July 27, 2008
Isaiah 39 and 40
This chapter launches the second half of the Book of Isaiah. Chapters 1-35 emphasized judgment and looked ahead to invasion and the ultimate destruction of Judah. The prophetic standpoint of chapters 40-66 is after these tragic events, and Isaiah looks even further ahead to God’s ultimate triumph. While both judgment and comfort are found in each half of Isaiah, the emphasis of the first half is on judgment and that of the second on comfort.
Isaiah’s opening cry is, “Comfort, comfort my people” (40:1). He cries out the good news that, despite man’s brief, ephemeral life, the “Word of our God stands” (v. 8).
Israel’s “Sovereign Lord’’ is coming with power, and He will care for His people as a shepherd cares for his flock (vv. 2-11). The prophet exults in his vision of the greatness of our sovereign Lord: He is Creator and Ruler of all (vv. 12-17); living, enthroned on high (vv. 18-24); incomparable, everlasting, omniscient, and omnipotent (vv. 25-27). This is the God who stoops to give strength to those who put their hope in Him. Comfort? Comfort indeed!
“Comfort” (40:1). The Heb. word is naham. It’s a deeply emotional word, overflowing with feelings of pity and concern. It’s a word that often has the meaning of consolation. Isaiah has cried out against the spiritual insensitivity of his generation and warned of devastating divine punishments. But God’s love for Israel and Judah has never weakened. So now Isaiah speaks directly to the shaken survivors of the holocaust to come, to comfort and console them. God is God. And God remains committed to His own.
“Sovereign Lord” (40:10). One key to the second half of Isaiah is found in the prophet’s use of various names for God. Here “Sovereign Lord” translates the Heb. `adonay Yahweh. The first word is an intensive form of “master” or “lord.” It is used only of God in the O.T., emphasizing His greatness and ultimate power and rule. Yahweh is the personal name of God, constructed on the root of the verb “to be.” It emphasizes God’s personal presence with His people (see Insight). The juxtaposition of these names here is significant, for it links power and love, transcendence, and intimacy. What a wonder that our God, so great that the universe hardly reflects His glory, is so tender and loving toward you and me.
Create (40:26). Isaiah refers to Creation to illustrate God’s greatness. God made all things. He sustains all things. And as other verses in this chapter emphasize, He rules all things (40:21-25). The Heb. word create, bara‘, is used only of God in the Qal stem in which it functions as a technical theological term. Rather than mean “make something out of nothing,” bara’ means to initiate an object or project. The use of the word in this stem in the O.T. emphasizes a great fact.
There are certain things that only God can give being to. He alone could fabricate the material universe and establish nature’s processes. He alone could shape male and female in His image and so launch the human race. He alone can transform sinful man’s character by creating in us a new heart. He alone could launch history on its course and guide its progress. And God alone will be able to renew this universe, purging it of all evil by initiating a new heaven and earth at history’s end. This is the Creator whom Isaiah presents and to whom we give our praise: God. God alone is able to give existence to the world and new life to you and me.
Power, strength, mighty (40:26). These words, used interchangeably in the O.T., emphasize the ultimate power and strength of God. Through personal relationship with Him, His strength flows into and enables you and me.
Reflection
What does it mean to you that a powerful, mighty sovereign Lord created you? Does it help you to understand that God can and will use you.
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