Isa 9:2 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.

The invasion of the Assyrians would be a terrible time for the northern regions of the Promised Land, the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. This northern regions of the Promised Land – around the Sea of Galilee  – was most severely ravaged when the Assyrians invaded from the north. But God promises that this region, the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, will one day have a special blessing (v.1). What was the special blessing? The answer is in verse 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.” That prophecy was fulfilled in the Galilean ministry of Jesus. Matthew quotes this passage in Matthew 4:13-16 at the beginning of Christ’s ministry in Galilee. In fact, the greater part of Christ’s ministry was spent in the regions of Galilee. Indeed, this once lightly esteemed land of Israel certainly did enjoy a special blessing from God. Isaiah prophesied about a great light that will shine in a world filled with darkness. John wrote concerning this great light: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:4, 5). This word “comprehend” in today’s English means to “understand. But it is not the meaning of the original. Its Greek form means “to lay hold of, to seize.” It means the darkness cannot lay hold of, or overcome, the light. That, in the struggle between light and darkness, light is always victorious. The darkness cannot stop the influence of the Light. No matter how dark a room may be, a little light is all that is needed to make the difference. Sadly, light and darkness coexist in the world side by side. Darkness will always try to extinguish the light. Paul wrote concerning this conflict between light and darkness in 2 Corinthians 4:4 "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Those in darkness do not want the light to shine on them because they love their darkness: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:19, 20). The world today is in a more terrible state of darkness of sins. But to those who desire light, Jesus says: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). This Light is available to whosoever will. Isaiah describes the Son that shall become the Light of the world in these beautiful terms: “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (v.6). Christ’s entire personality is “Wonderful”. He is the greatest “Counsellor” because He is omniscient; He counsels us from God’s perspective. He is “The Almighty God” because the fullness of God dwells in Him. He is “The Everlasting Father” because He is eternal. He is the “Prince of Peace” because He brings peace between God and men. The Son of God is that great Light that shines on all men. Will you come to the Light of the Son of God?