; in a manger, a food trough that had been used by the animals penned there that day; amidst the smells and physical unpleasantries that go along with having barnyard animals.  The hay in the stable provided the only comfort for Mary during the birthing process.  No drugs, no epidural, no massages, no comfort whatsoever.  Perhaps a midwife came from the Inn to help with warm water, towels and coaching, we don’t know, but by the end of that physically exhausting night, the teen-aged Mary and Joseph were parents of the Savior of the world.

I propose that the term, Silent Night, does not refer to the Christ child, Mary and Joseph; but rather to you and me.  The world has become no less chaotic, complicated and busy since that blessed night of Jesus birth.  We are moving at 100 miles per hour trying to fit everything into our lives and not miss out on any of it.  Between work, children, finances, education and our social life we are bombarded with time consuming events that distract us from living our lives for God.  If you are like most, you suffer from sleepless nights, worrying and fretting over life’s problems.  We try daily to take on the challenges we each face and at the end of the day, we are left with a list of what didn’t get done, which in turn begins our list for tomorrow.  It seems like a never ending cycle that leaves us exhausted and needing relief, needing help from someone, somewhere.  What we need to do is to step back from the lists, the stress and the chaos; quiet ourselves and rest in His peace.  Realize that the God of the Universe desires to dwell with you.  He can bring you a peace that is beyond this world’s ability to understand.  The lyrics of this song state, Sleep in heavenly peace; not referencing the baby at all, but specifically mankind.  For centuries up to that point, they had not heard from God.  The birth of Jesus meant it’s going to be okay, I am with you always, you can rest in Me.

When we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and accept Him into our heart we are allowing Him to take control.  This means we trust in His direction for our life and that He will provide for our needs.  This peace that is provided by our Lord cannot be found in any other manner.  Money will not bring peace, love will not bring peace, material possessions will not bring peace, the perfect job will not bring peace nor will your friends, families or church.  Peace is found by abiding in His will for your life and trusting that He is a sovereign God and in control of it all.  Things happen according to His will and not ours.  Accept this and come to realize how everything can be calm in Him.

Prayer:Heavenly Father,
Amidst all of the chaos in our lives we often miss You, Lord.  We often times look past Your grace, Your comfort and Your peace in our daily walk.  Help us to trust in You Lord.  Help us to know Your plans for us and to acknowledge Your sovereignty in our lives.  Through this Christmas season and all throughout the year, help us to find peace in You.  In Your name we pray - Amen

             

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