Isaiah 40-42
A New Beginning
There is a marked change between Chapters 39 and 40 of Isaiah. The first 39 chapters, for the most part, speak of the coming judgment of the nations of Israel and Judah. The theme from Chapter 40 on is comfort.
God had to humble the pride of the two nations. Israel had been taken and the remnant of survivors have been scattered throughout the Assyrian empire. Babylon will destroy Jerusalem and take the remnant of survivors to Babylon. The pride of the nations will be reduced to dust. It is only then that they become willing to listen to the message God has for them.
Pride is like an over inflated balloon that soon bursts and is no more. The message beginning in Chapter 40 is meant to bring man down to size. God does this by comparing man to God. Man’s time on earth is brief. God is eternal. God is so big that in comparison the nations are dust on the scales.
In 1977 NASA launched Voyager 1&2 spacecrafts. Their mission was to explore the outer planets of our solar system. It took them nearly 35 years to reach the end of our solar system. Today they hold the title of having gone the farthest of any man made spacecraft and are still traveling through space at 10 miles a second. After leaving our solar system NASA set them on course to the nearest star to earth. In 40,000 years, give or take, one of them could reach this star if they have enough fuel which, of course, they don't.
God is comparing man to the universe He has created in order that we might understand how big it is, if that is possible. He is also comparing the idols man makes and puts his faith in compared to the true and living God.
God also uses the geology of how the coastlands are formed to help us understand who God is and how vast His wisdom is.
David, in Psalm 8:3&4 writes, When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? NASB
God’s message is to comfort His people because He is truly thinking of you and me and He has a plan we are going to like!
Pastor Dave