1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. Comment: Remember that Nazareth is in Galilee! Made glorious because of where the child promised in v 6 was born!
2 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. Comment: What was the day of Midian? Judges 7:8-22 tells the glorious victory which God prevailed through just a handful of people under Gideon against a mighty army. God herein promises a similar (even greater) victory by this child who is to be born! It was God who masterminded that victory!
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. Comment; Surely this means the end of warring!
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. Comment: The church believes that this is speaking about Jesus. A question – if so what about v 5 above? Unless Jesus is to return portions of this prophecy don’t seem to be fulfilled in 2025 where martyrdom of God’s people and war is so common!
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. Comment: The last phrase sounds so positive! (The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.) The Jesus presented in the gospels seems to be very fitting to bear the Names Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, But the suggestion of the end of war and the justice and righteousness promised aren’t evident in the world today! I believe that He will return, the Bible promises this but doesn’t tell us when, except in prophetic vagaries. When He returns He will fulfill all the promises made in this prophecy!
Zechariah 14: 4-5 – On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. Act 1: 9-11 – And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Prayer: Father my Hope for the future is built on these Words of Yours. Please don’t let my Hope waver!
As I read it! 