Isaiah 40:1-11
1 Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out!”
And I said,[a] “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass;
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers; the flower fades,
[[when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers; the flower fades,]][b]
but the word of our God will stand forever.
9 Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;[c]
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;[d]
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him
and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms
and carry them in his bosom
and gently lead the mother sheep.
DEVOTIONAL
In this passage, Isaiah addressed the period of exile in which Jerusalem had been destroyed, and the majority of Judeans were taken to live in Babylon. This devastating event included the unthinkable destruction of the temple which represented the very presence of God in ancient Israel. It is likely that many exiles felt that God had abandoned them as earlier prophets had warned, because of the sins of the people. While punishments had been endured in the past, never had God’s house and the city of God’s presence been destroyed. This time, perhaps things had gone too far, and the sins of the community had driven God away, allowing the onslaught of Babylonian oppression.
In the midst of this seemingly hopeless condition, the prophet announced “comfort” with the assurance that Jerusalem “has served her term” and “her penalty is paid,” for she had received “double for all her sins” (vv. 1-2; NRSV). God had not abandoned the exiles! The prophet called for the construction of a “highway of holiness” (v. 3; compare 35:8; NASB) on which the Lord will travel to rescue the exiles and bring them home!
In preparation for God’s coming to the exiles – having to cross the wilderness from Judah to Babylon – the people were instructed that they must, “In (through) the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord.” Imagine an ancient bulldozer filling in “every valley” and flattening “every mountain and hill,” making “uneven ground” level and “rough places” smooth (vv. 3-4). This highway suggests a dual image: the road through the wilderness on which God will come to rescue the exiles, and the path prepared in the hearts of the exiles to receive their God.
As John the Baptist echoed the prophet’s call, we are to prepare for God’s coming in Christ (Matt 3:3). We must make a way in our hearts, clearing a smooth path for God to enter and rule in our lives. This is good news which proclaims that God has not abandoned His children! Whatever crises or trials may be oppressing you, be comforted by the coming of our Lord.
This Advent, prepare the way of the Lord who comes to deliver and to save!
Author: Thomas King
Other Scriptures for today:
- Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
- John 1:19-28
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