The Hope of Christmas – message 1 – God’s Promised King

The Hope of Christmas

God’s Promised King

Isa. 9:1-7

Intro:

• I have heard songs, read books, watched movies, and television shows which refer to the hope of Christmas. Honestly, there have been times when the hope they refer to is something to do with Santa Claus, the goodness of people, or the giving/receiving of gifts. These things are not the hope of Christmas. In fact they have very little to do with it.
• Back in A.D. 274 an emperor of the Old Roman world chose December 25 as “the birthday of the unconquered sun.” He recognized that at this midwinter date it reaches its lowest point in the Southern sky and begins its gradual movement northward again. The annual rebirth of nature was closely linked to the Romans’ new year and planting season. Houses were decorated with greenery and candles, and presents were given to children and the poor. In time, Christians made this a holy day of their own. By A.D. 336, the church had decided that all believers should celebrate the birthday of the Lord Jesus, the Son of righteousness on December 25.¹ —M. R. De Haan II
• Isaiah speaks of God’s promise to Israel of peace and prosperity, which will be accomplished through a coming king. This message is a prophetic promise designed to encourage God’s people Israel.

1. Israel will be delivered (1-5)
   1. Distress will change to Rejoicing (1-2)
      1. Napthali (northeast of Zebulun) suffered greatly when the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III invaded in 734 and 732 B.C. (2 Kg. 15:29). God brought Assyria to attack the northern kingdom of Israel as judgment for their continued rebellion against him. “In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon and Abel-beth-maacah and Janoah and Kedesh and Hazor and Gilead and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.” (2 Ki 15:29).
         1. God promises that he will restore his people and he will make the territory glorious. Matthew applies this to Jesus spending time in Zebulun and Napthali (Matt. 4:13-15). Jesus is the one who will ultimately bring light (hope, life) to these people. “and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—” (Mt 4:13-15).
   2. Curses will change to Blessings (3)
      1. God will multiply (prosper) Israel. They will be so joyful that it will be like people rejoicing over a good harvest or like when they rejoice over spoil (financial profit). They will be very happy because of God’s blessing upon them.
   3. Slavery will change to Freedom (4-5)
      1. God will deliver Israel from her enemies and oppressors (4). Yoke and staff are imagery indicating being subjected to another kingdom/empire (for the northern kingdom it was Assyria).
         1. God refers to a past deliverance of Israel when he used Gideon to defeat the Midianites and deliver Israel (Jdg. 7:22-25). He did it once, he can do it again, and he will do so.
            • “When they blew 300 trumpets, the Lord set the sword of one against another even throughout the whole army; and the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the edge of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. The men of Israel were summoned from Naphtali and Asher and all Manasseh, and they pursued Midian. Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against Midian and take the waters before them, as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan.” So all the men of Ephraim were summoned and they took the waters as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan. They captured the two leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the wine press of Zeeb, while they pursued Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon from across the Jordan.” (Jdg 7:22-25).
      2. Boots and cloaks were equipment used by the military in war (5). God says that after he delivers Israel, such things will be used to fuel a fire because Israel will be at peace and there will be no more war.
2. Israel will be delivered by a coming king (6-7)
   1. A divine child (6)
      1. A royal son, a descendant of David will be given by God as a gift/blessing to Israel.
      2. He will have all authority (“the government will rest on his shoulders”). This is the only way that things on earth could ever be made right – God comes to rule his people in the flesh (i.e. in a human body).
      3. His name:
         1. Wonderful Counselor – This speaks of the fact that as king he will determine and carry out a plan of action which will be perfect and awe-inspiring. The world will marvel at his wisdom. This plan is discussed in Isaiah 11 – the kingdom (cf. Eph. 1:9-10).
            • “He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him” (Eph 1:9-10).
         2. Mighty God – He is not a mere man. He is the all-powerful God whose power is unmatched and unfathomable (Isa. 10:21; Eph. 1:18-23).
            • “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.” (Is 10:21).
            • “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph 1:18-23).
         3. Eternal Father – The emphasis is on a personal relationship, in which this coming king will be a loving protector and provider, just as a father should be. He has no beginning and no end – he is God.
         4. Prince of Peace – The rule of this coming king will bring peace but it will also be characterized by peace. He will truly be peaceful and bring peace on earth as king.
   2. An eternal king (7)
      1. He will rule over all forever. As his rule is established, it will never end nor will peace ever end while he reigns as king on earth. Since he will reign eternally there will be peace eternally.
      2. This coming king will reign on David’s throne which means that he will be king of Israel. “The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”” (Lk 1:30-33). He will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to David that one of David’s descendants will reign on Israel’s throne forever (2 Sam. 7:8-16). He will also be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that Abraham’s descendants will have the Promised Land forever and blessings from God (Gen. 15:1-18) – because he will reign in Israel over all on David’s throne eternally (cf. Matt. 1:1).
         1. ” The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:” (Mt 1:1).
      3. This coming king will establish David’s kingdom and he will run it according to justice and righteousness. His reign from its beginning into eternity future will be in justice and righteousness.
      4. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this – God is going to send this king (who is God) and he is going to use this king to:
         1. deliver Israel from her enemies and establish peace
         2. end all war
         3. reign as king on David’s throne in Israel over the whole world eternally
         4. rule the world in the way God desires – wisdom, justice, righteousness

Conclusion:

1. Israel will be delivered (1-5)
   1. Distress will change to rejoicing
   2. Curses will change to blessings
   3. Slavery will change to freedom
2. Israel will be delivered by a coming king (6-7)
   1. A divine child
   2. An eternal king

• The nation of Israel received this promise from God that he was sending a king who would deliver them from their enemies, bringing them peace and prosperity. He would establish his kingdom, ruling forever in justice and righteousness. This child who would be born and one day become king of Israel, produced hope in the nation.
• O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL (Latin hymn from 12th century – English translation by John M. Neale, 1818–1866)

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height, in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell Thy people save and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here; O drive away the shades of night and pierce the clouds and bring us light.

O come, Thou Key of David, come and open wide our heav’nly home where all Thy saints with Thee shall dwell—O come, O come, Emmanuel!

Refrain: Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.²

• Christians should be encouraged through God’s promise to Israel of peace and prosperity, which will be accomplished through the coming king Jesus Christ, when he returns to establish his kingdom on earth.
• We now look back on the coming of this child who was born. He presented himself as king to Israel, was rejected, and gave his life as a sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. Everyone who puts their trust in him – his death and resurrection – for the forgiveness of their sins, according to God they are forgiven and have been reconciled to him. Their guilt has been wiped away.
• We look forward to the second coming of this promised king. After he comes again, he will deliver Israel from her enemies bringing peace and prosperity. He will establish his kingdom in Israel and he will rule in justice and righteousness forever. Every born again Christian – those who have acknowledged they are sinners and asked for forgiveness, who have believed Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose again, and confessed him as Lord with their mouth – every one of them will rule and reign with Jesus Christ in his eternal kingdom.
• “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Re 1:5-6).
• “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Re 20:6).
• “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.” (Re 21:5-7).

1Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979).

2Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, Includes Indexes. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), 361.

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