The Kind of Peace that Shines Light in the Dakness

INTRODUCTION

Every great kingdom in history has sought a righteous form of government that would bring them peace and satisfaction, but the depravity of the human heart has made such a venture impossible.

The pharaohs of Egypt enslaved people to build their pyramids.

The Assyrians introduced new depths of human brutality into government, leaving piles of corpses behind them.

The Greeks under Alexander the Great sought to spread the fruits of Greek wisdom, but the despotic Greek kings that followed him left a trail of defilement in the pages of history.

The Roman Empire brought stable government and a great road system, propped up with the overwhelming power of their legions. The barbarian hordes swept across Europe from the icy northland and the steppes of Asia and put out the lights of culture and of government for centuries.

The “divine right of kings” dominated Christendom in Western Europe during the Middle Ages with its feudal system, but the government was only as good or bad as the king’s moral character.

The American Revolution sought to break away from such monarchy, of the people, for the people. The twentieth century saw a social experiment supposedly to benefit the poor called communism, which proved to be a social and moral failure.

Isaiah 9:6-7 is one of the most famous part of Isaiah answers all of the hopes and dreams for humanity. It predicts the coming of a perfect ruler who will reign forever and ever over a prosperous and peaceful realm.

This is Jesus Christ, the perfect Ruler of the world, and the government will be on his shoulders.

Isaiah 9:1–7 ESV

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 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. 7 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.

The Line has been drawn in the Sand

Look at the end of chapter 8

The people had looked to the earth for their hope and peace. They were covered by distress, darkness and anguish, they were the thrust into a deep darkness.

The line that was drawn in Isaiah’s day is still being drawn today. Scripture encourages us to examine ourselves as to whether we are in faith or not. We know that the tares are growing among the wheat and the day is coming where the sheep will be separated from the goats.

Historical Context

The darkness and gloom that chapter eight ends with is speaking to the wicked and corrupt occult wisdom from mediums that reject God. People were roaming around the earth angry and cursing God.

The norther lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, Galilee of the nations (Gentiles), is called a humbled land, a “people walking in darkness,” a people living “without hope and without God in the world” Ephesians 2:12

Ephesians 2:12 ESV

12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

This was the first part of the promised land that was to fall to Assyria.

The Shalom of God

PEACE (שָׁלוֹם, shalom; εἰρήνη, eirēnē). A pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.

Peace in The Old Testament

Carries with it the fundamental meaning of welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility (compare Westermann, “Peace [Shalom],” 20, 44–53). The term is frequently used as the antithesis of harm (רָעָה, ra'ah; compare

Those possessing this peace have a future (Psa 37:37), joy (Prov 12:20), and long life (Psa 34:14). Aaron’s blessing demonstrates a link between peace and God’s presence

Peace in the N.T.

Note: The Greco Roman held certain different nuances of peace, like literature that portrayed peace as an ideal state that a hero earned through war. This led to the saying, “If you want peace, prepare for war.”

In the New Testament, the concept of peace is consistent with the Old Testament in that it refers to prosperity, which climaxes in the peace the Messiah brings.

1. The kind of Peace that Builds a Bridge

verses 1-2

Note: think of the darkest places you have every been. Like a cavern deep under the earth. The lights go out and it is deep darkness.

Plato: The cave:

You have these people who are chained to each other in a cave. All they know is the darkness and the wall they look at over and over again. One of the people in the cave escapes and goes into the light outside of the cave. He comes pack and tries to persuade the other people in the cave to escape with him into the light.

However they had been in darkness so long that they did not believe him and chose to stay in the darkness.

This is like those who walked in darkness and have seen a great light. However, we know today that there are those who still choose to stay in the dark even after we go to them and share that the light of the world has come.

if you can, what it must be like to go through life unable to see, and then someone develops the technology or a new procedure is found that opens your eyes.

How do you think sight changes life for someone who has lived their life blind? Probably in practically every way! Consider a parallel: those who don’t know Christ are spiritually blind. And those who have come to know Jesus can now see.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Eyes set On the Future

Isaiah now has his eyes fixed on the future. The time of the imminent fulfillment of the darkness that surrounded Israel. The immanent destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel by Assyria is now a distant past.

By grace we now see the great reversal of the devastating affects of the fall now has met its match with the prince of peace, the bringer of grace, upon grace.

It is no wonder Matthew draws our attention to the fact that these Norther Kingdoms, with their mixed parts was the first place that Jesus proclaims His life-saving gospel.

“but there will be no gloom for her”

The dawning of the great light in the poem of 9:2–7, but this has been done so skillfully that prose and poetry are now thematically one statement in two parts: the hope described (1–3) and the hope explained (4–7). Each part covers the same three internal topics in the same order.

*His light Points to the Creative Work of God

The Theme of Light in Scripture

The form of energy that allows us to see things. Light comes from sources like the Sun or artificial sources such as lamps and bulbs. It illuminates our surroundings and enables us to perceive colors, shapes, and the world around us. In the Bible, light often carries spiritual and metaphorical meanings, representing God's presence, truth, righteousness, and guidance. Also: Light and Darkness.

LIGHT AND DARKNESS

A symbolic theme of ethical dualism present from the beginning of the Old Testament and developed throughout the Bible.

Biblical Relevance

Light and darkness together describe the opposite ends of a good-evil dualism that pervades biblical symbolic language. The specific referent of light or darkness in a particular text must be assessed based on its context, but the essential meaning of the dualism remains true throughout both Old and New Testaments.

At the heart of Old Testament’s symbolic use of light and darkness is the connection the text makes between light and the personal presence of God, and darkness as all that opposes God. This link begins as early as Gen 1:2, where God creates light to serve as a boundary to darkness. Here light is not only instantly linked to God’s presence but also institutes time and order over the chaos of the formless void

What the Lord Does:

He is doing for us what we could never do for ourselves.

This situation is an act of God. Isaiah began to see the very act of God being fulfilled. Not that Israel had gotten their act all together. It was in spite of their willful turning away from God that He still showed mercy and favor on His people. While we were yet sinners, Christ came and died for us anyway. Romans 5:8.

Gloom matches gloom in 8:22 and distress matches the word translated “Fearful.” So, as Isaiah saw his prediction of the dawning light to come. We have to decide what reading of our experiences we are going to live by.

The darkness and distress are real but they are neither the real reality or the fundamental reality. In any given situation we can either sink deeper into our despair or rise to faith and hope. Isaiah makes it clear that hope is a part of the here and now of our present existence.

What light are you following?

What does it mean that Satan Masquerades as Light

We have seen that darkness and light are natural metaphors for good and evil. If anyone sees and angel of light they will assume that it is a good thing, correlating good with light and darkness with evil.

Human history has seen light associated with God’s absolute goodness and moral perfection in this world.

Light is the place where love dwells and should be a place of peace and comfort in our lives.

However, we read in 2 Corinthians 11:14

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV

14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Basically Satan does what he has always done by capitalizing on the very thing that we find as a comforting peaceful place. If he were to show himself as dark, devilish, being with horns. That would not be a very appealing thing for us to follow.

I think it is interesting that by nature most people are not drawn to the darkness but to light. So, Satan appears to the very thing that our heart is naturally drawn to which is light.

How can we discern when the Light is of God and when it is Satan?

Our minds and our hearts are easily confused by conflicting messages.

Psalm 119 in verse 105 that “your word is a lamp unto my feet, or a light unto my path.” God’s word has the power to bring light into our life. Just as in the beginning God’s words brought light into existence, and the light of the World has come into the darkness of this world.

We fall into Satan’s lies of being light when we attempt to find truth apart from God’s word.

2. The Kind of Peace that Increases our Joy.

Author Dane Ortlund quotes Thomas Goodwin’s statement, “Christ’s own joy, comfort, happiness, and glory are increased … by his showing grace and mercy, in pardoning, relieving, and comforting his members here on earth.”

Ortlund then gave the following illustration:

A compassionate doctor has traveled deep into the jungle to provide medical care to a primitive tribe afflicted with a contagious disease. He has had his medical equipment flown in. He has correctly diagnosed the problem, and the antibiotics are prepared and available.

He is independently wealthy and has no need of any kind of financial compensation. But as he seeks to provide care, those who are afflicted refuse the care. They want to take care of themselves. They want to heal on their own terms. Finally, a few brave young men step forward to receive the care being freely provided.

What does the doctor feel? Joy. His joy increases to the degree that the sick come to him for help and healing. It’s the whole reason he came.

So, with us, and so with Christ. He does not get flustered and frustrated when we come to him for fresh forgiveness, for renewed pardon, with distress and need and emptiness. That’s the whole point. It’s what he came to heal.

Verse 3

Now Isaiah expresses what the Lord does increases our joy and the joy of the people before him.

“Before You” in your presence. There is a spiritual dimension before the Lord. Because there is no a light shining in their presence they now have a reason for great joy.

The nation is enlarged and the people rejoice as if their army has just won a mighty victory

At that time Israel was powerless to save itself and was enslaved by the Midianites. God caused the terror of the Lord to come on them when the light from Gideon’s scant “army” of three hundred men ripped through the darkness.

The evil forces of Midian turned on themselves and imploded, destroying one another.

Exalting Jesus in Isaiah (The Source of Joy: A Stunning Victory (Isaiah 9:3–5))

As a result, the “oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor” was shattered (Isa 9:4), and all trampling boots and bloodied garments were destined for the fire (v. 5). In the same way, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has defeated Satan’s seemingly unbreakable yoke of sin and death.

Satan’s dark army has been routed by implosion. Satan now will turn His evil killing intent on the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

And those who were enslaved by Satan through fear of death have been released to serve God’s by great joy.

Because of the light shining in the Darkness people respond with an overwhelming Joy.

What is your Greatest Joy?

Can you honestly say that Jesus Christ the Messiah of that was born into a dark and broken world is truly your greatest joy?

Historical Context of Joy OT

In the Old Testament, joy is closely related to victory over one’s enemies. For example, in 1 Sam 18:6 when David returned from killing the Philistine, he was met with joy and dancing.

It is also associated with religious acts and feasts, including sacrifices in Psa 27:6 and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (2 Chr 30; Ezra 6).

“Joy” also occurs frequently in songs of praise, most frequently in the book of Psalms (1 Chr 16; Pss 20; 33; 47). The prophets speak of joy, both its being taken away on account of exile (Ezek 24:25; Joel 1:12) and of the joy that will return when the people are restored (Isa 35:10; Jer 31:13).

Historical Context of Joy NT

In the New Testament, “joy” is still used for victory, as shown by the disciples returning with joy since even the evil spirits listened to them (Luke 10:17).

However, the victory focuses more on salvation (Luke 15:7)—the presence of Christ, the bridegroom, gives reason for joy (John 3:29). In the New Testament letters, joy is a desired attribute of Christians. Paul expressed frequently the joy he had regarding the salvation of those he was writing to and prayed that they might be full of joy.

3. The Kind of Peace that Brings the Supernatural Kingdom to Earth.

For contemporary Western democracies, the idea of a kingdom can be difficult to grasp. People are used to electing their officials to run their country as they see fit.

Even in places like the United Kingdom, the monarchy co-rules with a parliament, a prime minister, and a constitution. Kingdom can also awaken fairy-tale thoughts of medieval knights, ruling kings, castles, and dragons.

However, the Bible tells us Christians are a part of God’s kingdom. God is King over the entire universe and the mission of Jesus has made us a part of the mission of his kingdom.

How does the Victorious, covenant fulfilling work of the Lord come about?

This one verse contains the proof of the deity of the Messiah. The surprising conqueror who brings a stunning victory is going to be revealed in a child born, and a son given. The text shows the humanity of Christ and His perfect deity.

On the shoulders of this child is laid the weight of the government of his people. He at last is the answer to the quest for a perfect and lasting government. His shoulders will bear that weight, and they will not buckle. As Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18).

The emphasis rests not on to us but on a child is born.

Child: his human descent.

Son: his maleness and dignity in the royal line. Born of human parentage but also given by the Lord.

His Peoples Shoulder: are delivered when his shoulders accept the burden to rule.

“And His name shall be called”

Literally ‘one will call his name.’ In its highest sense name declares a persons character or identity. Names used to mean something, when someone was named there was a big gathering where it would be declared for all to hear.

SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMING

In biblical tradition the task of naming a child generally fell to the mother (Gen. 29:31–30:24; 1 Sam. 1:20) but could be performed by the father (Gen. 16:15; Exod. 2:22) and in exceptional cases by non-parental figures (Exod. 2:10; Ruth 4:17).

The last son of Jacob and Rachel received a name from each parent, Jacob altering the name Rachel gave (Gen. 35:18). Naming could be attributed to God originating through a divine birth announcement (Gen. 17:19; Luke 1:13). Naming took place near birth in the OT and on the eighth day accompanying circumcision in NT narratives (Luke 1:59; 2:21).

The biblical concept of naming was rooted in the ancient world’s understanding that a name expressed essence.

To know the name of a person was to know that person’s total character and nature. Revealing character and destiny, personal names might express hopes for the child’s future. Changing of name could occur at divine or human initiative, revealing a transformation in character or destiny (Gen. 17:5, 15; 32:28; Matt. 16:17–18).

The knowing of a name implied a relationship between parties in which power to do harm or good was in force. That God knew Moses by name occasioned the granting of Moses’ request for divine presence (Exod. 33:12, 17).

Wonderful - Counselor: His person and power.

The vast number of the 88 times that the word for wonder or wonderful (pele/pala) appears in the Old Testament, it refers to the supernatural. His counsel is also supernatural, beyond even the wisdom of King Solomon whose wisdom stayed earthly.

Mighty - God: His Relationship to His Subjects.

Mighty God clearly refers to the divine nature that Jesus Christ will bring with Him when He comes. His might brings the weight of the kingdom of God to bear on this world. Jesus is the mighty God who will take away the sins of the world and establish His rule and reign in His creation.

Everlasting - Father: His Relationship to His people.

The term everlasting is both general and specific. When people requested a king (1 Sam. 8) they wished to replace the episodic rule of the Judges with the permanency of monarchy. The King to come is the ultimate fulfilment of this longing. The permanent has now come to replace the temporary futile attempts of humanity.

“Father”: Father speaks of His loving care and concern for His people. The bible describes Him as the good father. “For God (Father) love the world so much that He gave His one and only son.” “While we were yet sinners the “Father” sent His son to die on a cross for our sins.” “From the foundation of the earth the (Father) chose to set us apart for Salvation.

Prince - of - Peace: The Society His Rule Creates.

Peace is a sense of personal wellbeing and fulfillment. Harmony with God, the shalom that was broken in the garden has now been fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The word Shalom means to be made whole, or complete. Most people in the world today are still wondering in darkness separated from the commonwealth of God.

“Prince”: This Prince, then, himself a whole personality, at one with God and with his people, administers the benefits of peace/wholeness in his benign rule. This rule, however, will be unchanging in its character (and peace), without end in space and time (for ever), the fulfilment of the Davidic ideal, reflecting the holiness of God in His justice and practice and His righteousness in principle. It was the absolute zeal and passion of the Lord to do this. Isaiah 37:32

Isaiah 37:32 ESV

32 For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST

We have a supernatural yet natural conqueror who comes to rule and to reign.

“Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.”

What is the increase of Christ’s government? And how will it never end?

Note: The Hebrew word translated “increase” or “vast.” Gives us the sense of ever growing multiplication or abundance. So, Christ’s kingdom will be marked with an ever multiplying and increasing and never-ending prosperity.

The Amazing Kingdom that Christ Came to Inaugurate

In heaven Christ’s subjects will be morally perfect and will not forget anything that they have learned.; but they will still be learning and constantly growing in the person of Christ. We will never stop increasing in the passion of our love and worship of Him.

“On the Throne of David and His Kingdom.”

David was promised that a son from his own body would sit on an eternal throne that would be established by God forever.

It is interesting to consider why the writer includes the line from which Jesus was born.

The Bible contains 66 books by at least 40 different authors, is written in three different languages, describing three different continents, all written over a period of at least 1,500 years. It has hundreds of characters and numerous genres. Sometimes it’s narrative; other times you have beasts flying around with a bunch of different eyes; and then there are love poems.

We don’t read many books this complex anymore. So it seems a compelling and summative introduction would be in order for the New Testament. But modern readers are confused by Matthew’s introduction.

Matthews genealogies is not primarily about people but about God. He carries along their family line despite their families failings. Which David is filled with failure. One of God’s most significant promise was King David.

God made a binding promise to David concerning one of his sons; the genealogies shows how he he has fulfilled it.

Our human promises are flawed, but, when God makes a promise we can take it to the bank.

“If God has pledged Himself to you, He will not let you go, not matter what you do. Israel could not out sin the promises of God - and neither can you and me.”

“What can separate us from the Love that flows from Christ our Messiah?”

“His Kingdom will be a Perfect Reflection of His own Character.”

Hebrews 1:8–9 ESV

8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

This kingdom was established the moment Christ came to earth, and it will never end. And what guarantees that these things will most certainly come to pass?

“The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this.” God’s zeal for the glory of his Son will make this happen forever, and no power in heaven or earth or under the earth can stop it.

CONCLUSION

“The Zeal of the Lord will do This”

The zeal of the Lord is closely related in meaning to the jealousy of God. In the ancient Near East, pagan peoples used zeal to describe the jealous tension between rival gods.

Israel applied the expression to define the Lord’s intense love, protective dedication, and everlasting loyalty toward His own people and to His divine purposes for them.

Isaiah said that the zeal of the Lord would cause everything that he had foreseen in Israel’s future to happen. In other words, Isaiah hung all his prophetic hope on the passionate commitment of Israel’s God toward His people.

This zeal is the foundation for God’s demand for exclusive loyalty, as expressed in the Ten Commandments. God prohibits His worshippers from bowing down to any other gods.

He alone is our God and has a zealous and jealous love for His subject.

God cannot conceive of His children offering their allegiance to any other God.

“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24; see also Joshua 24:19).

God’s children again and again have prostituted themselves out to the allure of this world as their God. We continue to try and put makeup on that pig but it still goes back to the pigsty and wallows in the mud and muck of this world.

God’s Zeal and Intense Love for you is beyond our ability to comprehend..................

The Lord is our Champion who cannot be stopped.....................