Advent: To Us a Child is Born

Isaiah 9: 1- 7 (NIV): Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 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. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 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. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Every time I read this amazing passage, I'm reminded of why we can trust that the Bible is true. This incredible prophecy was fulfilled more than 700 years after it was written. In fact, Jesus fulfilled more than 350 direct prophecies from the Old Testament.

Isaiah wrote this during a scary time in Israel's history. Galilee had already fallen to the Assyrians. King Hezekiah had made an alliance with Egypt, and the fall of Jerusalem was eminent. So Galilee was “in darkness”. But a time would come when a light would dawn there. Light bringing hope and peace and salvation. Galilee has been a humble place in all of History, except for one thing: a Messiah grew up and ministered there.

Isaiah prophesied that a child would be born who would bring peace to people who have been burdened by a yoke of oppression and slavery. The victory he would bring would cause people to rejoice as they do after a major victory or successful harvest. They would rejoice as they did when Gideon's army defeated the Midianites. He would offer freedom, and he would rule an eternal Kingdom where peace and justice never ends.

This child would be from David's royal line. He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Did I read that right? The Messiah would be God Himself, born a human child. Only a Messiah who is God in the flesh could fulfill this Advent prophecy. In Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah writes that a virgin will have a son and will call him Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us”.