I ‘ve read Ch.9 of Isaiah often, especially during the Advent season. Recently I was struck with the sheer force of verses 4-5, when I consider the yoke and emotional burden our nation is under. “For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will be burned. They will be fuel for the fire” (Is. 9:4-5 NLT). This would be an unbelievable occurrence for people, “walking in darkness……living in the land of the shadow of death (Is. 9:2).
At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy, the Assyrians had invaded Zebulun and Naphtali, the two northern tribes of Israel. The invasion brought darkness and despair, but the Isaiah was giving the people reason for hope. “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress” (Is. 9:1). These words are given in the “prophetic perfect.” “Though the events were in the future, they were described as if they had already happened” (CSB Study Bible). Matthew quotes this passage in Matt. 4:15-16, referring to the ministry of Jesus, who as the light of the world has come to removing the darkness and lifting the despair
When a nation feels like they are living in the shadow of death, it give the impression of little hope of a brighter future. “The oppressed nation is compared to an ox weighed down by a heavy yoke and an animal that is prodded and beaten.” (NET) I have been pondering the yoke as a symbol of our nation’s despair and anxiety. In scripture the yoke is the image of subjection. We read in Deut. 28:47-8, “Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you” (Deut 28:46- 47). The burden of carrying a yoke, can be the consequence of a nation having turned their backs on the Lord.
But God in His mercy will also release a nation from the yoke that they carry. “They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them” (Ezk. 34:27). Isaiah prophesied Israel being freed from the Assyrian yoke. “I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountain I will trample him down. His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders” (Is 14:25).
Isaiah points to David’s victory at Midan, when he was victorious with only 300 men. It was unbelievable victory against a great army. Isaiah promises a similar future victory for the people of God. It will be a decisive battle, even though it will be bloody. “The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire” (Is. 9:5). “The burning of the boots and the bloody clothes of the enemy soldiers….signify a victory in holy war where spoils were dedicated to God and military equipment was se on fire” (CSB Study Bible).
As a nation we are under a cloud of darkness, causing much despair. There may be some hope and relief as light beginning to shine. But ultimately, the burden and the rod of despair can only be lifted by the Lord. Only he can “break the oppressor’s rod.” Is. 9:5 reminds us that it will be messy before it gets better.
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