Epiphany: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light”
Isaiah 9:2 A message of enlightenment from the prophet Isaiah
Through Epiphany (January 6, 2023) I’ll be delivering devotionals to focus our minds on the nativity of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
Isaiah 9:2 NLT
In keeping with the Christmas Day message about Jesus, the light of the world, today we go back to the words of the prophet Isaiah. This is in the same chapter of scripture that describes the Savior so beautifully as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.
Isaiah foresees a time when “Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.” (Isaiah 9:1 NLT) That glory will bring light to the people. The darkness and gloom described in this verse refers to the invasion of the Assyrians in the northern areas of the Promised Land, a region that would be ravaged by the invasion.
The northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali would not only be the first to suffer from the Assyrian invasions, but they would receive a special blessing from God by being the first to see the light of the Messiah. Most of the ministry of Jesus takes place in this area around the Sea of Galilee.
Of the many Old Testament prophecies, those of Isaiah most clearly point to the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus. The prophet’s words accurately describe what was to come almost 800 years later, when our Savior was born in Bethlehem.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Jesus as the light of the world and that in Him is the light of the gospel of grace that overcomes the darkness of this world. Thank You for sending His light into my life, enlightening my soul. Shine a light on understanding so that I clearly see all You have achieved in my life, and illuminate my path so that I can learn to be more like Jesus. Without You, I would have remained in darkness and been dead in my sin. Thank You for Your salvation. In the holy name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.