Anticipation of The Light

Introduction

Last week, we began our Christmas series. We began by encouraging you to share the gospel with those around you.

Remember the phrase, “Everyone loves a baby”? Well, they do! So there is no better season to share about Jesus than during the Christmas Season.

Yet, the gospel message is not always received well. In fact, the apostle Paul said, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. . .” (1 Cor. 1:18).

It is foolishness to them because it doesn’t make sense. Honestly there are a lot of reasons that it doesn’t make sense, but the main one is that those who are perishing are living or walking in what the Bible describes as “darkness.”

Throughout the Scriptures, there is a motif of light verses darkness. God is signified as light, and the world with all of the sin is signified by the darkness.

Honestly we have a number of passages that compare the light against the darkness. Verses like:

Psalm 112:4 NIV

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

or Micah 7:8:

Micah 7:8 NIV

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.

Or Daniel 2:22

Daniel 2:22 NIV

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Or how about Eph 5:8:

Ephesians 5:8 NIV

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Honestly, we could spend all morning going through verse of scripture that deal with light and darkness.

Yet, I don’t think there is any more familiar passage that talks about light and darkness than our passage today. If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Isaiah chapter 9, and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.

Before we do, let me set the scene for you.

In Isaiah 8 we discover that God’s people were consulting “mediums” and “spiritist” rather than consulting with God (Is. 8:19). For that there was distress and hunger in the land (Is. 8:21). And eventually the people would be judged. They would eventually be sent into exile.

Still, beginning in chapter 9, Isaiah gives the people hope.

Isaiah 9:1 NIV

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 honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The Time of Gloom has Passed

There was a time of gloom, but now it has passed.

There was a time of distressed, but it too has passed.

These times of distress and gloom were in the lands of Zebulun and Nephtali, and God used them to humble these two lands. This area had become an Assyrian stronghold around 732 B.C.

Now, there is a future promise that Galilee will be honored. Jesus fulfilled this during his Galilee ministry where He was strongly received.

The Great Light Signals Change

Isaiah 9:2 NIV

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

Now we have a parallelism—The people who used to walk in darkness have seen a great light.

Those who lived in the land of deep darkness (shadow of death) are seeing the light beginning to shine.

The reason this passage is so well known is because Matthew quoted in Matthew 4:15-16. That means that whether or not Isaiah ment the passage to be “Messianic” in nature, we know it is a Messianic prophecy.

QUESTION 1: Today, do you think people (in general) are walking in light or darkness?

If I’m going to answer this first question, I would have to describe the world that I live in as dark, and the people out in the world are walking in darkness.

In fact, many of them refuse to acknowledge that Jesus is the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12).

Isaiah 9:3 NIV

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

As God will reveal Himself to the nation of Israel, the nation will grow in size.

But not only in size, but their joy will also grow.

—They will rejoice before the Lord.

—They will rejoice like they did during a great harvest.

—Or they will rejoice like warriors rejoice after winning a great battle!

This is yet future. In verse 2 we read that the light came into the world—that has happened! But there has been a long pause of over 2,000 years between the events in verse 2 and the events that will happen in verse 3.

That Day will be Like

Isaiah 9:4 NIV

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah compares the victory that will be experience to the victory of Gideon when God defeated the Midianites (Jdg 7).

—It will be a complete victory.

—God will shatter the yoke that tied them to their burdens.

—God will free them from the beatings of those who oppressed them.

Isaiah 9:5 NIV

Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

There will be no need for armies! Because God’s Messiah is ruling.

—So the boots and clothing that had been used and would be used for battle are burned as fuel for fires!

Compare Psalm 46:9-10

Psalm 46:9–10 NIV

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

God’s Deliver

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be a child born (v. 6a).

The key it will be a son—a male child (v. 6b).

He will be the ruler (cf. Is 22:22, Matt 28:18) (v. 6c)!

His Names (v. 6d):

Wonderful Counselor. Some split this into two (KJV), however in the context “wonderful” seems to be a descriptive term and could be translated “exceptional, distinguished” counselor. The NET “extraordinary Strategist.”

Mighty God. Could be translated “Hero God,” or “Warrior God.” The Messiah is God!

Everlasting Father. This addresses the eternality of the Messiah. This includes times past (cf. Jn 1:1), and times in the future (cf. Dan 6:26, Lk 1:33).

Prince of Peace. The word prince can mean head of, chief official of, captain of. The word peace is the Hebrew word shalom, and has the meaning of, peace, tranquility, completeness, safety, welfare, prosperity, or health.

The Deliverer’s Reign

Isaiah 9:7 NIV

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

His government will be great

His government will be filled with peace (see definition above).

And His government will not end (cf. Dan 4:3).

The Messiah will reign from David’s throne.

And the Messiah will rule over David’s kingdom.

His rule will establish David’s kingdom and keep it going.

His rule will be:

—with justice.

—with righteousness

And it will last forever (2 Sam 7:13).

The passion (zeal) of the Yahweh Almighty (of warfare, of army, the military side of Yahweh) will accomplish this. It will be accomplished supernaturally!

So What?

This Christmas, we should be longing for the light. We should be helping people long for the light of the world. Jesus is that light.

We should be anticipating the light’s coming. Whether you believe it or not, Jesus is coming again! And today we should helping others anticipate the return of Jesus!

And there is no better season to long for the coming light, or anticipate the light’s return than during the season of Christmas—the season the light first appeared.