ISAIAH
CHAPTER 9
Isaiah speaks Messianically—The people in darkness shall see a great Light—Unto us a Child is born—He shall be the Prince of Peace and reign on David’s throne—Compare 2 Nephi 19.
[ Verse 1 is positioned as the last verse of chapter 8 in the Hebrew Bible. It serves as a transition from the end of chapter 8 to the topic of the Savior’s mortal mission, in chapter 9—Ridges, David J., The Old Testament Made Easier Part 3, Cedar Fort, Inc., Kindle Edition. A major difficulty in understanding the book of Isaiah is his extensive use of symbolism, as well as his prophetic foresight and literary style; these take many local themes (which begin in his own day) and extend them to a latter-day fulfillment or application. Consequently, some prophecies are probably fulfilled more than one time and/or have more than one application” (Bible Dictionary, “Isaiah”).
Jehovah’s servant calls on Jacob/Israel to forsake its idols and return in a new exodus out of Babylon.4] 1 aNEVERTHELESS the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, [ where Nazareth and Capernaum are located ] and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. [ "beyond Jordan, in Galilee" as prophesied by Isaiah. (See Matt. 4:14-16.) This verse continues the thought of 8:22. The "dimness" and darkness or "vexation" put upon the people of Isaiah's time by the Assyrians, and Babylonians will not be anything compared to how God will "more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.” ]
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: [ the people in that area, who had "walked in darkness" without spiritual direction - would see "a great light" who is the Light and Life of the world -- Jesus Christ. This area around Galilee contained a highway known as "the way of the sea" which was a major highway from Egypt to Damascus in Syria. Whenever invading armies from the North went south to conquer, they took this highway, and the Northernmost provinces around Galilee were the first to be taken. This punishment came upon them because they would not hearken to God. The word of God came to this area over and over, and they would not hearken. As a result, destruction came to them over and over. None of these destructions would be anything compared to the destruction that was going to come to them after they rejected "a great light" (Jesus) as he was raised and began his ministry in that area. Those in that area had dwelt "in the land of the shadow of death" and now "the light" of Christ "shined" upon them. They would reject Jesus in the flesh, and that rejection would be the cause of their destruction by Titus and the legions of Rome in 70 A.D. The Assyrian destruction and captivity would be mild indeed by comparison. "Is it a small thing for you to weary men", (Isaiah or any prophet)? Yes, that may seem a small thing to us, but punishment and consequences come as they did to ancient Israel by the hand of Assyria. But when a people "weary my God also" when he comes in the flesh, that is a cause of even greater destruction and consequences. (Is. 7:13) When Jesus comes in the flesh, he will bring multiplied blessings to Israel, if they only will receive it. They will not, but ultimately their joy will be increased because of Jesus. They will take eternal joy in the eternal harvest after the spirit world experience and the resurrection, like soldiers when they divide the "spoil" of the conquered, after the battle of this life and the spirit world is over, they will know enough about God to take "joy" in things that matter eternally. ] they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not [ Joseph Smith Translation indicates that the word "not" should be deleted from the King James text. ] increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian., [ Even with all the benefits that God could provide Israel: lifting the burden of the Gentiles from them, the staff of enemies oppression, etc., and in fine blesses them miraculously as he did when Gideon defeated the enemy with only 300 men, they will not accept their Messiah. ]
5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, [ Not brought into the world in some miraclous way - but just as you and I came into this world, as a child; to learn and grow that he might experience the fullness of mortality - that he might know how to succor us. He was never called by any of these names while he was living on the earth the first time. ("so we can conclude that a good mesure of this verse applies to his second coming". Bishops training with President Russell M Nelson Nov 19, 2016.) ] unto us a son is given: [ Note that it is a son is given, not lent but given; denoting a sacrifice; the firstborn has alway been considered the most desirable sacrifice to deity. ] and the government shall be upon his shoulder:[ Anciently a robe was given to one in government office as an ensign of power and authority, here he is being clothed in the offices in the government of God - symbolic of the robes placed on the sholder in the temple. See Isa 22:21-22; That is, the ensign of government; the scepter, the sword, the key, or the like, which was borne upon or hung from the shoulder What government? The government of Rome the most powerful country at thet time. No! What government then?The government of God - which is the priesthood of God. Notice it is not upon his shoulders; but upon his shoulder. Where the priestly sash would hang from. This also has reference to the tradition as part of a Jewish wedding. As part of the official wedding ceremony the groom would take a corner of the brides veil and place it on his shoulder, this was a proclamation to all present at the wedding feast that the government of the bride would now rest upon his shoulders. ] and his name shall be called Wonderful, [ In what ways is he wonderful? wonderful in that he was born especially for the purpose to offer a way to save man, wonderful in that he gives us grace, justice, mercy because of his love for us. From the words of the Hymn penned by Charles Hutchinson Gabrie - I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me; I tremble to know that for me He was crucified—- That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled, and died. I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine, To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine;That He should extend His great love unto such as I; Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget? No, no! I will praise and adore at the mercy seat, Until at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet. Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me, Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! Wonderful becaue he was willing to fulfill our Heavenly Fathers plan - to submit his will completely to the will of the Father - From the Hymn God loved Us So He Sent his son: "In word and deed he doth require - My will to his, like son to sire,- Be made to bend, and I, as son - Learn conduct from the Holy One." ] Counsellor, [ How is he the Counsellor? Any person who gives advice; but properly one who is authorized by natural relationship, or by birth, office or profession, to advise another in regard to his future conduct and measures. He became a counsellor in the Grand Council in heaven when he choose to honor the Fathers plan, to be the Savior of the world, to save all men without taking away their agency and give the honor to his Father - see moses 4:1,2; The very one who took council from the Father and completed the creation of the world ] The mighty God, [The only supreme governor and independent being in whom all fullness and perfection dwells; who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; without beginning of days or end of life; and that in him every good gift, and every good principle dwells; and that he is the Father of lights. In him the principle of faith dwells independently; and he is the object in whom the faith of all other rational and accountable beings centers for life and salvation. Lectures 2:2] The everlasting Father, [ How is Jesus Christ the Father? our Father forever in that 1) he is the creator of the earth and all things on it 2) we are spiritually adopted by him when we take upon ourselves his name 3) Christ has been empowered by God to speak for him in the first person as God the Father 4) Because of the atonement for us he broke the bands of death, providing for the resurrection of all men abd the promise of eternal life. Or "d[ yba Abi ad", the Father of eternity. The Septuagint renders it as "megalhv boulhv aggelov", or "the Messenger of the Great Counsel." ] The Prince of Peace. [ sar shalom, the Prince of prosperity, the Giver of all blessings. Are his teaching not the essence of peace? Peace to mankind as we follow his example and do good and respect others; and Peace to our soul as well know that we might obtain forgivness - and return and live with our Father in Heaven because of him. Because of his several visions, Isaiah knew a great deal about the birth, life, mission, and titles of Jesus Christ, even though Isaiah lived some 700 years before Christ was born on the earth. some Bible scholars who do not believe in the principle of revelation and the spirit of prophecy question whether Isaiah could really have known these things in such detail. That the titles in these verses actually do apply to Jesus Christ is substantiated and explained by Joseph Fielding Smith: These titles, and the sayings that Jesus was the Creator and all things were made by him, have proved to be a stumbling block to some who are not well informed. The question arises, "How could he, if he had not body and flesh and bones, before he was born of Mary, accomplish these things as a spirit?" Jesus had no body of flesh and bones until he was born at Bethlehem. This he fully explained to the brother of Jared. The answer to this question is simply that he did these wonderful works because of the glory his Father had given him before he was born (John 17:5-24) and because at that time he was God. (CHMR 1:168.) ]
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever., [ Ultimately Jesus will inherit the throne of David and will rule the earth forever. ] The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones:, [ The wicked in Ephraim say they don't need leadership provided by God, and claim they can do just as well with "hewn stones" and "cedars". (Leaders of their own choosing). ] the sycomores are cut down,, [ The "bricks" and "sycamores" represent God's annointed leaders ] but we will change them into cedars.
11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel , [ Because of their unwillinginess to follow God the ten tribes will be left to their own destruction upon and many will be taken captive. ] with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite [ Joseph Smith Translation: "every one of them is a hypocrite." ] and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 ¶ For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. [ Great destruction is promised all the wicked in Israel. Even Ephraim and Manasseh will be against each other, and the only thing they will be together in, will be in their fight against Judah. In spite of all this, God's premortal covenant is in force and his hand through his anointed servants is stretched out to eventually save all Israel. ]