Introduction
In this section of Isaiah's prophecy, we see a great contrast between darkness and light. Darkness is a metaphor used to describe the condition of Israel, a nation called out from slavery, given a covenant with God, God was with them, they had received God's Special Revelation, and yet they had rejected God and His word. And because of their rejection, they were reaping the results, "distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish" (Isaiah 8:22 ESV).
How do we, in the 21st century reject God and His word? Though we may not be visiting spiritists and mediums, as God had warned Isaiah not to do, we may be doing the same types of things in more subtle ways: horoscopes, zodiac, secret encoded message in the Bible, positive thinking theology, Godless entertainment, etc. In our day, just as in Isaiah's day, the culture and world in which we live can subtly draw us away from God to the point that we think we are okay with God. When we begin to feel comfortable in a Godless society, we need to watch out. That is when we are in danger of losing the light we have been given.
But the darkness of man has never been a detriment to God's plan. He is not surprised by the depravity of humanity. Appalled, yes, but not surprised. Into the backdrop of this human darkness, we see God sending a Great Light into the world. This Light is the One YHWH had promised all the way back in Genesis to Adam and Eve. He was the descendant He had promised Abraham through whom all nations of the world would be blessed. He was the One promised to David, a descendant who would build a house for God and reign on David's throne forever. We see in chapter 9 that this One to be born is one and the same as the child mentioned in Isaiah 7:14, Immanuel, God with us. To be born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit. He had no earthly father. The Eternal Son of God humbled himself and was born like any other child. Completely vulnerable -- needing the care of his mother and adoptive father.
This Light that shined in the darkness was not just a man, however. As we read further along in chapter 9, we see attributes that point to his deity. Wonderful Counselor indicates that this one is able to direct and guide our lives. Indeed He is the living word made flesh as John writes in his gospel. Mighty God points to the fact that this is not just a man but this is the second person of the Trinity, God the Son. No man could ever bear this name. And finally, Everlasting Father or Father of Eternity. This Light was and is eternal, He had no beginning, and is in fact the source of our beginning -- both physically and spiritually.
The Light was given in a dark place in order to expose what was hidden by darkness. Man is born into this world fallen. We all are recipients of a fallen sin nature because of our father, Adam. Original sin is not something we earn, but it is ours by birth. God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that by him, we might be saved. He lived a life of perfection -- a life that Adam, our first father, did not. He experienced every type of temptation and trial that any human ever experiences, but he did it without compromise in any way. He lived in absolute moral perfection in the midst of a dark world. And he died as a final sacrifice -- bearing the sin of man and the wrath of God for humanity.
Without light, we are doomed to a life of distress and gloom and despair. A life that ends tragically, without hope, and under the certain and just wrath of a holy God. But God, in his grace, has not left us in the dark. His light has dawned. He has shed abroad his light for us. Don't run from the light because it exposes who you really are. Do as Isaiah did when confronted with the Sovereign of the universe. Cry out, "I am undone! I am unclean!". And this God of grace, who exposes sin, will cleanse you of all your sin and fill you with the "light of life."
The Gloom of a Godless Life (Isaiah 8:19-22)
God's Living Word is a sufficient guide for all issues pertaining to
life.
How would you rate your adherence to God's word?
What un-Biblical practices are you involved in and what do you intend to
do about these practices?
What are you adding to God's word to make it 'better'?
What are you avoiding in God's word because is seems bitter?
The God Who Dispels the Gloom (Isaiah 9:1-7)
Only God can turn a godless life into a godly life.
Whose government is ruling in your life? Is it a government that brings
joy, peace, justice, and righteousness?
How is your life a testimony of God shining a light into darkness?
The Wrath of a Gracious God (Isaiah 9:8-10:4)
Sin's darkness deserves God's wrath but His grace gives life to the
repentant.
What does God's wrath tell you about His character?
What does your view of God's wrath tell you about yourself?
What needs to change?
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