Ben Fourie

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:1 (NIV)

Before humans learnt to use fire to their advantage, our forebears huddled together in caves at night to hide from predators. We still have a very deep-seated fear of the dark. We exorcise this fear by as much light as possible. Streetlamps, bright lights in every room, nightlights at the beds of our children and bright flashlights to help us walk around at night. Our eyes are not made for seeing in darkness, we are creatures of the day. The famous author Ettienne le Roux once said that there is no fear greater than the fear of darkness which you know your are incapable to dispel yourself.

In the first 39 chapters of the book Isaiah the prophet warns the people of the danger of being conquered by the Assyrians as punishment for their unrighteousness, their haughtiness and their trust in other nations rather than in God. He uses the metaphor of a dark land to show up their spiritless religion, their neglect to meet the needs of the poor plus many other trespasses. The spiritual darkness had descended over Judah. Man's greatest fear happened when the night descended over them and left them helpless to dispel the darkness.

Then God comes to the rescue and his people hears the unbelievable announcement that those walking in darkness will see a great light. They heard the wonderful news that the dark land they created themselves, will see the light when a special person from the tribe of David will come forward to rule and bring peace to all the nations.

Many books have been written about what Isaiah meant when he spoke about this light. Did Judah expected the coming of the Messiah already at such an early stage? Most probably Isaiah pointed to someone his own time but we believe he also built a bridge over more than six centuries to point at the birth of Jesus Christ. In John1:4 and 5 we read: “In him was life, and that life was the light of man. The light shines in the darkness …” He was to save man from the dark land he created himself, to dispel our fear for the eternal darkness without God, that what is called the second death.

Prayer: Thank you God that although I am still afraid of the dark, especially the darkness inside my own mind, you have taken me from this great darkness and gave me the promise in Revelation that there will be no night anymore. You said we will not need even the sun as you yourself will be the bright light in the new Jerusalem. Praise be your Name. Amen