Having seen the historical and the literary context of Isaiah 9:1-7, and having elucidated the specifics of what would constitute fulfillment of this messianic prophecy, I now turn to a theological exposition of the passage.
Isaiah 9:1-7 has one main purpose. Here it is - the birth of the Messiah will bring light to a people walking in darkness. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined" (verse 2). The great light will be the birth of a great King: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore" (verses 6-7). The people of Judah and Jerusalem dwelt in a land of darkness, a land darkened by gross immorality (Isaiah 1:2ff.), political upheaval (Isaiah 7:1-2), impending war, and economic instability (Isaiah 8:21). However, in the midst of the darkness, God would give his Son to bring light.
Specifically, there are three ways in which this coming King (i.e. the Messiah) brings light:
(1) He fulfills the messianic promise.
(2) He fits the messianic profile.
(3) He finishes the messianic program.
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