Isaiah Chapter 40
Isaiah 40 marks a turning point in the Book of Isaiah. The remaining chapters overall portray a more comforting and hopeful message of a bright and glorious future after returning from exile.
This chapter begins with an instruction from God to speak words of comfort to His people.
What exactly are these words of comfort?
That her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that her punishment for her sins has come to an end.
For the people of God in exile, these indeed would be really comforting words to hear.
This chapter has three occurrences of “voices” which further elaborate on this.
The first voice is of one crying in the wilderness (v3-5). This voice cries out a call for preparation, a message of anticipation, something great is going to happen! The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it.
The New Testament tells us this is a prophecy fulfilled in John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. Through the coming of Jesus, the glory of the LORD has been revealed, and we can see God’s salvation plan for us.
How comforting is it to know that Jesus has come to die for our sins and has already freed us from the bondage of sin!
The voice then instructs the listener to “cry out” (v6). What’s the content of the cry? That just as the grass withers, just as the flower fades, we too will wither and fade away (v7-8). Human life being short and temporal seems like a strange thing to say to comfort someone, but let’s look at the last part of verse 8 – “but the word of God stands forever”.
Though our lives are temporary, God’s words will never pass away. Though each tomorrow is uncertain, God’s words are fixed in the heavens (Psalm 119:89) and every single promise of God shall be fulfilled.
Furthermore, 1 Peter 1:23-25 tells us that we have been born again of an incorruptible seed through this very word of God. By obeying the teachings of the Bible, holding fast to the doctrines of salvation, we have been born again.
Though our corruptible flesh will wither and fade away, we have the hope of eternal life. And it is in this hope that we can find great comfort.
The third and final occurrence of “voice” is in verse 9, whereby Zion is instructed to get up into the mountain, lift up her voice with strength and cry out to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
To “behold” means “to see or observe”. In the midst of adversity, turn our eyes to God. What exactly should we behold about God? The rest of the chapter gives us our answer.
Verses 10-11 tells us that God will rule over His people. He will care for His flock, gather them, carry them, and gently lead them.
“To whom then will you liken God?” This rhetorical question is asked twice in this chapter (v18, v25). Our God is an Almighty God. No idol, no work of man, can be greater, let alone equal to God. No one has taught Him, no one is greater than Him (v12-14).
Though they were in exile, punished by nations, all these nations are counted by God as less than nothing and worthless (v15-17). Our God is greater than all our problems. There’s nothing in this world that God cannot deliver us from.
When we face disappointments and challenges in life, just like the Israelites in exile, we might feel that God does not see and does not care (v27). But this chapter reminds us that this Almighty God is one who is personal and near to us. Verses 28-29 tell us that God will give power to the weak, increasing the strength of those who have no might.
So, how do we be comforted? How do we regain strength when life seems relentless? The conclusion of the chapter tells us to wait on the Lord.
Wait on the Lord who has already came to die for us and free us from the bondage of sin.
Wait on the Lord who has given us His eternal word through which we have been born again and have the hope of eternal life.
Wait on the Lord who is so awesome and almighty, creator of the ends of the earth, who never faints nor is weary, who is greater than all any problem we can ever face.
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14)
