The People Who Walk in Darkness

As Isaiah is explaining the Word of the LORD to Uriah the High Priest and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah at the naming of his son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, in the Temple, his prophetic words move forward to the secondary fulfillment of the prophecy he gave to King Ahaz. The true fulfillment of the virgin being with son and these two kings being eliminated would find its ultimate fulfillment in the land that would be covered by the darkness of the king of Assyria. The land of Naphtali and Zebulun, along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and through the hills of the northern kingdom of Israel, would see a glorious fulfillment take place in the birth of the coming Messiah, promised many times throughout the Old Testament.

"But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.'' These words foretell of gloom and anguish coming in the immediate future for that area of Israel, but a future glory awaits it. "The people who was in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." Even with the judgment coming, God promises great mercy, One who would come as the Light of the World, to bless and save. Where Israel would be decimated and exiled, God would bring them back and multiply them again.

"Thou shalt multiply the nation, Thou shalt increase their gladness they will be glad in Thy presence as with the gladness of Harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil." This was a promise of Go literally being among His people and them being full of joy and gladness at His presence! This would happen because God would break off the yoke of their burdens and remove the rod of the their oppressors like He did at the battle of Midian, completely destroying His enemies. The boots and cloaks of the fallen enemies would be burned for fuel - this of course will happen at the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Jesus, another aspect of the fulfillment of prophecy. 

Then the most famous lines of this chapter are spoken, ones that promise the birth of the Messiah. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." The Messiah would come, God Incarnate, and He would reign forever on His throne. This two part prophecy discusses His birth and then His reign. He was born some 700 years after this prophecy by Isaiah, and His reign on earth is about to come, where the rest will be completely fulfilled. 

The Word of the LORD against Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem was one of doom and calamity, brought on by their rejection of God and following after other gods. God would bring Assyria to exile Israel, then weaken Judah and Jerusalem until they also were exiled. But then He would bring them back into the land and bless them again. He would bring His Messiah to truly save them fro their sins. A future reign of God Himself on the earth would come. The zeal of the LORD would accomplish this and it would all happen just like He said it would.