Isaiah 9:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel;

NIV: The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.

NASB: The Lord sends a message against Jacob, And it falls on Israel.

CSB: The Lord sent a message against Jacob; it came against Israel.

NLT: The Lord has spoken out against Jacob; his judgment has fallen upon Israel.

KJV: The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

NKJV: The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel.

In his book, Isaiah often alternates between prophecies about great blessings set in Israel's distant future and great judgment in Judah's immediate future. He has just concluded describing the coming of the King Messiah, who will restore to Israel light, joy, and security. This Messiah will rule forever from the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6–7).

Now he returns to describing the events of his own day, starting with destruction of the nation now called Israel. This nation included the ten northern tribes. This is no mere prediction about bad times to come. Isaiah speaks on behalf of the Lord. It is the Lord who has sent a word against Israel. The nation of Israel is also referred to as Jacob.

Isaiah writes that the Lord's word will "fall on Israel." What the Lord declares always happens, unless He specifically says otherwise (Job 42:2; Psalm 33:10; Isaiah 14:27). From Genesis 1, the Lord speaks words into reality, whether that word creates something new or brings destruction to what exists. This "word" Isaiah is referring to goes out against Israel for the faithlessness of the people and their unbelief in the Lord.

Isaiah 9:8–21 returns to describing the judgment coming upon Israel in Isaiah's time. Despite the arrogance of the people, the enemies of their allies will devour them. When the people do not repent, the Lord will wipe out their leaders. He will have no compassion for the sinful people in every level of society. Wickedness burns through the people like a wildfire, turning human lives into fuel. Sinfulness causes people to devour each other and even themselves in trying to satisfy sin's appetite. The Lord will judge Israel for all of it.

Isaiah 9 begins prophecy about a future when darkness will be lifted from Israel. The nation will be free, prosperous, and at permanent peace. This will happen because God will send a child who will become a king on David's throne. More than a man, this king will be called Mighty God and Prince of Peace and will rule forever. In Isaiah's day, though, God's judgment will soon fall on Israel. He will wipe out their leaders. Wickedness burns through the nation like fire.

Isaiah 9 begins with what may be the conclusion of the previous chapter. Isaiah 8 ended with the description of the darkness experienced by those in Israel who reject the Lord. The prophet describes a day in Israel's far future when the gloom will lift and glory will return. A child will become king of Israel, but He will also be the Everlasting Father who will rule forever. However, In Isaiah's time, the Lord will judge Israel with destruction from other nations. The following chapter pronounces disaster for the people who persist in sin.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).