The Day of Midian

The context of Isaiah's prophecy of the Prince of Peace takes us back to the trials of God's people under the Midianites.

There was no rejoicing over the harvest, and those rejoicing over the spoils were the Midianites and Amalekites, not Israel (Isaiah 9:3; Judges 6:2-5, 11).

All that changed when God raised up Gideon, a most unlikely deliverer, constantly in need of signs and confirmations. Yet it was through this weak and frail man, God brought Israel to rejoice again in prosperity (Isaiah 9:3-5-; Judges 8:23-26).

So it is that the tiny babe, born in Bethlehem, weak and helpless in his humanity, is at the same time, the mighty God. He is the one who will bring peace (Isaiah 9:6).