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ICKING up in the middle of Isaiah 9:1, the apostle Matthew quoted from this prophet concerning the ministry of Christ among the gentiles (Matthew 4:12-17). Yet, there are verses in this chapter which are much more obviously messianic. Isaiah 9:6-7 should be relatively interpretable even without the benefit of the New Testament. The most amazing thing to me about this is that Isaiah 9 is all about the anger of God, and yet we have these glorious promises (concerning our Savior) included in the text. God was shining rays of hope into the jail cell of a nation on death row. Not that every statement about Jesus was purposed to be soothing balm. In fact, Isaiah 9:5 was a sure threat of more intense violence in the land than had ever been seen previously. Morning joy was indeed assured, but first, the people of God were warned about some rather intense evening weeping which was in their future.
Again, Isaiah 9:12, 17 & 21 indicate that the night of Israel's purging torments was going to be a long one. Why? Why would God put His own chosen people through such rigid punishments? The answer is simple. Isaiah 9:13 & 18 tell us that the people refused (and would refuse) to repent. They would not humble themselves under God's oppressing hand. They were full of self-consuming iniquity. They were simply ungodly. Yes, God's people were ungodly. Something had to be done. God's character and plan demanded retribution, correction and adjustment for the Jews.
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