Isaiah 40-43

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When we turn from the thirty-ninth to the fortieth chapter it is as though we step out of the darkness of judgment into the light of salvation. The first portion of the book (chaps. 1—39) is filled with messages of judgment, this portion emphasizes restoration and deliverance.   Let’s compare:

Isaiah 1—39

• The focus is on Assyria.
• The primary theme is judgment.
• Historical details are present.
• Messiah is the “shoot from Jesse.”
• The life of Isaiah is prominent.

Isaiah 40—66

• The focus is on Babylon.
• The primary theme is deliverance.
• Historical details are absent.
• The life of Isaiah is prominent.
• Messiah is the “Servant of the Lord.”
• The life of Isaiah is absent.

Chapter 40:

We start with the theme of 40-66 “Comfort”.  We are going to keep with our “split-screen newscast”.  Isaiah will have a near prophecy and a far prophecy.  He is writing these scriptures to the exiles in Babylon.  They have been captured and taken out of the Promised Land and taken into Captivity (Exile)  Keep in mind, the intended reader of these writings are not even born yet…this is written to give comfort to people 150 years in the future!

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord[;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.

This scripture might be familiar but it will have different views:

1. He is giving the people HOPE in Babylon (current).  He will prepare a way for them straight back to Jerusalem (900 miles away).
2. A Messianic Prophecy: ALL 4 Gospels quote this scripture.  John the Baptist brings a message of HOPE that the Messiah will come.  Let’s look at Matthew 3:33 

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”

We now have Hope that Jesus will come again and be victorious.
He gives them/us HOPE that He wants to deliver us from our captivity but CAN He??    If you are reading this and have a major situation in your life,  know He WANTS to deliver you…but that He CAN too! ❤️

12-26 is the message that he CAN.  12-26 is awesome BUT I am going to share my favorite part…

25 “To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

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Chapter 41 reads like a court case: The case is called “The Helper of Israel”.  He silences the court.  Then he shows his Sovereignty.   He wants to deliver them.  He can deliver them.  Now he tells us HOW He will deliver them.  He is God…He knows everything!

“Who has stirred up one from the east,
calling him in righteousness to his service?

He is going to raise up someone from the East…so let me ask you, if God knows every star by name, do you think he know who this person is by name?  YES!  (You will find out tomorrow). If you know: I will be super impressed.  Anyone??)

When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt through Moses, God provided for the whole journey.  He met their every need.  He tells them He will do it again.  When they are set free from Babylon they will journey through the desert of what is now called Saudi Arabia…900 miles.  (That is walking from Nashville to Miami)

17 “The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them you.

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Chapter 42: How in the world do we not cut and paste the whole chapter here???  BEST CHAPTER

Here we are watching TV again I am not going to call this a split screen but rather a picture in a picture.  The small picture in the corner is the person that the Lord will bring forth as His servant,  to let his people out of captivity…However, the big picture is no doubt the Messiah.

The Servant of the Lord
42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4     he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

❤️

………….

We know the Lord is talking to the Israelites but look closely who was ALWAYS grafted into the plan of salvation.  Read this next part: He is talking about YOU (gentiles).

6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

HOWEVER,  there will be a time where God will still bring justice to those who continue to worship idols…and many will.  They are deaf and blind to repenting. (I know many people in this category)

“For a long time I have kept silent,
I have been quiet and held myself back.

But now, like a woman in childbirth,

(I stopped right there and thought….Oh my…this isn’t going to be light)

20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.”
21 It pleased the Lord
for the sake of his righteousness
to make his law great and glorious.

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Chapter 43

11 I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13     Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”

…………..

18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!

………….

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more. ❤️❤️❤️

Now put on a worship song that you love.  (I would love for you to put it in comments or text it to me and I will put it in for you.