[The Words of Advent] PEACESýnishorn

Peace Is Coming

Jesus fulfilled more than 300 Bible prophecies. In fact, the book of Isaiah is filled with references about Him. For example, Isaiah 11:1 (NKJV) mentions “The branch of the Lord.” Jesus is the one spoken of prophetically here, as well as in Isaiah 11:1, “the rod from the stem of Jesse,” and in Isaiah 11:10 “the root of Jesse.” The offspring of Jesse was David, from whom Jesus descends. Isaiah 53, the wonderful servant song, describes Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and resurrection.

Jesus is also in view in Isaiah 9. The Northern kingdom of Israel had fallen into sin and disobedience, and God was trying to bring them back to Him. They were in great distress because the Assyrian army was coming. The Assyrians were bloodthirsty, violent, and vicious warriors who used psychological warfare to unsettle their enemies. They would put heavy boots over their sandals and big drums at the end of each line. When they marched in time with the drums, they would make a pounding, terrifying noise. They attacked in waves of around 3000 soldiers who came marching with blood splattered on their uniforms.

Israel consulted diviners, sorcerers, and sages to stop them. But they didn’t consult the Lord.

Three attacks came over the Northern kingdom of Israel. The first, in 734 BC, was by way of the sea. In 733 BC, the Assyrians wiped out the Israelites living beyond the Jordan. The third attack came in 732 BC, when the Assyrians went down Galilee destroying Jews and Gentiles alike.

Then, the Lord promised Israel that the gloom of death would be lifted and that they would finally see a great light – the Light of the world. This coming Light would dispel the chaos the war had released and bring peace. We know that the Light of the world is Jesus (John 8:12).

God promised to visit the nation and restore its joy as in times of peace. He was going to break the yoke of oppression off Israel. God would use the pounding sandals and the garments rolled in blood as fuel for fire, for He Himself would strike the enemy.

God was about to lift the heavy gloom that was upon His people because a Light was coming into the darkness and dispel the chaos, bringing lasting peace. How was God going to do it? God was going to send His Son, and through Him there would be peace.

Father, we thank You that in our distress You take care of us. You struck down the enemy through Your Son. Through Jesus, You have brought us everlasting peace with You, as our sins were cleansed by His blood!