Light in your darkness (Is. 9:1-7)

 

What darkness are you passing through?  This year may have been one where you travelled through the valley of the shadow of death.  Maybe you have struggled with the darkness of depression and despair.  Maybe you feel that uncomfortable feeling of guilt for some sin that haunts you.  Jesus has come to shine His light into your darkness!

Isaiah means ‘God saves’

The key to understanding the book of Isaiah is found in the prophet’s name.  Isaiah means ‘God saves.’ 

It is the eighth-century before Christ.  God’s people had been divided into two kingdoms—Israel/Ephraim in the north and Judah in the south.  Isaiah is speaking to the southern kingdom, whose king, Ahaz, is a descendant of the great king David.

The super-power of the day is the Assyrians.  Ephraim/Israel had formed an alliance with a place called Aram to protect themselves against the Assyrians.  Now Ephraim and Aram are threatening Judah: ‘if you do not join with us we will invade you.’  Rather than trust God, Ahaz forms a pact with the Assyrians.  The Assyrians had no plans to do them God.

In short, Ahaz and his people are not trusting God, and the result is going to be disastrous.  But God saves.  He is going to rescue a people who will be guided by His words.

Light from a surprising place

The light is going to come from the region around Galilee—Zebulun and Naphtali were in the north.  When Israel and Judah were attacked this was the first place to be toppled.  The Galileans knew plenty of slavery and despair.  But God loves to turn things on their head.  From this place of darkness and oppression comes the light of freedom.  Matthew picks up these verses as he introduces the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 4:15-17).

This light will bring joy and celebration (3).  A king will rescue His people.  The reference to Midian goes back to the time of Gideon, where God reduced Gideon’s troops to three hundred, and all they did was blow trumpets and hold up torches.  In that battle God caused his enemies to turn on themselves and slaughter each other.  The point being made is that the victory belongs to the Lord, no one else can take credit for it. 

In fact, God’s king is going to put an end to war.  Every boot of trampling … and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for fire (5).  Jesus comes as Prince of peace offering us peace with God.

A unique king

For unto us a child is born … This is what we are celebrating at Christmas.  Ahaz would have a son, Hezekiah, but what is been spoken here goes beyond any mere human king.  As one commentator points out, ‘It is manifestly impossible to associate these words of majestic prophecy with any other than the Messiah Himself’ (Fitch).

His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor—that is one who can lead His people well.  Mighty God—this was a title for God in other parts of the Old Testament (e.g. Deut. 10:17).  Everlasting Father—human fathers die but God can be your Father for ever.  The words are literally, ‘father of eternity’—Jesus is the One who in His own being gives eternal life to others.  There will be no end to the expansion of His kingdom of Peace.  ‘The empire of grace will expand forever, and every moment will be better than the last’ (ESV Study Bible).  He is the promised king from the line of David, for God is faithful. 

Conclusion

So, what is the darkness you are in at the moment?  It might be something that you have messed up, or it may be something that has been done to you.  Jesus offers to be our light in the darkness.  His kingdom is still a now and not yet.  The people of Isaiah’s day looked forward to the coming of that king from Galilee, we can look back and say that He is here.  He shines His light on us, but there are still dark shadows.  At this very time those trust Him can celebrate His full and free forgiveness.  At this time those who trust Him can be comforted that He guides us and fathers us in love.  But we too look forward.  For one day he will return.  He will bring judgement on all who have refused to live for Him.  He will wipe away all tears from those who have trusted Him.  He will be the very light of our existence.