Year 2, Week 7, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 7, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Isaiah 40-41.

Today’s reading continues Isaiah’s prophecy to Judah. Today’s reading marks the major shift in emphasis in the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah 40-66 are oriented around deliverance, hope and comfort. While we have seen glimpses of deliverance, hope and comfort in Isaiah 1-39, the weighted emphasis has been primarily upon sin, judgment, and condemnation. There will still be moments of sin, judgment, and condemnation in the second half of Isaiah, but these matters will no longer be the primary emphasis. Isaiah 40 opens with a comforting tone: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’S hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1-2). The previous chapter alluded to a future disaster upon Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. The placement of the opening words of Isaiah 40 infers that these words of hope and restoration would serve to be very pertinent for the generation of Israelites who would actually experience the destruction and captivity that the Babylonians would inflict upon them. Isaiah 40 declares that there would be a future for Israel for the LORD would provide a pardon for Israel. While Isaiah 40 is a particular Word from the LORD for His people, Isaiah 41 is a summon for all the nations to hear from the LORD: “Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment” (Isaiah 41:1). The same kind of deliverance that the LORD is promising His people, He is also offering to the nations. Isaiah 41 also introduces the notion of a servant, which will be a theme that runs often through much of the rest of Isaiah: “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off” (Isaiah 41:8-9).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the focus placed upon the greatness of the LORD: “Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him” (Isaiah 40:9-10). The One who is revealing Himself to Israel is not some weak, flimsy, created idol, but the One whose greatness is beyond comprehension: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12). Not even all the nations put together can compare to the greatness of God: “All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?” (Isaiah 40:17-18).

When the greatness of God is applied to His rule, He has not true rivals: “It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness” (Isaiah 40:22-23). When the greatness of God is applied to His strength, He never tires: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28). When the greatness of God is applied to His accomplishments, He does it all Himself: “Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step?…Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he” (Isaiah 41:2,4).

It is none other great and mighty God, who will provide deliverance, hope, and comfort to Israel: “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Therefore, it is this great God, who says to His people: “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10); and: “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 41:13-14). Out of the abundance of His own greatness, it is the LORD who gives strength to His people: “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). These promises can be counted on: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe