OVERVIEW:
Judah’s future captivity in Babylon and promise of deliverance (40:1–11); God’s omnipotence (40:12–26); God’s sustaining power (40:27–31); God’s sovereignty in history (41:1–7); God’s protection of Israel (41:8–20); God’s challenge to the idols (41:21–29); the Servant of the Lord (42:1–25); the assurance of Israel’s restoration (43:1–44:5); the witness of the restored nation (44:6–23); the fulfillment of restoration (44:24–45:25).
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
In the “microcosm of the Bible”, that we call the book of Isaiah, having covered the first 39 chapters, representative of the Old Testament, we begin today the section representative of the New Testament. (Chapters 40–66) Interestingly enough, as we come to chapter 40, Isaiah begins, as does Matthew in the New Testament, with “The voice of him (John the Baptist — Matthew 3:1–3) that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (40:3)
For the record, this passage in Isaiah is one the key places I take Jehovah’s FALSE Witnesses as I engage them outside the doors of my house (2nd John 7–10 tells us not to let them in our house!), just before I lovingly, but very matter-of-factly, tell them they are of an “antichrist spirit”! (2nd John 7) Note that when Isaiah makes this prophecy (which the Jehovah’s FALSE Witnesses will very readily agree is in reference to John the Baptist!), Isaiah says, that he (John the Baptist) will be preparing the way of “Jehovah”. Remember, every time the word “Lord” appears in the Old Testament in a King James Bible (with a tall capital “L,” and smaller capital letters for the “ord”), as in Isaiah 40:3, it is signifying that this is the Hebrew word for “Jehovah”. The word is even translated “Jehovah” in the “Bible” (and I use the term extremely loosely!) that the Jehovah’s FALSE Witnesses use! When Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled and recorded in Matthew 3:1–3, “Jehovah” just happens to be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!!! The same incredible truth also took place earlier in the book of Isaiah, in chapter 6 and verse 5. In this verse, Isaiah saw “Jehovah” (the “Lord” of hosts — KJV) in all of His glory. When the Holy Spirit writes of this (2nd Peter 1:21) in John 12:37–41, He says that Isaiah was seeing “CHRIST’S glory” and was speaking of “CHRIST!!!” Hallelujah! And all of God’s people said, “AMEN!!!” Jesus Christ IS Jehovah!!!
Now, please allow me to show you a few more, little Jehovah’s FALSE Witness “ditties”. In chapter 42:8, God clearly says that “GLORY” belongs to “JEHOVAH” (“the Lord” – KJV) ALONE(!!!): “I am the Lord: that is my name (“Jehovah!”): and my glory will I not give to another.” John 1:14 says, “And the Word (“Christ” – John 1:1) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Very simply, in light of Isaiah 42:8, if Jesus Christ isn’t “Jehovah,” where did He get His glory? Hopefully, you’re seeing how monumental these verses are! In John 17:5, as Jesus prayed to “Jehovah”, His Father, He prayed, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Again, in light of Isaiah 42:8, why would Jesus ask for something “Jehovah” doesn’t give?
In chapter 43 and verse 10, God makes reference to His “witnesses.” These are what we might call the “Jehovah’s TRUE Witnesses!” In verse 11, God says very clearly, that there is only one “Jehovah” (“the Lord” – KJV), and “Jehovah” is the ONLY SAVIOUR: “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.” With that in mind, check out Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOUR Jesus Christ.” Notice that Jesus Christ is referred to as the “SAVIOUR” (Isaiah 43:11), and that He is “THE GREAT GOD!” Not “a” God, like the Jehovah’s FALSE Witnesses’ “Bible” says in John 1:1… but “THE GOD!!!” Doesn’t that just make you wanna shout a big hearty, “AMEN!”?
In chapter 44 and verse 6, it lets us know that “Jehovah” (“the Lord” – KJV) is the ONLY eternal God, and that the attribute of being “the first and the last” is only true of “Jehovah God”! In light of the clear teaching of this verse, check out Revelation 1:10–11! John says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice (in the context, it is the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ!), as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, THE FIRST AND THE LAST.” Hallelujah to ya!!!
Here is just one more. Chapter 44 and verse 24 says that “Jehovah” (“the Lord” – KJV) made “all things” by HIMSELF (“myself”). In light of that, check out John 1:1–3: “ALL THINGS(!!!) were made by him (that is, by the “Word”, the Lord Jesus Christ!); and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3) Then, check out Colossians 1:16: “For by him (the “Son” — Colossians 1:13, again, the Lord Jesus Christ!) were ALL THINGS created (just as in Isaiah 44:24!) that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL THINGS (there it is again!) were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:16) There’s no mistaking it biblically, folks! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is “JEHOVAH!”
To help you keep your bearings as you make your way through the chapters in today’s reading, please refer to the outline provided in today’s more extensive “OVERVIEW.”
SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:
- 40:10 – “the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him.”
- 42:4 – “till he have set judgment in the earth”
- 42:13 – “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man”
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
- As JEHOVAH in the verses in today’s reading listed above — Isaiah 40:3; 42:8; 43:10–11; 44:6; 44:24
- As SHEPHERD — Isaiah 40:11 (John 10:11)
- As CREATOR — Isaiah 40:28 (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:16)
- As REDEEMER — Isaiah 41:14 (Galatians 3:13; 1st Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 5:9)
- As HE TO WHOM EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE SWEAR (CONFESS) — Isaiah 45:23 (Philippians 2:10)