The Reign of the Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9

A text – Isaiah 9:2-7

9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.
9:3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
9:4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
9:5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
9:7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

A reflection:

This prophesy of Isaiah describes an entire nation in great joy. It likens the importance of the birth of the Savior with other big events, like harvest time, like winning a battle and dividing the spoils, like finally being relieved of a great burden, like light coming at the end of a dark tunnel.

Jesus came to fulfill a promise: there would be a new king with never-ending authority who would rule Israel, and he would have the zeal of the Lord God backing him up. Endless peace. Justice and righteousness. Sounds like an impossible dream.

In this world, it may really be an impossible dream. Later on, Jesus, grown up and robed in a bloody cloak, would tell Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” As long as there is an empire, there will be wars and insurrections. As long as human beings want power, they won’t be content to let a Prince of Peace rule. And even today, peace and justice elude that Holy Land Isaiah was writing to. Where’s the hope in this prophesy when it seems doomed not to come true in this world?

Here on Earth we may never see a full-blown peace. But we can pull back at the corners and glimpse the Kingdom of God coming near to us. Whenever we witness a miracle, even a little one, we can say, “There it is!” And if we can teach our children and our grandchildren to notice the Kingdom of God breaking in, we become part of that great cloud of witnesses that point to the eternal future we all share because of the Savior. Because we all will be caught in God’s big embrace. It’s our future to live in the reign of the Prince of Peace. Rejoice!

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for never giving up on the human race, for loving us despite our idiocy. Help us to glimpse your future for us in small ways, to keep us rejoicing, and to help us bear witness to your generous love and faithfulness.  Amen.