12/17/11- Messiah to be from Galilee

12/17- Day 21- Light 3 candles. The Messiah shall be “from” Galilee- Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-17

¹ Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— ² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. ³ You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;  (Isaiah 9:1-3)

¹² When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— ¹⁴ to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
¹⁶ 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.” ¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:12-17)

(Sea of Galilee- taken by author)

Thoughts: God gives hope to humbled areas that He hasn’t  forgotten them.  So God comes to us and lifts us up when we humble ourselves in His sight.   Galilee had been ripped apart by the Assyrians.  Isaiah was giving them hope of honor one day.  God gives us hope in our humility. 

Prayer: In my humility, give me hope, O Lord.

(John the Baptist- da Vinci 1512)