Isa 9:2-7 | TNotes

9:4 ^a The people experienced the rule of other nations as a yoke of ... slavery and a heavy burden (Jer 30:8 ^b).

• oppressor’s rod: In Isa 10:5 ^c, the Assyrians are called “the rod of [the Lord’s] anger.” Just as God’s anger will cease, so will Assyria’s oppression of Judah (14:5 ^d).

• The Lord had destroyed the army of Midian through Gideon (see Judg 6:35 ^e; 7:22-25 ^f).
9:5 ^g Burning the boots and uniforms marked the end of the need for instruments of war.
9:6 ^h a child is born to us, a son is given to us: This child, the Messiah, would be David’s descendant (11:1 ⁱ).

• he will be called: These names can be read as four throne names, signifying the nature of the child’s rule: (1) The Wonderful Counselor conforms to God’s wisdom (11:1 ^j; 25:1 ^k; 28:29 ^l; 40:13 ^m), unlike the counselors of Judah (1:26 ⁿ; 3:3 ^o). (2) Mighty God is an affirmation of the Messiah’s divine nature. (3) He cares for his children as the Everlasting Father, the father whose care continues forever (cp. 22:21 ^p; 63:16 ^q). (4) The Prince of Peace is a leader who brings peace.

• Alternatively, the four names could be collapsed into two: (1) “A Wonderful Counselor [is] the Mighty God”; and (2) “the Everlasting Father [is] a Prince of Peace” (on his nature, see 11:1-9 ^r).

• Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matt 1:1 ^s; Luke 1:32 ^t; see also Isa 7:14 ^u; 8:3 ^v, 18 ^w), will bring in the kingdom of his peace (Rev 19 ^x).
9:7 ^y Like Ahaz, this ruler will be a descendant of David. Unlike Ahaz and the rulers of Jerusalem (1:21-23 ^z), he would trust God and rule with justice and righteousness (11:1-3 ^aa). Jesus the Messiah reigns for all eternity (Luke 1:32-33 ^ab).