Read It, Learn It,
Live It, Share It
“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier
times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt,
but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other
side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness will
see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.”
– Isaiah 9:1-2
The first thing
to consider about this prophecy is to realize that the times leading up to Isaiah's prophecy in ch 9
were filled with some very desperate times for the people of Israel. The threat
about the coming invasion from Assyria had the Israelites in fear and gloom.
Especially those regions in the North - Zebulun and Naphtali (see maps (1)
(2)).
A little biblical geography: Naphtali was north of Zebulun, both west of the
Sea of Galilee. Nazareth is located in
Zebulun, and would become the home of our Savior. The Jordan river extends from the southern
tip of the Sea of Galilee to the northern shores of the Dead Sea along the
eastern border of Israel. The West Bank
we hear in the news so frequently today is located along the Western bank of
this Jordon river, and extends from the river throughout most of the Israel
nation today (3).This word of prophecy from Isaiah was comforting and encouraging to the people of Judea and Israel, especially for those in the north so close to the Assyria border. Because Naphtali was in the North, there was a constant threat of war from Assyria. The prophecy gives them an encouraging word from God that there is a special blessing in their future. Their land will be "...honored...a light has dawned" by God personally through the Messiah. The invasion of the Assyrian forces did take place, but these people in the north held firm to the promises from God that although they will experience walking in darkness, they will experience the light first. This was interpreted by them to mean that the Messiah would dwell in their territory and bring the light of the Lord to them and bring an end to their despair and trials.
After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Joseph and his family would eventually return to their home in Nazareth. Jesus spends the majority of his life in and around the Sea of Galilee. He lived in Nazareth and Capernaum and spent significant time during His 3 year ministry in Cana, Bethsaida, Tiberius, Beth Shean, Tabgha and Bethany. All of this fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2 "living in the land of the shadow of death <Assyrian invasion from the north> a light <Messiah> has arrived"
In desperation the Israelites of the 7th Century BC found comfort in knowing that God would provide a Messiah. Looking at our world today, with war and attacks against Christians around the globe, we have the same promise from God. We are blessed to have seen Him fulfill these prophecies and have seen Him keep His promises. This gives us confidence that He will also keep His promises regarding our future. We know that Christ will return and usher in peace and love to all mankind. But, like with the people of Naphtali and Zebulun, we are likely to have a period of darkness before the light shines upon our face. Hold true to your faith and trust in His promise to deliver us from this darkness, for it will come quickly.
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com
No comments:
Post a Comment