Sermon Bible Commentary
Isaiah 9:7
When Isaiah lived, that part of the world in which Judea was geographically situated, that is to say the eastern world, which was then the seat of civilisation, exhibited certain grand, imposing, and ancient kingdoms. How did Isaiah feel towards these kingdoms? and what was the place which they occupied in that scheme of things which he had in his mind by Divine teaching and inspiration? The answer to this question is given in almost every page of his prophetical writings. He regarded them as mere passing, temporary governments, destined to vanish and give way to a glorious kingdom which was one day to appear, founded upon totally different principles from those on which they were erected; a kingdom of peace under a Prince of Peace, or the Messiah, who was to collect all the nations of the earth round one centre, and bind them in bonds of harmony and love.
I. The great kingdoms then existing in the world were doubtless serviceable, under God's providence, in keeping up something like law and order amongst men. But they did this in the worst possible way in which it could be done, and only because, even for their own selfish purposes, it was necessary to do this. It was inflated and infatuated pride, combined with oppression, rapacity, and injustice, and total indifference to the rights of the weak and helpless, that Isaiah saw when he cast his eyes upon the great governments of the world of that day, upon the kingdoms of the East, to which he so constantly refers; and with all this the kingdom of prophecy, that great future kingdom which forms the goal of prophetic vision, was to be in complete, marked, and utter contrast.
II. To a certain and very limited extent, we may allow that this prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled, and is fulfilled now. Under Christendom, certainly a great change has taken place in the government of the world, a great change has taken place in human society. There is a justice, a public spirit, a consideration for the mass of the people which was not known under these old governments. But no prophecy of the regeneration of human society is fulfilled in this world. The Christian Church does but foreshadow the real communion and society of the prophet's vision. The Gospel tells us when and where this kingdom will be; that it will be in another world when this has passed away.
J. B. Mozley, Sermons Parochial and Occasional,p. 244.
I. Government comes before peace. First, authority must be established, and then quietude will follow; for tranquillity is the child of order. Christ is setting up government that He may establish peace. It is the secret of everything. If you look out on the wide area of the world, here is the cause of all the strange and painful processes, the conflicts, the distress, the judgments, which you see around you all to make government, absolute universal government. And then, and not till then, will come the peace of the whole earth.
II. To those who have learnt thus to connect government with peace, and who are jealous over their own hearts' outbreaks, it will be a pleasant thought that the government, if only you will let it, must increase. He who was born for this very end, to be the King of your heart, will not leave it till He has made that little province quite His own. There is "no end." That sweet subduing, that blessed ruling, will continue till there is not an affection that strays, nor a will that rebels, and then the "peace."
J. Vaughan, Fifty Sermons,9th series, p. 232.
References: Isaiah 9:10. A. Scott, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 230.