Title: Great Light (Isaiah 09:2)
Introduction: "The people who walked in darkness saw a great light, and a great light shines on those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death." The glory that God revealed through the prophet was a foreshadowing of the greater glory that would be revealed as a city man.
1. It shines on the people living in darkness.
The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali were geographically located in one corner, so they did not see the light of day, and they were always victims of foreign invasions.
Also, spiritually, they are people living in darkness who did not know God. He shines a great light so that they may know God, and the people living in darkness will have no greater blessing than light.
2. It shines on those who live in the shaded land.
The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali can be said to be shady because of their high northern Mount Hermon. I am just thankful that such a disrespectful person groaned in a shady place, and then a great light shone so that the shade could be bright. Zebulun is from Galilee in the south, and Naphtali is from Galilee in the north to the Sea of Galilee. In particular, many foreigners live here, and I have heard that it is called "Galilee of the Gentiles."
3. The presence of Christ as the great light Jesus is the light of life, the light that illuminates the world, and the sun of righteousness. What is introduced in Matthew 4:12-17 is the historical background that Jesus left Nazareth when he physically left his home to preach the gospel and went to live in Capinaum, which is located on the coast of Zebulun and Naphtali.
The people of that town (that is, they are teaching everyone in the world) have seen a great light because Jesus, the light of life, has moved there as people who have sat in darkness until now. life was given to them. Jesus Christ is the light and life.
Conclusion: The age in which Jesus was born was a particularly dark age.
For those who have groaned in the midst of ignorance and vice, superstition and violence, fanaticism, disbelief, and war, it is a wonderful blessing beyond measure. However, it is unfortunate that “the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it” (John 1:1-13).