Advent: Whistling In the Dark
Photo by Chan Hoi
The phrase whistling in the dark according to The Dictionary of Cliches, means “to be cheerful or optimistic in a situation that does not warrant either.”1 The Bible across the canon tells the stories of all kinds of people who exhibit an otherworldly bravery and sometimes cheerful, courage, a knowing that rests not on false pretense or blind obedience, but on the Triune God, whose Spirit empowers us to believe and to daringly declare our unwavering faith in the Father, Son, and Spirit.
God, in the Old Testament through the prophet Isaiah, warned Israel clearly and explicitly of his impending judgement—the righteous consequences of their barefaced disregard for God. Isaiah announces that Israel will soon be held captive by their enemy Assyria. Israel remains unfazed until it is too late.
Yet, God, throughout this dreadful era and in characteristic merciful grace, through the prophet Isaiah, keeps his covenant with the nation of Israel despite her dark, hard-heartedness. In chapters eight and nine, wedged between God’s righteous judgement and Israel’s arrogance and oppression, Isaiah trains his eyes on the distant horizon somewhere beyond the shroud of darkness and catches a glimpse of what appears to be a great light. He then sounds a note of hope as he picks up a faint but joyful melody of triumph and grace.
Isaiah, it seems to me, whistled in the dark throughout his entire life …
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forever more. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (Isaiah 9:6–7).
Isaiah later confirms that once the Lord has finished his work on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, a remnant of Israel will be freed from captivity to return home while her captors will justifiably suffer. Isaiah describes the righteous reign of God’s appointed ruler who stands in stark relief against the tyrannical rule of the enemy.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him…
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear. He shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, with the breath of his lips. He shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins (Isaiah 11:1–5).
Isaiah addresses Israel later, post-captivity, and we hear the whistle again and again, the clear, pure note of the gospel that in due time rings true from the mouth of Jesus himself,
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to: bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God…
to comfort all who mourn…to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning; the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified (Isaiah 61:1–3; Luke 4:18–19).
Advent helps to remind us that this is the message of Christmas…for unto us a child is born …
Our Wonderful Counselor who is filled with the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might…
Our Everlasting Father who is the Father of the fatherless who loves even me and even you…
Our Prince of Peace who judges with equity the poor and the meek of the earth…
Our Mighty God who is victorious over wickedness and sin.
In hope against hope, let us take up whistling in the dark and let the pure and beautiful tune of the gospel skirl from our lips and rise above the din with hope and good cheer.
For unto us a child is born—Jesus the King, the very one for whom we have been waiting!
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