Those Who Sit in Darkness

“But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This is what God the Lord says— he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 41:8–10, 42:5-7, NIV 1984).

My Musings – Of all the people groups of the ancient world, why did God choose the Hebrews, and for what purpose? “The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers.” (Deuteronomy 7:7–8, NIV 1984).

Because Abraham believed – It began with Abraham. An old man, with an old wife with no children of their own. “His body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” (Romans 4:19, NIV 1984). Fewest of all peoples (plural)? Two. Two who were well past the child-bearing years. Certainly, it would have seemed easier and more logical with a young, healthy couple with years of child-bearing years before them. But out of all the people, it was “Abraham [who] believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3, NIV 1984).

Because God made the promise – God whom with all things are possible. As a result, “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations.” (Romans 4:18, NIV 1984). “And so, from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:12, NIV 1984).

My Advice – First came the belief, perhaps as small as a mustard seed. Then came the increase. Not just the Jews, however. But “many nations.” First the Jews, then the Gentiles.

As previously written, because of their many transgressions, the Hebrew people (Israel and Judah) fell. Yet, “because of their transgression, salvation [came] to the Gentiles [the rest of the people groups]” (Romans 11:11, NIV 1984). God’s plan all along. “As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone [Jew or Gentile] who trusts [believes]in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” (Romans 10:10–13, NIV 1984).

It started with Abraham’s belief in the promise and continues now with all who believe in the Promised One. Through Him [Jesus] “the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:15–16, NIV 1984). There is no need to remain sitting in the darkness. Let the light dawn. “For, ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” from “the land of the shadow of death.”