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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Chris Jervis and are based on Isaiah 9:1-7 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Luke 2:8-20
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan.
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their 5 shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 Fortousachildisborn,tousasonis given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,7 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Sunday December 22 - Nevertheless, there will be... In the past... in the future... Isaiah 9:1
Before launching into the familiar words of this prophecy, it is worth setting the scene and understanding the part that prophecy plays in the scriptures. The fact that this chapter begins with the word ‘nevertheless’ suggests that we need to look at what comes before it. In the preceding chapter the presence of God seemed absent and the Almighty appeared to be silent. This sense of feeling alone and bereft of God’s comfort drove some to be patient – ‘I will wait for the Lord...’ (8:17) – whilst others promoted the evil practice of consulting mediums and spiritists (8:19). People seemed to be either ‘in the dark’ or pursued ‘dark practices’.
Then chapter 9 starts with ‘nevertheless’, and God flags up his intention to repel the darkness and to honour his commitments to his faithful people. Some Old Testament prophecies so clearly point to Jesus that we fail to see their initial impact on the first recipients of Isaiah’s words in the 8th century BC. But then, beyond their initial application, it is right to look for the ‘Jesus connection’. After all, Jesus taught his first disciples that in all the scriptures, and in all sections of the Old Testament, we would discover clear pointers to Jesus himself (see Luke 24:27 & 44-46). In the week in which we will witness the clearest fulfilment of this prophecy, let us rejoice in the fact that what God says he will do, he does accomplish.
Promise-maker; we thank you. Promise-keeper; we worship you. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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