Isaiah 40:1-11 MSG
Isaiah 40 starts a new section from the Prophet Isaiah for he begins the foretelling of the coming Messiah.
Isaiah prophesied approximately 700 years before the Messiah came.
This section is a prophesy of Hope.
God is telling His people the best is yet to come.
Even so, it’s hard to imagine that Israel could have known how wonderful the event would be.
They could not have imagined the one coming would forgive all of their sins!
From the Message, Isaiah 40:1-11 says:
“Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God.“Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clearThat she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!She’s been punished enough and more than enough, and now it’s over and done with.”
Thunder in the desert! “Prepare for God’s arrival!Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.Fill in the valleys, level off the hills,Smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks.Then God’s bright glory will shine and everyone will see it. Yes. Just as God has said.”
A voice says, “Shout!” I said, “What shall I shout?”
“These people are nothing but grass, their love fragile as wildflowers.The grass withers, the wildflowers fade, if God so much as puffs on them. Aren’t these people just so much grass?True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”
Climb a high mountain, Zion. You’re the preacher of good news.Raise your voice. Make it good and loud, Jerusalem. You’re the preacher of good news. Speak loud and clear. Don’t be timid!Tell the cities of Judah, “Look! Your God!”Look at him! God, the Master, comes in power, ready to go into action.He is going to pay back his enemies and reward those who have loved him.Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms,Hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.”
The wonderful message Isaiah gave to Israel must have given them hope, but more than likely it was hope that would have fallen short of their expectations. That’s because they would not have knows the prophecy was hundreds of years in the future.
So, what did they glean from it? When the prophecy was written they would have thought of a new beginning. It would have given them hope.
They would have been reminded that Yahweh God is THE GOD. The God of Israel could not have been compared to little “g” gods from other regions.
It would have been clear to them that God’s glory WILL shine!
It would have reminded them even though Babylon (their adversary) was a mighty military force, their god is not filled with power from the heavens. THE God of the universe stands ready to act!
Then, beyond that Isaiah’s words would have reminded them (even that) the God of Israel cares deeply for them. Isaiah gave them an image they could understand…
God cares for the flock…the entire flock.
God gathers individual lambs in His arms.
God hugs each of them and carefully carries them.
Then, God leads the small ewes to good pasture.
All of those images would have been personal and heart-warning for every member of every tribe. The big picture prophecy might not have been clear to every member, but the promise of God’s love and care would have tenderly reminded each person that their God was real and loving and personal.
And so, take a seat in the Temple.
Close your eyes.
Let God hold you and tenderly lead you to good pasture.
Spiritual Practice: Continue practicing throughout your day.
Practice the presence of God.
In God, Deborah
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