Creator, Father, King #352

The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

IN THE EIGHTH CENTURY BC, the prophet Isaiah was a busy man. The northern kingdom of Israel was mired in idolatry and utterly corrupt. The looming Assyrian Empire would soon destroy it.

Isaiah constantly warned the nation of coming judgment if they did not repent. But in Isaiah 9, the prophet inserted a glorious message of hope, promising a coming Savior in one of the most beloved messianic prophecies in Scripture:

A child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen.

What’s It Mean?

When Isaiah wrote this prophecy, Israel’s rulers were exceedingly wicked, leading the nation toward destruction. But the prophecy looked forward to a time when God’s anointed one would usher in an eternal Kingdom of peace and prosperity.

How will all this be accomplished? By “the passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” (today’s verse). Who are “Heaven’s Armies”? They are the angelic warriors who filled a mountainside, vastly outnumbering the Aramean army in 2 Kings 6. They are the seraphim in Isaiah’s Temple throne room vision in Isaiah 6. They are the cherubim of Ezekiel’s Babylonian exile vision in Ezekiel 1. They are the mighty princes whose cosmic battles against demonic forces are briefly described in Daniel 10:13. They are the “thousands and millions of angels” who surround God’s heavenly throne in Revelation 5:11. They are the “vast host” (Luke 2:13) who serenaded the Savior’s birth and lit up the nighttime sky above Bethlehem.

“Heaven’s Armies” are awesome indeed. Yet they all bow their knee to the Lord God Almighty.

This is the God who created you, not angels, in his image. This is the God who answered your sins with mercy and grace instead of just wrath and fiery retribution. This is the God who sent his Son to be your Prince of Peace.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who owns all authority and power, is passionately committed to your salvation!

Now What?

The next time you read a Bible story or sing a Christmas carol involving angels, remember who they worship.

Did You Know?

Anytime someone tried to worship an angel in Scripture, these celestial beings quickly redirected that adoration to God (Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).