Words of Wisdom #278: The Promise of Peace and Prosperity for His People
Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. [The people] have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. For You have shattered their burdensome yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as [You did] on the day of Midian. For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:1-7 (HCSB)
Why did Jesus spend most of his ministry time in Galilee? Why did he spend so much time on the Sea of Galilee? Was Isaiah given a glimpse of God’s plan in this passage? In this prophesy was the hope for God’s people, the remnant that would face the wrath of foreign armies for centuries. Even for a period of time between the Greek (Seleucid, post Alexander the Great – Hellenistic period domination) and the Roman occupation, when the Jews tried to rule themselves in the Maccabean period for about a century, there was bloodshed and fighting for control and domination in the land they lived upon. No doubt by the time of Caesar Augustus, early in the first century, God’s people were wondering if the promise of God’s peacemaker would ever come true. Had Isaiah gotten that message from God wrong? Every time a supposed “messiah” rose up the people found their faith in such men only became a disappointment because life did not change for them. By the time of Jesus’ birth, the Jews as they were now known (Romans term for the people of Judea – the former land of Judah) were bring ruled by a non-Jew – Herod the Great (he was actually an Idumean, from the land of Esau). The irony of the people who have their lineage through Jacob, named by God as Israel; versus their king is from the people of Idumea who have their lineage tied to Esau, Jacob’s brother. [Read Genesis 25-36] In this historical setting of ironies and ongoing domination, God would fulfill His promise of making His presence known through the introduction of His anointed “Prince of Peace” who would rule over His people, and yet his reign and kingdom would prosper and grow and have no end this time. And this time God Himself would make sure this kingdom would prevail and prosper. But, Jesus never was given the chance on earth to actually reign over His people. They, through the arrogant religious leader’s jealousy and fear, crucified Him. So how did God accomplish His promise that was given in this passage?
The rest of the story occurs on the other side of the Cross and the grave, because God the Father reached down and resurrected Jesus from the tomb to set Him on the throne next to Him so that His power now would reign and protect His people from beyond the grave and beyond the powers of this world. Jesus empowered His Church through God’s Spirit to know Him, go for Him, and to grow for Him. The rest of the story in history is how the Church (the body of Christ) – though not perfect because it is made of men – has survived and thrived since its humble beginnings in Jerusalem shortly after the original disciples huddled together wondering if they run for their own safety or wait for God’s Spirit to fill them with the power to launch the Church that Christ wanted them to build. Well, we know they by faith did exactly that and the rest is history.
The question remains for us, are we church building – kingdom expanding disciples who know Him, are going for Him, and are growing personally and helping in growing His kingdom, or just pretending to trust God’s Word. Are we living according to God’s will, God’s ways, and God’s wisdom according to God’s Word – or still like so many in history filtering everything we do through our will, ways and wisdom?
Coach
www.coachbrown.org
While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” [He said, “ is what] you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8 (HCSB)