Comfort for God’s People Isaiah 40

 

Comfort for God’s People 

Lesson Text: Isaiah 40:1-5, 25-26, 29-31 

Related Scriptures: Leviticus 26:40-45; I Chronicles 16:23-33; Lamentations 1:1-22; Matthew 3:1-8 

TIME: about 700-695 B.C. PLACE: Jerusalem GOLDEN TEXT—“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29). 

Introduction 

Isaiah was a prophet who lived about seven hundred years before Christ. It was during the reign of King Uzziah that Isaiah saw the Lord seated upon His throne and received his prophetic call (Isa. 6). 

During this critical time in Judah’s history, God wanted someone to take His word to a rebellious nation. 

Despite Isaiah’s faithful preaching of God’s word to the people of Judah, they would refuse to repent. Hearing God’s message would harden the hearts of many (vss. 9-10). Nevertheless, Isaiah proclaimed the word of the Lord to the bitter end, after which the people would finally be carried away as captives (vs. 11). 

The first half of Isaiah (chaps. 1—39)foretells God’s judgment upon Judah because of their sins. The latter half (chaps. 40—66), however, offers a message of comfort and hope. God would restore them to the land and send His Servant, the Messiah, to atone for sin (chap. 53). 

LESSON OUTLINE 

GOD, OUR COMFORTER—Isa. 40:1-5 GOD, 

OUR CREATOR—Isa. 40:25-26 

GOD, OUR CONFIDENCE—Isa. 40:29-31 

Exposition: Verse by Verse 

GOD, OUR COMFORTER ISA. 40:1 

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 

2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. 

3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 

5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 

Peace (Isa. 40:1). {Since there is a definite shift in theme and tone in Isaiah 40, some have suggested that another person wrote after chapter 39. There is, however, good internal and external evidence that the same person wrote the entire book. The change in subject matter merely reflects that judgment had come and now the message of restoration and peace needed to be proclaimed.}Q1 

It is analogous to hearing a pastor preach a fiery sermon during a special meeting and then hearing the same minister deliver a comforting funeral message. It is the same preacher, but the setting calls for a different theme and tone. 

When Isaiah wrote, both the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Captivity were still in the future. Once these events occurred, though, the people would realize that all of this had been prophesied by Isaiah. “Anticipating the future Captivity and God’s restoration, Isaiah wrote to encourage the Judahites to live righteously in the present, despite forthcoming difficult circumstances” (Walvoord and Zuck, eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Cook). 

God, through Isaiah, repeated the word “comfort” (Isa. 40:1) to emphasize that He alone can bring comfort. This causes us to recall Jesus’ promise to send “another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). This Comforter is the Holy Spirit (vs. 26). As the “God of all comfort” (II Cor. 1:3) comforts us, we must comfort one another (vs. 4). 

God’s Word brings conviction of sin, but it also brings comfort to the distressed. We see this, for example, in Paul’s instructions to Timothy. Paul directed Timothy to preach the Word in such a way that his hearers would be reproved and rebuked (II Tim. 4:2), but he also told Timothy to encourage his listeners. 

{Similarly, Isaiah had already brought the message of judgment to Judah as God had directed him. Now was the time to deliver a message of comfort for the repentant exiles.}Q2 

Pardon (Isa. 40:2). Having rebuked sin during his long career as a prophet, Isaiah was now called to speak “comfortably,” or tenderly, to the people. Previously, appeals to both the head and heart had proved futile; the people were unwilling to listen to God’s Word. After “her warfare [was] accomplished,” the nation would be in a position to listen. The years in exile would soften their hearts. 

Research shows that people are more open to conversion when going through various life changes. Of course, we must reach out to people at all times, but being aware of the times when people are more receptive should prompt us to seize opportunities to witness. 

Once Judah repented of their sins, they could be pardoned. There is no forgiveness apart from the willingness to turn from sin (cf. Isa. 55:6-7). God is willing to forgive, but humans must be willing to repent (cf. Ps. 51:17). 

{As a nation specially chosen to fulfill God’s purposes, Israel had great responsibilities, not the least of which was to be “a light to the Gentiles” (Isa. 49:6).}Q3 Now, however, the people were suffering because they had followed false gods and idols instead of worshipping and proclaiming the true God to the surrounding nations. As Christ said, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). This is true for both nations and individuals! 

Preparation (Isa. 40:3-5). In the original context, Isaiah declared that the time had arrived for the Jews to return from their captivity. “The whole concept is figurative, declaring in dramatic fashion that the Lord will let nothing stand in the way of the exiles’ return” (Barker and Kohlenberger, eds., The Bible Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Zondervan). 

As is often seen in Isaiah, however, this prophecy had a double fulfillment. God would indeed prepare the way for the Jews to return to their homeland after the Babylonian Captivity, but He would also prepare the way for the Messiah. 

{This would be accomplished through the ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy is alluded to in all four Gospels (Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 1:76; John 1:23). There is no doubt that the inspired New Testament writers saw Isaiah’s words fulfilled in John’s ministry.}Q4 The last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, also echoed Isaiah’s words: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me” (Mal. 3:1). 

John’s ministry literally was in the wilderness (cf. Matt. 3:1). He spent most of his life in the desert until he began preaching the repentance of sins (Luke 1:80; 3:1-5). {John the Baptist had no illusions concerning his prophesied mission: he was to prepare the way for Christ. Hence, many of his disciples became disciples of Christ when he identified Jesus as the Savior (John 1:19-42).}Q5 

Both in Isaiah’s day and in the time of Christ, the Lord’s glory was revealed (Isa. 40:5). In Isaiah’s time, God’s glory was seen in the return of the captives from Babylon. In the time of John the Baptist, however, God’s glory was revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word (John 1:14). 

Even though many people did not recognize Christ for who He was during His earthly ministry, a time is coming when “every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7) and all will affirm His lordship (Phil. 2:11). Although this has not yet occurred, it is certain, “for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isa. 40:5). 

GOD, OUR CREATOR 25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. 

As Isaiah continued God’s message to the nation, he reminded them that humanity is like grass—here today and gone tomorrow (Isa. 40:6-7). In contrast to the transitory nature of life on earth, “the word of our God shall stand for ever” (vs. 8). In short, we can depend upon the Lord and His promises. Isaiah further declared that God rewards His people (vs. 10), feeds them as a shepherd does a flock (vs. 11), and is the wellspring of knowledge (vss. 13-14). 

{Isaiah then began contrasting the true God with the false gods that had initially led Israel astray and into captivity. Such idols were merely the objects of human craftsmanship (vss. 18-20). As Paul declared centuries later to the Athenians, “We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:29). 

The God revealed in Scripture is not like these lifeless, earthly idols; rather, He is above the earth, ruling from His heavenly throne (Isa. 40:22). God alone has the power to set up kings and kingdoms and bring “princes to nothing” (vs. 23), if that is His decreed will.}Q6 

Since God is so high and holy, humanity is at a loss to find anything or anyone on earth to which to compare Him. “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal?” (vs. 25). God is beyond both description and comprehension. While certain things about God can be known from the creation (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20), He is revealed most clearly in Scripture, particularly in the Person of Christ, “for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). 

Note also that the Lord referred to Himself as the “Holy One” (Isa. 40:25), a designation that appears some thirty times in Isaiah. Significantly, Christ was called the “Holy One of God” by demons (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34). Although evil spirits never confessed Jesus as Lord (cf. I Cor. 12:3), they acknowledged Him as the Holy One. Demons, in fact, have a role in inspiring false worship (cf. 10:20-21), whether the idolatry of Isaiah’s day or today. 

While idols are mere human creations, God created all things (Isa. 40:26). “This passage asserts that, far from being deities in their own right, the heavenly bodies have simply been created by the one Creator-God, who is also Israel’s ‘Holy One.’ He orders their pattern, knows each in its distinctiveness, and upholds them in all their being” (Barker and Kohlenberger). 

Still today, there are millions of people fumbling in the darkness of pagan idolatry, but there are millions more who have been convinced that there is no God. By claiming that the cosmos spontaneously came into existence without a Creator, many atheists and agnostics think they have given mankind freedom and autonomy. But in fact, atheist assertions strip human beings of their God-given dignity as His image-bearers. That is what happens when people worship God’s creation rather than the Creator. 

GOD, OUR CONFIDENCE 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Humanity’s strength (Isa. 40:29-30). Besides being our Creator, God is also our confidence. His knowledge is unsearchable and His strength undiminishable (vs. 28). When we are faint, He renews our strength. Those who have no strength can find strength in Him. As Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). 

{As we grow older, we become keenly aware of our diminishing physical strength. Most of us cannot work as hard, travel as far, or stay up as late as we once did. 

In contrast to this is the seemingly endless energy of young people.}Q7 But even children and young adults have limits to what they can endure physically. Rest can renew the physically weary, but there are other forms of strength we need—strength that only God can supply. We can look to Him for this with confidence at all times, for He “fainteth not, neither is weary” (Isa. 40:28). 

God’s strength (Isa. 40:31). {To “wait upon the Lord” is to trust Him and be patient concerning His plans (Pss. 27:14; 37:7; 130:5). }Q8 Abraham and Sarah failed to wait upon the Lord regarding the son of promise (Gen. 16:1-6). King Saul failed to wait upon the Lord when Samuel was delayed in coming to Gilgal (I Sam. 13:8-15). 

When we run ahead of God and His plans, we are assuming that we know more than He does! Many of us have made quick decisions in the past only to discover that we must live with the consequences of those choices. When God’s will is clear, we should act; but if we are unsure, we need to be patient and wait on the Lord. 

For those who do wait on the Lord, God promises the renewal of strength. In the context of Isaiah’s message to Judah, difficult days lay ahead for the nation. Judah would fall to their enemies, Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed, and the people would be carried off to Babylon. Indeed, the future appeared bleak. For those listening to Isaiah’s message when he first spoke it and those who would hear it at a later time, this was a message of hope. Nevertheless, they needed to put their hope in God. 

“To such as wait upon him, the Lord imparts new strength. They do not merely ‘renew their strength,’ but they ‘exchange’ (a more accurate rendering of the Heb.) their failing strength for God’s unfailing strength. Thus they discover a new source of power for living” (Allen, ed., Broadman Bible Commentary, Broadman). 

{Isaiah gave three illustrations concerning the renewing strength God promised to His people. 

The first is the eagle. Eagles are large, strong birds used in both ancient and modern times as a symbol of strength. To soar like an eagle is to have strength, power, and agility. 

Second, Isaiah pictures the runner. Unless a person is in good physical condition, running will deplete his or her physical resources very quickly. The strength of the Lord is likened to those who run and are not weary. 

The third illustration is walking. While many people do a considerable amount of walking in an average day, we do not walk nearly as much as people did in ancient times (or do in many parts of the world today). With cars, public transportation, and elevators, many keep walking to a minimum. When we have to walk farther than we are used to, it can lead to weariness. }Q9 

“The threefold description in vs. 31 forms a climax, not its opposite; for the exceptional flying and the occasional running do not require, as does constant walking, an ever-flowing stream of grace” (Barker and Kohlenberger). 

The point of these illustrations is that God will enable those who trust Him to endure trying circumstances, whether in the present or in the future. He is our ever-present source of comfort and strength. —John Alva Owston

Union Gospel Press, Union Gospel Press. Bible Expositor and Illuminator (pp. 13-22). Union Gospel Press. Kindle Edition.