Forgotten, Ignored, and Humbled

Scripture: 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 honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan. Isaiah 9:1

Observation: This is the lead-in to a very famous Messianic prophesy that includes "the people walking in darkness have seen a great light" (9:2) and "for to us a child is born ..." (9:6). This is the prophesy of the birth of the Messiah, who will be not just for Jews but for Gentiles as well ... Messiah will be for those "in darkness" and will "enlarge the nation" and "shatter the yoke that burdens them". And of the greatness of his government will have no end, and his kingdom will be established "from that time on and forever".

But what of Zebulun and Naphtali? Since the settling of the promised land, they have gone mostly ... unmentioned. The southern kingdom is Judah, with Benjamin included. The northern kingdom is Israel, but is often called Ephraim due to the later alignment of its borders to that territory, and late in the period is called Samaria based on its capital that was in Manasseh. At the time of Isaiah, Zebulun and Naphtali aren't really in Israel/Ephraim/Samaria anymore. So why mention them now?

Well ... Nazareth is in Zebulun, and Naphtali effectively occupies the western shore of Galilee, the heart of Jesus future teaching ministry. So Isaiah begins this announcement of the future Messiah by telling us exactly where his ministry - his government - will begin ... in the forgotten, ignored, and "humbled" tribes of Israel.

Application: I never realized how fully Isaiah's words provide the transition point for human understanding of God. His message effectively goes back and forth between the destruction and ending of Israel and Judah, and the future manifestation of Jesus. But the latter is anchored in an understanding of the former. In chapter 9 alone, we see the prediction of a great king who will be of the line of David and govern the entire world, yet will come from a place that is such a "nowhere" place that even the Jews ignore it.

And it all came to pass.

Prayer: Lord, I praise you and your greatness and your plan and your authority. You are in charge of all things, and all people, and all times, Lord. You command all nature, all animals, and all mankind. It is all yours. You direct the passing of time, and the activities in those times, toward your purposes. May I glorify your name and honor you ways today and every day, my Lord and my God. Amen.