December 1: HOPE DISPELS HOPELESSNESS
Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. Isaiah 9:1
Our opening word, nevertheless, indicates a contrast to the preceding passage. The last two verses of chapter 8 describe the hopeless condition of those who look in the wrong places for reliable information. Sinking into further disappointment, misery, and rage, bitter criticism of both earthly leaders and God will emanate (8:21 - compare to Revelation 16:11). The upper regions of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, named above, were under a dark and heavy cloud of anguish as a result of the pervasive occultism in that area. Among the first territories of Israel to be conquered, Galilee of the Gentiles (meaning circuit of the nations) was connected via caravan routes to every surrounding center of major commerce, making the area a magnet for every conceivable pagan teaching.
Isaiah’s prophetic eye becomes fixed upon the sure solution to come, which will dispel the darkness of men’s souls. The foundational identity of God’s people is built upon the hope of the coming Messiah — the promised Savior! The same region, so covered in darkness and distress, will see a revelation of Glory and Light! Those who believed God’s prophet could rejoice According to the joy of harvest (Isaiah 9:3 - Compare to Matthew 4:12-25).
Building upon the sign given in Isaiah 7:14, more hope is disseminated: For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (9:6).
Truly, the counsel of the Wonderful Counselor has the power to work wonders within a human heart, injured and stubborn as it may be! It is certainly no accident that the early ministry of Jesus was in the region of Galilee. Jesus diffused hope among the hopeless by announcing the good news of God’s kingdom that would surely prevail. He demonstrated that power by healing people and delivering demoniacs from bondage to the occult. God’s written word powerfully intermingles past events with later ones, using them to prefigure His saving work to come.* He mixes images from one era with those of another to bring depth of meaning to both. As He continues the divine work of shining light and hope into darkened hearts, let yours be among them. Unto us a Child is born, but may we in joyful unison give all of the resulting glory back to Him!
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. I love the LORD because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. Psalm 115:1; 116:1-2
*Matthew 24 is a masterpiece of intermingling the present with the future. Jesus, in answering His disciples’ question (v.3) ties the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple with the end of this fallen world.