Глава 9

“Do quickly, the countries of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,” that is, the inhabitants of the land of Zebulun hastened to go into captivity and the inhabitants of the land of Naphtali to lose their possessions. “And the kingdom was strengthened,” that is, the Assyrian; the crown of his kings became glorious, his dominion increased. And this indicates the time of the two kings of Assyria, Tiglath-pileser and Shalmaneser, of whom the first began, and the second finally led the Israelites into captivity. “The path of the pestilence ... is on the land of the Jordan” (Is. 9: 1), that is, not the shore of the sea, but those lands of the Israelites through which the path to the sea lay from the places located inside the promised land, which were adjacent to the possessions of the Tirians and Sidonians. The Prophet says that their inhabitants were taken into captivity along with everyone living in pagan Galilee. “People who walk in darkness have seen a great light; you who live in the shadow of death, a light will shine on you” (Isaiah 9:2). This was fulfilled when our Lord began to preach His saving Gospel and perform signs in Galilee and within the tribes listed earlier. “You multiplied the people, and did not increase the joy.” You increased the number of Israelites, and did not bring much joy to the Jews. “I rejoiced in your presence... as those who share gain rejoice” (Is. 9:3), that is, the house of Judah rejoiced at the fall and captivity of the Israelites. “Before the scattering of the yoke, lie on them.” He crushed the kingdom of Israel, which wanted to enslave the Jews. “Like in the day like Midian” (Is. 9:4), that is, he destroyed the Israelites just as the Midianites were destroyed under Gideon. “All sorts of voices are heard amidst the excitement,” that is, the voices of the Jews rejoicing over the captivity of the kingdom of Israel. “Every...clothing is stained with blood.” By clothing is meant the very people of Israel, stained with their own blood. “They became burnt and food for fire” (Is. 9:5), that is, the Israelites were handed over to the Assyrians, who, like fire, would destroy them. “A Son was born to us from a child, and was given to us.” What is said here partially applies to Hezekiah, but for the most part cannot be applied to him, even what could be attributed to Hezekiah, in a mysterious sense, should be applied to the Lord Hezekiah, who came from his seed. “And His name is called... Wonderful.” The Lord is wonderful because He is true God and appears as a man. "Counselor, Mighty God... age of ov." The Prophet testifies that the Son, Who was “born... and given to us,” is the God of ages: both of the present age, as the Creator, Provider, Trustee and Life-Giver, and of the future age, as the King, as the Judge, as the inheritance and blessedness of the saints. “Prince of Peace” - this can also be attributed to the peace-loving Hezekiah, due to the meekness of his reign (Is. 9:6). “And His peace has no end,” this was fulfilled in our Lord, “on the throne of David and on his kingdom.” The Lord will reign on the throne of David, who was righteous, and not on the throne of Ahaz, who was wicked. “Correct it and intercede... in justice and righteousness,” that is, in justice and righteousness, as it was during the reign of David. “From now until forever” is an expression used during blessings, similar to the following: “May the lord king live forever! The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Is.9:7). If these words are applied to the time of Hezekiah, then they will refer to the Philistines, to whom it was said: “Do not rejoice... foreign women,” that is, the Philistines (Is. 14:29). “The people of Ephraim and those who dwell in Samaria are vexed and high in heart, saying: Let us leave the plinths... we will cut down the stone and cut down the wild fig trees and replace them with... cedars... and we will build ourselves a pillar” (Is. 9:9-10). “And they will devour Israel's lips with all their mouths” (Is. 9:12). The prophet points to Tiglath-pileser and his allies, who overthrew the kingdom of Ephraim. “And the Lord will strengthen against him... the enemies of Racine,” in whom the Israelites saw their hope and protection. “But His hand is still on high” (Is. 9:11–12), because God will bring Shalmaneser, like Tiglath-pileser, against the Israelites. “And the people did not turn until the plague came” (Is. 9:13), that is, until Shalmaneser conquered Samaria and took its inhabitants into captivity. “And the Lord took away the head and error from Israel” (Is. 9:14), that is, their own judges, whom the Lord appointed over them, and the false prophets whom they found for themselves. “And these blessed people will flatter, and... swallow me up” (Is. 9:16), that is, wicked priests and lying prophets will turn out to be flatterers and will bring the people to the point that they will sink into Babylon. “For this reason the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, and will not have mercy on their orphans and widows; the Israelites will be delivered over to the power of their enemies, who will kill their young men, and take their orphans and widows into captivity, like all the iniquities and wickedness” (Is. 9:17), except for a small number of righteous people living among them, who, however, will be subjected to disasters with them. “And the elect will be engulfed in smoke,” that is, a disaster that will befall all the people. “And iniquity will burn like a fire,” the anger of the irritated Lord will subject them to punishment, “And it will burn in the thickets of the oak forests” (Is. 9:18). The Prophet calls the entire people an oak grove, and a thicket - young men and men strong in battle. You might be interested in: