Isn't the morning a precious time? It is for me. I am a "morning person". When I get up, I am the first one up, almost always. This time of quiet, as the light of dawn is creeping over my little corner of the earth...such a blessing!
Today's text is Isaiah 9:2-7, one of my very favorite Christmas prophecies.
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of (C)deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3
(D)You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with (E)joy at the harvest,
4
(H)For the yoke of his burden,
(I)and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as (J)on the day of Midian.
5
(K)For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6
(L)For to us a child is born,
to us (M)a son is given;
and his name shall be called
7
Of the increase of his government and of peace
(U)there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
(V)with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
(W)The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
A couple of nights ago, my older son took the dog out to potty and reported excitedly that there were people walking around in the deep, steep woods behind our house. He could hear them and see their flashlights. This was at around 10:00 p.m. This news was unsettling to me, to say the least. We don't live in a densely populated area, per se. While there could have been neighbors from across the creek out for an evening stroll, it is unlikely. Son #1 kept watch over them for a little while. He said that they seemed to be walking in circles.
This comes to mind when I consider the first part of today's passage. The people who walked in darkness....
There is so much spiritual darkness today, seemingly increasing by leaps and bounds. Lost people are stumbling and falling at every turn. At Advent, we light candles to symbolize the Light of the World condescending to us. Without Him, regardless of our boastful pronouncements to the contrary, we are merely stumbling around in the woods, lost, walking in circles, getting nowhere.
Isaiah, given this prophecy in today's text approximately 600 years before Jesus was born, was told that "the zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this." And, He did.
The first few verses speak of the battle between Satan and Yahweh God, the LORD of Hosts, the GOD of Angel Armies: the battle of darkness against Light. To break the hold of darkness on this world, reeling from the sin that enslaves it, God Himself sent His Son, the Light who dispels all darkness.
"You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy. They rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest."
Isaiah 9:3
What does that mean? What nation? Isaiah prophesied later, in 60:3, that the nation of Israel would not be the only recipients of God's mercy. Even then, hope was given to the Gentiles ("goyim", in the Orthodox Jewish Bible). Hallelujah!
"And nations (Gentiles) shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."
Isaiah 60:3
Johann Sebastian Bach, a German, a Gentile and very devout Christian, wrote the majestic hymn "Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light", nearly 375 years ago (1641).
"Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
And usher in the morning;
O shepherds, shrink not with afright,
But hear the angel’s warning.
This Child, now weak in infancy,
Our confidence and joy shall be,
The power of Satan breaking,
Our peace eternal making."
Yes, He came to break the power of Satan and to enable us to have eternal peace with a holy, sinless God. He came to gather us to Himself, to be "God With Us" not just for Jesus' earthly lifetime, but forever. As earthly dawn "ushers in the morning", so Jesus ushers His Light into Our Lives.
In verse 6 of Isaiah 9, some titles are listed for this coming Messiah. I don't think that it is any accident that the first title in the line-up is "Wonderful Counselor". If you know the famous chorus from Handel's Messiah, you may have it in your head to make this title two separate words/titles: ("Wonderful"....."Counselor".....). No, it is written as one title - - - a Counselor who is Wonderful!
He is our Glorious Savior, yes! But, in the Person of His Holy Spirit, He is our Awesome Advisor. You ask me how I know that Jesus is alive today? He lives in me. His light shines into my darkest places, exposing my sin and calling me to confession, purification, restoration. He calls me deeper into relationship with Him, so that when I do see Him at last, He won't be a stranger. I will recognize Him as, not only the Light of the World, but as my dearest Friend.
Oh Father, I confess that You, God of Angel Armies, and my Savior, the Everlasting Father, and the Holy Spirit, are One. You are GOD, and there is no other. You are Light, and in You is no darkness at all. Thank you for taking pity on us, the sons of men, and banishing our darkness when we call on You to save us, Awesome Advisor. You offer to us the wisdom of our Father; none teaches like You. In Jesus' name, amen.
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