“A Child is Born”

K. Douglas Bassett

Isa. 9:3-7

“If Isaiah is prophesying about Hezekiah [the king of Judah who helped deliver Israel from the Assyrians], then verse 3 describes the Israelites’ joy at their deliverance; verse 4 portrays how the Assyrians were defeated in spite of their greater numbers, just as the many Midianites were by Gideon and his 300 men (Judg. 7); verse 5 describes the Assyrian casualties; and verses 6 and 7 tell us about Hezekiah’s titles and righteous, peaceful rule as king. If the verses describe a righteous people fighting against wickedness, then verse 3 describes their joy at success, verses 4 and 5 portray the defeat of the enemy, and verses 6 and 7 describe a new age of millennial peace that may be assisted or ushered in by a messianic figure. Finally, the identification of the ruler in verses 3-7 with Jesus Christ has a number of possibilities, as verse 3 talks about his many followers who rejoice at the spiritual blessings he has provided; verse 4 describes how he was able to overcome the temptations of Satan, break the yoke of sin, and maintain power over the legions of Satan’s devils; verse 5 symbolizes his atonement and the cleansing powers of baptism and the Holy Ghost ; verse 6 presents some of his titles and roles; and verse 7 describes his eternal position as the Lord and King of this earth.” (Victor L. Ludlow, Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet, p. 154)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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