Isaiah 40
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 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. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40 (NRSVUE)
The book of Isaiah was written between 739-681 BC, a time of turmoil for the people of Israel. My study bible divides it up into two sections: judgement and comfort. In chapters 1-39, Isaiah rages against inept and corrupt kings, sinful people, and the coming judgement of Israel. He does include a nugget of hope in Chapter 11 declaring that “a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse” to rally the people from everywhere that they have scattered and bring them back to the Promised Land. But then Isaiah returns to doom and gloom. It didn’t look good for Israel or its people.
The second section, chapters 40-66, takes a different tone. God will comfort Israel and take care of her. Verse 40:3 is quoted in all four gospels referring to John the Baptist as he “prepares the way of the Lord.” Mountains lifted, hills leveled and “the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed”. The Israelites had some bad times ahead, but maybe things were looking up.
And now, here we are the week after Easter, celebrating the risen Jesus. What a difference. Jesus simplified the law and commandments from 613 to 2: love God and love your neighbors. We are still all sinners, but now we enjoy God’s grace filled forgiveness. The Holy Spirit fills us and guides us. We just have to listen. Glory be to God.
Questions for Reflection:
- How would we react to Isaiah today?
- Isaiah warned about an attack from the Assyrian empire which was located in current Iran/Iraq/Syria. Some things just don’t change.
Prayer:
Dear God,
“Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with You.
Lead me my whole life through.”
Amen.
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