SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 9
MEMORY VERSE:
“”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 Wonder, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
TO US A CHILD IS BORN (vs. 1-7)
When a nation does not follow God, the people will be walking in darkness and living in the land of the shadow of death. But when a nation follows God, it will see a light. God will enlarge the nation and increase their joy. They will rejoice at the harvest and win against their enemies. For a child called Wonder, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace will be born to govern Israel. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness forever. (vs. 6-7).
THE LORD’S ANGER AGAINST ISRAEL (vs. 8-21)
WHAT WIL HAPEN TO ISRAEL?
- The Lord has strengthened Rezin’s foe against them and has spurred their enemies on. (v. 11)
- Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. (v. 12)
- The Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. (v. 14)
- The elders, prominent men and prophets who teach lies are the tail. (v. 15)
- The people will be misled and led astray. (v. 16)
- The Lord will take no pleasure in the young men nor will he pity the fatherless and widows. (v. 17)
- The wrath of the Lord Almighty will scorch the land and the people will be fuel for the fire. (v. 19)
- The people will devour but still be hungry. They will eat but not be satisfied. (v. 220_
- Manasseh and Ephraim will turned against Judah. (v. 21)
Jesus came to die for our sins. He is called Wonder, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. He is going to give us light, life, joy and freedom. While waiting for his return, be sure the government of life is in His shoulder.
The people of Israel were proud. God chastened them in love but they won’t listen nor submit. Their leaders had led them astray. So, God judge them by making them, captive of the Assyrian. God is a God of grace and truth. He gives grace to those who accept His truth but his hand of judgment will stretch out to those who reject his truth.
THOUGHTS:
Jesus is the Messiah who is the light of the world. He came to deliver people from the slavery of sin. He is called:
- WONDERFUL – He changes the monotony of life
- COUNSELOR – He leads the paths of life.
- MIGHTY GOD – Nothing is impossible for Him.
- EVERLASTING FATHER – He sets the dimensions of life. He is without beginning and without end. He is the Alpha and Omega.
- PRINCE OF PEACE – He controls all the disturbances of our lives.
Pride made Israel thought that they could recover and rebuild itself by their own strength. They put their trust in themselves rather than in God. Oftentimes, we also take pride in our accomplishments and success forgetting that it is God who gives us our resources and abilities. Pride is a dangerous sin because it focuses on lifting ourselves up. It causes us to access our lives by the standard of our accomplishment.
BIBLE VERSES THAT SAYS ABOUT PRIDE:
- Proverbs 16:5 – “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
- Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
- Proverbs 21:4 – “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!”
- Proverbs 29:23 – “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”
- James 4:6 – “God oppose the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
- Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
- 1 John 2:16 – “For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world.”