I read in Matthew 4:14-16 how our LORD Jesus Christ fulfilled Isaiah 9:2 when He ministered to His People:
Isaiah 9:2 KJV
"The people that walked in darkness have
seen a great light: they that dwell in
the land of the shadow of death, upon
them hath the light shined."
Perhaps the 'shadow-of-death' is not just a metaphor, but an actual place. As I have studied, most times there are layers of meaning. It speaks of a material time and place as well as a concept, a precept and a
revealed insight into the very settings of His Heavenly Kingdom. Next we read of it's fulfillment in:
Matthew 4:16 NASB
"THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS
SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE
SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,
UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED."
As I read both Isaiah and Matthew scriptures I asked, 'Why are both verses refering to Israel as the 'land of the shadow of death?' Perhaps one facet that might give us a clue pertains to the absolute futility from the
Levitical priesthood of the Mosaic Covenant?
Hebrew 10:11 KJV
"And every priest standeth daily
ministering and offering often
times the same sacrifices, which
can never take away sins"
How totally frustrating! Clearly our LORD revealed His view of the daily sacrifices:
Isaiah 1:11
"The multitude of your sacrifices,
what are they to me?" says the LORD.
"I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls
and lambs and goats."
Next, Apostle Paul took this truth and categorized it to the whole futility of ministering the Law as a way to salvation. Apostle Paul refers to the Mosaic tablets of stone as 'the ministry of death' and also 'the ministry of condemnation."
2 Corinthians 3:7-9 NASB
"But if the ministry of death, in letters
engraved on stones, came with glory,
so that the sons of Israel could not look
intently at the face of Moses because of
the glory of his face, fading as it was,
[v8] how will the ministry of the Spirit
fail to be even more with glory? [v9] For
if the ministry of condemnation has glory,
much more does the ministry of righteousness
abound in glory."
While it was a sin to oppose Moses which resulted in swift condemnation, how did those under the Law cope with the futility?
Amos 5:8 KJV
"[Seek him] that maketh the seven stars
and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death
into the morning, and maketh the day dark
with night: that calleth for the waters of
the sea, and poureth them out upon the face
of the earth: The LORD [is] his name:"
The nation of Israel was prophetically told time and again to seek first the LORD with a humble heart, a contrite spirit, and most of all, with having done all they could to love the LORD with all their heart.
Amos 5:4 ESV
"For thus says the LORD to the house of
Israel: "Seek me and live ..."
We can now suffer with these same shadows of death when those who minister death are creating their own land of darkness. They create hell-fire from their many words of evil intentions by throwing firery-darts of emails.
James 3:6 ESV
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of
unrighteousness. The tongue is set
(Strong's G2525) among our members,
staining the whole body, setting
on fire the entire course of life,
and set on fire by hell.
The word, 'set' is Strong's G2525 (verb) Kathistemi - to set one over a thing (in charge), to appoint one to administer (an office), to show or place one's self as exhibit - come forward as
I see the many blogs, posts, opinions and forums as a hot-bed of hell-fire that stains the rightousness of those believers who are ever offering the truth without partiality or favor. There is no greed expressed by The Marin Foundation and their honest, heart-felt ministry of reconcilliation.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT) of Jude 1:23-24 reads, "... and some in fear save ye, out of the fire snatching, hating even the coat from the flesh spotted. [v24] And to Him who is able to guard you not stumbling, and to set [you] in the presence of His glory unblemished, in gladness ..."
I believe the shadow of death is flowing from the mouth, the tongue, the place of condemnation. This flood of hatefulness is overwhelming and can carry us away into dark places of mourning. This is why we need to have a place of clean, pure fellowship of believing family members where our hurting hearts can receive love, acceptance and satisfying hugs of love.
