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b'We begin today\\u2019s reading with a brief historical account from the book of 2 Chronicles covering the reign of Uzziah\\u2019s son, King Jotham of Judah, before jumping back into Isaiah. Isaiah chapter 9 begins a prophecy about the birth of the Prince of Peace, a passage that many of us read in our church services during Advent or Christmas. In stark contrast, Isaiah moves on to consider the coming of Assyria, the instrument of God\\u2019s wrath against his people. Remember that earlier in our reading plan, God\\u2019s covenant at Mount Sinai with the people of Israel came with abundant blessings through obedience, or with dreadful curses for ignoring God\\u2019s statutes. In chapter 11, Israel prophesies of a shoot that will grow from the stump of Jesse, pointing both to the judgment of God against Israel and a Messianic promise.'