“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
Upon those who lived in a land of gloom
a light has shone…”
Isaiah’s prophetic voice shouts amid a dark, gloomy, and torn world. Instantly he makes use of the word “light”, not skimping by mentioning it just one, but twice. We’ve all experienced it – walking down the road at night without lampposts to guide the way, waking up in the early hours of the morning to get ready for work, or driving down a highway with nothing but your miniscule headlights to offer a smidgen of illumination. We’ve all experienced darkness, whether it’s in the literal, figurative, or spiritual sense. There’s a physical darkness, the absence of light that causes our eyes to dilate and struggle to see so we can find our destination. Figurative darkness can be present in our mind in our effort to find answers to questions we have daily. Spiritual darkness (perhaps the bleakest of all), can occur when we do not know the truth of God’s love or when we experience the cross of desolation. In the beginning of this passage, Isaiah’s words could include any of the forms of darkness in which we humans can be involved.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing;
They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest,
as they exult when dividing the spoils.
Not many of us can say we know the feeling of harvesting; that’s what grocery stores and
markets are for, nowadays. Finding and buying food is convenient. We don’t have to prepare and till the field, plant, tend, and harvest our food once it’s grown in a span of several months. The majority of us simply drive to a store and find the best deal on food we want. Since it’s easy and we don’t manually labor in the process, I suppose we’ve lost a sense of appreciation for the food that appears on our tables. Most of us don’t truly work for our food. We don’t know what it’s like to toil side by side with family, friends, and neighbors to bring forth vegetation to nourish us. But of course, this was the reality for a number of individuals and still is today, depending on where you live. Numerous factors come into play when harvesting – rain, sun, environment, wildlife…imagine the joy families felt when a bountiful harvest came in, ensuring survival during cold months and the knowledge their bellies would be full. They are glad to share their riches of the harvest with others, wanting to spread the goodness and spoils. Isaiah speaks of a joy that rivals the joy of an ample harvest, which few things on earth can compare to it.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
The rod of their taskmaster,
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
Burdens. Weights. The cares of the world. All the to-do lists and chores that never seem to end. They can make everyday life daunting at times. For some more than others, it’s a struggle that consumes their entire being. Once more, Isaiah speaks not only of literal yokes, poles, and rods, but the binding worries that seek to entangle our lives. The taskmaster he mentions doesn’t have to be the daunting man with a snapping whip, but simply the dark clouds of stress, worry, and anxiety. Isaiah’s words spark hope again into the darkness of our lives, filling us with the expectation of the One who will gladly take our burdens from us, whatever they may be. If we are brave enough to surrender control, the constant thoughts and worries plaguing our minds will be smashed with God’s peace.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for fire.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
All of the control we thought we had turns to ashes in the presence of God. All of the effort kingdoms, princes, and lords put into winning wars and conquering the world is for naught in the end. When it is done simply for personal gain at the cost of the lives of others, where is the meaning? At the end of it all, was it worth it? Isaiah points out that worldly mementos, be it a country, a house, or food, are hollow when compared to the glory of God. The world is given the greatest gift of all – not wealth, not pleasure, not possessions, but a son. A Wonder-Counselor. A Hero. A Father-Forever. The Prince of Peace. In one sentence this promised Savior shows He will not only be a defender but an advocate; he will bring harmony and justice, and will love tenderly.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
By judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
These words contain a promise – God will reign and govern with a sure and mighty hand, seeking to perfect and sustain the human race. Isaiah utilizes a powerful word in the last sentence: zeal. Zeal! That is having passion, ardor, energy, and enthusiasm for an object or cause; the coming Savior, Jesus, will have a zeal for His kingdom, which includes us! We are His kingdom, we are the Body of Christ, we are the Church on earth. Isaiah calls to that innermost recess of our hearts – get ready. God’s love will sweep the earth and make it new, despite any obstacles or setbacks. Even though we stumble and fall amidst our personal darkness, there will always be a light ready to guide us home.