December 11, 2023

Jesus was always God's plan A.

Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 1:1-17

Jean Andersen
Monday's Devo

December 11, 2023

Monday's Devo

December 11, 2023

Monday's Devo

December 11, 2023

Monday's Devo

December 11, 2023

Big Idea

God with us.

Key Verse | Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:2-7

2  1 9:2 Ch 9:1 in Hebrew The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
3  You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4  For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5  For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6  For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon 2 9:6 Or is upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called 3 9:6 Or is called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7  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 with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Footnotes

[1] 9:2 Ch 9:1 in Hebrew
[2] 9:6 Or is upon
[3] 9:6 Or is called

Matthew 1:1-17

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 1 1:3 Greek Aram; also verse 4 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 2 1:7 Asaph is probably an alternate spelling of Asa; some manuscripts Asa; also verse 8 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, 3 1:10 Amos is probably an alternate spelling of Amon; some manuscripts Amon; twice in this verse and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, 4 1:12 Greek Salathiel; twice in this verse and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Footnotes

[1] 1:3 Greek Aram; also verse 4
[2] 1:7 Asaph is probably an alternate spelling of Asa; some manuscripts Asa; also verse 8
[3] 1:10 Amos is probably an alternate spelling of Amon; some manuscripts Amon; twice in this verse
[4] 1:12 Greek Salathiel; twice in this verse

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Dive Deeper | Isaiah 9:2-7

Darkness is typically associated with unpleasant things that we hate or fear. In darkness, we tend to be cautious, overthink, move slowly, and wander aimlessly. Our tendencies are to be more fearful when it is dark, since we can't see the dangers that would be apparent if it were light, but also because there is something about darkness that gives rise to our fears. Worldly fears that include insecurity, anxiety about what others think of us, hidden sin, financial stress, etc. Even in the security of our own homes, with no apparent danger near, we often awake with pulse racing because of anxiety that seems to dissipate with the light of dawn.

As our fears dwindle when the sun rises, so should our fears dissipate as a child was born (Isaiah 9:6) for us who gives light in the presence of darkness (John 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus came to give HIS LIFE as a ransom for our souls, to call sinners to repentance, and to give us eternal life. 

God gave us Jesus, our forever light so that we, in turn, can be that light to the world. I find it astonishing that God would raise up a child to deliver His people to bring peace, justice, and righteousness to the world. I would have expected Him to raise up a mighty warrior like King David rather than a child. Remember, David wasn't a mighty warrior until God chose him. He was only a shepherd boy. Later in 1 Samuel 17, we see that unlikely boy—armed only with a slingshot and a few stones—being victorious over Goliath. Another example is Gideon who defeated the Midianites with only 300 men. His clan was the weakest, and he was the least in his father's house (Judges 6:15). It is God's usual practice to use as His instrument someone who has nothing to offer except availability and God's blessing. The child Jesus would be an obvious choice. God seems to use unlikely candidates for His greatest works. 

We are so fortunate to call Jesus: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) 

This month's memory verse

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.

– Psalm 51:10

Discussion Questions

1. Isaiah lets God's people know that they no longer need to walk in darkness. (Reread Isaiah 9:1-2.) How has Jesus set you free from darkness and brought you back into His light?

2. In reading Isaiah, there is the realization that God is not just about the future but also present promises here and now. Amid despair and darkness, God's light shines as that which is the fulfillment of all that we need and everything that we wish could be. (Matthew 4:16; Micah 7:8; Psalm 18:28) His light shines today, tomorrow, and forever more. How can you reflect His light today? Think of some practical ways to do that. 

3. Darkness gives way to light, war gives way to peace, oppression gives way to freedom, and gloom turns to joy. How do these promises bring comfort to you in your daily life? How do you experience God's light, joy, peace, and freedom in your life? 

4. REMEMBER: God's plan A, Jesus, a baby, changed EVERYTHING. It is Jesus who breaks into the darkness of the world and brings light, hope, and peace. As you get done with today's reading and questions, take some time to thank God for this blessing. For sending Jesus. Pray for those who have not yet met Him. Pray that God gives you courage and the opportunity to share His story during this Christmas season.

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

HS

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Jean, and good morning to all my JTJ siblings- Q1. Jesus has set me from every imaginable form of darkness. As I’ve noted many times the fear, anxiety, and addictions that haunted most of my life were wiped out 12/1/12, https://www.watermark.org/blog/real-peace. In His wondrous light my perspective is now eternal. He has me “IN” the world but not “OF” the world. The darkness in my relationships is now gone. His light has shown me the path to the purpose and plan He has for me, (Hebrews 12:1-3, Psalm 119:105). He has led me into new healing in discipleship process with BetterMan and The Eden Project. Q2.-Q3 He calls me to full engagement, (Genesis 1:26-28), and to be a blessing to others, (Genesis 12:1-3), and to proclaim, witness and teach, (Psalm 71:18, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20). ——————————————————————
HS

Hugh Stephenson

In a prior comment I mentioned Pat Conroy’s great book “My Losing Season” about playing basketball at The Citadel. I would say the basic premise is that you often learn more from your losing seasons than your winning seasons. The story he tells is powerful and well told. And the point is well made. In the investment world there is a parallel truth, “Don’t confuse brains with bull market.” Since I started in the investment business in the early stages of the greatest bull market in history, I can say without a doubt that I had very, very few losing seasons and credited myself with a lot of “brains”. God has a way of teaching humility that is so intensely painful and long lasting that it is virtually permanent. The best lessons seem to be the hardest and take the longest to learn. In Summit men’s Bible study this fall we studied Isaiah 1-39. Wow. What a set of lessons. Among the most impactful was the powerfully taught reminder that it is judgment for wrongs that teaches us best and has the most impact on bringing me into repentance and a changed heart, (Proverbs 29:19). Woven into those Isaiah passages are the promises and reminders of the miraculous grace that is available to us. What most impacts me is the promise of a magnificent kingdom ruled by the Righteous and Divine King. It is in Isaiah 9:2-7 that I see this brought forth in the most majestic form. It is a joy and a blessing to read this passage. Even so, it’s even more wonderful to see and hear it performed, played, and sung as part of Hansel’s Messiah. In the link below is a video of the London Symphony Orchestra and accompanying chorus. It’s a magnificent performance proclaiming our Creator. It's worthy of the amazing human effort it took to produce it. As with other links, I am certain that this 4:12 will bless you. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc --------------------------------------------------------------------- The four titles of God are in verse six and have grabbed my attention today- Slightly edited notes from the notes- “This child to be born to Isaiah's people would have traits that demonstrated that God was with them. Thus He would be the ultimate fulfillment of the Immanuel sign (7:14). Four titles underscore His deity and humanity: -WONDERFUL COUNSELOR - “Wonderful Counselor" is literally "wonder of a counselor" (cf. Judg. 13:18), though there is nothing in the Hebrew construction to prevent taking these as two separate names.”[196] This ruler's counsel would transcend merely human wisdom (cf. 11:2); He would have no need of human counselors to guide Him.[197] Jesus advised, for example, that strength lies in weakness, victory in surrender, and life in death. -MIGHTY GOD - “He would be "Mighty God." He would possess all the power of God (cf. 10:21; Deut. 10:17; Neh. 9:32; Ps. 24:8; Jer. 32:18).” -ETERNAL FATHER - “He would not only be the "father of the nation," in the sense that Israel's kings were, but He would be the "Eternal Father," whose paternal reign would last forever, because He is God (cf. Ps. 72). This is not a reference to God the Father, however, but to God the Son, who will provide a fatherly kind of reign throughout eternity.” "In the Bible eternity is not absolutely opposed to time, but is simply (at least in its forward aspect) an unending duration or succession of ages."[198] -PRINCE OF PEACE - “In climax, He would be the "Prince of Peace," the monarch whose coming results in peace between God and people, and between individual people (cf. Mic. 5:4).”
HS

Hugh Stephenson

More on these titles/names: "Isaiah does not intend that we should understand that in actual life the Child would bear or be addressed by these names, anymore than in actual life He should bear the name Immanuel. ... The thought is that the Child is worthy to bear these names, and that they are accurate descriptions and designations of His being and character."[199] "To summarize, the messianic ruler's titles depict Him as an extraordinary military strategist who will be able to execute His plans because of His supernatural abilities as a warrior. His military prowess will ensure His beneficent rule over His people, who will enjoy peace and prosperity because of His ability to subdue all His enemies."[200] "God's answer to everything that has ever terrorized us is a child. The power of God is so far superior to the Assyrians and all the big shots of this world that he can defeat them by coming as a mere child. His answer to the bullies swaggering through history is not to become an even bigger bully. His answer is Jesus.[201] "Look at Jesus. As the Wonderful Counselor, he has the best ideas and strategies. Let's follow him. As the Mighty God, he defeats his enemies easily. Let's hide behind him. As the Everlasting Father, he loves us endlessly. Let's enjoy him. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us while we are still his enemies. Let's welcome his dominion."[202] “The first two titles suggest divine wisdom and power, and the second two present the ends that He would achieve through the use of those attributes, namely, fatherly care and sovereign peace.” 9:7 “This coming One would be the final king whose reign would result in increasing peace forever. Most governments increase through war, but this one would grow through peace. The future Ruler would be an eschatological figure, yet He would be a Davidic king—the perfect Davidic descendant who would accomplish for Israel all that God intended in justice and righteousness (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12-17). This would happen because Yahweh of armies Himself would bring it to pass for the welfare of His people (cf. 37:32). It is, therefore, certain of fulfillment. The Jewish rabbis interpreted this person as Hezekiah.”[203] "'The throne of David' is an expression as definite, historically, as 'the throne of the Caesars,' and does not admit of spiritualizing (Lk. 1:32-33)."[204]
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Jean! I enjoyed the insight from Gayle Erwin in David Guzik's commentary about the concept of the government being on Messiah's shoulders: ·Obviously, Jesus is not in charge of the halls of Washington, London, Moscow, Baghdad, Paris or Bonn. So, how can we ever believe the “government will be upon His shoulders”? ·Actually, His government shows its workings in wonderful ways. Whenever I see someone who miraculously leaves a life of drugs or alcohol and is restored to his family and work, I can see that he is now governed by God. ·Whenever I see loving Christians gently caring for orphans and those rejected by family, I know I am watching people governed by God. ·Whenever I see people eagerly learning the Bible and joyously praising, I know who the governor is. ·Whenever I see people give up lucrative careers simply to go and share the Good News of Jesus, I know they are governed by God. ·When I see pastors carefully teach and lead the flock God has given them, I know they are getting signals from the great King. ·When I see people leave family to live and teach in distant lands because they love the people who have not heard, I know they are governed by God. ·So, indeed, the government is alive and working. Often silently, mostly unseen. We can be and are, by choice, governed by God. Hope and joy and peace and rest cover its subjects. Justice, mercy and grace, amazingly coexist. I like this Kingdom. The borders are open. Come on in.
GJ

Greg Jones

Isaiah 9:2-7 is vey old and probably originally written with King Hezekiah in mind. There is a lot of scholarship explaining the meanings that would have been attributed Hezekiah. The Gospel writers update the scripture by writing Jesus’ coming and life into the original meaning. The deeper dive, answers to the questions like Hugh’s, and the realities behind Sue’s comment make the relevance of scripture timeless. Thanks to all.
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Michael Scaman

The phrase 'mighty God' 'El Gibbor' from Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. is only used one other place. 1 page over in Isaiah 10:20-27 A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant will return In that light it appears to be talking about God, not some lesser thing. He will somehow be a son, a child, a mighty man and a mighty God.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. Jesus helps me see life clearly, identifying what is essential and what is not essential. Jesus also helps me see “the whole picture (or situation)” so I never feel limited or trapped in anything. 2. I can help others believe in themselves and get work done. I can also listen and communicate with others so hopefully their day improves. 3. It is important to be positive no matter what you do or what you need to do. I experience God’s light, joy, peace, and freedom by applying in daily life what I have learned from God at service, in the Bible, and from serving others. 4. Prayer: God thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you for Christmas and for the holiday season, for giving everyone time each year to think of the gift Jesus is and the gifts He helps us each utilize in daily life. May those who don’t know Jesus give Him a chance this holiday season. May they work and develop a relationship with Jesus they can use every holiday season and everyday throughout each year. May they ask for help if they need it, and may I be a available to help them when needed. Amen. Jean - Thank you for sharing your ideas. I agree with you darkness can be scary and can showcase our fears. I like how you said, “Jesus came to give HIS LIFE as a ransom for our souls, to call sinners to repentance, and to give us eternal life.” That is such a good reminder. I also like how you said, “We are so fortunate to call Jesus: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6).” May we all look to Jesus for these reasons and do our best.