The people to whom Isaiah speaks, the people of the northern Kingdom of Israel, have turned their backs to God. They remain spiritual people, but they no longer seek God’s will from His word, they trust in other sources, to the extent that they ask mediums to “speak to the dead about the living.” They are suffering and will suffer as a result of God’s discipline – being taken into captivity as a people. They have no light in them, they walk in darkness.

But God gives Isaiah a message of hope, that this people will not always walk in darkness. A light will come, not only for them, but also for the nations! The One who comes will be a child, a child born, a child given to them. And this child will bring them light as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. He will bring a Kingdom that will never end.

Scripture: Isaiah 8:20-9:7; Matthew 4:12-17