Light Is Coming – Isaiah 9:1-7

I was 12 years old and in the belly of Carlsbad Caverns. The tour guide wanted us to “see” how dark it was down there. When he turned off the lights it was the darkest, blackest, scariest night I had ever experienced. I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face (yeah, the guide asked us to try). Well, there is a spiritual gloom in the world that is pretty scary, but Isaiah has good news for us about it.

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.  You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.  For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.  For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:1-7 ESV)

In this same prophecy of the destruction from Assyria that will afflict Israel, God moves Isaiah once again to the future and latter days of Israel’s history and a promise of redemption.  The land of Zebulon and Naphtali, tribes in the northern kingdom of Israel, was the outer and northern border of the promised land, the territory nearest to Assyria.  The gloom she will experience in the former time (still future as Isaiah speaks) will turn to glory as Yahweh brings a great light and joy to her and the removal of the oppressor nation.

God’s deliverance of Israel will include a child/son who becomes her king, but this child born and this son given will have a rule that has no end and will fulfill the promise to David that someone will sit on his throne forever and rule in righteousness.  Yahweh will accomplish this in His passion for His people.

This ruler can be none other than the Messiah, the anointed and promised one.  The description of him as Wonderful Counselor depicts his ability to judge his people wisely.  Mighty God refers to his absolute authority as well as his deity.  Everlasting Father speaks to his loving and compassionate rule over his family, and Prince of Peace of his ability to finally bring security and prosperity to Israel and to the world.

Jesus fulfills this prophecy perfectly.  He was born as a child in regards to taking on human nature, but he is also God the Son who has been in relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit from all eternity.  He is ruling now through the church but He will restore Israel to faith one day and the whole world will come under his rule. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you experience anxiety when you are in the dark?
2. How do you reassure yourself in the dark that you are okay?
3. What does it mean to you that Jesus was from the land of Naphtali (from Nazareth)?
4. In what sense is Jesus both a child born and a Son given?
5. Jesus is a distinct person from the Father and the Holy Spirit, yet is here called “everlasting Father.” How do you square that with him being a different person than the Father?
6. How much do you long for that kingdom that will be unending peace and total justice and righteousness?