Isaiah 40

A.M. 3294. B.C. 710.

Here begins the latter section of Isaiah’s prophecies, continued from hence to the end of the book, without any apparent interruption. “Taken together,” says Bishop Lowth, “they constitute the most elegant part of the sacred writings of the Old Testament; interspersed also with many passages of the highest sublimity.” They were probably delivered in the latter part of Hezekiah’s reign, after the defeat of Sennacherib, and are divided from those of the former section, not only by the historical chapters which intervene, but are distinguished from them in the scope and manner of writing, which, in general, is more elevated and sublime than in those of the preceding part. The subjects being chiefly more grand and magnificent, the prophet raises his style, and treats them with a loftiness of expression suitable to their dignity. In the former part the name of the prophet is frequently prefixed to the particular sermons, besides the general title at the beginning of the book, as Isaiah 2:1 ; Isaiah 7:3 ; Isaiah 13:1 ; but henceforward to the end the prophecy proceeds, as in one continued discourse, and the prophet is not so much as once named. There the distress which the people of God were in by the Assyrian, and their deliverance from that calamity, were the principal subjects; but here these things are spoken of as past, Isaiah 52:4 ; and the captivity in Babylon, and their deliverance out of it, which were much greater events, and of more extensive and abiding concern, are foretold and enlarged upon. For in the midst of deserved wrath, God remembered mercy, and “before he sent his people into captivity, he furnished them with the means of support and comfort under their trouble: and we may well imagine of what great use to them the glorious and gracious light of these prophecies was in that cloudy and dark day, and how much it helped to dry up their tears by the rivers of Babylon. But they look further yet, and to greater things. Much of Christ and of gospel grace we met with in the foregoing part of this book; but in this latter part we shall find much more: and, as if it were designed for a prophetical summary of the New Testament, it begins with the subject which begins the gospels, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Isaiah 40:3 ; and concludes with that which concludes the book of the Revelation, the new heavens and the new earth, Isaiah 66:22 .”

In this chapter we have,

(1,) A command to comfort God’s people with the glad tidings of redemption, Isaiah 40:1 , Isaiah 40:2 .

(2,) These tidings introduced by a voice in the wilderness, giving assurance that all obstruction shall be removed, and that though all creatures fail and fade, the word of God shall be confirmed and accomplished, Isaiah 40:3-8 .

(3,) A joyful prospect given to the people of God of the happy consequences of this redemption, Isaiah 40:9-11 .

(4,) The sovereignty and power of that God magnified, who effects this redemption, Isaiah 40:12-17 .

(5,) Idols triumphed over, and idolaters upbraided with their folly, Isaiah 40:18-26 .

(6,) The people of God reproved for their fears and despondences, and encouragement given them by gracious promises, Isaiah 40:27-31 .