The Perfect Gift (Isaiah 9:1-7, Luke 2:1-20)
Rev. William L. Barron, December 18, 2022Part of the Advent Series: Christ Coming To Build His Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Isaiah prophesied to Judah in the mid-6th Century BC from the northern kingdom. He told the soon-to-be-exiles that God was going to restore the remnant. There would be no gloom in what would be the district of Galilee. The allotments of Zebulun and Naphtali would be made glorious. Isaiah lived before the face of God; he put his obedience in God. Judah was bringing in other gods. As a result of similar disobedience in the northern kingdom, God devastated that nation; Judah must repent or suffer the same punishment. This would not happen, and a remnant would survive to see a great light. There were four reasons for the destruction of Judah: superstitions, materialism, idolatry and arrogance. Judah would not listen, and God sent Babylon to judge Judah. Paul sent the same warning to the church in Corinth (Ephesians 4). He urged them to not walk as the gentiles do, warning of their hardness of heart, callousness and sensuality. Slavery to sin is oppressive because of turning away from God. God promises to punish the wicked, including the wicked He uses to punish His disobedient people (Habakkuk). In Isaiah 9: 6, the prophet foresees the child of promise, a perfect gift, who is the real answer to the problems of mankind. He is the Prince of Peace. God is the provider of peace. Wonderful points toward the Son, the miracle worker. He is wonderful in counsel; He shows us the Deity.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Covenant Of Peace | None | The Birth Of The King » |
Isaiah 9:1–7 (Listen)
9:1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 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.
(ESV)
Luke 2:1–20 (Listen)
2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(ESV)