What unlikely group of people shall faint and fall?
(Isaias 40:1-31; Mat. 3:1-3; Luc. 3:4-6; Juan 1:23; 2 Cor. 1:1-5; Apoc. 22:12) Blog 14-20 Feb. 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In the first 39 chapters of Isaiah, like in the 39 books of the Old Testament, we have looked forward to a Divine Deliverer. The hypocrisy of God’s covenant bride has been confronted, the pride of the human heart has been condemned, the promise of future glory for God’s remnant has been made, and deliverance has been promised. Now in chapter 40, like the entrance of the New Testament God comes to comfort his people.
Comforting Jerusalem (Isa. 40:1-11; Matt. 3:1-3; 2 Cor. 1:1-5; Rev. 7:15-17)
1. What is the codename of God’s people? Jerusalem.
2. How can the prophet Isaiah say that the warfare of God’s people “is accomplished”? Because he is foreseeing the battle that Christ will wage & win on earth – he who bore the double penalty for all our sins.
3. What preparations for Christ’s advent does Isaiah next outline? Those of making a straight path to the Savior by opening his Word to the people, of removing the obstacles of human pride that prevent people from coming to Jesus, & of smoothing out the rough places that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God & slow people down from coming to him (or as in the parable of the sower: having the soil of human hearts well plowed so that the seed of truth may take root) – this was especially the work of John the Baptist.
4. How does Isaiah 40:6-8 apply to the source of authority in God’s church? It pits human reason against God’s Word & concludes that neither the magisterium of the church, nor its leaders, nor its councils hold a candle to the clear statements of the Bible & therefore all these must submit to a “thus saith the Lord.”
5. How are God’s people to comfort and encourage one another? They are to repeat the truth that in Jesus they have the victory over pride, passion, & the devil; that in him there is forgiveness for every sin; that he gently helps the weak while providing all their needs; & that God will come to rule over all, bringing rewards for his faithful people.
6. When does the New Testament, like Isaiah 40:11, say that God will be responsible to feed his people? Revelation 7:15-17 says he will do this when his people are sealed.
7. What do God’s promises of future victory and deliverance create in God’s people? Hope!
8. What book of the New Testament especially deals with God’s comforting of his people.
God’s Nature is an Encouragement (Isaiah 40:12-26)
9. In Isaiah 40:12-14 what characteristic of God is emphasized for our encouragement? That of his omniscient wisdom for no one taught him.
10. What characteristic of God is Isaiah emphasizing when he says, “the nations are as a drop of a bucket” for God? That God is infinite, far beyond our wildest imaginations.
11. To what does Isaiah say that we can compare God? There is nothing that we can compare God to, even though many degrade his majesty by trying to make images of him to enhance their worship.
12. What should we learn about God from Isaiah 40:22? That as Creator of our globe & far above it, God views all – he is omnipresent (not in the pantheistic sense of inhabiting all, but rather as seeing all).
13. What is Isaiah 40:23-25 trying to teach us? That God accomplishes his will in the earth & is always holy in doing so.
14. What characteristic of God is Isaiah emphasizing when he writes of him creating, ordering, and naming the stars? His omnipotent power.
God’s Personhood is an Encouragement (Isaiah 40:27-31)
15. What truth should we learn from Isaiah 40:27? That we are never out of God’s loving sight.
16. What encouraging characteristic of the all-wise, everlasting Creator God does Isaiah 40:28 emphasize? That he never gets tired nor becomes weary of hearing from his people.
17. How are we encouraged by the words of Isaiah 40:29-31? By being assured that God strengthens his people.
18. What unlikely group of people does Isaiah say shall faint and fall? The young people.
19. Whom does Isaiah say shall renew their strength and mount up like eagles? Those that serve God.