Isaiah 9

A Prophecy about the Coming of the Messiah

Isaiah 9 contains another well-known prophecy about the coming of Jesus Christ. Verse 1 describes the northern part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was the first area attacked when nations like Assyria came from the north. Isaiah prophesied that this area—known as “the Galilee”—would not always be so troubled. Isaiah promised that God would send them light and joy through the birth of a child who would break the “yoke of [their] burden” (Isaiah 9:4) and be called “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (v. 6). All of these names refer to the Messiah—the King of Kings—and this prophecy was most completely fulfilled when Jesus spent most of His mortal ministry in this Galilee area (see Matthew 4:12–16). The prophecy continues to be fulfilled as the government, or rule, of Jesus Christ continues to eternally expand when individuals accept Him as their king and become eligible for the blessings of eternal life (see Isaiah 9:7).