the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them light hath shone.
Isaiah has just led his readers through a night of oppression, fear and spiritual confusion. Now a light breaks over the region that had suffered most, and three questions follow: what is this darkness, who is the great light, and when did it shine?
The Darkness Described
This darkness is not just political trouble. One writer traces it back to what the people turned to after they turned from God:
What has produced this distressing "trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish"? It is the direct outcome of turning away from the true God and sinking into spiritualism (Isa. 8:19), socialism and unbelief (v. 21). Denying right authority, they fret themselves and curse their king and their God. But a great light appears (Isa. 9:2). The darkness begins to pass away, but even to this day it has not entirely passed. It is passing, for the true light already shines!
"The Shadow of Death"
Where the ESV has "a land of deep darkness," older translations read "the shadow of death." The phrase sounds like the grave. Comparing its other uses, one commentator explains what it does and does not mean:
The word here translated shadow of death means darkness, or dangers that may threaten death. It does not mean physical death itself. We find it used in the same sense elsewhere in the book of Psalms 44:19; 107:10, 14; so also Isa. 9:2; Jer. 2:6.
Where the Light Shone
Matthew 4:14-16 applies these words to Jesus settling in Galilee, the most despised part of the land:
The quotation of this in Matt. 4:14-16 gives much insight… Let the hand of oppression press on them harder than ever before. Yet there would be this difference: among the darkest and most despised in the land a great light should spring up. And how clearly this proved true when our Lord first appeared among them! It was in Galilee, not Jerusalem, that the grace of Jesus shone. And so it will be in the last days: the Galilean character belongs to the future remnant. Jerusalem will fall prey to the worst delusions and deadliest error. But the darkest, coldest night comes before a dawn of joy and glory.
That choice became a reason for contempt. Religious leaders in Jerusalem used Galilee as an argument against Him:
Into Galilee Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, and this was a reason for the Pharisees of Jerusalem to despise Him. Ignoring Jonah, who was from the land of Zebulun, they said, "Search and see; for out of Galilee arises no prophet" (John 7:52).
What the Great Light Is
Isaiah does not leave the light undefined. A few verses later he names the Person in whom it shines:
What was this great light that the people saw? The chapter from which these words are quoted tells us. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9).
Fulfilled, and Still to Be Fulfilled
Matthew records a real fulfilment, but not the whole of it. Most refused the light, and the prophecy still waits for full daylight:
Matthew 4:14-16, a quotation of Isaiah 9:1-2, was a partial fulfilment of the prophecy. As Israel's day turned into darkness, the nation had to wait. Only a coming day will bring the complete and literal fulfilment of the ancient prophecies and promises… How sad that all but a few refused the light.
Isaiah's own eye moves the same way. He does not stop at the first shining:
The moment Isaiah announces the appearing of the Messiah as light in the middle of darkness, he looks on to its full consequences. He sees the deliverance which Messiah will bring in the last days. When the Assyrian yoke is broken, all the brightness of the glory of the divine Person of the Messiah shines out in the blessing of His people.
Where the Light Shines Now
The shining did not stop in Galilee. One writer describes where that light leaves believers now:
Those who believe in Him have been delivered from darkness and from the authority of darkness, and now rejoice in the light. It shines in the world for all, but those who believe in Him are "in the light." By believing in the light we become sons of the light… The Scriptures say the light is "in the world" and for the world, for those in darkness.
Summary
- Darkness earned. The gloom came from turning away from God to spiritualism and unbelief. The people walked into it themselves.
- Death's shadow. The phrase means deep darkness and danger that threatens death, not death itself.
- Light unexpected. It rose over Galilee, the most despised corner, not over Jerusalem. Grace goes where religion refuses to look.
- Light identified. The great light is a Person: the Child born, the Son given, named Mighty God and Prince of Peace.
- Light unfinished. Matthew records a real but partial fulfilment. The full brightness waits for Messiah's deliverance. Meanwhile the light shines in the world for all who believe.