Isaiah 9:1-7

[Jacob Ben Avraham]

A look at Isaiah 9:1-7; Let's take a look at these verses and see what they are saying to us. The Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) speaks through Yeshahayu (Isaiah) and says;


The people living in darkness have seen a great light!
upon those living in the land that lies
in the shadow of death, light has dawned.

2 (3) You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice in your presence
as if rejoicing at harvest time,
the way men rejoice
when dividing up the spoil.

3 (4) For the yoke that weighed them down,
the bar across their shoulders,
and their driver’s goad
you have broken as on the day of Midyan[’s defeat].

4 (5) For all the boots of soldiers marching
and every cloak rolled in blood
is destined for burning,
fuel for the fire.

5 (6) For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us;
dominion will rest on his shoulders,
and he will be given the name
Pele-Yo‘etz El Gibbor
Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom
[Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God,
Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace],

6 (7) in order to extend the dominion
and perpetuate the peace
of the throne and kingdom of David,
to secure it and sustain it
through justice and righteousness
henceforth and forever.
The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot
will accomplish this. (Complete Jewish Bible)

So, what is this "Great Light?" "What is this darkness?" "What is the yoke that has been a burden and laid them (Israel) down?"

We see some symbolism here. For many years, Israel has been under different "yokes" the "Yoke" of Babylon, the "Yoke" of Persia, the Greco-Syrian yoke during the time of the Maccabees. During the time of Yeshua, Israel was under the yoke of the Eagle of Rome. Yet also, and like us, were under the "Yoke of Sin" The "darkness" being without Torah in their heart. There can be "Torah" but unless the "Torah" is inside us, as a "living entity" we are in darkness.

The yoke of sin indeed weighs us down, as the yoke of Rome was heavy on the shoulders of Israel. Yet "A great light" dawned upon Israel. They saw the "Great Light" that evening in the fields of Judeah, the angels lit up the heavens with "Good Tidings of Great Joy" and the shepherds came to the town of Beth-Lechem where the "Bread of Life" was born. It was fitting that the "Bread of Life" be born in the "House of Bread".

He was born; "Yeshua Ben Yosef" yet also "Yeshua Ben David." "The Lamb of God" yet also "The Lion of Judah". The first would come before the other. Our Messiah and LORD was born "Yeshua Ben Yosef, the Lamb of God" to teach, clarify, and intensify the teaching of the Torah as the "Wonderful Counselor" (since that is what a counselor, pastor, rabbi does). He came to heal the sick, raise the dead, and to die for our sins. "Mighty God, and Eternal Father" Our mighty God is from eternity past "Haya" and is in the present "Hoveh" and will exist in the future "Yiyah" from where we get the letters YHVH.

He is the "Prince of Peace" (Sar Shalom) who gives us internal peace when we are "born again" when we know that the "yoke of sin" has been lifted off our shoulders and has been taken by Yeshua, who "bore the burden of the curse of sin" Political and worldwide peace will come during the Second coming of Messiah Yeshua when He returns as the the "Lion of Judah" and as "Yeshua Ben David." He will sit on the throne of David. The "Government" will sit on his shoulders. Meaning He will rule planet Earth, a Millennial reign. We will all be part of that.

His rule will be for "evermore". Hard to fathom "forever" since we are infinite beings inside finite bodies, yet we will find out someday soon.
So, rejoice in the Birth of Messiah at this time of remembering. He has come and will come again as our sovereign, Our LORD, Our KING.