This study comes from Reading Plan week 58, Isaiah 40-48. Group Handout: Other studies from this week's reading:
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Introduction The context for reading chapter 40 should be the preceding section involving condemnation. Surely, for their apostasy, Judah and Jerusalem will come under God’s judgment at the hands of the Babylonian Empire. Though judgment awaits in the future, so does hope. Therefore, God speaks to His beaten and rejected people with the words, “Comfort, O comfort My people.” The foreshadowing for God’s rescue and comfort of His people is found in the concept of the “remnant.” God will preserve the Holy Seed through the remnant that He Himself will protect, and through this remnant God will carry out His plan to bring lasting peace and righteousness on the earth. “Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. |
1“Comfort, O comfort My people,” 2“Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare That her iniquity has been That she has received of the Double for all her sins.” |
[Read v.1-2] Q: Why is “Jerusalem” named (say, instead of Samaria or Israel), and to whom does this refer? A: Jerusalem is the holy city, the city of Zion, God’s capital for His name on the earth. Jerusalem refers to God’s people ―specifically, the Jews ―and more specifically, the remnant. (The word “Jew” is a shortened form of “Judah,” referring to those who originate in Judah. It’s easier to say “Jew” than “Judahite.”) Samaria and Israel are not named because they were the totally apostate Northern Kingdom who had been dispersed a long time before. Yet, in the providence of God, He will bring comfort even to the Dispersion.
Q: What is the good news that is being stated in verse 2? A: That all warfare has ended, her sin has been removed, her punishment is complete. Therefore, she can look forward to peace.
Application: What lesson do we learn about God concerning His children, even when they disobey and stray? |
3A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the Lord in Make smooth in the desert a 4Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be And let the rough ground become And the rugged terrain a broad 5Then the glory of the Lord will be And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has 6A voice says, “Call out.” Then he answered, “What shall I All flesh is grass, and all its 7The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows Surely the people are grass. 8The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands |
[Read v.3-8] Q: In the NT, verse 3 was quoted to refer to whom? (See Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6; John 1:23.) A: John the Baptist. He would “clear the way for the Lord” by announcing and introducing Him (Jesus).
Q: What is the significance of verse 4? A: When royalty traveled in ancient times, slaves would go out ahead and make the roads smooth by leveling rough surfaces and filling in ruts and gullies. Therefore, John the Baptist would announce the arrival of a king. But there is also a dual, immediate meaning that the Lord will prepare the way for their return from Babylon to the land of Israel. Q: To what future era in history is verse 5 referring to? A: The Second Coming of Christ specifically, although His First Coming is alluded to here as well. The whole earth will benefit by His First Coming, but the “all flesh” can only be His Second Coming. Q: What is the theme of verses 6-8, and how does it relate to verse 5? A: The theme is that God’s Word will never fail. It is related to verse 5 in that “the mouth of the Lord has spoken”; therefore, what God says will happen will indeed take place. Hence there will be a time when all flesh living on the earth will see the Lord coming in glory
Application: Relate with one another how God’s Word has changed your life. |
9Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10Behold, the Lord God will come With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him. 11Like a shepherd He will tend His In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. |
[Read v.9-11] Q: The word “arm” is used twice in these verses. Look up and read Isaiah 53:1. To whom does the “arm of the Lord” refer, and why? A: The “arm of the Lord” is used in Isaiah to represent the Lord’s servant who will be given power and authority to carry out His will. Arm is symbolic of strength, power, and handy work.
“Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” ―Isaiah 53:1
Q: If the “arm of the Lord” represents strength, power and authority, in what unusual way does verse 11 contrast? A: His power and authority does not preclude His compassion and gentleness. Application: Imagine you were one of the survivors of the deportation crossing the desert. How would these words bring comfort to you? In what way does this remind you of the Exodus? Is there anything going on in your life today that might result in this verse bringing meaning? |
12Who has measured the waters in And marked off the heavens by the And calculated the dust of the earth And weighed the mountains in a And the hills in a pair of scales? 13Who has directed the Spirit of Or as His counselor has informed 14With whom did He consult and And who taught Him in the path of And informed Him of the way of 15Behold, the nations are like a drop And are regarded as a speck of dust Behold, He lifts up the islands like 16Even Lebanon is not enough to Nor its beasts enough for a burnt 17All the nations are as nothing They are regarded by Him as less |
[Read v.12-17] Q: Why does this section gives us comfort regarding “threatening nations”? (Compare with Dan. 2:21.) A: God is always in control, even of the bad guys.
“It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.” ―Daniel 2:21
Q: What is the meaning of v.16? What does this teach us about the true meaning of the Old Testament system of sacrifices? A: In reality, there’s no amount of burnt offerings that can bridge the gap with God. It shows that the sacrifices were intended as a symbol of the condition of one’s heart, not as a sufficient substitute in and of themselves. Therefore we have to conclude that it is the love and grace of God that causes the sacrifices to bridge the gap. |
18To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare 19As for the idol, a craftsman A goldsmith plates it with gold, And a silversmith fashions chains 20He who is too impoverished for Selects a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful To prepare an idol that will not |
[Read v.18-20] Point: All other substitutes for God are a limited creation of man’s mind that cannot begin to describe the breadth and character of God as provided in v.12-17. Israel’s core problem has been devotion to and worship of other gods which exist solely because human hands decided to create them. It’s a stark contrast to v.8b, “But the word of our God stands forever” versus man’s works that crumble and disappear in a single lifetime. Application: Is your entire faith and belief system built on the Word of God or is even the smallest part a work of your own or another’s hand? How do you fix that? |
21Do you not know? Have you not Has it not been declared to you Have you not understood from the 22It is He who sits above the circle And its inhabitants are like Who stretches out the heavens And spreads them out like a tent 23He it is who reduces rulers to Who makes the judges of the earth 24Scarcely have they been planted, Scarcely have they been sown, Scarcely has their stock taken root But He merely blows on them, and And the storm carries them away 25“To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?” says the 26Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might Not one of them is missing. |
[Read v.21-26] Q: What are the 3 classes of earthly people mentioned in v.21-23? To what does this allude? A: Inhabitants, rulers, and judges. It alludes to man’s creation of a duplicate heavenly structure on earth, but instead of the Godhead man has substituted others as ruler and judge.
Q: What is the common problem for each of these classes? A: Each has forgotten Who is really in charge, that God is the Ruler, Creator, and Judge.
Q: According to v.24-25, what should we keep in mind concerning earthly structures and organizations? A: They’re temporary. We’re supposed to keep a focus beyond them to the eternal.
Q: In v.26, what is the comfort the remnant going to Babylon should derive from this verse? A: The fact that the uncountable number of stars are each known by name to God and 100% accounted for reaffirms that He knows each member of the remnant and fully accounts for them; none of them will go missing. Point: God is in complete, eternal control over and above what temporarily exists on earth, yet He knows and accounts for us individually by name. God’s grand eternal work incorporates us individually by name! |
27Why do you say, O Jacob, and “My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the 28Do you not know? Have you not The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He 30Though youths grow weary and And vigorous young men stumble 31Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become |
[Read v.27-31] Q: How do you suppose this applies to Israelites dispersed outside of the land of Israel? A: Regardless of temporary, present conditions, God’s hope is strength for endurance to realize reconciliation and return to Him.
Q: How would you summarize the main teaching of this passage? A: God’s strength sustains us as we wait on Him to work everything out. Application: How does this speak to you in the things you’re going through right now? How about for the immediate future? For all of life? |
