ISAIAH: GOD CONTROLS THE NATIONS GOD PROMISES COMFORT TO HIS PEOPLE ISAIAH CHAPTER S 40 TO 48 _NORMAN HILLYER_ CHAPTER 40 This chapter begins the second half of the Book of Isaiah. • In CHAPTER S 1 TO 39, God warns his people about judgement for *sins. In these Chapter s, Assyria is the enemy... [ Continue Reading ]
The *Lord’s words are to ‘my people’. They are the *Lord’s own special people. They belong to him by a personal *covenant (see Exodus chapter 24).... [ Continue Reading ]
Enemies had ruined *Jerusalem 70 years earlier. But now the people will be able to build it again (see Isaiah 44:28). • The final words of this verse may seem to mean ‘double punishment’. However, this would be neither ‘comfort’ (verse 1) nor *justice (see Genesis 18:25). • The word ‘double’ has t... [ Continue Reading ]
The *New Testament declares John the *Baptist to be the person who is shouting (see Matthew 3:3 and John 1:23). Of course, John’s message was not about freedom from Babylon. He lived several centuries after the *Jews returned from Babylon. But John’s message was similar. His message was about the ar... [ Continue Reading ]
The *Lord’s road is to be straight and level. And it is to be free from blocks in the way. When the road is ready, the *Lord will definitely arrive. He will be able to travel without difficulty or problems. • The arrival of the *Lord to come to his people’s aid (see Judges 5:4-5; Psalms 68:7-8) com... [ Continue Reading ]
The *Lord promises that all nations will see him in his great *glory. This is the subject of Psalms 95:100 in particular. GOD’S WORD LASTS ALWAYS V6 Listen! Someone is shouting, ‘Announce a message in public!’ I replied, ‘What message shall I announce?’ The answer came: ‘Declare that all *human be... [ Continue Reading ]
*Human beings come and go. Their words and actions are never enough.... [ Continue Reading ]
Only God’s words and actions are always permanent and always perfect. THE *LORD HIMSELF LEADS HIS PEOPLE V9 People in *Jerusalem, climb a high mountain and announce the good news! Shout loudly, people in *Zion! Call out the good news! Do not be afraid to speak! Tell the inhabitants of the towns in... [ Continue Reading ]
The phrase ‘do not be afraid’ appears nine more times in the later Chapter s (see Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 43:5; Isaiah 44:2; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 51:7; Isaiah 54:4). Each time the words are to encourage G [ Continue Reading ]
The *Lord is coming to *Jerusalem (verses 3-5). He comes as far more powerful than any nation’s king. He is bringing with him the people that he has rescued from a foreign country. Although the *Lord is so powerful, he is very tender (gentle) towards his special people.... [ Continue Reading ]
The *Lord looks after his people like someone who looks after sheep. The Bible often uses this description, for example: Psalms 23; Zechariah 11:7; John 10:11. NOBODY CAN BE LIKE THE *LORD GOD V12 No *human being can measure the seas in the cup (centre) of his hand. But God can. No *human being ca... [ Continue Reading ]
The greatness of God is very different from anything that exists. Anyway, God himself created everything (see the Book of Job, chapter 38).... [ Continue Reading ]
God is completely self-sufficient. In other words, he does not depend on anyone else.... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither the political power nor the military power of the greatest of nations means anything to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
A man may try to make his own god. But an *idol cannot live. And it has no possible use. Its maker even has to fix it firmly in position. Otherwise it will fall. • The *Lord God is spirit. He is not like the physical things that exist in this world. So any effort to represent him by means of a mode... [ Continue Reading ]
It was God who created the world. And God created all that is in the world (see Genesis chapter 1).... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing in human society is as temporary as political power. God can take it away in a moment.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing can ever compare with God’s power (verse 12); his wisdom (verses 13-14); his greatness (verses 15-17); his control (verses 22-23); his authority (verse 24); or his *holiness (verse 25).... [ Continue Reading ]
To give honour to the stars in the heavens was of great importance in *Babylonian life. The practice became attractive to God’s people. They could see the bright stars. They could not see the *Lord. • God created the stars. He remembers them all by name. So the God of Israel will certainly remember... [ Continue Reading ]
Sometimes God’s people suppose that he has left them. They think that he does not still care about them. It is still a common experience. But it is not true. In fact, God continues to care about his people when they suffer. And he will bring comfort and aid.... [ Continue Reading ]
Both God’s patience and his perfect knowledge are greater than *human beings can ever imagine.... [ Continue Reading ]
God’s own strength is without limit. He is always ready to give new energy to weak and tired people who trust him.... [ Continue Reading ]
God’s gift of new energy will help his people to a better knowledge of his ways. SINS ~ evil deeds. JERUSALEM ~ at the time of David and Solomon, the capital of the country called Israel. During the time of Isaiah, Jerusalem was the capital of the country called Judah. LORD ~ God’s personal name in... [ Continue Reading ]