WORD From The Woods
This week, I want to look at my favorite Christmas passage, it’s one of the most familiar old testament prophecies from the prophet Isaiah that pointed forward to Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 9:1-7
“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
Like I said, this passage is probably familiar to most of us and you’ve likely read it many times around Christmas. But, we usually stop at the birth story of Immanuel, and then we wait until Easter and talk about His resurrection, and then we put Jesus back in a box until Christmas rolls around again. I hope that as you prepare for Christmas, this helps to shift your focus to a higher and more glorious view of Christ and His Kingdom, than ever before. This passage points to the anguish and darkness the people of God were in under the Assyrians, but promised victory, deliverance and light in the coming King that would sit on the throne of David and establish a kingdom of justice and peace. A kingdom and government that would be established and grow without end. When would that kingdom be established? It would begin with the birth of a son, born of a virgin from Galilee. His name would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Price of Peace! This King would sit on the throne of David and over his kingdom, from this time forth and forevermore! Mark 16:19 tells us exactly when this King sat down on that throne, “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” When Jesus of Nazareth, had finished His earthly ministry and the work of redemption, he ascended to heaven and took His rightful place on that throne. And over 2,000 Christmases later, He is still there. He is still the Prince of Peace, the Ruler of all creation, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, and our loving Savior! And His kingdom is still increasing every time He reaches down and saves a lost soul from darkness. Why does He do this? Love, it’s because he loves us! John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Christmas is just a few days away, as you gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of the King, make sure you glorify Him and share His love found in the gospel with those around you.
God bless, have a great week and merry CHRISTmas!! -Terry-
This week, I want to look at my favorite Christmas passage, it’s one of the most familiar old testament prophecies from the prophet Isaiah that pointed forward to Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 9:1-7
“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
Like I said, this passage is probably familiar to most of us and you’ve likely read it many times around Christmas. But, we usually stop at the birth story of Immanuel, and then we wait until Easter and talk about His resurrection, and then we put Jesus back in a box until Christmas rolls around again. I hope that as you prepare for Christmas, this helps to shift your focus to a higher and more glorious view of Christ and His Kingdom, than ever before. This passage points to the anguish and darkness the people of God were in under the Assyrians, but promised victory, deliverance and light in the coming King that would sit on the throne of David and establish a kingdom of justice and peace. A kingdom and government that would be established and grow without end. When would that kingdom be established? It would begin with the birth of a son, born of a virgin from Galilee. His name would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Price of Peace! This King would sit on the throne of David and over his kingdom, from this time forth and forevermore! Mark 16:19 tells us exactly when this King sat down on that throne, “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” When Jesus of Nazareth, had finished His earthly ministry and the work of redemption, he ascended to heaven and took His rightful place on that throne. And over 2,000 Christmases later, He is still there. He is still the Prince of Peace, the Ruler of all creation, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, and our loving Savior! And His kingdom is still increasing every time He reaches down and saves a lost soul from darkness. Why does He do this? Love, it’s because he loves us! John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Christmas is just a few days away, as you gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of the King, make sure you glorify Him and share His love found in the gospel with those around you.
God bless, have a great week and merry CHRISTmas!! -Terry-