A Great Light Shines

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a Great Light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a Light has shined.” Isaiah 9: 2

From the decision of Adam to go against the Word of YHVH, all mankind came under the bondage of sin. By the rebellion of Adam, man was transformed from light into darkness. His sin caused the souls of all men to become prisoners in dark places, bound in misery and adversity, given to ignorance, shrouded in sorrow, and destined for the grave and eternal destruction.

As the generations issued from Adam, the darkness of sin and rebellion grew and became as Isaiah wrote in 60: 2. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep (gross, KJV) darkness the people:” Yet, he completed his prophetic thought with, “but Adonai shall arise upon thee, and HIS glory shall be seen upon thee.”

Isaiah's phrase in 9: 2, “walked in darkness” suggests the same depth of depravity as expressed in 60: 2. His words go beyond simple sin to describe continual, life long states of rebellion. These are those later spoken of in 1 Timothy 4: 2 that “(have) their own conscience seared with a hot iron”. In spite of this great darkness, it is for these Isaiah foretells of a glorious “Light” to shine.

Isaiah speaks prophetically in 9: 6 of the birth of our Messiah, Seed of the Covenant of Abraham. He says, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;" Isaiah says “His name will be called Wonderful (a miracle)”. Born of a virgin by Ruach Adonai, HE came to be the Redemptive Fulfillment of the Covenant of Abraham—a work prophetically completed at HIS first coming during the feast of Passover.

HE shall be known as “Counselor”. Through HIS Spirit, HE will be as Isaiah said in 28: 26, “for HE instructs him in right judgment, His Elohim teaches him”, and in v. 29, “Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance”. It is as David wrote in Psalms 40: 4. “Blessed is that man who makes Adonai his Trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”

HE shall be known as “Mighty Elohim”. As recorded in Genesis 49: 24, “HIS bow (remains) in strength”. HE is the “Mighty God of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel)”. According to Jeremiah in 32: 18, HE is “the Great, the Mighty Elohim, Whose name is Adonai of Hosts”. HE shows judgment on those that rebel against HIM and “loving kindness” to thousands of the “remnant of Jacob” that love HIM, “to the Mighty Elohim”, Isaiah 10: 21.

HE is known as the “Everlasting Father”. HE is the “Aleph and Tav”, Whose existence was before time and will continue throughout eternity. HE is as John writes in Revelation 1: 8. "I am the Aleph and the Tav, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty."

Isaiah says in 9: 6,“and the government shall be upon HIS shoulders”. For “government”, he uses the word, “misrah”, which means “empire”. Messiah will soon return for HIS remnant chosen. Then, it will be as the king of Babylon said of HIM in Daniel 4: 34. “For HIS dominion is an everlasting dominion, and HIS kingdom is from generation to generation.”

Isaiah chose a word to describe HIS everlasting kingdom that was derived from “sarah” which means “to prevail: have power (as a prince).” In 9: 6, Isaiah calls Messiah “The Prince of Peace”. Paul writes of HIM in Ephesians 2: 14, “He Himself is our Peace, Who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation”.

Isaiah completes his description of our soon coming Messiah and King in v. 7 by saying, “Of the increase of HIS government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over HIS kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever”.

A work begun in Galilee over 2000 years ago will soon be completed when Yeshua returns at the sounding of the final trumpet (Yom Teruah). HE will then sit on David's throne and bestow upon HIS faithful chosen an eternal Covenant of Peace. With HIS work having come full circle, we will joyously commemorate with HIM the beginning of HIS kingdom where it first began—Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), in Yerushalyem.

Until that time, it is for us to prepare ourselves by ever learning and practicing HIS Torah. It is for us to honor HIS feasts and holy days and render kindness to our brethren. I pray all my readers have experienced a blessed Sukkot. Have a terrific Son-shine day in Messiah, Yeshua!