Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
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Not just any darkness but DEEP darkness; even a “tsalmaveth” darkness which translates from the Hebrew as a “death shadow”. And both of the Hebrew words for darkness here in Isaiah 9:2 are used most of all in the book of Job.
In the familiar Psalm 23, David says confidently and peacefully that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”. David is comforted in the midst of his extreme personal and societal darkness. Also, the Prophet Amos (5:8) used that word “tsalmaveth” when referring to God creating light out of darkness at the very point of creation.
So we do indeed have hope; great hope. In our darkest days, and even in our darkest sins, we (individually and as a community of faith) have the creative life-bringing light of our Lord Jesus who brings us dazzlingly alive by his grace and love.
#Wade
Letting The Text Speak 