Isaiah 9 points to a messianic hope: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders… and of it there will be no end… he will reign on David’s throne”. This is followed by a message of judgement against the northern kingdom of Israel. “The Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail… the elders and prominent men are the head and the prophets who teach lies are the tail… everyone is ungodly and wicked… wickedness burns like a fire… by the wrath of God the earth will be scorched… no-one will spare his brother… each will feed on the flesh of his own offspring!”
