JESUS – THE BRANCH

With this post we will resume our study of the names of God specific to Jesus.  Our focus this time is on “the Branch.”

Isaiah 11:1–5 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”

Jeremiah 23:5-6 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Zechariah 3:8-10 “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH….and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.”

Zechariah 6:12–13 “…Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”

The Branch is introduced by Isaiah as a descendant of Jesse upon whom the Spirit of the Lord will rest.  This means that the Spirit will remain upon Him and dwell in Him permanently.  The presence of the Spirit will be evidenced by a life that testifies to His righteousness and faithfulness and the power to destroy through the spoken word.

Jeremiah specified that “the righteous Branch” would be a descendant of the royal house of David, a coming King that would reign prosperously and enforce justice throughout the earth.  He also identified the coming King as “THE LORD,” another affirmation of His Deity.

Zechariah declared that “the BRANCH” will remove iniquity from the land of Israel in one day and its people will dwell in peace and safety.  There is only one man ever born of woman that has lived without sin in the fullness of the indwelling Holy Spirit for His whole life—the man Jesus.  There is only one man, Jesus the Son of God, who provides forgiveness of sin.

Romans 5:15 “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”

Hebrews 4:14–15 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Zechariah then goes on to say that “The BRANCH” will build the temple of the LORD and rule as a priest upon His throne.   This was an amazing prophecy to the people of Israel—a coming ruler who will be both priest and king.  These two positions before God were distinct and separate. 

I think Zechariah is making specific reference to the building of the millennial temple from which He will rule as king since that is the context.  I believe, however, that this is also a reference to the resurrection of Jesus in accordance with His own prophecy as recorded by John.

John 2:19–21 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.”

In “the Branch” we find Jesus revealed as man, servant, prophet, priest and king

ISAIAH 19 - A PROPHECY CONCERNING EGYPT

Again, considering current events, I thought it would be timely to post the update from my thoughts on the subject chapter since I am updating that journal.

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Is. 19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

This chapter begins a prophecy directed to Egypt.  It begins with a picture of the Lord coming into Egypt on a cloud in such a way that causes fear in the heart of the Egyptians and overpowers their idols.  This immediately makes me think of the cloud by which the Lord led the Israelites and how He destroyed the Egyptian army during the Exodus (Exodus 14).  It would be interesting to know whether this connection was/is made in the minds of the Egyptians.

As in the previous chapter, I believe that the prophet Ezekiel adds insight to this passage.

Ezekiel 30:6–9 “Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD. And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed. In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.”

Emphasis is made that the fire that is set in Egypt will spread to destroy the nations surrounding her.

Is. 19:2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

Evidently, the fear and panic that ensue will cause the Egyptians to turn on each other.

The truth of this scripture is emblazoned on headlines across the world even as I am working on this section of scripture (July 2013).  The military has just unseated President Morsi and the nation is experiencing great infighting.  This is just two years after a divided country succeeded in removing President Mubarak from power.

Is. 19:3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

In their fear and panic, the Egyptians will seek help from idols, charmers, them that have familiar spirits, and wizards—translate that, from their false god to others that are considered to have otherworldly wisdom.  God will prove that counsel to be useless, powerless and ineffective.

I thought the Hebrew for the word idol was to the point—good for nothing, no value, thing of nought.

Is. 19:4 And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

Emphasis is made that it is the Lord who is going to give Egypt into the hands of this cruel, fierce king.  Could this be a reference to the coming antichrist?  Could it mean a leader that precedes him that holds to the radical tenants of Islam?

Is. 19:5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.

Is. 19:6 And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.

Is. 19:7 The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.

Is. 19:8 The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.

Is. 19:9 Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.

Is. 19:10 And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish.

Not only is the Lord going to hand them over to a fierce king, He is going to restrict their water resources.  Egypt was and is very dependent on the Nile.  The proper rise and drop in the river level at appointed times affect their food supply and their industry. 

“Brooks of defence” seems to be referencing “hemmed in channels” of water for irrigation purposes.  “Reeds” are a reference to a category of plants that were used in making perfumes and incense.  “Flags” are a reference to papyrus, which was used to make baskets, ropes, boats, sandals, mats, and paper.  Fish will no longer be abundant.  “Fine flax” is used in the making of linen as well as in making cooking oil and lamp oil.  “Sluices” is a word meaning “wages”; so this is a reference to those who make their living from stocked fishing ponds.  All of these industries will be negatively affected. 

Interesting to note in light of this prophecy are the headlines in the news today of the plans of Ethiopia to build a great dam that would severely affect the water supply to Egypt.

Is. 19:11 Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

Is. 19:12 Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

Is. 19:13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.

Zoan and Noph were two of the main cities in lower Egypt.  The Lord is declaring that the advisers and “wise counselors” of the Pharaoh (ruler of Egypt) would prove useless.  No matter how distinguished their lineage may be, they will not be able to tell Pharaoh what God has purposed upon Egypt.

Is. 19:14 The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

The Lord is going to cause a wicked spirit to work among the counselors and advisors.  This will result in their advice bringing disaster upon Egypt.  The gross comparison is that Egypt could be compared to a drunken man wallowing in his own vomit.

We don’t often think of God using evil spirits to accomplish His purposes, but the Bible is very clear that He uses wicked men to that end as well.  God is the creator of all, both good and evil.

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

God will accomplish His purposes in spite of and sometimes in conjunction with the choices of His creation.  He is Lord whether we accept Him as such or not.

Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

Is. 19:15 Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.

Isaiah continues in his poetic repetitive form of speaking.  Isaiah 9:14-16 helps us to understand that the Lord is speaking to the Egyptian leaders.

Isaiah 9:14-16 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.  The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.  For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Most commentators consider this prophecy of Egypt fulfilled when Assyria conquered Egypt.  In my mind that doesn’t preclude it being a foreshadowing of more to come. 

Is. 19:16 In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

When the Lord brings this prophecy to fulfillment in Egypt, the people of Egypt will stand in fear of the “Lord of hosts.”  I don’t think this statement applied when Assyria conquered Egypt; neither did the following.

Is. 19:17 And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

“The land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt.”  That doesn’t sound too far off from the truth today, even though I’m sure they wouldn’t admit it.  I tend to think this will be a more obvious fact in the future.  It will get to the point that even the mention of Judah (the Jews) will instill fear in the Egyptians because of Judah’s connection to the “Lord of hosts”—the One who purposes to punish Egypt.

Is. 19:18 In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.

Canaan is a reference to the land of Israel.

The day is coming when people in the land of Egypt will speak Hebrew and recognize God as their Lord.  One of the first cities to be converted will be the “city of destruction.”  Some commentators connect this with the city of Heliopolis or On, which was devoted to the worship of the sun god, one of Egypt’s major deities.  Instead of worshipping the sun, they will worship the Son (Jesus).  I think this part of the prophecy will find fulfillment in the millennium.

I wonder if this is a hint that we will all speak Hebrew in the millenium.  I tend to think so.  The languages were confused to keep the people from joining in rebellion against the Lord.  It would make sense to me that we would convert back to one language to facilitate service and obedience to the Lord.

Is. 19:19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

Is. 19:20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

The day is coming when Egypt will cry out to the Lord God because of their oppression.  They will build an altar to the Lord in the center of the land and a memorial stone at the border of the land acknowledging God as their Lord.  At that time the Lord will send them a deliverer.

As a note of interest, there are some bible teachers that make a connection with these verses and The Great Pyramid, and some of their articles are quite thought provoking.

Is. 19:21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

When the time comes that Egypt openly acknowledges God as Lord, they will prove their commitment to Him by their actions.  They will offer Him sacrifices and give Him gifts.  When they make vows to God, they will keep them.

The application is obvious.  One who truly acknowledges God as Lord will serve Him with obedience, devotion and commitment.

Is. 19:22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

The message to Egypt begins with punishment and ends with hope.  Although the Lord will smite (defeat, strike, put to the worse) Egypt, He will eventually bring them healing.  They will “return” to the Lord. 

As I thought about it, that would be a true statement about any nation that chooses to follow God.  We all have the same root, the same forefathers.  Adam and Eve were created in fellowship with the Creator.  Noah and his family were saved through the flood through obedience to and faith in God.  Somewhere along the way, people chose to depart from the truth—to depart from God.  This prophecy ends up in a promise that the day is coming when Egypt will return to God, and He will hear their prayers and will provide healing—will make them whole again in relationship to Him.  I think we can all agree that this is yet future.  

Egypt is often a type of the Gentile world, and I think represents those who will turn to the Lord in faith after the time of God’s wrath.

Is. 19:23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

Is. 19:24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:

Is. 19:25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

The day is coming when there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria that will pass through Israel.  The people of these nations will travel freely and safely from one nation to the other; these three former enemies will be friends.  They will all enjoy blessings from the Lord God. 

I think verse 25 is a way of stating in poetic style that all these nations will be on equal footing before the Lord.  I don’t think you can make a difference in God’s people, the work of His hands, and His inheritance.  Israel will enjoy a covenantal position of prominence and prosperity in the millennial kingdom, but Egypt and Assyria will also enjoy a position of blessing without jealousy and in acceptance of God’s sovereignty.

The application here would be to the body of Christ.  We are all part of one body.  We are called to serve in different positions.  The toe is just as important to God as the head.  We are to be content with how and where the Spirit calls us to serve.  Jesus made it clear that humility and a servant spirit are traits He values—and He set the example.

John 13:14-17 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

CONNECTING THE DESTRUCTION OF DAMASCUS TO THE ATTACK OF GOG'S HORDE

This post will build on the previous post and will provide more thoughts from Isaiah 17 that seem to affirm the attack of Gog coming after Damascus is destroyed.

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Is. 17:12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

Is. 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

Is. 17:14 And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

“noise” = to make a loud sound…by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage

“rushing” = uproar…by implication, destruction

“rebuke” = To check, silence, or put down, with reproof; to restrain by expression of disapprobation.

All of a sudden Isaiah turns his address to an unnamed multitude of people and nations.  Evidently, Israel’s action has provoked quite an outrage in the nations of the world.  As we see in the words defined above, noise and rushing refer to great commotion, rage, and uproar.  Evidently, God intervenes to rebuke them.  I had to go to Webster since the Hebrew gave no further insight on the word rebuke.  It’s interesting that rebuke involves action resulting from the spoken word.  We know that God’s word always accomplishes His purpose.  I’m not sure what method He uses, but God speaks the word and the nations flee in the face of a mighty force of wind.  (Wind is invisible but its effect is visible and powerful.)

Isaiah affirms as a representative of God’s people that this will always be God’s reaction against those who try to spoil/rob/destroy/take for prey the nation or people of Israel.  This is another affirmation of God’s promise to Abraham.

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The wording in the last verse jumped out to me this time through in connection with Gog’s attack.

Ezekiel 38:10–12 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey….

If my conclusion in the previous section is correct, it could reference the ultimate attack of Gog and his allies (primarily Moslem) after Israel has achieved victory over her surrounding neighbors—the coalition referenced in Psalm 83.  Ezekiel tells us that Gog is forced to take action he didn’t really want to take.

Ezekiel 38:3–4 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth….

If I am correct in determining that Gog represents the demonic force behind the leader of Russia, this makes logical sense.  Russia has made great investment for port access to the Mediterranean as well as many other significant economic investments to ally themselves with the Arab world surrounding Israel.  Of primary importance is its Mediterranean naval base for the Black Sea located in Syria.  

Ezekiel goes on to tell us that it is God that effects the defeat of Gog and his armies; it is His rebuke that causes them to turn on one another and disposes of them like chaff in the wind (v13).  In fact, The Creator will exercise His power and authority over nature to accomplish His purposes.

Ezekiel 38:18–23 “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Again, only the future will reveal the truth.

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THE DESTRUCTION OF DAMASCUS

This post is another interruption in our study of the names of God.  I am currently updating my journal on the book of Isaiah and found myself in chapter 17 today.  In light of current events, I thought I would share the first part of that chapter.

Is. 17:1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

Damascus is the capital of Syria.  It is known as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.  The Bible first mentions it in Genesis 14:15 in reference to Abraham’s rescue of Lot. 

Isaiah is prophesying that Damascus will one day no longer be a city; it will become like a pile of garbage.  This prophecy is yet to happen. 

History tells us that Damascus was captured by Assyria, to which most commentators seem to reference this passage, but Assyria only captured it and took the people as prisoners; they didn’t destroy it. 

2Kings 16:9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

Their policy was to repopulate their prisoners elsewhere in the empire and bring new inhabitants into conquered territory.

Is. 17:2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

Aroer must have been one of the major cities of Syria, and the “cities” around it sort of like the suburbs, smaller towns.  This verse seems to indicate that these cities will become a place where only flocks and herds of animals will find rest without fear as a result of the destruction of Damascus.

Is. 17:3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.

When I looked up Ephraim, it was defined as including Samaria and most of what is today’s West Bank.  We learned in chapter 7 that Ephraim was in league with Syria.  Thus, those dependent on an alliance with Syria would also suffer the repercussions of the fall of Damascus, the seat of government for Syria.  Isn’t it interesting to note that the PLO is in direct alliance with Syria and Hizbollah today?  To be “as the glory of the children of Israel” was not a good thing since Israel at the time of this prophecy was in a position of rebellion against God and not in a position of blessing (which is again their position today).  Isaiah emphasizes that the coming destruction is to come about as purposed by the “Lord of hosts.”

This event is also described in Jeremiah 49:23-27 and Zechariah 9:1-7.  When I read through these sections, there seemed to be a connection with the destruction of Damascus to Tyre and Zidon.  These cities were located in what is today known as Lebanon.  This event will bring sorrow to Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron (an area that includes the Gaza strip, the land occupied by the Palestinians today, and the area just north of the strip on the coast); these were all Philistine cities of Old Testament times.  Zechariah 9:5 seems to indicate that this will destroy all hope for a Palestinian state.

Zechariah 9:5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

“ashamed” = disappointed, wither away

From that point on there will be no recognized “king” of Gaza.  Ashkelon, a city on the coast of the Mediterranean just north of the Gaza strip, will not be inhabited after this. 

Zechariah also seems to indicate that the Palestinians/Syrians who survive this war will eventually turn to God in faith and repentance.

Zechariah 9:7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.

All of this adds to the prophecy given by Isaiah in this chapter.

Is. 17:4 And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.

Is. 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

Is. 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

“In that day” = the day when Damascus is no longer a city and becomes a ruinous heap

I hadn’t considered this before, but it seems that the destruction of Damascus will also impact today’s Ephraim, which includes the “Palestinians” and the West Bank as well as northern Israel.  Again there is a ray of hope in the message—there will be a remnant left.  I wonder if this remnant is a reference to the Jewish settlers in that area. 

Maybe it includes them, but Isaiah will tell us in chapter 19 about a time when Egypt, Israel and Assyria are all at peace with one another and in a relationship of blessing before God; that will be in the time when Jesus is on the throne in Jerusalem.  Assyria would include Syria, but also much more.

Isaiah 19:23-25 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.  In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Note:  As I am doing this update, world attention is directed toward the rebellion in Syria attempting to overthrow the government of Bashar Assad.  Egypt has just experienced the second overthrow of its government in as many years.  These rebellions were ignited by one man’s self-immolation in Tunisia in December 2010 in response to government tyranny.  That act fueled a great uprising among the desperately oppressed people and ignited similar responses in neighboring nations.  I believe that the radical Muslim groups that envision the rebirth of an Islamic Caliphate have taken advantage of events and are working to continue the overthrow of leaders that do not share their vision.  Wikipedia reveals the stated goal of the Muslim Brotherhood as follows:  “Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations.”

Is. 17:7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

Evidently, this destruction will cause the people of this area to acknowledge God, their Creator, with respect for Him as the God of Israel.

Is. 17:8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.

After this destruction men will not be looking to their false gods or idolsl of their own making for deliverance.  It will be obvious that they cannot defeat the God of Israel.

Is. 17:9 In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

As I continued to meditate on this verse, I came to the conclusion that the strong (fortified for defense) cities of Syria/Ephraim will be devastated/laid to waste due to action on the part of Israel.  In other words, Israel would be the means through which this prophecy is fulfilled.

If this understanding is correct, then it would seem that something occurs that causes Israel to strike back decisively destroying Damascus in the process.  I have a great interest in the study of prophecy and believe this destruction will precede the attack of the forces of Gog identified in Ezekiel 38.  It is the only explanation that makes sense to me in light of the fact that many of the nations surrounding Israel are not included as part of Gog’s coalition.  There is another coalition in scripture, however, identified in Psalm 83 that seems to provide an answer to this puzzle.  The people groups listed there directly correspond to many of the very nations most directly impacted by the current Islamic uprising.  Only the future will reveal how this eventually plays out.

WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE

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With this post I am transitioning into names of God that are used specifically of Jesus that identify Him as one and the same with the Jehovah.  One of the most well known Old Testament verses that establish this connection is found in Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”

This is a prophecy of the Son that was to be born a child, a human, that would eventually establish an eternal kingdom from the throne of David in Israel.  I am going to use the commentary from my journal on Isaiah.

As I was reading a book by Ravi Zacharias, The Lamb and the Fuhrer, I came across a statement that applied here that took me to another level of understanding regarding this passage.

“The child is born…the Son is given.  Do you see the difference?  The Son was not born.  I am the Son and I eternally existed in relationship with My Father.”

Jesus came to earth in the form of a child, a human.  Why?  What did that involve?

Hebrews 2:6-10 “… What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

Verses 6 and 7 in the Hebrews passage establish men as a creation “a little lower than the angels” in the hierarchy of creation.  Then verse 9 tells us that Jesus “was made a little lower than the angels.”  This states that Jesus, the Son of God, willingly became a man to “taste death for every man” and bring “many sons to glory.”

Hebrews 2:16-18 “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

These verses tell me that Jesus “in all things” was made “like unto His brethren.”  He chose to lay aside His Divine power and authority and live according to the leading and empowering of the Spirit.  I believe this is the same status with which Adam was created and that we now enjoy as believers today.  Only by living a sinless life as a man could He qualify as the acceptable sacrifice for man’s redemption that was necessitated by the fall into sin of the first Adam.  That is why Jesus is identified as the “last Adam” in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

1Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

“The government shall be upon His shoulder” – This is speaking of the time that Jesus will rule on earth as King on the throne of David.

“Wonderful” – marvelous, a miracle, perform.  This seems to have reference to His birth first of all.  His birth was a miracle; He was born of a virgin.  It could also have reference to His ministry on earth—a doer of miraculous, marvelous things.

“Counsellor” –to advise, to guide.  He is already serving in that capacity through the scripture and the Holy Spirit.  When He rules in the millennium, scripture indicates that His advice will be eagerly sought by the masses compared to the small percentage comprising the church that seek Him now.

“the mighty God” – These words are descriptive of His power, and the fact that it is the power of God, the greatest power, El Shaddai.  Although the article “the” is not in the original, I think it is clearly understood.  There is only one God, and Jesus is that God.

“the everlasting Father” – The Father who will never die, Who encompasses eternity.

“The Prince of Peace” –  The Lord Jesus is the one who can ensure our safety, health, wealth, and contentment.  During His reign on earth, the world will experience a time of peace such as it has never come close to knowing.

Once Jesus assumes His throne on planet earth in His kingdom, His time of government will never end.  There will be no elections, no alternatives.  Although many will rebel and join Satan at the end of the first 1,000 years of His reign (the millennium), those in rebellion will be immediately defeated and never again will an enemy of Jesus be a part of His kingdom.

What are the characteristics of His kingdom?  It will be ordered (stable, prosperous, perfect).  It will be established according to God’s law and will reflect morality, virtue and prosperity according to His law; never will sin be allowed to prosper within its confines.  It will continue for eternity, time without end.  How will this be accomplished?  By God’s zeal, His jealousy, His envy.  God will not share His authority with another.  He was very clear about this early in the history of the nation of Israel.

Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God….”

           

Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”