To get a proper understanding of this verse, let’s read Isaiah 9:1-7, “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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 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.”  This portion gives the nation of Israel wonderful news about the coming of their Messiah, His Name, His rule, and His kingdom.

Let’s look specifically at Isaiah 9:2, “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.”  This speaks of the land of Galilee in the times of Christ.  The Lord quotes part of this portion (Isaiah 9:1-2) in Matthew 4:15-16.  Let’s read Matthew 4:12-17, “Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  The Lord was referencing these verses in application to Himself.

Of course, all those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior also walk in darkness.  The Lord Jesus said in John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”  We also read in 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Let’s consider the characteristics of the coming Messiah in Isaiah 9:6, “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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

“For unto us a child is born” refers to the first advent of the Lord Jesus, born into the world by the young virgin, Mary.

“The government shall be upon his shoulder” refers to the second advent of the Lord Jesus when He shall come and establish His kingdom on the earth.

Have you come to the Lord?  Have you been brought out of the darkness and into His glorious light?  In His first advent, He came to save guilty sinners.  In His second advent, He will judge guilty sinners who have refused His great offer of salvation through faith in His name.  Are you ready?  Amos 4:12 tell us to, “prepare to meet thy God…”  (348.6)