1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].
6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people [is] grass.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift [it] up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong [hand], and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward [is] with him, and his work before him.
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.
12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or [being] his counseller hath taught him?
14 With whom took he counsel, and [who] instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations [are] as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
16 And Lebanon [is] not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All nations before him [are] as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
20 He that [is] so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree [that] will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, [that] shall not be moved.
21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth.
27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 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.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 40
Isaiah Chapter 40 marks a significant transition in the book of Isaiah, shifting from themes of judgment to messages of comfort and hope. This chapter serves as a profound declaration of God’s sovereignty, power, and promise of redemption for His people.
Key Themes
- Comfort and Hope: The chapter begins with a call for comfort to God’s people, emphasizing the end of their suffering and the promise of divine assistance.
- The Sovereignty of God: The text highlights God’s supreme authority and power over creation, contrasting human frailty with divine strength.
- Preparation for the Lord: A call to prepare the way for the Lord signifies the coming of salvation and the need for repentance and readiness.
- Renewal of Strength: The chapter concludes with a promise of renewed strength for those who trust in the Lord, illustrating the transformative power of faith.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-2: A Call for Comfort
The chapter opens with a divine command to comfort God’s people. This directive is significant as it indicates a shift from judgment to a message of hope. The phrase “speak tenderly” suggests a compassionate approach to healing the emotional and spiritual wounds of the Israelites.
Verses 3-5: Preparing the Way
These verses introduce the concept of preparing a path for the Lord. The imagery of valleys being raised and mountains made low symbolizes the need for repentance and the removal of obstacles that hinder a relationship with God. The declaration that “the glory of the Lord will be revealed” emphasizes the certainty of God’s intervention and the eventual recognition of His majesty.
Verses 6-8: The Transience of Humanity
Here, the text contrasts the fleeting nature of human life with the enduring word of God. The metaphor of grass and flowers highlights human fragility, while the permanence of God’s word reassures believers of His everlasting promises.
Verses 9-11: The Herald of Good News
These verses depict a messenger bringing good news to Zion. The imagery of God as a shepherd caring for His flock reinforces His protective and nurturing nature. The proclamation of God’s reign brings hope and assurance to the people, emphasizing that He will come with power and compassion.
Verses 12-14: God’s Incomparable Greatness
This section emphasizes God’s omnipotence and wisdom. The rhetorical questions highlight His unmatched ability to create and sustain the universe, suggesting that no one can compare to His greatness. This serves to instill awe and reverence in the readers.
Verses 15-17: The Nations as a Drop in the Bucket
In these verses, the insignificance of nations in comparison to God’s majesty is illustrated. The metaphor of nations being like a drop in a bucket emphasizes God’s sovereignty over all creation and reassures believers of His ultimate control over worldly powers.
Verses 18-20: The Incomparable Nature of God
These verses challenge the notion of idolatry, questioning what image could possibly represent God. The futility of human attempts to create representations of the divine underscores God’s uniqueness and transcendence.
Verses 21-26: The Creator’s Authority
This section reaffirms God’s role as the Creator and sustainer of the universe. The rhetorical questions serve to remind the audience of God’s omniscience and omnipotence, reinforcing the idea that He is in control of all things.
Verses 27-31: Assurance of Strength for the Weary
The chapter concludes with a powerful promise for those who feel weary and weak. The assurance that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength serves as a source of encouragement. The imagery of soaring like eagles, running without weariness, and walking without fainting symbolizes the transformative power of faith in God.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 40 is a pivotal chapter that encapsulates themes of comfort, hope, and the majesty of God. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the promise of renewal for those who trust in Him. The chapter invites readers to reflect on their relationship with God and encourages them to prepare their hearts for His coming salvation.
