Haftarah Bereisheet

Isaiah 42:5–43:10

"Israel: The Light from Darkness!"

POSTED 24 OCTOBER, 2008

by Mark Huey
mhuey@outreachisrael.net

The recipients of the revelation from the Creator God, read in the opening few verses of Genesis, that the first recorded spoken words of the Almighty are: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Hovering over a formless and void Earth that was part of the earlier-created cosmos (Genesis 1:1), the omniscient Holy One knew that light was necessary for His Creation to proceed through time according to His preordained plans. He understood that light, as opposed to the absence of light, allowed Him to make a distinction between the light and the darkness—as it ultimately was divided into day and night (Genesis 1:14-19). He also foresaw a group of people who in the future would be declared a “light to the nations” in order to significantly share with mankind not only His ways, but Himself as the One True Creator God.

Fast forward to the words of the Prophet Isaiah, and we see that concept of “light” is used to describe a critical role for Israel as God’s chosen people. Of all the nations that came forth from the union of Adam and Eve, there was always going to be one nation that was formed to be a “light” to the other nations. In God’s plan for humanity, in eternity past, He formulated the strategy of eventually selecting one nation among the others with the obligation to speak of the light of their understanding about Him, sharing His goodness with the other nations of the world. A part of what that light would be is mentioned in the opening chapters of Genesis, as Eve is promised that her seed would crush the serpent:

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Genesis 3:15).

The light of revelation about the Creator and Israel’s (intended) righteous status before Him was not simply for the sake of Israel’s being chosen—but was to open the blind eyes of the prisoners encased in the darkness of their sin. The Prophet Isaiah declares,

“Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it, ‘I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, and I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison” (Isaiah 42:5-7; cf. Luke 2:32).

The responsibility placed upon Israel to be a witness for the Most High is reiterated at the end of this week’s Haftarah selection. Not being a light to the nations is just as bad as disobeying the commandments of God in the Torah. His people are without excuse if they do not fulfill their role as His representatives on Earth. After all, from God’s perspective, some chosen nation needs to explain and enlighten the rest of the world, who are all in relative darkness, about who He is:

“‘All the nations have gathered together so that the peoples may be assembled. Who among them can declare this and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified, or let them hear and say, “It is true.” You are My witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me” (Isaiah 43:9-10).

The concept of Israel being a light to the nations is understood centuries later by the Apostle Paul, who recognized his personal role as a steward of the mysteries of God. Paul recognized that the mystery of God had unfolded from just general promises about Israel being a light, to now a bearer of the good news about Yeshua the Messiah and His redemptive work as the Light of the World (John 8:12). He writes the Believers in Corinth about being found worthy of the calling to be God’s servants, teaching those in darkness about the mysteries of God. In view of our modern-day responsibilities, Paul’s words of admonition are quite sobering to those who are taking their walk with the Messiah seriously:

“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Messiah and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God” (1 Corinthians 4:1-5).

Everyone who claims to be a part of God’s people needs to remember that ultimately, whether we are corporately the light to the nations, or whether we are individually declaring the work of Yeshua—the Light of the World—all of our acts are going to be brought to light by the Lord Himself. Whatever our motives are, whatever is hidden in our hearts, will be revealed by the light of the Holy One. He will bring light to all that is hidden in our hearts, especially if some things are darkened by the deceitfulness of sin! Let those motives brought to light be found to be holy and righteous, as opposed to evil.

Does that give you another perspective on your role as a “light to the nations”? What are your motives for pointing other people to the Messiah? Or Torah study? Or Haftarah exhortations? How are you handling the mysteries of God as they have been revealed to you?

When it is all said and done, will God reward you? Or will you be among those who thought they knew Him, but in the end were merely using His name for dark and deceitful purposes? These are the people who thought they knew the Light, but their motives were actually hidden by the darkness in their hearts. Yeshua’s warning to us on this matter is quite clear:

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Being a part of Israel requires responsibility. We are to be God’s light to the nations. Take this very seriously as you bring your light into this darkened world—to those in search of answers to the mysteries of God!

Until the restoration of all things…

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.