We Have Seen a Great Light!

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. (Isaiah 9:1–7 ESV).

 

Our reading today provides an immediate follow-up to the passage we reflected on yesterday, about choosing to live in “utter darkness.” Because of God’s mercy, the gloom and hopelessness of consulting the dead will not be the final word on their lives. Instead “a light has dawned” on them. It is a pivotal Old Testament prophecy promising an end to darkness and oppression through a coming child (the Messiah) who will bring eternal peace, justice, and righteous rule, giving him majestic names like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, establishing unending peace on David's throne, and fulfilling this through God's zealous work.

 

We should notice the unfolding impact of this “great light.” God’s people will rejoice in ways that need all kinds of metaphors to describe. Their oppressors will lose their power. The very instruments of war used to control them will be destroyed. All these signs point to freedom and new life that the people could not achieve on their own. The joyful hope of God’s deliverance flows through this prophetic word. Further, God promises to do all of this through the birth of a child, whose rule will bring never-ending peace. Where death once tainted everything, now the people who are trapped in darkness will see God’s flourishing kingdom coming into view. To make this certain, God declares, “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

 

During Advent we should remember how God started this rule of peace through the birth of Jesus Christ. And we look forward to the day when God will bring us into the fullness of this vision.