Isaiah

Isaiah 9: God gives His royal Son

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the promise of light in a dark land, let us give God our attention. Ask Him to show our family the Son He gives and turn us from the rebellion His judgment exposes.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Psalm 97:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the light and righteous rule of Jesus. Help us trust the Son You have given and receive His correction. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God promises light for people who have walked in darkness, including the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. He will break the oppressor’s yoke and give joy like harvest and victory. A child will be born, a Son given, whose righteous government and peace will never end on David’s throne. Yet Ephraim and Samaria boast that they will rebuild stronger after their losses. They refuse to return to the LORD who strikes them, and their false guides lead them to destruction. God’s anger reaches the whole corrupt people, and rival tribes devour one another while His hand remains stretched out.

As you read Isaiah 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives His Son to rule in righteousness and end the darkness.

The promise of light follows the darkness at the close of chapter 8. Matthew shows that Jesus brought this light when He ministered in Galilee (Matthew 4 verses 13 to 16). The promised child carries the government on His shoulders, where the people have carried the oppressor’s burden. He is called “Mighty God”, the same name Isaiah gives the LORD in chapter 10 verse 21, so this Child is God Himself. Everlasting Father describes His fatherly rule and does not make the Son the same person as God the Father. God’s zeal secures an endless reign that only He can establish. Proud Israel instead treats judgment as an opportunity to boast about rebuilding. Its refusal to return leaves leaders and people together under God’s anger.

How does Isaiah 9 show us that God gives His Son to rule in righteousness and end the darkness?

God sends light into a dark land.

The promise names Galilee, the place Matthew identifies with Jesus’ ministry. Its joy is like a harvest gathered after waiting. God breaks the oppressor’s yoke as He did when Gideon’s small band defeated Midian. The victory depended on God’s strength.

God gives a Son whose peace lasts forever.

The child is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace. He will uphold David’s kingdom with justice and righteousness. The LORD’s zeal guarantees that this reign will have no end.

God judges people who refuse to return.

Ephraim boasts about replacing broken bricks with stronger stone. The people do not seek the LORD who struck them. Even widows and the fatherless receive no compassion in this judgment, because the corruption reaches everyone.

Memorise

To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what pride keeps me from coming to Jesus when His Word exposes my darkness?

Into darkness God announces, “For to us a child is born.” This Son will carry the government and establish peace with righteousness. His names include “Mighty God” and “Prince of Peace.”

Jesus brought the promised light to Galilee and went on to the cross. He bore God’s anger for His people and died under the guilt of their rebellion. The Prince of Peace rose alive, having secured peace by a finished sacrifice. That offering is enough, and nothing we do can add to the righteousness He gives believers.

Turn from the pride that refuses His correction and trust Jesus Christ. The King gives repentant believers forgiveness and light, where they deserved darkness. Come to Him with the guilt His Word uncovers. The Son God gives is able to save and reign forever.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the promised Son is Jesus, the Mighty God and Prince of Peace. Explain His fatherly care without confusing Father and Son. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His Son brings light and a kingdom without end, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,

Luke 1:32

Lord God, thank You for giving the Son who brings light and righteous peace. Please turn us from proud resistance and lead us to faith in Jesus. Let His truth expose the darkness we excuse. Teach us to receive correction and love righteousness in the days ahead. Amen.