Isaiah 40
BBCIsaiah 40:1
III. PROPHECIES OF COMFORT FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF THE FUTURE CAPTIVITY (Chaps. 4066)If the preceding thirty-nine chapters correspond to the books of the OT, then the following twenty-seven chapters, filled with pictures of Jesus the Messiah, certainly correspond to the books of the NT. In this section of Isaiah (chaps. 40-66), the prophet looks forward to Judah’s return from Babylonian captivity and then to the entire nation’s future restoration at the Second Advent of Christ. A. The Comfort of Israel’s Coming Deliverance (Chaps. 4048)1. Comfort from God’s Pardon and Peace (40:1-11)40:1, 2 Chapter 40 opens with a message of comfort for the returning captives. Jerusalem’s troubles are over, her iniquity is pardoned, for she has received . . . double (that is, full and fitting measure) for all her sins. This will be fully realized at the Second Coming of Christ. In the meantime this old earth and even the church is greatly in need of comfort. Each one of us can do his or her bit to comfort God’s people: Ask God to give thee skill In comforts’ art; That thou mayst consecrated be And set apart Into a life of sympathy. For heavy is the weight of ill And comforters are needed much Of Christlike touch. A. E. Hamilton40:3-5 The call goes out to “Prepare the way of the LORD.” John the Baptist filled the role of forerunner at Christ’s first advent (Mat_3:3), and Elijah will fill it at the second advent (Mal_4:5-6). The preparation for His coming is moral and spiritual, not topographical. Morgan writes: The faithful among men prepare His way and make straight His highway when they yield to Him their complete loyalty, and confide in Him alone. Mountains and hills represent the proud and arrogant among men, valleys the people of low degree. All unevenness and roughness of character must be made smooth. The glory of the LORD (that is, the LORD Himself) shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together (see Rev_1:7). 40:6-8 The Lord instructs the prophet to “Cry out!” to men, telling them how transitory they are, and how permanent His word is. While these verses describe the transience of all men, they may refer especially to Israel’s overlords. “The word of our God stands forever” has been adopted as the motto of a number of Christian schools, usually in Latin: Verbum Dei manet in aeternam. William Kelly wrote that as the end draws nearer we do greatly need simplicity to rest upon God’s Word. There may be difficulties to such as we are, and the Word seems a weak thing to confide in for eternity, but in truth it is more stable than heaven or earth. 40:9-11 Zion herself may be the herald of the good tidings of the Messiah’s advent or the news may be brought to Zion by some female herald. (The You is feminine.) Verses 10 and 11 show the severity and the goodness of Godseverity to those who refuse to acknowledge Him, but gentle goodness to His flock and lambs who have been dispersed among the Gentiles. These verses picture His coming in power and glory.
Isaiah 40:12
- Comfort from God’s Attributes (40:12-31)40:12 Here begins a classic passage on the greatness of God in contrast to the utter vanity of idols. Jehovah has measured the waters of the sea in the hollow of His hand, and measured heaven with a span, the distance from the tip of His thumb to the tip of His little finger. He enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure (about a peck). 40:13, 14 No one ever directed the Spirit of the LORD. All His works of creation and providence were and are performed without outside help. 40:15-17 The nations are as insignificant as a drop in a bucket to Him. The forests of Lebanon are not sufficient for fuel and all its animals inadequate for a worthy burnt offering to Him. 40:18-26 What man-made image could ever portray a God so great? The rich man makes his idol with precious metal and the poor man with wood. Utterly ridiculous! Have they not known or heard of the greatness of Jehovah’s Person and power? What image could ever capture the greatness of the One who made the stars? When He calls them to come out at night, not one is missing. 40:27-31 If any of the people of Judah are discouraged and wonder if God still cares for them, let them realize that those who wait on the Lord are assured of renewed strength. It is absurd to think that He cares less for His people than for the stars which He guides so unerringly.