“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 honour 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.”
(Isaiah 9:1-2)
At a recent midweek bible study we explored one of the great messianic prophecies which is included in the traditional carols and readings at Christmas: Isaiah 9:1-7. The focus of the Christmas reading is invariably a forward-look at the fulfilment of the prophecy in the birth of Jesus. But we discovered in our bible study an extra richness from taking a backward-look. We did this by looking at just three of the details in the prophecy that invite the reader to ask “Where have I seen this before?”
And so, the ‘great light’ (verse 2) on those ‘walking in darkness’ took us back to the dark, void, formlessness of the Creation account and the creative fiat: ‘Let there be light.’ Then onward to the plague of darkness in the time of the Captivity and the darkness that could be felt all across Egypt, except where the Israelites lived (Exodus 10:21-23). Then the pillar of cloud and light that kept the pursuing Egyptians and the fleeing Israelites apart in the time of the Exodus (Exodus 14:19-20). We realised that Isaiah is not only prophesying the Messiah’s coming. He is also referencing an assurance that when the Messiah comes, He will, as in Israel’s past, free captives and guide them into liberty. This encouragement was to a people facing a renewed captivity in Assyria.
And so, the ‘day of Midian’s defeat’ (verse 4) took us back principally to Judges 6 (Judges 6:1-16) and the Midianite oppression of Israel such that ‘they cried out to the Lord for help’ and he answered with the call of Gideon. We realised that Isaiah is not only prophesying the Messiah’s coming. He is also referencing an assurance that when the Messiah comes, He will, as in Israel’s past, give them great leaders and defeat their enemies. This encouragement was to a people facing a deadly new enemy.
And so, the child to come ‘will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom…from that time on and forever’ (verse 7) took us to the promises to David and Solomon (1 Kings 2:4, 9:5; 2 Chronicles 7:18) of a royal line of succession guaranteed, as long as the kings kept righteousness. We realised that Isaiah is not only prophesying the Messiah’s coming. He is also referencing an assurance that when the Messiah comes, He will, as in Israel’s past, give a time of golden rule such as had been enjoyed under the two great kings: the warrior David and the wise man Solomon. This encouragement was to a people who had endured generations of bad government and godless leadership.
Isaiah’s backwards/forwards words thus come with new richness and fresh depth and heightened relevance for those today who walk in darkness, cry for deliverance, and seek godliness. May this Christmas bring us the blessings of the Messiah.