9 [a]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.
This text may be familiar to some as it was just recently utilized in some churches for Christmas Eve. We immediately begin to hear the stories of Christmas ring in our ears...but this text bears a second look.
First, let us not take a pejorative view of this text that creates a false dichotomy between Israel and gentiles (the remaining nations). It should be read as good news for all of God's people, for we have all been in darkness...and God is concerned about all of God's children. God is doing a new thing in which the bonds of oppression are broken and all of God's children are able and invited to walk in this dawning light.
Second, we must recognize that this light breaking through the darkness entails both liberation and guidance. Oppressors are freed from their darkness of oppressing and the oppressed are freed from the yolk of their oppressors. We are led by this light from darkness to joy...guided, if you will, by the sovereign hand of the light bearer.
Isaiah's prophetic words lay the foundation of a week long look at the light of salvation. More importantly, however, these conversations will bear witness to Paul's call to the church in Corinth to remain united. So I will leave you with this question to ponder as we journey towards another Sunday: what do you think Isaiah would say the connection is between light and unity?
Feel free to leave your thoughts on the subject below in the comments section.
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.
This text may be familiar to some as it was just recently utilized in some churches for Christmas Eve. We immediately begin to hear the stories of Christmas ring in our ears...but this text bears a second look.
First, let us not take a pejorative view of this text that creates a false dichotomy between Israel and gentiles (the remaining nations). It should be read as good news for all of God's people, for we have all been in darkness...and God is concerned about all of God's children. God is doing a new thing in which the bonds of oppression are broken and all of God's children are able and invited to walk in this dawning light.
Second, we must recognize that this light breaking through the darkness entails both liberation and guidance. Oppressors are freed from their darkness of oppressing and the oppressed are freed from the yolk of their oppressors. We are led by this light from darkness to joy...guided, if you will, by the sovereign hand of the light bearer.
Isaiah's prophetic words lay the foundation of a week long look at the light of salvation. More importantly, however, these conversations will bear witness to Paul's call to the church in Corinth to remain united. So I will leave you with this question to ponder as we journey towards another Sunday: what do you think Isaiah would say the connection is between light and unity?
Feel free to leave your thoughts on the subject below in the comments section.
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