In the day of Isaiah, Israel was in a national covenant with Yahweh. God chose them to be his holy nation, and he promised them material blessings based upon covenantal faithfulness. However, should they choose to rebel and turn away from him, disastrous national curses would be their promised lot.
Famous was Israel’s folly. For short seasons of time, they proved to be fairly serious about their worship of Yahweh, but the norm seemed to be shameless immorality, idolatry, and injustice in his face.
However, God was patient and longsuffering, and despite their rank defiance, he loved them by sending prophetic preachers their way. These ministers included Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah — a prophet from Jerusalem who ministered in both Judah and Israel over a span of 40 years.
Yet, both Judah and Israel spurned God’s serious love. There was no fear, reverence, honor, respect, or awe in their eyes. Refusing to repent, they proved to be stiff-necked mules.
Therefore, in chapters 1-39, Isaiah was inspired to write regarding God’s faithfulness to his national covenant. Hard consequences were coming — Assyria’s invasion, Babylon’s domination, Jerusalem’s fall, Israel’s exile, and horrific anguish were coming over the horizon.
However, in chapters 40 and following, hope was promised. For some future people of God, catastrophic justice would not be the final word. God promised …
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God … And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” … The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young … Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness … Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they 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. (Isaiah 40:1-31 )
Oh friends, as God entered into a national covenant with Israel, so he has entered into an international covenant with his bride — his kingdom — his church. And all Jews and Israelites are invited to come and join.
However, there is a huge difference between the covenant made with national Israel and that made with the “Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16) Their blessings were contingent upon their own faithfulness; ours made dependent upon the faithfulness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And all came to pass as planned. As predicted and promised, One showed up in the wilderness. His coming was not secret; for thousands of years humanity has been reading of the faithful performance of the glorious Jesus Christ.
He came. He lived. He obeyed. He earned. He passed along to his bride the affirmation of the Heavenly Father, “Well done my good and faithful servants.”
He came. He humbled himself. He suffered. He died. More than sufficient payment was received by the Heavenly Judge for all the sins of his bride.
He rose. He ascended. He sits enthroned. He prays, and he speaks. And what does he say to us this morning?
“Comfort, comfort!”
Tenderly he speaks and says, “Our warfare is ended. Our iniquity is pardoned. The Judge is more than satisfied.
Happily he calls us to worship. Let those with strength climb high mountains and herald the Good News. Let everyone else go through cities proclaiming, “Behold our God!”
Who is like him? He is incomparable.
He comes with might; his arm rules.
He ordains, raises, and humbles nations and their leaders. The Lord God brings princes, lords, ayatollahs, supreme leaders, czars, and presidents to nothing; rulers of the earth are as emptiness. They are sown, planted, and they wither under God’s breath and tempest. Before him, they are like stubble.
Sadly — some, many, most, sometimes us — turn to idols. How foolish, placing our trust in things created by men, propped up, who cannot move and cannot help. But not us … not today.
He does not faint or grow weary. He has understanding that is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint. He increases strength to him who has no might. He renews the strength of those who wait for the Lord. They mount up with wings like eagles. They run and do not become weary. They walk and do not faint.
Finally, he comes to collect his reward; that’s us. He creates, owns, rules, and governs the universe. We will see him face to face.
Lift up your eyes on high and see your Creator.
Lift up your eyes on high and see your Merciful Savior.
Lift up your eyes on high and see your Satisfied Judge.
Lift up your eyes on high and see your Good Shepherd.
Lift us your eyes on high and behold your God!
Unfathomable Grace 