I have had this Bible in the cabinet above my desk for a year or so and I don’t think I have ever looked at it. I discovered this Bible among hundreds of books that were in the collection bin, having been donated to the ministry where I serve, called, With Love from Jesus Ministries.
Just now I learned a bit about this particular translation which is now reminding me why I saved the book. I saved it strictly as a reference tool. I never intended on actually using it for my daily reading. The name of this Bible is The Jerusalem Bible. It was a Catholic translation. It was originally translated into French. One difference in this particular translation is that it was translated from the original Hebrew/Greek manuscripts instead of the Latin Vulgate. In 1966, this Bible was translated into English.
Yesterday, I saw the Bible on the shelf and decided to look up Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah in chapter 9. I found the translation a bit different from how I learned, but I really liked it. I would like to share it with you and add some of my own thoughts.
The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
This 2nd verse of Isaiah 9 immediately took me to what I call; the Gospel of John’s nativity story. “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it…He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him…But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”-John 1:4,5,10,12 NLT I have always been amazed at Isaiah’s prophecy over 500 years before Messiah was born. The Light of the world came and shone a light on the reality of eternity and the good Father in Heaven. It is clear that many did not recognize this Light including some of His own people.
For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him:
Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.
Wide is his dominion
in a peace that has no end,
for the throne of David
and for his royal power,
which he establishes and makes secure
in justice and integrity.
From this time onwards and forever,
the jealous love of Yahweh Sabaoth will do this.
Here is some more from Isaiah chapter 9 of the Jerusalem Bible. I can see how the oppressed Israelites really thought that Jesus was going to grow up and free them from their Roman oppressors. I love the use of dominion instead of government, especially in the hyper-government world we live in. This Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace holds the universe together by the power of His word. Let me paraphrase Romans 14:17b: His dominion is “righteousness, peace and joy” in the Wonderful Counselor(Holy Spirit). In Psalms 89:14 we learn that “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne”. Moses received these words, “Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”-Exodus 34:14
I continue to be amazed by the wisdom of God in leading many people to write the different books over a thousand plus years, yet every book comes together in one Bible. I love discovering the ways the different books complement one another.
This Christmas season, I am finding much encouragement from this well-known passage that is packaged a little different from the way I learned it. I hope that you too are encouraged by the God who never sleeps nor slumbers and whose all-encompassing dominion and peace is never ending.
Thoughts from this Flower 