Isaiah 40                                                                                           15 August 2000 

REVIEW OF ISAIAH   (ISA 1-39)

1.  Judah in the days of Isaiah (739-686 B.C., Israel, the northern kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians in 732 B.C.).

2.  Judah severely reproached for being unrepentant with reference to her sinful ways:-

a)  Judah had virtually become like Sodom and Gomorrah   Isa 1:9-10

b)  The nation had become so full of pride   Isa 2-3

c)  The people had become very degenerate   Isa 5

d)  The spiritual leaders were in a spiritual stupor   Isa 29

e)  There was no trust in the Lord, only in their political allies (Egypt)   Isa 30-31

3.  Messianic Hope preached

a)  Messianic Reign envisioned   Isa 2, 11, 35

b)  The Virgin Birth of the Messiah prophesied   Isa 7:14

c)  Further light on the Person and Kingdom of the Messiah  

     Isa 9:6-7; 16:5

d)  A “Remnant” will understand and appreciate the Promises of the Lord Isa 10

e)  The Spirit of the Lord will come upon the Messiah   Isa 11:1-5

f)  “A precious cornerstone, a sure foundation”   Isa 28:16

4.  Messages of Hope

a)     Forgiveness and Cleansing   Isa 1:18

b)  The Declaration of the Lord that He will yet have mercy on His people   Isa 14:1-2

c)  “They shall see the glory of the Lord... behold your God...”   Isa 35:4

5.      Appropriate Responses (Best exemplified by Isaiah)

a)  “Here am I! Send me”   Isa 6:8

b)  “Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me.  We are for signs and wonders in Israel”   Isa 8:18

c) “Praise the Lord, call upon His Name”  Isa 12:4

d)  “O Lord, You are my God...”   Isa 25:1

e)  “Trust in the Lord forever...”   Isa 26:4

f)  “The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord...”   Isa 29:19

g)  “Blessed are those who wait for You...”   Isa 30:18

h)  “O Lord, be gracious to us...”   Isa 33:2

i)   “Search from the Book of the Lord...”   Isa 34:16

A STIRRING THEME OF “COMFORT” PREACHED  (ISA 40)

1.  Not a new message, for the preaching/prophesying of the Messianic Hope should have brought a tremendous amount of comfort to the people

2.  The preaching of the theme of “comfort” is more directly addressed, (rather than derived)

a)  A promise of Comfort   Isa 40:1-2 (Note repetition)

b)  Warfare is ended, iniquity pardoned   Isa 40:2

c)  “Double blessing” after forgiveness of sins   Isa 40:2

3.  “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed... Behold, your God”      Isa 40:5, 10