I am writing about people who were betrayed by their political and religious leaders. Internal dissension, civil war, and deterioration had opened a door to self-destruction. 

To devour one’s brother or sister is to devour oneself. There had been two hundred years of warnings from God available to all.  Both the leaders and those who are being led are culpable. Leaders need not have misled, and those who followed did not have to follow.  

I am referring to events in the ten tribes of Israel’s Northern Kingdom. Isaiah delivers a message of divine mercy and prophesies that those who walk in deep darkness, under the shadow of death, will see a great light. (see Isaiah 9:1-2). It is as if he is looking back from the future and prophesying bright hope as though it had already happened. It is a hope that is certain. There will be a light in the darkness that will not go out. Although the darkness is real, it is not the whole truth. 

That word pointed to the Messiah and served as a lifeline to the faithful remnant who witnessed their tribes disintegrating. Not long after, the Assyrians invaded Israel, and the first to be carried into captivity were those living in the cities of Galilee. Galilee would be the first region to be blessed and honored with the ministry of Jesus. He would dwell in Galilee, reverse the curse over that region, and become the spark of light to the world. 

What was true for Israel is true for you and me. In the times that we see only darkness all around us, the Light is right here, right now. Our hope is certain and a present reality.

Jesus the Messiah has reversed the curse over us. May our words and the meditation of our hearts come into agreement with Him. Our future is written as if it has already happened. He has already done it—it is a certain truth.