PROPHECY
        "Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined" (Isaiah 9:1–2NKJV).

FULFILLMENT
        "And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned’" (Matthew 4:13–16NKJV).

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
        The Assyrian hordes thundered across the region of Zebulun and Nephtali, the northern area of Israel. Destruction and defeat surrounded the Israelites. Yet, the prophet Isaiah indicates in this passage that though they were oppressed, their land would one day become the homeland of the Messiah.
        This prophecy is interesting for a number of reasons. First of all, it again shows God’s control over the details of history. Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, God had already pointed out the region of Israel in which the Messiah would conduct the majority of His ministry. God is able to control the events of history and mold them to accomplish His plan. This should fortify our trust in God.
        Second, this passage hints at the deliverance which Christ would provide, not just for the believing remnant of Israel, but for the people of God found in all nations (Acts 15:16–17). Isaiah proclaimed that the great revelation of the incarnate Christ was centered in an area known as "Galilee of the Gentiles." Here is just the beginning of a suggestion that God’s salvation would reach all nations and peoples. The light of Christ would cover the earth and reach every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. So great is God’s grace and love, that He designed to share it with every segment of mankind.
        Finally, this passage is fascinating because Isaiah is expecting to comfort people who are facing immediate disaster with a future promise of deliverance. He wants them to know that they do not need to despair. The final act of the play does not leave God’s people defeated and destroyed. No. God’s great deliverer will come and bring light to a land of darkness. God will redeem His people.

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