Scripture focus
Thou hast multiplied the nation, [and] not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, [and] as [men] rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Isaiah 9:3 — KJV
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King James Version (KJV)
“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody
Scripture focus
Thou hast multiplied the nation, [and] not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, [and] as [men] rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Isaiah 9:3 — KJV
Not increased the joy. Twenty Hebrew manuscripts, together with the Hebrew marginal reading, the Syriac, and the Targums, read lo instead of lo’, “to it” instead of “not,” which seems more appropriate to the context. The prophet presents a picture of a brighter and happier day, when Messiah has come to His people, bringing them peace and joy. They are increased in numbers (see Isa. 26:15; Eze. 36:10, 11), and their happiness is multiplied.
Joy in harvest. That is, joy like that of workers in the harvest season — in agricultural lands the happiest time of the year. In the autumn the Hebrews had their Feast of Tabernacles, a season of great gladness and thanksgiving (see Neh. 8:17). Their rejoicing was because they knew that God was with them (Phil. 3:1; 4:4). Christ came to proclaim peace and gladness to men (Isa. 61:3; Luke 2:13, 14).
By SdaBc