The opening chapters of Isaiah confront us with a scene of deep spiritual darkness—a people who have rejected God’s counsel, trusted political alliances over His promises, and now face the shadow of Assyrian invasion. Into that gloom Isaiah speaks a staggering word of hope: a light is coming. Though Zebulun and Naphtali would soon be crushed and scattered, Isaiah promises that this very region—Galilee of the nations—would one day see a great light. And seven centuries later, Matthew tells us that Jesus intentionally began His ministry there, fulfilling Isaiah’s words with precision. What Isaiah saw dimly, we now see fully: the promised light has dawned in Christ, shining into the hearts of those once trapped in darkness (2 Cor. 4:6). Yet many believers still live as if they are in the night—walking in guilt, returning to old chains, and holding tight to sins and patterns Jesus has already broken. Advent calls us to step into the light of who we now are in Him.

Isaiah then shows what this light produces. First, it brings an expansion of God’s people: “You have multiplied the nation.” Though Israel faced destruction and exile with no nation left to multiply, Isaiah foresaw a global kingdom made up of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This is fulfilled in Jesus, who grafts Gentiles into God’s family and calls “other sheep” into His fold. Second, the light brings unending joy—joy like the harvest, rooted in God’s provision and faithfulness. Yet we often settle for lesser joys: ambition, material gain, temporary pleasures that cannot satisfy. Isaiah points us to a deeper joy found only in Christ. Third, the light brings incomprehensible victory. The “rod” and “yoke” of Assyria—images of oppression—will be shattered “as on the day of Midian.” This anticipates the decisive victory Jesus won at the cross, where sin and death were defeated once for all. Our greatest enemies have been conquered; nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.