Verses 1-7 – The Messianic promise reaffirmed

9.1

The invasion of Israel by Assyria. The calamity of this land and its inhabitants shall be great, yet not so great as that which was brought upon Zebulun and Naphtali by the king of Assyria.

Rabbinical commentators relate this to the attacks by Assyria under Tiglath-pileser and Sargon II.

9.2

The Jews will see Jesus Christ. This verse refers to the people of Galilee at the time of Christ. At the time of Christ’s birth the Jewish people would be in spiritual darkness. The great light is Christ.

9.3

The righteous receive eternal joy when Christ comes to earth. The promise made to Abraham that his seed would be multiplied will be fulfilled. The word ‘not’ should be removed. The people will rejoice in the presence of the Lord just as men do who receive the reward for their labours or like victors dividing the spoils of war.

9.4

Christ rescues mankind from sins and physical death. The people will be freed from bondage. Joshua’s victory over the Midianites was one of the most notable in Israel’s history.

9.5

The coming of the Messiah will not be with the confused noise and battles of war.

The burning is to be the cleansing of the earth by fire prior to the setting up of the Messianic kingdom.

9.6

The prophet saw in vision the darkness and gloom of the nation, and saw also the son that would be born to remove that darkness, and to enlighten the world. He would be the King of both the church and the world. The Messiah would be “wonderful” (perhaps better translated as miraculous) in his nature as God descended to earth in the form of man; in his teaching, which astonished those who heard it; in his miracles; in the circumstances of his birth and death; in his resurrection, and in his ascension. His name is Counsellor because he knew the counsels of God from eternity and counsels man accordingly. The name Mighty God identifies Him as Jehovah. He will always be a Father to His people. He is the source and and embodiment of peace.

‘President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote about the Savior’s various titles:

“Isaiah … speaks of Christ as ‘Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.’ (Is. 9:6)

“These titles, and the sayings that Jesus was the Creator and all things were made by him, have proved to be a stumbling block to some who are not well informed. The question arises, ‘How could he, if he had not body and flesh and bones, before he was born of Mary, accomplish these things as a spirit?’ Jesus had no body of flesh and bones until he was born at Bethlehem. This he fully explained to the brother of Jared. The answer to this question is simply that he did these wonderful works because of the glory his Father had given him before he was born (John 17:5–24) and because at that time he was God. In an epistle issued by the First Presidency and Council of Twelve Apostles in 1916, these matters are clearly explained. (see Era, Vol. 19:34.) From this epistle the following is taken:

“‘… scriptures that refer to God in any way as the Father of the heavens and in the earth are to be understood as signifying that God is the Maker, the Organizer, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

“‘With this meaning, as the context shows in every case, Jehovah, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of Elohim, is called “the Father,” and even “the very eternal Father of heaven and earth.” (See … Mosiah 16:15.) With analogous meaning, Jesus Christ is called “The Everlasting Father,” (Isaiah 9:6; compare 2 Nephi 19:6.) The descriptive titles “Everlasting” and “eternal” in the foregoing texts are synonymous.

“‘That Jesus Christ who we also know as Jehovah, was the executive of the Father, Elohim, in the work of creation is set forth in the book Jesus the Christ, Chap. 4. Jesus Christ, being the Creator, is constantly called the Father of heaven and earth in the sense explained above; and since his creations are of eternal quality, he is very properly called the Eternal Father of heaven and earth.’” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:168).’ )Old Testament Institute Manual)

9.7

Christ’s millennial government. His peaceable and happy government shall be enlarged without end. The Messiah will be descended from David. His kingdom will be just and right. This will be done because of His love and care for His people.

9.8

The prophetic message that follows was a warning to the northern ten tribes, called Israel.

9.9

Pride. And all the proud and self-confident people of Israel shall receive God’s warning.

9.10

This verse contains the confession of the inhabitants of Samaria, that their affairs were in a ruinous and dilapidated state; but also their self-confident assurance that they would be able to repair the evils, and restore their nation to more than their former magnificence. —Sun-dried bricks and the cheap timber of the sycamore were the common materials used for the dwellings of the poor, hewn stones and cedar for the palaces of the rich.

9.11

The Assyrians, who shall first attack Damascus, shall next advance against him Ephraim. 

9.12

 The Syrians, though now allies of Ephraim shall join the Assyrians against Ephraim.  In spite of all the Lord is available if they will turn to Him

9.13

Despite this, the people will not turn to the Lord.

9.14

Head and tail—proverbial for the highest and lowest. Branch and rush—another image for the same thought. 

9.15

Their rulers were the head, the false prophets were the tail and the rush.

9.16

And the leaders of this people have become misleaders, and those that are led are swallowed up .

9.17

Not even the youth, the widows and the orphans will be spared because they are all idolators (better translation than hypocrites). Folly = wickedness. Despite all this His anger is not turned away.

9.18

Wickedness spreads as rapidly as fire. The wicked are often compared to thorns and briers. The fire will devour the wicked and the mighty. The flames of wickedness give no light but heavy columns of smoke.

9.19

The spreading desolation is the proof of His anger. A man will have no compassion on his own brother.

9.20

Men shall devour both on the right and left hand and not be satisfied. They will destroy their nearest kinfolk.

9.21

Tribes of Israel that had previously been close will turn on each other. Despite theis His anger is not turned away.