Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
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Isaiah 9:1-7 is read every advent season as we prepare for the annual celebration of the Lord's first appearing. The messiah's birth was heralded by angels, witnessed by shepherds, and honored by wise men. The Hebrews searched the scriptures and found hope in the writings of the prophets that God would raise up a godly king from the line of David. He would lead the nation in righteousness and justice and bring an everlasting peace and plenty like never seen before and never to fade. It's a beautiful promise.
Isaiah is writing about the ten tribes of the Jews that separated from Judah. They are destined to fall because of their idolatry and sinfulness. God is sending Assyria against them. But at the beginning of chapter 9, Isaiah delivers words of comfort. Their distress will be no more.
A light will dawn in Galilee. Israel will be honored by the appearance of a child born unto them. Under His leadership the people will be freed from the oppression of the Assyrians. They will be filled with great joy like a holiday celebration with lots of food and festivity. Their numbers will increase. Their joy will increase and peace will prevail.
The child will grow to become a man and His leadership will bring Him honor. He will be known as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. His rule is from God and God will see it done.
Even though God has prophecied such good news, the people of the northern tribes are too deep in idol worship and it's selfish trappings. The prophet will blast them with more condemnation in the rest of chapter 9 and 10. God will also punish Assyria after God has used them to punish Israel. But just for today I want to focus on this message of hope given to a people destined to fall.
The basic message to Israel is "You will fall. You will pay for your sins and rebellion, but the Lord will turn to you in compassion and restore you to times of peace and abundance." As the psalmist writes in Psalm 30:5 NIV,
"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
Early Christians saw Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. For the tribes of northern Israel, the prophecy never really came to fulfillment. They were scattered abroad never to return to the kingdom with Samaria as it's capitol. The returnees would come back to Samaritans and live politically under Jerusalem, or whatever foreign nation held the power. Never again would they rise independent of Jerusalem's kings. They would however remain resolute in ignoring Jerusalem's claim upon them religiously. The Samaritans acknowledge only the first five books of the bible as their scripture. All else is the product of Zionism, in their estimation. They built their own temple upon Mt. Gerazim in Schechem/Sychar. It's there in that town that Jesus spoke to the woman at the well. It's there that Samaritans came to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
A great light dawned in Galilee. He ushered in a kingdom, not of geography, not of military mighty, and not of the riches of the earth. He brought a kingdom of the heart worth more than a thousand kingdoms of this earth. In this kingdom there is an everlasting peace within the heart. Though war may toil all around, within we can access the peace that the Prince of Peace brings to those who believe in him. Though we may be oppressed, within we shall be free serving no one but our God. We may fall on hard times and scarcity of resources, but within we will be satisfied knowing that with God we have enough.
To the eyes of the world this kingdom is foolishness. But in the eyes of the believer this kingdom is everything! A great light shines upon you. Walk in His light.
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