WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17নমুনা

Turn to the Light

Isaiah is warning the people of Judah who are facing God’s judgement and eventual banishment not to turn away from God but to turn to Him. In their fear and uncertainty they are looking for answers in dark places and Isaiah tells them to look to the law and the testimony. Here and in Psalm 19:7 this refers to God’s Word, which in this passage also includes the testimony of Isaiah, the prophet.

Isaiah contrasts the spiritual entities of darkness and light. The terrible kings of Israel and Judah have enabled the Hebrew people’s fall into spiritual darkness but Isaiah tells of a coming king who will bring light and salvation. Isaiah 9 records the wonderful passage we are all familiar with; the coming of the Mighty God, the great Light dawning on a new day.

In the Luke passage, the Light has dawned but some perceived it not. Light and darkness are pitted against one another. Darkness tries to extinguish the Light and we see confusion and fear on the part of the disciples as they navigate blindly in this war of the spiritual kingdoms. The Light is not afraid, it does not cower, Jesus said He is fulfilling the Scriptures; the Word and the testimony (Matthew 26:54, Isaiah 8:20). Light always wins over darkness, the Kingdom of God over the kingdom of evil. Jesus and His people, the church, will overcome in a world of spiritual darkness.

In Isaiah and Luke darkness spreads and mankind gropes for help and hope; for the Light. The prophet Isaiah saw the Light of the world moving among men and dispelling the darkness, declaring the counsel and purpose of God, and manifesting His grace toward those that walked in darkness. Luke and the other gospel writers reveal the astonishing truth that the Light will shine brighter when evil is given full rein and shown to be powerless against the Light.

The Book of the Revelation tells of a time when dark evil will pretend to be the light and will try to quell the light Christ gave the church. These passages remind us to focus on the Word and to let the light of Christ shine through us. It is the Word that will provide council and guidance, help and hope, even in our darkest hours when the storm clouds rage.

Primer contributed by Jinet Troost