Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 40

Verse 1

40:1–55:13 The authorship of the later chapters of Isaiah is debated; the geographical and historical perspective of these chapters shifts from Jerusalem at the turn of the seventh century bc to Babylon in the mid-sixth century bc. As a prophet, Isaiah could have been shown circumstances and events 150 years in the future. But the tone of the speeches in this later section suggests they were written by a contemporary of the events, who pleads with the people to trust God for restoration. (FSB)

Regardless of the setting and identity of the human author, these chapters have much in common with chs. 1–39. They show a well-planned development of Isaiah’s concerns for Yahweh’s holiness, sovereignty, and plans for restoration of Judah. - FSB

40:1 comfort my people -- The consolation and comfort of Israel is a key theme of chs. 40–55. While oracles of restoration and salvation are interspersed with oracles of judgment throughout chs. 1–39, this part of the books is characterized by a reduced focus on judgment; the prophet’s words of comfort are directed at those who have already been punished (see v. 2). - FSB

40:1–48:22 This section looks at the hope and comfort of a blessed future subsequent to God’s judgment in the forthcoming Babylonian captivity.

40:1, 2 Comfort … comfort. -- The prophecy addressed God’s prophets, instructing them to emphasize the theme of comfort to a captive people in a foreign land many miles from their home city of Jerusalem. God has good plans for great blessing to Israel in the future because they are His covenant people, who are never to be permanently cast away (cf. Romans 11:2). - MSB

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Notes from Alex Bayes’ Wed. Zoom Bible Study - May 20, 2020.

Inerrancy of God’s Word --

Isaiah, One little Book that shows and teaches inerrancy of God’s Word.

See Isaiah 40:1 for the full outline.

Notice background and time of Isaiah’s ministry.

Isaiah 40:19 ff Nothing like GOD! No idol is like Him!

Isaiah 40:19-22

Isaiah 40:8 -- "The Word of God" endures forever.

Isaiah 40:12 -- Argument from Creation, Therefore God is in control.

Isaiah 40:12-21; v. 21 - "from the beginning" you have a record (knowledge), you can trust what has been revealed - it is accurate.

Isaiah 40:2 ff into ch. Isaiah 41:2 [Instructions to Cyrus] Who has stirred up ... one from the east (an allusion to "Cyrus", who will specially named later.)

Isaiah 41:4 - Who has done this - "I the Lord"

The Lord "foretelling" about the one from the East.

Isaiah 41:22 -- Idols;

The Word of God cannot be changed, what He said will happen!

Tell us what the future is? So we may know WHO is God!

"God" will know the future!

God can predict, foretell, ell the future of mankind.

Isaiah 43:8-9 -- Which of their gods, (idols) foretold this...?

When you see, hear, my Word -- there are witnesses! The Evidence.

The fact that God can do this --

Nothing God said is in error - It is true!

Isaiah 44:8 Isaiah 44:7-8; God is making a case, "No one but GOD for tells things like this!

Where is the god (idol) that can do this?

God told the truth - long ago - what would happen! (Deut 18; Deut 28)

You can trust what I say! It will come to pass.

Isaiah 44:28 Isaiah 45:1; Isaiah 45:13 v. 28 "Cyrus" - very special, detailed! Note what Cyrus will do -

1) rebuild my city; 2) set my exiles free 3) but not for a price or reward (Cyrus was not bribed to do this)

Isaiah 45:21 - God did not play around with Israel!

God’s challenge to these idols! "Was it not I!"

By my mouth - a word that cannot be revoked!

Isaiah 46:10 - To the gods of Babylon. "I" make known the end from the beginning!

Isaiah 46:8 - None like me! How different GOD is from the idol gods!

Isaiah 48:1-6 - Isaiah 48:3 Therefore I told you these things long ago!

Deuteronomy 28:15 -ff Told them specifically what would happen if they deserted God’s Word and went after idols! Destruction; down to the eating of human flesh.

Isaiah 48:5 - Told this before they happened!

Could not say, "my image did this!"

Read Jeremiah 44 100 years after Isaiah wrote.

Jer saw first hand the things that Isaiah foresaw.

Jeremiah 44:15 - The next generation of Israel. Came to Jeremiah and said,

"We will NOT listen!"

LESSON: Just because you recognize God’s Word is inerrant ...

That doesn’t mean you are in obedience.

How does God’s Word shape you life?

Verse 2

cf. Poole;

Double is oft put for abundantly, as Isaiah 61:7 Jeremiah 16:18 Jeremiah 17:18.

“Double for all her sins” This is not mathematical but poetical for a full and complete amount (cf. Jeremiah 16:18; Revelation 18:6; for positive sense see Isaiah 61:7; Zechariah 9:12). Mercy came after a complete judgment (i.e., Leviticus 26:40-45). - Utley

Verse 19

Isaiah 40:1

Notes from Alex Bayes’ Wed. Zoom Bible Study - May 20, 2020.

Inerrancy of God’s Word --

Isaiah, One little Book that shows and teaches inerrancy of God’s Word.

Notice background and time of Isaiah’s ministry.

Isaiah 40:19 ff Nothing like GOD! No idol is like Him!

Isaiah 40:19-22

Isaiah 40:8 -- "The Word of God" endures forever.

Isaiah 40:12 -- Argument from Creation, Therefore God is in control.

Isaiah 40:12-21; v. 21 - "from the beginning" you have a record (knowledge), you can trust what has been revealed - it is accurate.

Isaiah 40:2 ff into ch. Isaiah 41:2 [Instructions to Cyrus] Who has stirred up ... one from the east (an allusion to "Cyrus", who will specially named later.)

Isaiah 41:4 - Who has done this - "I the Lord"

The Lord "foretelling" about the one from the East.

Isaiah 41:22 -- Idols;

The Word of God cannot be changed, what He said will happen!

Tell us what the future is? So we may know WHO is God!

"God" will know the future!

God can predict, foretell, ell the future of mankind.

Isaiah 43:8-9 -- Which of their gods, (idols) foretold this...?

When you see, hear, my Word -- there are witnesses! The Evidence.

The fact that God can do this --

Nothing God said is in error - It is true!

Isaiah 44:8 Isaiah 44:7-8; God is making a case, "No one but GOD for tells things like this!

Where is the god (idol) that can do this?

God told the truth - long ago - what would happen! (Deut 18; Deut 28)

You can trust what I say! It will come to pass.

Isaiah 44:28 Isaiah 45:1; Isaiah 45:13 v. 28 "Cyrus" - very special, detailed! Note what Cyrus will do -

1) rebuild my city; 2) set my exiles free 3) but not for a price or reward (Cyrus was not bribed to do this)

Isaiah 45:21 - God did not play around with Israel!

God’s challenge to these idols! "Was it not I!"

By my mouth - a word that cannot be revoked!

Isaiah 46:10 - To the gods of Babylon. "I" make known the end from the beginning!

Isaiah 46:8 - None like me! How different GOD is from the idol gods!

Isaiah 48:1-6 - Isaiah 48:3 Therefore I told you these things long ago!

Deuteronomy 28:15 -ff Told them specifically what would happen if they deserted God’s Word and went after idols! Destruction; down to the eating of human flesh.

Isaiah 48:5 - Told this before they happened!

Could not say, "my image did this!"

Read Jeremiah 44 100 years after Isaiah wrote.

Jer saw first hand the things that Isaiah foresaw.

Jeremiah 44:15 - The next generation of Israel. Came to Jeremiah and said,

"We will NOT listen!"

LESSON: Just because you recognize God’s Word is inerrant ...

That doesn’t mean you are in obedience.

How does God’s Word shape you life?