40:1ffThe book of Isaiah makes a dramatic shift at this point. The following chapters discuss the majesty of God, who is coming to rule the earth and judge all people. God will reunite Israel and Judah and restore them to glory. Instead of warning the people of impending judgment, tsaiah here comforts them. Chapter 40 refers to the restoration after the Exile. Cyrus is the el instrument of their deliverance from Babylon. Isaiah aiso foretells a time when “Babyton’”—the future evil world system— will be destroyed and the persecution of God’s people will end.
Life Application Study BibleIsaiahChapter 40
Isaiah 40
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1151, 1152, 1153
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
40Isaiah 40
1says your God.
2“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.Tell her that her sad days are goneand her sins are pardoned.Yes, the LORD has punished her twice overfor all her sins.”
3Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,“Clear the way through the wildernessfor the LORD!Make a straight highway through the wastelandfor our God!
4Fill in the valleys,and level the mountains and hills.Straighten the curves,and smooth out the rough places.
5Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,and all people will see it together.The LORD has spoken!”*
6A voice said, “Shout!” lasked, “What should I shout?” “Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers ina field. 40:3-5 Greek version reads He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, / “Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! / Clear a road for our God! / Fill in the valleys, / and fevel the mountains and hills. / And then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, / and ail people will see the salvation sent from God. / The LORD has spoken!” Compare Matt 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6.
7The grass withers and the flowers fadebeneath the breath of the LORD.And so it is with people.
8The grass withers and the flowers fade,but the word of our God stands forever.”8 O Zion, messenger of good news,shout from the mountaintops!Shout it louder, O Jerusalem.*Shout, and do not be afraid.Tell the towns of Judah,“Your God is coming!”
10Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power.He will rule with a powerful arm.See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
11He will feed his flock like a shepherd.He will carry the lambs in his arms,holding them close to his heart.He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
The LORD Has No Equal
1212 Who else has held the oceans in his hand?Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?Who else knows the weight of the earthor has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
13Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD?*Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
14Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice?Does he need instruction about what is good?Did someone teach him what is rightor show him the path of justice?
15No, for all the nations of the worldare but a drop in the bucket.They are nothing morethan dust on the scales.He picks up the whole earthas though it were a grain of sand.
16All the wood in Lebanon's forestsand all Lebanon’s animals would not be enoughto make a burnt offering worthy of our God.
17The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.In his eyes they count for less than nothing—mere emptiness and froth.
18To whom can you compare God?What image can you find to resemble him?
19Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold,overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?
20Or if people are too poor for that,they might at least choose wood that won't decay
and a skilled craftsmanto carve an image that won't fall down!
21Haven't you heard? Don’t you understand?Are you deaf to the words of God—the words he gave before the world began?Are you so ignorant?
22God sits above the circle of the earth.The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!He spreads out the heavens like a curtainand makes his tent from them.
23He judges the great people of the worldand brings them all to nothing.
24They hardly get started, barely taking root,when he blows on them and they wither.The wind carries them off like chaff.
25“To whom will you compare me?Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
26Look up into the heavens.Who created all the stars?He brings them out like an army, one after another,calling each by its name.Because of his great power and incomparable strength,nota single one is missing.
27O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles?O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
28Have you never heard?Have you never understood?The LORD is the everlasting God,the Creator of all the earth.He never grows weak or weary.No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29He gives power to the weakand strength to the powerless.
30Even youths will become weak and tired,and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.
God's Help for Israel
41 1 “Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea.Bring your strongest arguments.Come now and speak.
Textual footnotes
- 40:9 Or O messenger of good news, shout to Zion from the mountaintops! Shout it louder to Jerusalem.
- 40:13 Greek version reads Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Compare Rom 11:34; 1 Cor 2:16.
Life Application Notes 8 notes
40:1,2Judah still had 100 years of trouble before Jerusalem would fall, then 70 years of exile. So God tells Isaiah to speak tenderly and to comfort Jerusalem. The seeds of comfort may take root in the soil of adversity. When your life seems to be fatling apart, ask God to comfort you. You may not escape adversity, but you may find God’s comfort as you face it. Sometimes, however, the only comfort we have is in the knowledge that someday we will be with God. Appreciate the comfort and encouragement found in his Word, his presence, and his people.
40:3-5Preparing a straight highway means removing obstacies and rolling out the red carpet for the coming of the LORD. The wasteland is a picture of life's trials and sufferings. We are not immune to these, but our faith need not be hindered by them. Isaiah told people to prepare to see God work. John the Baptist used these words as he challenged the people to prepare for the coming Messiah (Matthew 3:3).
40:6-8People are compared here to grass and flowers that wither away. We are mortal, but God’s Word is eternal and unfailing. Public opinion changes and is unreliable, but God’s Word is constant. Only in God's eternal Word will we find lasting solutions to our problems and needs.
40:11God is often pictured as a shepherd, gently caring for and guiding his flock. He is powerful (40:10), yet careful and gentle. He is called a shepherd (Psalm 23); the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14); the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); and the Great Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Note that the shepherd is caring for the most defenseless members af his society: children and those caring for them. This reinforces the prophetic theme that the truly powerful nation is not the one with a strong military, but rather the one that relies on God’s caring strength.
40:12-31Isaiah describes God’s power to create, his provision to sustain, and his presence to help. God is almighty and all-powerful; but even so, he cares for each of us personally. No person or thing can be compared to God (40:25). We describe God as best we can with our limited knowledge and language, but we only limit our understanding of him and his power when we compare him to what we experience on earth. What is your concept of God, especially as revealed in his Son, Jesus Christ? Don't limit his work in your life by underestimating him.
40:29-31Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God’s power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When you feel all of life crushing you and you cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength.
40:31Trusting in the LORD is the patient expectation that God will fulfii! his promises in his Word and strengthen us to rise above life's difficulties. Do you believe God loves you and wants the best for you? Can you relax, confident that his purposes are right? Are you convinced that he has the power to control all of life—and your life as well? Though your faith may be struggling or weak, accept his provisions and care for you.