Expect the Unexpected

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.

God’s promise comes to His people yet again. It comes announcing a bright and glorious future for Israel. This is not the first time God’s promise has been announced. It was announced in Genesis 3, when God told Eve that one day she would have a Son that would defeat evil and restore the glory of the garden. God announced this promise to Abraham, that from him a glorious nation would come. God announced this through Moses at Mount Sinai. He announced it to King David and his son Solomon. God announced this time and again through His prophets to the people of Israel.

This announcement of God’s promise to bring glory to Israel, comes immediately after God’s declaration that he will first bring Israel to ruin. In the first few chapters of Isaiah we see that the people of Israel have once again failed to trust in the promise of God. Some have turned to false idols. Others have placed their trust in the ability to keep the law and earn God’s favor.

In response, God selected Isaiah as his prophet. He called Isaiah to deliver his message to Israel. The first part of this message is found in Chapters 7-8 and its horrible. God is angry and ready with fury to afflict Israel. Because of their sin, God raised up the king of Assyria with great might. This mighty king would come and devastate Israel. He would come and invade their cities, carry off their young men, kill their warriors, destroy their temple, and steal their goods. God was going to bring Israel to nothing through the mighty and brutal hand of the Assyrian king.

This is the context of the promise in Isaiah 9:1. It comes as a message of hope. God says to his people, I will bring much gloom and anguish to you, but just as sure as I will strike you and wound you, I will heal you.

To get the full picture you need to know that Zebulun and Naphtali were cities in the northern part of Israel and they were the first to be struck down by Assyria for Assyria was located to the north of Israel. The judgement then was that God would commence his judgement with these to cities and the gloom of anguish they will experience will spread throughout all of Israel until every city and town are reduced to rubble.

However, God will do the same thing in the future only this time, he will not commence contempt in Naphtali and Zebulun but glory. He will bring glory to these two cities and from there it will spread until all of Israel tastes the same glory. This is the promise of Isaiah 9:1.

Truth#1: God’s promise is wonderful (9:2-5)

In Isaiah 9:1, we get the thesis. We get that God will replace the gloom of anguish with glory. This is the promise. Now, we see in Isaiah 9:2-5 what that is. We get a picture of this glory that will be given to Zebulun and Naphtali and the rest of Israel. In these verses, Isaiah give us three interconnected realities of the coming glory. He does so with three reversals or transitions that will be true when God reverses or transitions from contempt to glory.

Three Wonderful Reversals

Darkness to Light (9:2)

Sorrow to Joy (9:3)

Oppression to Freedom (9:4-5)

Darkness to Light (9:2)

Isaiah 9:2 ESV

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.

The movement from contempt to glory (Is. 9:1) is paralleled by a movement from light to darkness (Is. 9:2). This is seen all throughout the Scriptures. When God judges, he removes the light. When God delivers or when God shows favor he gives light. Light is seeing. It is knowing truth. It is beholding the glory of God. It is knowing God.

This idea of light to darkness encapsulates three things: Knowledge, Desire /Love, and Behavior. God reveals the truth. The people learn something. The knew knowledge transforms, shapes, or gives birth to new passions. These new passions and desires lead to a change of behavior.

When the prophet says that in the day of glory people will experience a moving from light to darkness he is speaking of all three of these. He is saying that in the day of glory there will be a revelation a learning of something new by those who are in darkness and this new knowledge will transform the heart and yield a whole new way of walking in this world.

Sorrow to Joy (9:3)

In verse 3 we find another reversal. We see sorrow turned to joy.

Isaiah 9:3 ESV

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.

I’ve learned to appreciate poetry, for poetry helps us feel what is being communicated. Isaiah does this so well as he communicates the reversal from sorrow and anguish to joy. He does so with two pictures

Picture #1: The Farmer withHarvest

It looks like the farmer in autumn who has tilled the ground and planted seed, who has watered and pruned, and who has waited and waited. The farmer knows anxiousness. The farmer knows doubt. The farmer knows hard work. The farmer knows how it feels to have every aspect of his life hinge upon the harvest. If the harvest is no good he will not have food to eat. His livelihood depends on the harvest. The wellbeing of his family depends on the harvest. He also knows that its out of his control. Sure he has a role to play. And he labors daily to do all he can to best position himself for a good harvest, but at the end of the day he cannot make rain come, the sun to shine, and the crop to bear fruit. All of thes factors cause great joy when the harvest actually comes in to the barn!

Picture #2: The Victor with his spoil

Those engaged in battle have much to lose. Everything is on the line. Whoever loses, suffers great loss. Whoever wins makes great gain. For the victor there is a reward, a spoil, to be possessed and enjoyed. For the loser there is great loss to be mourned. The warrior trains, the warrior puts everything including his life on the line. The warrior sweats. The warriors knows great pain and often suffers serious wounds. However, if he is left standing at the end of the day, he rejoices. He gets his hands on all his spoil and he shouts and sings with joy.

These are the two pictures of joy. They are pictures of great intense joy, jubilation, and glee that come through great waiting, endurance, and even painful labor or work.

Notice in the text what is the source of this great joy. It is the presence of God. We see this is the place of the people’s rejoicing. “They rejoice before” the Lord. This significance might be missed since we do not see God as being “located” somewhere. We have a sense of God being everywhere and accessible in any place. But for Israel it was different. The conquering of the nation by Assyria and the carrying away of the people into exile along with the destruction of the Temple was for them a suspension of their access to the presence of God.

God had dwelled with His people in the holies of holies. He provided a way for them to commune with him through the sacrificial system and the priestly order. If we are to understand the true horror of the situation we have to understand Israel’s perspective. The announcement that Assyria would be conquering them was a very dark day. In a spiritual sense, the lights were about to be turned off by God. God’s people are about to be cut off.

This is a replaying of Genesis three where God dwelled with Adam and Eve, but they sinned so God exiled them, he removed them from his presence.

When we understand this about Israel, we can understand why their rejoicing with great joy is tied to being back in the presence of God. In that day, in the day of glory, renewed fellowship with God will be known. After the exile, God will reestablish access to His glory. He will again establish communion between him and his people.

Oppression to Freedom / Righteousness and Justice

So far we have seen that with the reversal from contempt to glory is a reversal from darkness to light and from sorrow to joy. In verse 4, we uncover a third and final reversal. We see slavery and oppression reversed to freedom.

Isaiah 9:4–5 ESV

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.

No one wants to be oppressed. Oppression is the limitation of our freedom. We are oppressed when we cannot act freely. When we are oppressed we are restrained to do the will of a master an oppressor. We carry the burden of our oppressor. This verse comes as good news to the oppressed. God’s promise here is that one day when he brings glory to replace the contempt, in that day, He will break “the rod of the oppressor,” He will loosen the “yoke of crushing burden placed on Israel back by the master. He will relieve them from the master’s staff that strikes Israel’s shoulder.

The image used by Isaiah to describe this deliverance is found in Isaiah 9:5.

Isaiah 9:5 ESV

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.

These images are images of dread. They recalled the sound of a massive army approaching. This is the sound of chariots rumbling through the open plain towards their villages. Its the sight of a cloud of dust kicked up in air by countless horses and soldiers. They are the sounds and images of the oppressor.

The blood on the soldiers clothes are the blood of the slain Israelites. A description of the brutality of Assyria is recorded in Isaiah 10:4.

Isaiah 10:4 ESV

4 Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners or fall among the slain. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

There we see that the affliction is so total. Men and women both great and small had two faits. Either crouch with the prisoners or fall with the slain. This is why the image of bloodied clothes is used. The king of Assyria with great might and great strength is no match for Israel. He breaks them. He reduces them to nothing. Their blood has splattered the clothes of the warriors.

The promise is that one day these bloodied clothes and heavy boots become fuel for the fire of God’s wrath. One day God will rise up and come against Assyria. Assyria’s oppression of Israel will be temporary. God will break the oppressor’s rod and free Israel.

Here we see God extending a wonderful promise to Israel. Yes, the lights are about to go out, the people will know great anguish, and their freedom will be stolen by a brutal and harsh oppressor. But, the contempt will give way to glory one day, and in that day, the darkness will give way to light, sorrow will give way to great joy, and oppression will give way to freedom.

God’s promise is realized in and through the son

So far we have seen that God promises to send glory to Zebulun and Naphtali first and then to all Israel. We have also seen that when the glory comes it will bring about three reversals. Darkness will give way to light. Sorrow will turn to joy. And, oppression will end with freedom.

This raises an important question in the curious mind… how? How will God do this? The inquisitive are thankful for Isaiah 9:6-7 for there we get the answer.

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

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.

This promise rests on a son. A man chosen and given by God to Israel. It is this son who will bring glory to Nephtali and Zebulun. Isaiah demonstrates this in verses 6 and 7 by showing us that the three reversals Light, Joy, and freedom will be the result of his government, his kingship.

Light: Look at verse 6. When this Son comes something amazing happens. He will be known. He will be known as God! Israel had many wonderful kings in the past but not one who would be known as God! We might miss what is subtle to us but obvious to the Israelite reader if we are not careful so I must point this out. When Isaiah says, “his name shall be called” he is pointing to the reputation of this son. This son will reveal the right identity the truth about God. In other words, this son will give light so God might be known!

Joy: The connection between the son and joy is harder to see because it is assumed in this text. If the Son is God and the Son makes God known, God then in the Son is with us. In the past God had raised up men, kings, to deliver Israel from their oppressor and establish a meeting place where God could dwell with His people. But now, we see in this promise that God himself is coming. God is the Son promised. Again the people will be in God’s presence not because they returned to him but because He has come to them. This is reason to rejoice! The expectation with this news is that when it is delivered it produces joy!

Freedom: We see this freedom in verse 7. This Son will rule and reign in his kingdom so that oppression no longer remains. He does so by defending the nation from all outside forces. No nation will rise up again to strike Israel with a rod and place on them heavy loads to carry. The Son will also expel all internal oppression. The citizens of His kingdom will know righteousness and justice. No longer will the widow and orphan be neglected. No longer will the poor be taken advantage of. No longer with the guilty get by with a bribe. No in the Son’s kingdom all oppressors will be judged and expelled!

Do you see it? The glory coming to Israel - to Naphtali and Zebulun - is coming with a son. A son who is a king. He will bring light, joy, and freedom.

God Promise is preserved by His zeal

Isaiah 9:7 ESV

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.

Sometimes we encounter words in the Scriptures that we just don’t use on a regular basis. Zeal is one of those words. When seeking to define zeal, I turn to someone so much smarter than I am. This definition comes from John Oswalt. He tells us that zeal has two connotations. First, zeal “desires an exclusive place in [a] person’s affections.” And, second, zeal is a “consuming concern for the other’s best… an unwillingness that anything should hurt or destroy another.”

We see these two ideas all through the book of Isaiah - and the rest of the Scriptures. God desires to be treasured above all. He will give his glory to no other. He passionately seeks to be the object of His people greatest affection. He wants the heart of Israel to burn for God. He cannot stand for their affection to be turned to anything or anyone else.

He also desires their well being. He loves Jerusalem. He loves Israel. This love for Israel compels Him to rise up and free them. They don’t and never will deserve it. He stands to gain nothing from them in return. The only thing that will compel him to rise up, to hear their cries, and to deliver on His promise will be this love for them. This unmerited, unprovoked love God has for His people.

These to pieces that come together in the term zeal is what this promise rest on. God will deliver because He passionately desires to be known and loved supremely by His people, and He cannot because of love leave His people in bondage. On these two things the promise hangs.

The Promise Clarified

We find the identify of this Son in Matthew 4:12-17.

Matthew 4:12–17 ESV

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Isn’t this amazing? Jesus comes to Naphtali and Zebulun centuries later and announces that He is the glory promised to Zebulun and Naphtali and the rest of Israel. Here Jesus is saying, “I am the light that has dawned!” With me the knowledge of God goes forth. With me the joy of God’s fellowship is restored and known. With me comes freedom. With me comes deliverance! For, my kingdom, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It has commenced in Christ.

This is seen in Matthew 4:12-17. When Jesus comes, he comes as the light. He comes to give knowledge of the glory of God. He shines into darkness. One cannot separate salvation, glory, blessing, and favor from the dawning of light! And, one cannot separate wrath, judgment, destruction, from darkness and gloom. These things go together, and they turn on the revelation of God. (See 2 Cor. 4; John 1)

Yes, the promise has been kept in Christ.

The Promise Applied