Reading for April 26th

Read Isaiah 9.1-7. In 9.1-7: Light in the darkness. A brief editorial note looks ahead to the time when the darkness of Assyrian destruction will end and a new era of peace and hope will dawn. The difficult text anticpates the celebrated prophecy of the new king that follows. In verses 2-7:The coming of a new king. A coronation hymn celebrates the coming of a new king who would restore the honor, fame, and authority of David's royal house (see Ps 2 for a similar royal coronation hymn.) The new ruler would reverse the harm wrought by Ahaz. The new king is probably Hezekiah, Ahaz's successor (2 Kings 16.20). His accession year is uncertain (perhaps 725 or 715 BCE.). His ascent to the throne marked the beginning of new royal policy, which was expected to bring a change in the nation's fortunes. Since Hezekiah was not successful in ending Assyria's rule (Isa 36-39), it may be Josiah (639-609 BCE) whose reforming reign is foretold. Under Josiah, Assyrian control over Judah finally ended. The arrival of the new king is described as a royal birth, which involves divine assurance for the royal dynasty. The "birth" probably refers to the king's coronation, a moment of spirtual rebirth (Ps 2.7). Comments or Questions..