There are many traces of other biblical teachings found in this chapter. In fact, this is the original source for much material that will appear again in the New Testament.
Isaiah 40 begins with a recognition that Judah has suffered and now the time has arrived for God's people to be comforted. "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God" (vs. 1). The prophet is not delivering a message of wrath but one of peace and comfort from the Lord.
In words that will be picked up by John the Baptist in the Gospels, we read, "A voice cries out, 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (vs. 3). This, of course, became John's mission statement (John 1:23).
In the remainder of this chapter, we hear these glorious descriptions of God:
- His word stands forever, whereas people are like fading flowers and withering grass (vs. 6-8).
- He rules with might and strength (vs. 10).
- In compassion, He cares for His people and tends to them (vs. 11).
- He made all of Creation without any help or instruction from anyone (vs. 12-14).
- Nothing compares to God, He is so far above Creation (vs. 15-17).
- God is far superior to any idol (vs. 18-20).
- He directs history by bringing the mighty down (vs. 22-24).
- He is everlasting (vs. 28).
- He is all-powerful (vs. 28).
- He is all-wise (vs. 28).
The final verses show us that God doesn't just hoard all His power for Himself; He shares it with the weak and needy. "He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (vs. 29-31).
Let us be among those who wait for the Lord and find ourselves lifted up on wings like eagles!
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