Isaiah 9:1-7
“Nevertheless the dimness shall not be . . .” (v. 1). Dimness refers to spiritual darkness. The spiritual darkness which existed in Isaiah’s day is described in the closing verses of chapter 8. That spiritual darkness was unlike the spiritual darkness which would exist in a future day —the day in which Immanuel (Christ Jesus) would begin to reveal Himself to men through preaching and teaching. The gospel of Matthew declares that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He revealed Himself to the people of Zebulun and Naphtali and then to them of Galilee (see Matt. 4:13-16).
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…” (v. 2). The Lord revealed the future to Isaiah in the past tense. This prophecy has meaning to all who have seen the light of which the prophet spoke. No one in Isaiah’s day could have understood these words.
The great light did not appear until seven hundred years after the prophet was given these words. Jesus Christ revealed Himself to be that light with the words, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The words of verse 2 have great meaning for New Testament believers, but Isaiah’s words are directed to all who will see the great light. The great light shines upon all men because all men dwell in the land of the shadow of death. Verse 3 reveals a time in which “the people that walked in darkness” have seen the great light. It is clear that Isaiah’s words are specifically directed to a nation of Israel which God has multiplied but a nation which has not increased in “the joy”. It is a nation of Israel which God has blessed in that Israel will joy in abundance and in military victory, but it is an Israel which has not experienced the joy of the true light of God.
There appears to be a “joy” inconsistency. How can God both not increase the joy and increase it? If we were to read the Hebrew words in which Isaiah wrote his message, we would find that he uses “simchah” to express the joy that God has not given and “samach” to express the joy which Israel has experienced. Simchah is used to denote a joy of gladness, mirth and pleasure; while samach is used to describe a joy which is more dependent upon circumstances.
Israel will not experience “simchah” (a joy independent of circumstance) and understand Isaiah’s words until a future event occurs similar to the victory which God gave Gideon over the Midianites. (One will recall that the Midianites destroyed themselves in fear and confusion.) Isaiah’s reference to burning and fuel of fire (v. 5) spark images of the events recorded in Ezekiel 39:9. It is after the defeat of Gog that the nation of Israel shall see the great light and accept Jesus as the Messiah. At that time, Israel shall realize “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (v. 6).
Believers know Jesus as all these things in a spiritual sense. For Christians, the government is upon His shoulder. Christians keep His commandments because we love Him who first loved us. His commandments are our law. He is Wonderful because He has paid the price of sin for us. Our Redeemer is wonderful! He is our Counselor because His spirit leads, guides and directs. He is the Mighty God. He is one with God the Father. And He is the Prince of Peace because He made peace with the Father for us. The day shall come when Israel knows the God gives joy unspeakable — the joy which rings in the hearts of all who have received the Comforter who teaches all things and brings the words of Christ the Lord into remembrance.
In that day, the Promised One shall reign from the throne of David in Jerusalem (v. 7). This shall come to pass because the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall make it happen. God is omnipotent. He is all powerful. Zeal is not power. Zeal is often described as energy. From a physical perspective, energy is the ability to cause change and power is the rate energy is used. From a spiritual view, zeal is like love. God’s love has the ability to cause change. New Testament believers know God’s power because we have been changed by His love. God’s zeal (love) will make all that He has promised to be fulfilled.
Isaiah 9:6 or a portion of it is sometimes found in Bible verse Christmas cards. The verse and full recognition of its message, however, is directed toward Israel at a time which is yet future. It will be a time in which Israel shall know Him as their king in a literal, physical reality. He shall rule from the throne of David in Jerusalem. His judgment and His justice shall be established forever. That day shall come, not because men seek to make it happen, but, because the zeal of the Lord of hosts will make it happen.
New Testament believers reflect upon history and marvel at that which God has made to happen. The Israel of today has been regathered from all nations, not by the will of man but by the zeal of the Lord of hosts.
Christ’s return and reign will come because God has declared it. When that day comes, all men will see with their eyes the truth which the Spirit of God has made known to all who are second born.
Until that day of judgment and justice, believers are called to illuminate the darkness with the light that we have received. Let us so shine; let us reveal the zeal of the Lord of hosts who has lifted us.
