dartness and light

Overview During the 60-year ministry of Isaiah he served God under both godly and ungodly rulers. One of the wicked rulers was Ahaz, who even sacrificed to the pagan gods of surrounding nations.Yet it was during the rule of Ahaz that one of the most powerful of Isaiah’s great promise-prophecies was uttered. It was to this king who had turned away from the Lord, and who in this represents all humankind, that Isaiah was sent with a clear promise that one day God Himself would take on human form. One day a virgin would have a Child, and He would be the Son of God.

For Isaiah, words are watercolors and melodies and chisels to make truth and beauty and goodness. Or, as the case may be, hammers and swords and scalpels to unmake sin and guilt and rebellion. Isaiah does not merely convey information. He creates visions, delivers revelation, arouses belief. He is a poet in the most fundamental sense— a maker, making God present and that presence urgent. Isaiah is the supreme poet-prophet to come out of the Hebrew people.

Chapter 8 concluded with Messiah patiently waiting until the indignation against Judah was past. Now the second member of the great Messianic trilogy sets forth the dawn of a new day, the birth of a wonderful child, and the rule of a glorious king.

Our text say over view The Dawn of a New Day (9:1–5)

The gloom of God’s judgment upon his people would not be permanent. Those regions around the Sea of Galilee which were the first to be overrun by northern enemies, would be the first to see the dawn of a new day of great light, i.e., a new revelation from God (9:1f.). The passage forecasts the great work of Christ and all the blessings which he would bring (cf. Matt 4:13ff.). In four beautiful word pictures that glorious day is described.

First, the day of Messiah would be a day of expansion. God would enlarge the nation (9:3a). The reference is to the incorporation of Gentiles into the new Israel of God, the church of Christ. Second, that would be a day of joy like unto that which follows a successful harvest or battle (9:3b). Third, Messiah’s coming would usher in a day of deliverance. The rod and yoke of the Great Oppressor would be shattered as in the day when Gideon crushed the hordes of Midian (9:4). Finally, that would be a day of peace. The picture is that of the clean-up after war. Warrior’s boots and blood-stained garments would be consigned to fire (9:5).

Do not believe that you are a light to yourself. The Light is that which illumines every person coming into this world.

Augustine of Hippo

The man who has met God is not looking for something—he has found it; he is not searching for light—upon him the Light has already shined.9

A. W. Tozer

As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same.

Nelson Mandela

We can forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

Plato

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King Jr.; Tony Evans

As we are liberated from our fears, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

Nelson Mandela