Isaiah 9:1-8 KJV
1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

Darkness here is not the shadow of God but the evil of Satan himself and the rod of the oppressor, as in the days of Midian, time of Gideon, when structures of Baal were turn over and war came. The time of King David is coming here in Isaiah. We got to remember that this very passage is often a reference to Jesus coming. Yet Israel was looking for a physical king to come and be like King David. Jesus was not a King David in his first coming. In fact he changed the yoke of the oppressor of the nations they were under to the reality of a spiritual king that would rule the heart of man. Jesus would be called wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. The word was sent to Jacob(Israel) and it was light to them. God's word would shine in darkness by the prophetic words of God spoken by Isaiah.

The spirituality verses the physical is something not understood. We see oppression around the world, and yet we also know of the spiritual freedom living for Jesus. When God's word comes to the heart of man, it gives spiritual awaking, spiritual hope, and Spiritual understanding of what eternal life is about and the need of salvation. Roman government in someways was much like the time of King David. The government may of been run with iron fist, but at the same time, there was freedom within the law. Roman government shadow the time of King David. So much so that at the time of Christ betrayal the Priest were ready to give up their king to keep the peace with the Roman Government, which at that time was not even godly. The enemy will often look like a God send and it the devil. God darkness or shadow hides the truth of the matter from the people. And God definitely hide his light from the Priesthood, that were searching for a different king, and leadership in their world. God light is still in the darkness of the enemy.

The shadowing of God is the imitation of God but it has no power to control what God will do or man. It only has the power to imitate God, to be the wolf in sheeps clothing without knowledge or brains. Ever known intelligent thief? Not really, anyone that commits a crime usually gets caught, because of a stupid mistake. There is always exception to the rule. Yet the devil has no power but what God has allowed him. The shadow of God has no power of its own, yet in the shadow is like a covering that protects against evil, like the wings of a swan over her brood, casting a shadow over them in the form of protection, but in truth it only protects if they listen to their mom. Children of God unless they listen to their Heavenly Father in the night, then they are protected by God, not by the shadow but his word that penetrates even in the darkness of the night. His word being the light to man.

God's people had been going through a storm because of being exile, they were being set free from the oppressor to build the temple so the Messiah could come. Those that obeyed the Lord knew his protection in their storm, and those who did not face many obstacles and much trouble. It is that way in life, when we choose not to allow God's protection in our life by obeying his word. The darkness of being exile and three oppressors, each being a little less then the first, seem to be freedom to those under the first oppressor. Yet it still is oppression, and when the light of God's word came it brought hope of the Messiah, but they were still blinded by the darkness of God, because man was trusting in government and not him.

One can be at peace in a storm, but it still will take an act of God to move the storm. His shadow is right over that place you desire light in. God is good, and we need to remember his light is coming because even through the night, light must come. Yet does the light mean death or life when it comes. It either brings judgment or peace. The first time at Christ coming he came bring peace, the next time it will be judgment on those who prefer the darkness of the world to the light of his Word.

Dear Heavenly Father, may you hope this Christmas season rest in our hearts, because your word is faithful and true, God is not the oppressor. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Psalm 91:1-16 KJV
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.