Isaiah 9: 2b “…on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned”.

The scripture in Isaiah 9 speaks about the people living in the land of the shadow of death.  What does it mean to live in the land of the shadow of death in contrast to the land of the light? Here a few thoughts based on the passage:

Firstly, death’s shadow has found a permanent resting place or home in this land.  One is very aware of the heaviness, grief and pain that come with living in that death shadow. The land is devoid of life which has given way to existing day by day, not expecting anything much.   Contrast this with a place or land where there is a dawning of light.  This light makes the place bright and alive.  Heaviness, grief and pain have fled away and persons are living full and abundant lives.

Secondly, the land of the shadow of death feels cramped and small.  There is an absence of growth in the nation.  Where there is more death than life, life expectancy would drop dramatically. Joy has decreased significantly and the very joy of life has been sucked out every day experiences. Persons are just sitting down with no purpose or mission awaiting death.  Compare this land to an enlarged nation where families are growing and expanding.  They are located in spacious places  while being able to grow and expand their territories.  They are filled with purpose and meaning with renewed mission.  This is a place where joy increases by the moment.

Thirdly, in the land of the shadow of death, there is nothing to rejoice over.  There are no life events that would necessitate celebration and sharing of fellowship.  There is no planting or reaping so there is no harvest that brings rejoicing. It is a season of emptiness.  There is no plunder to divide and rejoice over.  Instead the land has been plundered with death’s shadow hanging over. In the land of the light, there is great rejoicing and celebrating.  The season of planting gives way to the season of harvest and reaping.  There is fullness in the body, mind and spirit and there is more than enough plunder to divide and share, no one leaves empty-handed.

Fourthly, war has ravaged the land of the shadow of death.  The warrior’s boot has trampled every life-giving opportunity and has destroyed all that was worth living for. Bloodshed is so much that garments are rolled in blood and stored as relics.  There is no heir to break the yoke and burden of the oppressor.  The land is not ruled by locals.  There is political tension and unrest as the people have no say in the running of government.  In the land of the shadow of death, there is no wonderful counselor who cares for the people, God feels far and not mighty, fathers are not everlasting as they have died in battle and the prince of the land is war, not peace.  Justice and righteousness are absent.  In contrast, the land of light is filled with peace.  War items become fuel for the fire instead of treasures.  Bloodshed is virtually unknown.  The heir of the land (Jesus) has broken the yoke and the rod of the oppressor and has formed the forever government of justice and righteousness where there is no unrest and political tension. God is affirmed as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. 

Where do you find yourself today?

Are you sitting in the land of the shadow filled with despair and absent of hope? If you are , the Father wants to introduce a radical change in your land of shadows.  He wants to open you up to a new dawning where transformation of you can begin, where your season of harvesting, opening, expanding can start.

Or are you in the land of light enjoying the rich blessings of the Father?  Are you so filled with the blessings that you have forgotten about those in the land of the shadow who need the Saviour?  Reach out today and talk a walk to visit those in the land of the shadow and bring the light of Jesus with you so that they can once again rejoice and celebrate the light coming into their lives.

Prayer

Father we bless you for coming with your light to moving us from living in the land of the shadow of death to your new dawning of light, justice and righteousness.  Forgive us when we have given up and remain in the shadows too long and when we in the light neglect to share your light with those who need you.  We ask you to balance us with your Holy Spirit so we can be where you need us.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.