A Child is Born
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Introduction
Introduction
1 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—
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3 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.
4 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.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 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.
1. Out of Darkness and Into Light
1. Out of Darkness and Into Light
Zebulun and Naphtali - hardest hit by Assuria in 733 BCE
Assyria divided the northern nation into three jurisdictions - Galliee of the Gentiles, The Way of the Sea, and along the Jordan.
Defeat of Midian is the Story of Gideon - a miraculous defeat that God alone accomplished.
God came to his people first where they had suffered the most, and from that place he launched salvation for the world.
Darkness and Light spoke to the ANE people of their gods of light and darkness.
a yoke of slavery
boots would have been worn by charioteers or officers. Infantry wore sandals or went barefoot.
God is drawn to the side of the poor, the weak, the lonely, and the hungry.
God is drawn to the side of the poor, the weak, the lonely, and the hungry.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
matt 5 3-
2 and he began to teach them. He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Jesus first preached the Gospel in Galilee
Jesus first preached the Gospel in Galilee
matt 5
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.
13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—
14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
When in the darkness of defeat, know and feel that God is for you.
The Hebrews in slavery in Egypt
The disciples in the boat during a storm
Gideon and the overwhelming army
The disciples in the boat during a storm
When you can’t pay your student loans
When you can’t see God in your current situation
When you can’t break through in a broken relationship
When those around you succeed where you have failed
God honors us when we share the light with those in darkness.
God honors us when we share the light with those in darkness.
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
isa 58 10-12
There is another kind of darkness that may be more pervasive - the darkness of the mind.
“Don’t doubt in the darkness, what God has shown you in the light.”
“Don’t doubt in the darkness, what God has shown you in the light.”
2. A Royal Child is Born
2. A Royal Child is Born
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
6 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.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
4 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.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1–39 (2) Unto Us a Child is Born (9:1–6 [Eng. 2–7])
God is strong enough to overcome his enemies by becoming vulnerable, transparent, and humble—the only hope, in fact, for turning enmity into friendship.
God chooses the weak to accomplish his will.
God chooses the weak to accomplish his will.
he chose this oft-conquered land to be the place of birth for his Son
He chose to become a child and dwelt among us
he chose us to bring light to the dark places
The Incarnation is not just
Conclusion
Conclusion
I invite you to consider your weakness
Realize that coming to the light is only part of the call. God longs for you to share his light. To take the yoke of Christ and bring his light and life to the nations.
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right,
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I encourage you to get away from the busyness