QT 18 Sep 15, Isa 40:1-5, A needed message: comfort

Isa 40:1-5 (ESV) Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2  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.

3  A voice cries:

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;

 make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4  Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

and the rough places a plain.

5  And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together,

 for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

NOTE: These verses are so encouraging. The first verse is really the title of the paragraph and maybe for the second half of Isaiah as well, it is a message of comfort. And the message is centered on preparation for the Lord--He is coming; Jesus is coming; and for us, Jesus has come. John the Baptist would be the voice. Jesus was and is the answer. Jesus brings us comfort. And the message of Jesus is that the battle has ended and our sin is pardoned. Isaiah also calls them "tender" words because they heal and do not hurt. God is in a healing business. Those of us abused by the world and deceived by sin can come to Jesus. He has come. He gives comfort to the downtrodden and rest for the weary. He makes us right in his eyes. He allows us to see his glory and experience the hope of history and of all mankind, salvation from our sin and a future with God who loves us deeply. What a wonderful message and a wonderful way to begin the second half of Isaiah's message. It is also ironical that the first 39 chapters, dealing with Israel's history also correspond to the English bible's 39 books of the OT. The last 27 chapters, corresponding to the NT's 27 books also start out similarly, John the Baptist and the coming of Jesus. The first 39 chapters is a sad history of failure punctuated by God intervening and trying to get the people's attention. The last 27 chapters is a redeeming message of joy and hope, just as the new covenant is so much different from the old covenant.