Isaiah 9

Isaiah 9:2-7 I. The Light Has Come (Isaiah 9:2) By way of introduction, it should be noted that this chapter, Isaiah chapter 9, is a continuation of the prophecy begun in Isaiah chapter 7 and continues into Isaiah chapter 8. It is composed of mingled threats and promises. Its characteristic may be said to be “rays of light thrown into the midst of shades.” It promises comfort and deliverance, while at the same time it denounces the sins of the nation and assures the nation that the anger of the Lord is not turned away. The previous chapter had closed by describing a time of general calamity and darkness. (Barnes)

​​Isaiah 9:6:
that the Messiah would be the Prince of Peace: “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.”

God commands us to follow after peace. Psalm 34:14 advises, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” And again in Matthew 5:9, the Bible states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Listen to the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 14:19: “Let us, therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Paul went on to say (in chapter 12, verse 18), “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
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Warren Wiersbe

“You may think that you are insignificant in the great plan of God, but you are not. You are tremendously important to God—so much so that Jesus died for you, and the Holy Spirit lives in you. You may seem small in your own eyes, and this is good; because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. However, don’t let your humility become sin by making you believe you can do nothing for God. God can use you to help Him accomplish His will on this earth.”
― Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bumps Are What You Climb On: Encouragement for Difficult Days

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​Peace, at the root meaning of the Hebrew word, means “nothing missing, nothing broken. Complete.” He is Jehovah our Peace (Judges 6:23-24). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Peace is more than a serene setting. The force of peace took command of the storm and calmed the sea when Jesus released it with His command, “Peace, be still!”
Peace doesn’t mean having no trouble. It means having security in the midst of trouble. It means the ability to master the outcome of the trouble. It means trouble doesn’t trouble you! -Terry Copeland Pearsons

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​ISAIAH 9:10-11:
“THE BRICKS HAVE FALLEN DOWN,
BUT WE WILL REBUILD WITH HEWN STONES;
THE SYCAMORES ARE CUT DOWN,
BUT WE WILL REPLACE THEM WITH CEDARS.”
11 THEREFORE THE LORD SHALL SET UP
THE ADVERSARIES OF REZIN AGAINST HIM,
AND SPUR HIS ENEMIES ON,

​In a new book, “The Harbinger,” Cahn reveals what he calls “an ancient mystery that holds the secret of America’s future and the collapse of the global economy.”
“Before its destruction as a nation, ancient Israel received nine harbingers, prophetic omens of warning,” he says. “The same nine harbingers are now manifesting in America with immediate ramifications for end-time prophecy.”
The key to decoding the harbingers, he says, is found in understanding the seemingly innocuous words of Isaiah 9:10 (King James Version), what it meant to Israel and how the history seems to be repeating itself in America today.


“The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.”
These words were first uttered by leaders in Israel and in response to a limited strike by Assyria on the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali – an attack the prophet makes clear is actually part of a limited judgment by God against apostasy. It wasn’t meant to destroy the nation, but to awaken it, according to most commentaries.
But, says Cahn, Israel didn’t take the cue. Instead, the response from the people in Isaiah 9:10 is one of defiance. The brick buildings were toppled, but they vowed to build bigger and better. The little sycamore trees may have been uprooted, but they vowed to plant bigger and better cedars in their place.
God, speaking through Isaiah, explains what will happen as a result of their pride and arrogance and failure to heed the harbinger: Bigger and more potent attacks will follow. Because neither the northern kingdom of Israel nor the southern kingdom of Judah truly repents, the first is eventually swept away by Assyrian invaders and the latter is carried off into captivity by the Babylonians for 70 years.
But what does this have to do with the United States of America – particularly what the U.S. experienced on 9/11 and since? Cahn has found some eerie parallels.
“In the aftermath of the attack, the nation was stunned,” said Cahn, “Everyone was trying to make sense of what had happened – this unprecedented attack on America. The very next day, September 12, then Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle presented America’s response to the world. And what did he say?”
Daschle said: “America will emerge from this tragedy as we have emerged from all adversity – united and strong. Nothing … nothing can replace the losses of those who have suffered. I know there is only the smallest measure of inspiration that can be taken from this devastation. But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that speaks to all of us at times like this.”
He then went on to read Isaiah 9:10: --WND