< Isaiah 40 >

The scriptures contain great comfort for God’s people v.1Isaiah 40:1XWaiting for response and in due course Israel will be greatly comforted in Jerusalem when her warfare is accomplished and her iniquity is pardoned v.2.Isaiah 40:2XWaiting for response They will receive this comfort when the Lord Jesus their Messiah returns, and he proclaimed this as good news when he preached the gospel to them long ago. He was introduced to Israel by John the Baptist who was the one crying in the wilderness, preparing the way of the LORD v.3Isaiah 40:3XWaiting for response (Matthew 3:3).Matthew 3:3XWaiting for response Jesus came to manifest the glory of God before all flesh, i.e. both Jews and Gentiles v.5.Isaiah 40:5XWaiting for response The message was that “all flesh is grass” and fades away to nothing vs.6-8Isaiah 40:6-8XWaiting for response but “the word of God shall stand for ever” v.8.Isaiah 40:8XWaiting for response Peter cites this passage as proof that our natural destiny is oblivion but also that we can live for ever if we are “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” 1 Peter 1:23.1 Peter 1:23XWaiting for response We do this by believing God’s word and being baptized.

Jesus came to bring the people good tidings v.9Isaiah 40:9XWaiting for response and in him they saw a manifestation of God, and at his return he will come as the “arm of the LORD” to rule for God in Zion v.10.Isaiah 40:10XWaiting for response He will bring reward for God’s people (Revelation 22:12),Revelation 22:12XWaiting for response ready to perform the work of the LORD set before him v.10.Isaiah 40:10XWaiting for response He is the good shepherd (John 10:11)John 10:11XWaiting for response and he will gather his sheep to him when he comes v.11.Isaiah 40:11XWaiting for response The people of Israel were given this good news through God’s prophets but they often spurned the message and put their trust in idols, therefore God challenged them to recognize his greatness as the creator and sustainer of the universe vs.12-27.Isaiah 40:12-27XWaiting for response

God made the heavens and the earth v.12,Isaiah 40:12XWaiting for response understands all things vs.13-14,Isaiah 40:13-14XWaiting for response and the nations are as nothing to him and counted less than nothing v.17.Isaiah 40:17XWaiting for response The nations are like a drop of a bucket to him v.15,Isaiah 40:15XWaiting for response and human observation has confirmed that the universe is so vast that even our planet is just a minute speck in the cosmos. Some people attempted to make some likeness of God out of gold and silver vs.18-19Isaiah 40:18-19XWaiting for response but this is impossible, and it is foolish to worship a graven image v.20.Isaiah 40:20XWaiting for response Israel should have known the truth about the Creator for he spoke to them through his prophets v.21.Isaiah 40:21XWaiting for response Not only did he create the heavens and the earth v.22,Isaiah 40:22XWaiting for response including multitudinous stars v.26,Isaiah 40:26XWaiting for response but he also controls what takes place therein, including events among the nations vs.23-24.Isaiah 40:23-24XWaiting for response Israel had so much evidence of God’s existence and his actions on their behalf that their claim that he was hid from them was incredible v.27.Isaiah 40:27XWaiting for response

God has not only made himself known to his people by his word but he has also made the exceeding great and precious promise that they will be partakers of his divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).2 Peter 1:4XWaiting for response He “fainteth not, neither is weary” v.28Isaiah 40:28XWaiting for response and he will empower his saints so that they increase in strength v.29.Isaiah 40:29XWaiting for response During the Millennium young men of the nations will faint and be weary v.29Isaiah 40:29XWaiting for response “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” v.31.Isaiah 40:31XWaiting for response