Joy of the harvest, freedom from the oppressor, walking in peace.

Isaiah 9:3-5

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“You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; They rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” Isaiah 9:3-5

That verse refers to the Great Light coming to the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, a.k.a. the “Galilee of the Gentiles”, as described in the post on Isaiah 9:1-2. That is prophetic for the Light of Jesus Christ coming to the non-Jewish Gentiles, as quoted, “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” Matthew 4:15-16

The Lord Jesus multiplied the nation, and that nation is the children of God born through Jesus Christ. That was the promise made to Abraham, to multiply his seed like the multitude of stars in the sky, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29 The joy of the non-Jewish Gentiles [you and me], has been increased in the presence of the Holy Spirit by our faith in the Christ, Jesus, and belief in the word of God.

As born-again Believers, we rejoice in the presence of God, according to the joy of harvest. That harvest comes on the day of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ when He calls us all home to live eternally in the New Jerusalem.

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We will come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

“As men rejoice when they divide the spoil” refers to the followers of Jesus Christ receiving the “spoils” that once belonged to the Jewish people. When the Jewish people rejected Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, all of the promises made to them was transferred to we who serve God through Jesus Christ. He came to His own, but they rejected Him, so whoever believes in Him have been given the right to be called the children of God.

“For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.” Isaiah 9:3-5

That verse is prophetic for when our Lord Jesus broke the burden of sin when He gave His life on the Cross to atone for sin as the Lamb of God, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 He sets us free from bondage to the flesh to give us life in the Spirit. Jesus Christ also breaks the staff of this world that weighs upon us by giving us freedom from this world on the day of our resurrection to live eternally in the new heaven and earth. The rod of Satan, our oppressor, has been broken and so has the rod of the rulers of this world. Our sin is forgiven and we have inherited eternal life. “The day of Midian” refers to the defeat of the Midian army by Gideon, as described in (Judges 6).

“For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel for the fire.” Isaiah 9:3-5

As followers of Jesus Christ, we live in the presence of the meek and gentle spirit of peace that comes in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes in the form of a dove to make us the sheep that hears the voice of the Good Shepherd. We have put on the sandals of peace and the clothing of the Holy Spirit. We have thrown the sandals of war and the clothing of conflict and blood into the fire of the Holy Spirit. That is the process of sanctification working within us, to root out conflict and embattlement so we can walk in the spirit of Holiness. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

 

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1