Isaiah 9--"The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder"

What a marvelous prophecy in this chapter of Isaiah! The entire eternal plan centers on this great Messianic prophecy.

The Shadow of Death

The setting for this prophecy takes us to "Galilee of the nations." The region was "grievously afflicted." Galilee lies in the northern part of Israel, making it the first target of attack for the Assyrian armies, who had to cross over Galilee to invade Jerusalem and other key targets. Many Galileans were killed or taken captive at the hand of the Assyrians who often burned their villages.

And the landscape of the battle scenes was rocky in some places, casting a dark gray background, particularly in the shadows. Thus, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined" (Isaiah 9:1-2).

But the bleak fate of Galilee would change with the birth of Jesus Christ. He grew up in Nazareth of Galilee, and thus, the Light of the World would grace this dark landscape. 

There was another valley of death to the east of Jerusalem in the Kidron Valley. There were many tombs in this area, over which Jesus would have to pass en route to Gethsemane, where He overcame spiritual death for those who would embrace His gospel. His atoning sacrifice in Gethsemane and Golgotha overcame both spiritual and physical death. His light can shine upon us all!

Shoulders of the Ephod

Part of the dress of the high priest (of the Aaronic order) was the ephod. It was made of "gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work" (Exodus 28:6). It is significant that this garment was very similar to the veil of the tabernacle, which was made of "blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work" (Exodus 26:31). 

The ephod had two shoulder pieces to carry two onyx stones, which had engraved upon them the names of the tribes of Israel (see Exodus 28:9-10). One of the high priest's duties is described as follows:

"And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial" (Exodus 28:12).

In a symbolic sense, the high priest became a mediator carrying the burdens of the house of Israel upon his shoulders.

The Isaiah prophecy says the "government shall be upon his (Christ's) shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6). In Gethsemane and Golgotha, Jesus carried the burden of sin, pain, and suffering upon His shoulders, becoming our Mediator with the Father.