ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:1 Encouragement for God’s Exiles: “The Glory of the Lord Shall Be Revealed.” These visionary chapters are addressed to the exiles in Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (see Isaiah 39:5). Isaiah assures the exiles of God’s care for them. These chapters also addre... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:2 SPEAK TENDERLY. God aims to win their hearts back. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:4 This poetic language reflects the rough terrain as one approaches Jerusalem from the east. It also describes personal repentance and social reformation, remaking the world as a place fit for the coming King. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (va... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:5 The GLORY is REVEALED (or seen) as God leads his people (see Exodus 16:7). ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT. It will not be a private viewing for the remnant only, but out in front of the whole world (see Isaiah 52:7). From this promise of God’s presence flow all of God’s gracious p... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:9 CITIES OF JUDAH. The Jewish exiles will return to the Promised Land, for that is where the divine Messiah is to be born (see Isaiah 48:20; Micah 5:2). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:15 A DROP FROM A BUCKET. Israel may think she could never overcome all the NATIONS of mankind, but they are as NOTHING to God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:18 GOD alone is God. Isaiah sarcastically describes the process of making an idol. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:25 The Jewish exiles in Babylon were surrounded by pagan religions, many of which worshiped astrological phenomena. By contrast, THE HOLY ONE of Israel has no equal in his power (v. Isaiah 40:12), wisdom (vv. Isaiah 40:13), immensity (vv. Isaiah 40:15), sovereignty (vv. Isai... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:27 JACOB... ISRAEL. God is true to his covenant, despite his people’s unbelief (see Genesis 35:9). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 40:30 EVEN YOUTHS. Human strength fails, even at its best. Only God can provide the strength needed for life’s challenges. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]