Yahweh's Light
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We live in a world full of gloom and doom.
Yet there is good news because the Light has come, shining into our darkness.
We yearn for the day when Jesus, the Light of the World, removes every shadow from our lives and we will fully know ourselves, even as we are known by our Saviour (1 Corinthians 12:12). Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
Isaiah 9:1.
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.
We are the nations. Our gloom is passing away, for Jesus has been born of a virgin, Immanuel - God with us.
Most of Jesus' ministry was done around the Sea of Galilee to both Jews and Gentiles. His ministry to the nations continues today.
He is shining light into our hearts, displaying his glory for all to see.
Will we abide in his light and rest in his work, yearning for the day when his glory is fully displayed?
Isaiah 9:2.
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.
Have you received the light of Jesus?
Are you living in the light of Jesus?
His light has shown on us all. His light begins to dispel our darkness when we confess Jesus as Lord and walk in a relationship with him. We who know him wait with hope for the day when we will fully know ourselves, even as we are known by our Saviour. Come Lord, come Jesus! Come, shine your light fully.
Isaiah 9:3-5.
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.
Isaiah's prophecy shifts from the nations to the nation - the nation of Israel. Isaiah is calling Israel and Judah to repent by proclaiming their impending discipline for their unbelief. This, without the hope of the Messiah, is a hopeless situation. He gives them hope with the promise of God, through the Messiah, multiplying them, and increasing their joy by bringing them freedom from their oppressors.
The multiplying of the nation is possibly being fulfilled now with modern Israel. In 1948, the Jewish population in Israel was approximately 630,000. By 2022, this number had risen to 7 million. This represents a more than tenfold increase.
The breaking of the bonds of their oppressors will be fulfilled in the battle of Armageddon, when the world comes against Israel (Revelation 19:11-21). Jesus will come a second time in his fullness and deliver them by the word of his mouth, setting up his rule from Jerusalem for a thousand years (Revelation 20).
We yearn for the full light of Yahweh. Lord Jesus, come and rule in the light of your fullness.
Isaiah 9:6-7.
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.
Jesus came to Israel, born of a virgin, born a Jew. He was God’s gift to the Jewish people - their Messiah to save them and their Messiah to rule them. He came to the Jews first and then to us, the nations.
This prophecy has an already-not-yet tension, for he is the child who is born to Israel as their Messiah. His first coming was as a suffering servant. He would die for the sins of the whole nation, not just the nation, but the world. His death is the start of him establishing his kingdom, but it is not yet in its fullness. We yearn for that day of Armageddon when he comes to bring in his rule of peace through strength.
While we wait for him to establish his physical rule on earth from Jerusalem, he rules in our hearts.
He rules in our hearts as Wonderful Counselor.
He rules in our hearts as Mighty God.
He rules in our hearts as Everlasting Father.
He rules in our hearts as Prince of Peace.
His rule, though, is not limited to our hearts; he will establish his rule on the throne of David forever. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish his rule.
How does the light of his rule shine on us as Wonderful Counselor?
Jesus wants to guide us, to help us know who he created us to be. He, through the Holy Spirit and the word of God, has guided us.
Will we heed his counsel, allowing the light of his rule to guide us?
How does the light of his rule shine on us as Mighty God?
There is nothing too hard for God, and he is for us, working in us through the trials of this life.
Will we trust in his power to work in all circumstances, allowing the light of his rule to shine into our impossible situations?
How does the light of his rule shine on us as Everlasting Father?
First, we accept that Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity.
Second, we embrace him as Father, for he is a good, good father.
Will we allow him to father us, receiving the nurturing care and protection of a father?
How does the light of his rule shine on us as Prince of Peace?
This is threefold:
First, He brings us peace with God through his death and resurrection.
Second, He brings us peace of heart.
Third, He will bring world peace through strength. We yearn for that day when his light is fully shown.
Will you let the peace of God rule your life through the Prince of Peace?
Receive the light of his rule as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Go in the light of his rule.
