Table of Contents
I have been reading in the book of Isaiah, with a focus on the chapters beginning with chapter 40. Chapters 1-35 deal with various judgments of God. Chapters 36-39 tend to be a historical interlude. The remainder is considered God’s encouragement concerning the future of His people. I want to share with you insights from Isaiah that God is showing me as I read and reflect on what I am reading. I hope you will tag along with me and share your thoughts and insights from Isaiah. We will be starting with chapter 40.
The book of Isaiah can be divided into two parts. Chapters 1–39 is Judah in the days of the Assyrians. Chapters 40–66 focus on Babylon, the return to Jerusalem, and then the age to come. Moreover, It’s structured like the Bible itself: 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament.
Pastor John MacArthur of Grace to You Ministries breaks Isaiah out as:
- Deliverance from Captivity (Isa 40:1–48:22)
- Sufferings of the Servant of the Lord (Isa 49:1–57:21)
- Future Glory of God’s People (Isa 58:1–66:24)
Who was Isaiah?
Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet who was believed to have lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Born in Jerusalem, Israel, he began his calling as a prophet when he saw a vision in the year of King Uzziah’s death. Isaiah’s name means “The LORD is salvation,”.
He was the son of Amoz and he was married and had two sons who bore symbolic names: “Shear- jashub” (“a remnant shall return,” (Isa 7:3) and “Maher-shalalhash-baz” (“hasting to the spoil, hurrying to the prey,” Isa 8:3). The name of his wife is not given but is referred to as “the prophetess” also found in Isa 8:3.
Isaiah could be considered the crown jewel of Old Testament prophets. Isaiah was a contemporary of Hosea and Micah. Tradition has it that he met his death under King Manasseh (ca. 695–642 B.C.) by being cut in two with a wooden saw. – Heb 11:37
The Most Quoted Prophet
The book of Isaiah has been a foundational text in the history of both Judaism and Christianity. There were at least 21 copies of Isaiah among the Dead Sea Scrolls, along with six copies of commentaries on Isaiah.
Isaiah is quoted directly in the NT over 65 times, far more than any other OT prophet, and mentioned by name over 20 times. Jesus Christ, the Messiah quoted often from the book of Isaiah.
Setting the Scene
Isaiah prophesied during the period of the divided kingdom, directing the major thrust of his message to the southern kingdom of Judah. He condemned the empty ritualism of his day (Isa 1:10–15) and the idolatry into which so many of the people had fallen. – Isa 40:18–20
He foresaw the coming Babylonian captivity of Judah because of this departure from the Lord. – Isa 39:6-7
Insights from Isaiah 40
I do not believe in coincidences. I began reading this section of Isaiah a few weeks before the world changed in the twinkling of an eye. Naturally, I am reading the chapters through the lens of the coronavirus glasses. Even though the nation of Israel is the focus of these chapters, they still apply to the Body of Jesus Christ today.
Moreover, we would do well to heed the warnings of God so that we would not be judged for not being obedient followers of Christ. Furthermore, we can be encouraged that God has not turned away from us. He loves us and wants us to repent and turn back to our first love.
Be Comforted!
“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, And call out to her, that her time of compulsory service in warfare is finished, That her wickedness has been taken away…Isa 40:1-2
In the preceding 39 chapters, God warned of the judgments that would come upon Israel and the surrounding nations. God now encourages and gives hope.
Moreover, We are blessed to live in the days when God will take His body home to be with Him before the release of seven years of unprecedented horrific judgment. Judgment against a world of people that turned their noses up at the very mention of His name.
The madness that has gripped the world is a wakeup call to those who say that they follow Christ. We should be examining ourselves and repenting for those “hidden” sins in our lives. As Daniel repented for himself and the nation of Isreal, Likewise we need to stand in the gap for the sins of our nation. Set your spiritual house in order. Return to your first love.
The Haughtiness of Men and Nations
…All humanity is [as frail as] grass, and all that makes it attractive [its charm, its loveliness] is [momentary] like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Most certainly [all] the people are [like] grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever… Isa 40:6-8
God is not impressed by the Trilateral Commission, nor the Bilderberg Group. Likewise, the Soros, Rockefellers, Gates, Zuckerbergs, Clintons, Obamas, Bushs or any of the other myriad people that think they know what is better for us than Yahweh, does not impress God.
In fact, the nations are like a drop from a bucket and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales… Isa 40:15
All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless. To whom then will you liken God? Or with what likeness will you compare Him? – Isa 40:17-18
Russia, Iran, North Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Africa, China, Europe are as nothing before Him! Even and especially the USA and Isreal need to repent and turn their hearts back to our Creator God. Let go of your idols (anything that replaces God in your life).
Do you [who worship idols] not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth [the omnipotence of God and the stupidity of bowing to idols]? – Isa 40:21
It is He Who…
- sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers – Isa 40:22
- stretches out the heavens like a veil and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. – Isa 40:22
- reduces dignitaries to nothing – Isa 40:23
- makes the judges (rulers) of the earth meaningless (useless) – Isa 40:23
- created these heavenly bodies – Isa 40:26
- brings out their host by number and calls them all by name – Isa 40:26
- because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one is missing – Isa 40:26
- created the ends of the earth – Isa 40:28
- does not become tired or grow weary – Isa 40:28
- gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power – Isa 40:29
Be Encouraged!
Scriptures used are from the Amplified Bible using BibleGateway.com
