Who’s Coming Home This Christmas? Questions for Discussion
Discussion Starter: What is the best reunion at Christmas that you can remember, a time when you were able to enjoy a holiday with people who were special in your life?
The Historical Setting of Isaiah 9
In chapter 7, we saw that, because of his fear of an alliance of kings of neighbouring nations (Israel and Syria), Ahaz the king of Judah turned to the King of Assyria for help. This was a rejection of the help God desired to give him. By rejecting the God who promised to be with him as a helper, Ahaz was rejecting his only hope. Now trouble in the form of Assyria would be the beginning of the downfall first of Judah’s northern neighbour Israel and then of Judah itself. God’s divided people would all be taken into captivity within a couple of generations.
In Isaiah 8, the Lord speaks a word to Isaiah recounting the plight of Judah. In this passage, we learn the truth that sometimes God himself can become a cause of “stumbling”: by rejecting God , we can become hardened to him and unable to see his action as the grace it really is.
1. Read Isaiah 8:13-15 and Luke 2:22-35. How might Jesus have been a “stone of stumbling” for people in his day? How about today?
The End of Gloom
With this dark background, we come to Isaiah 9 and its promise of the end of “gloom for those who were in distress.” In the original language, Isaiah 9:1 is a very complicated verse, which results in some sharp differences among the translations. The NIV translation seems to make good sense both of the verse in its context and of the New Testament’s use of it.
The places mentioned in verse 1 (land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali) describe the part of Israel where Assyria likely did the most damage in their attack. This land would need to hear the good news of a better day coming. This is the same region where Jesus’ ministry largely took place: Galilee.
2. Read Matthew 4:12-17. How does Matthew make use of Isaiah 9:1-2. How does Matthew believe that the “light” came to a people in darkness?
In Isaiah 9:2 light is promised for those who had been in darkness.
3. What kinds of darkness might we or our friends or neighbours experience especially at this time of year (aside from the long night and short days of mid-December!)?
Isaiah 9:3-5 outlines what the “light” will look like and how it will take shape in the people’s experience.
4. What is promised…
…in verse 3?
…in verse 4?
…in verse 5?
5. Read Romans 6:1-7. What does the New Testament picture as our great oppressor (in Isaiah’s words, the “yoke that burdens” us)? What does this oppression look like? How do we find freedom from the rod of this oppressor?
A Child is Born
Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of the birth of a child, the gift of a son, who will be the good king the people of Judah—and all people in the world—need. The New Testament leads us to see Jesus as the one who fulfilled this promise.
6. Read Luke 1:26-38. What parts of Gabriel’s announcement to Mary echo the words of situation of Isaiah 7-9?
This child—whose coming would finally happen at Jesus’ birth—is described as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These titles highlight Jesus’ wisdom, power, faithful love, and ability to mend broken things and people. All of these come into sharpest focus at the cross.
7. Discuss your need for each of the following, and how you might turn to Jesus to meet these needs:
- Wisdom to guide you
- The Power of God
- Faithful love you can always count on
- Peace and the hope of things being made whole
Is Jesus the one you are most looking forward to spending time with this Christmas?
Comments