His Government and Peace (part 2)
And he will be called … Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign … with justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:6-7)
“What then is this child going to be?” Indeed every successful birth of a child brings great joy after a time of anxiety and expectation; but for baby John, the events around Zechariah astounded everyone, and they asked this question (Luke 1:66). What would they say about the much more provoking birth of baby Jesus? After the numerous foretelling writings about the Messiah in virtually all the books of the Old Testament, it was not difficult to notice this unique and the fulfillment of the prophecies. Matthew’s gospel offers many references to show that the events were ‘to fulfill what was written by the prophets’… but let us ponder some more on the name Isaiah called him – Prince of Peace. The name depicts the child as a ruler in the making, and one of unique excellence.
It was to King Ahaz that the most comforting words of the prophet were directed. However, they came not without many stern warnings about the moral and spiritual decadence of the time. When he took the throne, although so young, Ahaz seems at once to have struck out an independent course wholly opposed to the religious traditions of his nation. His first steps in this direction were the causing to be made and circulated of molten images of the Baals, and the revival in the valley of Hinnom, south of the city, of the abominations of the worship of Moloch, where human sacrifice was made at a firy altar. He is declared to have (sacrificed and) made his own son “pass through the fire” (2Kings 16:3). These kind of abominations incited great fury from the Lord!
As he faced threats from stronger neighbouring kingdoms, chief of whom was Syria, Ahaz sought favourable alliances from the Assyrians to fortify his stand; these are the common warfare and power tactics common in our own days. When Hezekiah ascended the throne after Ahaz, he almost fitted the description of the promised son ‘messiah’. But in many ways he neither matched the need of the day nor delivered the troubled nation.
As the Jews asked, ‘What then is this child going to be’, and later asked the same man, ‘who are you?’ there was great expectation and waiting for the fulfillment of the promised Messiah. Now we can celebrate with certainty that Jesus is He – the Prince of Peace whose government will be the expression excellent justice and righteousness. As Uganda prepares for elections, may this Christmas bring a loud reminder that the Prince of Peace is here, and his government will be of perfect peace and justice, and the better news is that it will be an everlasting one.
God bless you all.