Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What lies ahead for the apostate nation of Judah? How will they react? See Isaiah 8:21-22 (printed below)
They will wander through the land distressed and hungry—and when they are famished, they will become enraged, and looking upward, they will curse their King and their God. (22) Then they will look toward the earth, but they shall see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be driven into utter darkness. (Isaiah 8:21-22)
The people will wander through the land distressed and hungry. When they are famished, they will not express sorrow and return to the Lord their God in repentance. On the contrary, they will become enraged and will curse their God even though He is the King.
2. What will Isaiah do during these dark days (see Isaiah 8:17 printed below) and what promise does the Lord provide for him and those like him (see Isaiah 9:1 printed below?)
I will wait for Jehovah, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, I will look to him. (Isaiah 8:17)
Nevertheless, in the future there will be no gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt; but in the future he will bring glory to the way towards the sea, the region along the Jordan River—Galilee of the Gentiles. (Isaiah 9:1)
Even though Isaiah had personally remained faithful to the Lord, nevertheless—because he was living in the midst of this nation—he, too, would encounter those dark days. As Isaiah sees those “dark days” approaching, he gives this testimony: “I will wait for Jehovah, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, I will look to him” (8:17). Even in the darkest of times, Isaiah will wait for the Lord, confidently trusting in Him. Even when he must suffer, not for his own sins but because he finds himself dwelling in the midst of an apostate nation, Isaiah will patiently and steadfastly remain faithful to the Lord and wait upon Him. And the Lord gives this promise to those who wait for Him and continue to hope in Him, even in the midst of the darkest times: “there will be no gloom for those who were in distress” (9:1). Whereas those who abandon their God “will be driven into utter darkness,” to those who wait upon the Lord comes the promise, “there will be no gloom for those who were in distress.”
3. Contrast the past and future states of the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. See Isaiah 9:1-2 (printed below) and also Matthew 4:12-17 (printed below). Note: The land of Zebulun and Naphtali, located in the northern region of Galilee, were the first to experience the brunt of the Assyrian invasion.
In the past he treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt; but in the future he will bring glory to the way towards the sea, the region along the Jordan River—Galilee of the Gentiles. (2) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; the light has dawned upon those living in the land of the shadow of death. (Isaiah 9:1-2)
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. (13) Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the sea in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—(14) to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah, (15) The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—(16) the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (17) From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 4:12-17)
Isaiah is standing among the people who are dwelling in thick darkness when suddenly he is transported into the future and made to see the darkness dispelled by a great light. Isaiah explains, “In the past he treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt.” At the time of the Assyrian invasion, these two northern tribes of Israel were the first to succumb to the attacks and be subjected to deportation by the enemy armies (note 2 Kings 15:29). But, Isaiah continues, “in the future he will bring glory to the way towards the sea, the region along the Jordan River—Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 9:1b). This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the fact that Jesus the Messiah made this region to be His home (being raised in the village of Nazareth) and the base for His early ministry, as well as the place where He first proclaimed the good news of the gospel (note Matthew 4:12-17).
4. In Isaiah 9:5-6 (printed below) the prophet is speaking about the deliverance the Lord would give to those who had remained faithful to Him and those who returned to Him in repentance. What are some of the blessings for which Isaiah praises the Lord?
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every cloak rolled in blood will be consigned to the flames, they will be fuel for the fire—(6) because a child has been born for us, a son has been given to us, and the government will rest upon his shoulders. He will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:5-6)
Having been granted the privilege of seeing the blessing that the Lord has in store for His people, Isaiah now lifts up praise to the Lord for what he has seen: “You will enlarge the nation” (verse 3a). The nation that was conquered and led away into captivity is miraculously revived and multiplied. And, continues Isaiah, you will “increase their joy. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder” (verse 3b). Their joy is compared to that experienced by men when they gather in the harvest or when they divide the spoil of battle. But this joy is far superior to all such earthly joys, it transcends all earthly joy, it is a joy in the Lord: “they will rejoice before you (Jehovah)” (cp. Psalm 43:3-4). In verses 4-5 the future deliverance from the oppression of the enemy is compared to the great deliverance the Lord provided for His people in the day when He used Gideon to win a great victory over the Midianites who held Israel in terrible subjection in the days of the judges (Judges 7).
5. This passage closes with the assurance that “the zeal of Jehovah of hosts will accomplish this” (i.e.; the zeal of Jehovah will accomplish the redemption of His people and the coming of His kingdom). What does this statement tell us about the Lord (Jehovah?)
This closing declaration tells us that all of what has been promised and foretold will be fulfilled because of two things. The Lord has a burning zeal to take care of His people and complete the good work of grace He has begun in them (note Philippians 1:6). The Lord, as the Almighty God—the Lord of hosts—has the power to take care of His people and fulfill all of His promises (note Jeremiah 32:17).
