Isaiah 9

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation , when , etc. Our translators have misconceived the construction, and consequently missed the sense. The first two clauses, which they run together, are entirely separate and distinct. Translate, Nevertheless there shall be no ( more ) darkness to her who was in affliction . As at the former time he brought contempt upon the land of Zebulon , etc . Contempt was brought on the more northern part of the Holy Land,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-2

Great light in deep darkness. In wrath God remembers mercy; be makes us to "sing of mercy and of judgment." He " will not always chide, nor keep his anger forever." Even unto disobedient and perverse Israel he will manifest his Divine pity, his redeeming power. Respecting this promise we may note— I. ITS HISTORICAL FULFILMENT . This, in the literal and primary sense, is involved in no slight obscurity (see Exposition). The difficulty in determining the period when these regions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-7

THE TROUBLES OF ISRAEL SHALL END THROUGH THE BIRTH OF A MARVELOUS CHILD . The section of the prophecy commencing with Isaiah 7:1 terminates in this glorious burst of glad and gracious promise. The gist of the whole section is: "Israel shall not suffer from Pekah and Rezin; her oppressors shall be Assyria and Egypt, more especially the former; Assyria shall overwhelm her, crush her, lay her low; she shall remain awhile in gloom and darkness; but at length the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-7

Vision of future glory. In bright contrast to the preceding gloomy outlook, bursts the enrapturing view of future glory on the prophet's soul. I. COMPENSATION FOR PAST SUFFERING . Not forever is the land to lie darkened. A great light of deliverance is to appear. The prophet's glance rests on the northern and eastern portions of the kingdom of Ephraim. They had been conquered by Assyria, and the people carried away captive ( 2 Kings 15:29 ). But "as the former time brought... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:2

The people that walked in darkness (comp. Isaiah 8:22 ). All the world was "in darkness" when Christ came; but here the Jews especially seem to be intended. It was truly a dark time with them when Christ came. Have seen ; rather, saw . The "prophetic" preterit is used throughout the whole passage. A great light. "The Light of the world," "the Sun of righteousness," "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, "first broke on man in that northern tract" by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:2

The dawn of gospel day. "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." The glory which God revealed then through the prophet was but a prelude to that greater glory which the Incarnation made manifest. So much so that these words are used in Matthew 4:16 , and relate to Jesus leaving Nazareth and coming to Capernaum, upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim, that so the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:2

Light in darkness. Cheyne's translation brings out the meaning and reference of this passage. "Surely there is (now) no (more) gloom to her whose lot was affliction. At the former time she brought shame on the land of Zebulun, and on the land of Naphtali, but in the latter he hath brought honor on the way by the sea, the other side of Jordan, the district of the nations." The historical facts to which allusion is made are: 1. The despoiling of Upper and Lower Galilee by Tiglath-Pileser (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:3

Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy . Dr. Kay defends this reading, and supposes a contrast of time between this clause and the next; he renders, "Thou didst multiply the nation" ( i.e. in the days of Solomon and again in those of Uzziah) "and not increase the joy; but now ," etc. The objection is that the verbs are all in the same tense, the simple preterit, and that there is nothing in the original corresponding to "but now." Almost all other recent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:3

The joy of men in a Redeemer. "They joy before thee," in view of the Redeemer thou hast sent. There can be no joy like that men feel in the acceptance of God's "unspeakable gift." Illustrate by the song and chorus of the angels at Bethlehem: "Unto you is born a Savior;" "Glory to God in the highest." And by the triumph-song of the redeemed ones in the glory: "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, "etc. There had been times of great rejoicing in the history of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:4

Thou hast broken the yoke of his burden , etc. The coming of the Messiah sets the Israelites free, removes the yoke from off their neck, breaks the rod wherewith their shoulders were beaten, delivers them from bondage into the "glorious liberty of the children of God." Not, however, in an earthly sense, since the Messiah's kingdom was not of this world. The "yoke" is that of sin, the "oppressor" is that prince of darkness, who had well-nigh brought all mankind under his dominion when Christ... read more

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