“This divine oracle announces that there will be a new king in Jerusalem who will have the authority and the muscle to fend off the ‘rod of their oppressor,’ which in context is probably Assyria. A radical transformation is about to happen—from darkness to light, from sadness to joy, from oppression to freedom, from war to peace (vv. 2-5). The reason for this newness is the birth of a child (v.6)… The four titles at the end of verse 6, made familiar to us through Handel’s Messiah, are characteristic royal titles that would have been used in a coronation ceremony. They are not unlike the ELABORATE TITLES OF IMPERIAL MAJESTY assigned to Queen Victoria in the high days of the British Empire. The final verse, then, anticipates the expansion of the new king’s kingdom, which will be marked by justice and righteousness, a governance accomplished by God’s own will… We may see in this passage [a ‘prophetic perspective’] (with reference both to Hezekiah and then to Jesus the Messiah) that God designates HUMAN AGENTS whom he empowers and authorizes in the public process of history. Such human agents designated by Yahweh turn the public reality of politics and economics toward the will of Yahweh.” The Life with God Bible, NRSV Bible Study, Isa. 9.2-7
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:15:20 +0000
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