OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS

Isaiah 9:1-4 has been chosen as the Old Testament lesson for this Sunday because it is quoted in Matthew 4:15-16. The larger text of Isaiah 9:2-7 was the Old Testament lesson for Christmas Day. Psalm 27:1, 4-9 is the first section of a psalm that presents the prayer of an innocent person who is being falsely accused and persecuted.

Isaiah 9:1-4 - "Salvation for Zebulun and Naphtali"
Setting. The historical setting of Isaiah 9:1-4 is most probably in the latter third of the eighth century B.C.E. In 733-732 B.C.E., Tiglath-pileser conquered much of the northern territory of Israel and actually annexed the regions known as Zebulun and Naphtali to the Assyrian Empire (see I Kings 15:29). The prophet Isaiah's reference to the people of these regions as being in darkness mo…