Is there any hope for a nation swallowed up in darkness? There is. Isaiah chapter nine tells about it. Israel had left off seeking after God and started to seek to those with familiar spirits and to wizards. They started looking to witchcraft for answers to the needs of everyday life. God said the result of this would be darkness, hunger, hard labor, and anguish. (See Isaiah 8:21,22)
God would not leave Israel in darkness without a ray of hope and light. Though they were dwelling in the shadow of death, God would send them a great light. Isaiah 9:1,2 says, “1) Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
What was this light that God would send? Let us jump ahead to verses six and seven. There we see that God was going to send the Messiah. These verses say, “6) 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
The Messiah would come and offer peace and salvation. The fulfillment of this can be found in Luke 2:10,11, “10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The Messiah would be sent to bring light to Israel; and, not to Israel only, but also to all people. The Light would bless not only Israel, but also the Gentiles. This was prophesied in Isaiah 60:1-3, “1) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2) For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3) And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
When the Messiah came the first time, Israel rejected Him. But, He will come again; and, when He does, Israel will receive Him. The Messiah will reign, and Israel will be restored. This prophesy can be seen in Isaiah 9:2-7, “2) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3) Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4) For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5) For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6) 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” In these verses, we see that Israel’s darkness will be turned to light, their people will be multiplied, their enemies will be subdued, and the Messiah will set up His everlasting kingdom. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!
Although Israel will have this glorious, happy end, peace and light is offered to all now. We can have it through Jesus, the one who was born in a manger so long ago. The good tidings of great joy went out to all people, the message that the Savior was born. With the birth of the Savior came this promise, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Have you believed on the only begotten Son of God. If not, why not today? Jesus is “…the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9) Won’t you receive that light today?