From darkness to light (2)

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Last time, looking at Isaiah 8:19-9:7, we saw how the prophet predicted a wonderful blaze of light coming to the people of Judah and setting them free from the darkness in which they were groping. I suggested that in 9:2-7 he has a vision of at least five things which transform everything – not just for Judah, but for the whole world. It’s a vision which ultimately points directly to Jesus, “the light of the world”.

I had space for only the first two of those five things: a new light (verse 2), and a new joy (verse 3). So, today, what are the other three?

(3) A new liberation (verse 4).

War was a constant threat in the world in which Israel and Judah struggled to survive. So it’s not surprising that Isaiah sticks with the image of victory in battle that we met in verse 3, recalling particularly what happened between Gideon and the Midianites (Judges 7): “yokes”, “bars” and “rods” are shattered; chains and shackles fall off.

Many of us can only imagine what it must be like to live perhaps for decades under the heel of an “oppressor” – and how wonderful it must be to be eventually liberated.

Well, the whole human race is under the oppression of sin. Jesus states plainly, “everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34), and Paul enlarges on the theme in Romans 6:15-23. But Jesus died and rose again precisely in order to liberate us from this slavery: we have been “set free from sin and become slaves of God” (Romans 6:22) – which is, of course, perfect freedom.

So the challenge is: Do I seek each day to live a victorious life? Still more, do I expect each day to live a victorious life? Says Paul: “We are more than conquerors [note that: not just ordinary, common-or-garden, bog-standard conquerors, but conquerors-plus!] through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Hit each new day right on the nose, Christian, and expect victory!

(4) A new peace (verse 5).

Liberation leads to peace. And so Isaiah foresees a day when all the horrible, ugly gear of war – muddy boots and “every garment rolled in blood” (ugh!) will simply be tossed in the fire. (Earlier, in 2:4, he had seen swords recycled as ploughshares and spears as pruning hooks.)

True, Jesus said that right until the end of time there will be “wars and rumours of wars” (Mark 13:6). So we must expect that, as we see in our troubled world today.

But the gift of peace with God is planted in our hearts as we trust in Jesus; it’s part of our birthright in him. So in spite of all the tensions, troubles and anxieties of life, God’s children experience a deep underlying peace. And it’s a foretaste of the perfect peace which will one day be ours eternally.

Do you know “the peace of God that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7)?

(5) A new king (verses 6-7)

These two verses are the climax of the whole powerful prophecy.

The wonderful thing is that when all this comes to pass, it will not be through armies or kings or emperors but - through a child (verse 6)! “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”

Isaiah’s prophetic imagination bursts into flames as he piles up extraordinary titles with which to describe this child: “Wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace”.

The child will be a descendant of great King David (verse 7) – but whereas David’s kingdom ultimately came to nothing, of this kingdom “there will be no end”. And it will be a kingdom, not of military power or even of economic prosperity, but of “justice and righteousness”. It will be nothing less than God’s perfect, eternal kingdom.

So, a final question: Are we living, today and every day, as true citizens of this kingdom? Or are we still floundering in the darkness?

In spite of wars and tensions – in spite of the coronavirus! – we who follow Jesus have much to celebrate this Christmas time!

And just in case we are tempted to doubt, let’s not overlook the final, matter-of-fact statement of this great passage: “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this”. Oh yes! when God starts something, we needn’t be in any doubt that he will finish it!

The child has been born… he was crucified… he rose again… and he will return in glory to wind up the affairs of this troubled world and gather to himself everyone whose trust in him.

Thanks be to God!

Lord God, thank you that the child Jesus has been born to me. May his light guide me, his joy cheer me, his victory empower me, his peace fill me, and may his kingdom of justice and righteousness be both my present aim and my final destination. Amen.