Isaiah’s Significance, and the Fall of Darkness: We come to the close of the material that focuses on the crisis presented by the pressure of the northern allies (6:1–9:7). Isaiah speaks further about his ministry and its significance for Judah (8:11–22) and Yahweh offers a vision of light dawning the other side of the coming darkness (9:1–7).

9:1–7 To close 6:1–9:7, light replaces darkness (v. 2), joy replaces death (v. 3), and deliverance replaces oppression (v. 4). An earlier vision pictured weapons destroyed (2:4); this vision pictures battle-clothing burnt (v. 5). Both houses of Israel were bringing trouble on themselves (8:14), but the people of the north most directly experienced the darkness of Assyria’s invasion. They will share in the renewal that will come to Jerusalem (e.g., 4:2…