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Isaiah 9
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: No More GloomVerse 1
Isaiah begins with a turn. "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress" (9:1).
Gloom means deep darkness and sadness.
The land of Zebulun and Naphtali, in the north, had been humbled. It was the first to be conquered. But God says that one day he will honor that very land, "Galilee of the nations" (9:1).
1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
Section 2: A Great LightVerses 2 to 3
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" (9:2).
The shadow of death means living where fear and death seem to rule.
Then Isaiah speaks to God. The people's joy will be like the joy of harvest, when the crops are finally brought in.
2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. 3You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.
Section 3: The Yoke Is BrokenVerses 4 to 5
God will break the yoke on his people's shoulders. A yoke is a heavy wooden bar used to make animals pull loads. Here it means being crushed by enemies.
Isaiah remembers "the day of Midian" (9:4), when God used Gideon and a tiny army to defeat a huge enemy (Judges 7).
Even the soldiers' boots and bloody clothes will be burned. War will be over.
4For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. 5For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
Section 4: Unto Us a Child Is BornVerse 6
How will God do all this? Not with an army. With a child.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders" (9:6).
The burden on the people's shoulders is lifted. The government now rests on his shoulders.
Then come his names: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (9:6).
A Wonderful Counselor gives perfect wisdom. Mighty God means this child is more than a human king. Everlasting Father means he cares for his people forever, like a good father. The Prince of Peace brings peace that lasts.
6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Section 5: No EndVerse 7
"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (9:7).
He will rule on King David's throne, with justice and righteousness, forever.
And who will make it happen? "The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this" (9:7). Zeal means burning, eager love. God himself will do it.
7Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
Between sectionsVerses 8 to 21
This part isn't covered by the guide.
8The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has fallen upon Israel. 9All the people will know it— Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say: 10“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” 11The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together. 12Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. 13But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts. 14So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. 15The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. 16For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up. 17Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. 18For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets which roll upward in billows of smoke. 19By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother. 20They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring. 21Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
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