THE LORD'S DAY – Today we begin a two part study that will lead us up to the celebration of Christmas in a couple weeks time. This next Lord’s Day we will look from the Old Testament book of Isaiah at an Advent prophecy concerning the coming to earth of The Lord Jesus Christ. Then, Lord willing, the following week we will finish what we fail cover here in these texts and shift to the New Testament and wrap up our brief look at “The First Advent”. The dictionary defines “advent” as a “coming into place, view, or arrival”, and when capitalized (“Advent”) it speaks to the coming of Jesus Christ both at birth (First Advent-Incarnation), and also His coming as judge on the last day (Second Advent). Let’s turn our attention to Holy Scripture and look at prophecy concerning the First Advent. Read Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7.
What truth(s) did I learn from God’s Word today?
Suggestion for prayer: Ask the Lord to teach you from His Word this week.
MONDAY –In today’s passage (Isaiah 7:1-14) we find that the prophet is sent by The Lord to King Ahaz. As you read the text you will notice the King and his people were experiencing fear, anxiety, and the feeling of a lack of security due to an unsuccessful invasion from Syria and Israel (Northern 10 tribes). This upcoming Lord’s Day we will set the scene here in greater detail but for now I want you to notice the last sentence in verse 2. The King and his people where in such distress over the situation that Scripture declares their hearts where “moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind”. In the midst of this frightful situation God speaks through the prophet and prophecies a message of hope, peace, and comfort. Some of the details in the text are referring specifically to the time of King Ahaz, but as we see in verse 14 The Scripture looks down the corridor of time to declare the ultimate in hope, peace, and comfort; namely the coming of God in the flesh—Jesus Christ.
What truth(s) did I learn from God’s Word today?
Suggestion for prayer: Praise and thank God that He alone offers real and lasting comfort found in faith, trust, and obedience to Jesus Christ.
TUESDAY –In verse 14 we find the prophecy given concerning the coming of Jesus Christ. Some see this prophecy as not pertaining to Christ but rather someone else.
But the doubt is removed as to who it is speaking of when the verse mentions the “virgin” as well as the “Son” being called “Immanuel”, and also since Matthew cites this verse in his gospel record when speaking of Christ’s birth. The name “Immanuel” literally means “God with us” or “with us is God” and defines The Messiah Jesus Christ as being actually “God” with us in human flesh or “Incarnate”. Meditate today on this mind blowing thought; as the hymn writer says, “...veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail The Incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel”. Read Matthew 1:18-23.
What truth(s) did I learn from God’s Word today?
Suggestion for prayer: Dear God, thank You for coming to us as sinful people, and Jesus, thank You for being Immanuel and therefore capable of saving us.
WEDNESDAY –As we now turn to Isaiah 9:6-7, I am going to move past some portions of the text as we will focus on them more next time from our New Testament passage in Luke. So we move to the end of verse 6 and we pick up a list of titles given to the “Child” and “Son” who is to come. The first two, which some scholars believe are joined together since the other titles consist of two word’s are “Wonderful, Counselor”. Either way, both of these are true of Jesus. He is a “marvel, wonder” as the Hebrew defines the term and He is also the wisest One to “consult” and “to advise”. One passage which supports the thought of these two titles being linked is Isaiah 28:29. Here it is stated that the Lord is “wonderful in counsel”. King Jesus, in contrast to Ahaz or any other earthly King or counselor, gives supernatural wisdom as only He (God) can do. How we fail to realize this in its fullness and come to Jesus for wisdom, counsel, and guidance. Read Isaiah 26:3, James 1:5-8.
What truth(s) did I learn from God’s Word today?
Suggestion for prayer: Jesus, thank for being the “Wonderful Counselor”. Forgive me for not always turning to You for Wisdom and to Your Word which contains it.
THURSDAY –Next we find the title of “Mighty God”. The Hebrew for “Mighty” is defined as “a strong, brave, mighty man”. “God” is the word el used elsewhere for Jehovah God Himself. Truly this defines God in the flesh, Jesus Christ. He is God, The Mighty Warrior, who is brave, strong, and powerful. The Scripture paints this picture of the Messiah in other various places. The two that come to my mind first, are Psalm 45:1-7, and Revelation 19:11-16. Both of these passages speak to Jesus Christ “The Mighty One” and tell of His righteous, just vengeance and fury against wickedness and sin. This little “child” born to the virgin was none other than God Himself and as God; he alone is The Mighty One. The babe of Bethlehem is also the warrior of heaven.
What truth(s) did I learn from God’s Word today?
Suggestion for prayer: God, help me to have a reverent fear of Your awesome might. Jesus, praise You; final victor and mighty warrior. Thanks for defeating Satan and death for me as Your child!
FRIDAY –We read of Jesus, the “Child” and “Son” being also called “Everlasting Father” in verse 6. It may sound somewhat contradictory for Him to be known as both the “Son” and then also at the same time be referred to as the “Everlasting Father”. In the Hebrew this phrase is “ad ab”. The word for “Everlasting” (ad) means “perpetuity, for ever, continuing future, and ancient”. We see from this that Jesus is described as eternal. Meanwhile “Father” (ab) is defined as “Father, head of household, family, and clan”. Christ is here seen as the Father of His people. He will care for His own as a Father does his children with compassion, discipline, and so on. The unity found in Jesus being both “Son” and “Father” is one of those things we understand by faith in the Word of God and believe because Christ Himself taught this fact. Jesus spoke of this union often in Scripture and made it very clear to Phillip for instance that He was one with The Father. Read John 10:30, 14:8-11.
What truth(s) did I learn from God’s Word today?
Suggestion for prayer: Thank You Holy Trinity for being One God. Yet we do not fully grasp such incredible truth we praise You that You are above us in thought Everlasting Father. Help us be children that obey You and please You.
SATURDAY –Finally this week we look at Jesus being called by a very familiar title; namely, “Prince of Peace”. So much could be said here involving Jesus and peace. For starters we read that He “is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). We also know that as believers we have “peace with God” through Christ (Romans 5:1), and that Jesus secured that peace through the “blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). We have also seen that a person can be “kept in perfect peace” by the Lord when their mind is stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). With so much more that could be said regarding Jesus and peace, we find in this context that the main emphasis looks forward when Jesus as the King with the “government upon His shoulders” will procure and establish peace among all the nations of the earth (Hosea 2:18, Micah 4:3).
What truth(s) did I learn from God’s Word today?
Suggestion for prayer: Jesus, thank You so much for being my peace. I praise You for making my peace with God possible through Your atoning death for me.
