Isaiah 40 KJV: Comfort, Hope, And God's Power

Isaiah 40 in the King James Version (KJV) is a powerful and comforting chapter that speaks of hope, redemption, and the incomparable greatness of God. This chapter marks a significant shift in the Book of Isaiah, transitioning from prophecies of judgment to messages of comfort and restoration for the exiled Israelites. Let's dive deep into this chapter, verse by verse, to unpack its profound meaning and relevance.

Comfort for God's People (Isaiah 40:1-2)

The chapter opens with a call to comfort God's people. “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1-2 KJV)

This initial verse sets the tone for the entire chapter. It's a divine command to bring solace to the Israelites, who have suffered greatly in exile. The repetition of “Comfort ye, comfort ye” emphasizes the urgency and importance of this message. God is instructing the prophets to speak tenderly to Jerusalem, assuring them that their time of hardship is coming to an end. Their “warfare is accomplished,” meaning their period of suffering and punishment is over. More importantly, their “iniquity is pardoned,” signifying that God has forgiven their sins. The phrase “she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins” suggests that Jerusalem has been fully recompensed for her transgressions, and now is the time for healing and restoration. This section underscores God's mercy and His willingness to forgive and restore His people after a period of deserved punishment. It’s a reminder that even in the face of severe consequences, God's love and compassion endure, offering a path to redemption and renewal.

Preparing the Way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3-5)

Next, we hear about preparing the way for the Lord. “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:3-5 KJV)

This section introduces the imagery of preparing a royal highway for the Lord. The voice crying in the wilderness is often interpreted as John the Baptist, who, in the New Testament, is identified as the one who would prepare the way for Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4-6, John 1:23). The call to “prepare ye the way of the Lord” signifies a spiritual and moral preparation. It’s about removing obstacles and making a clear path for God to manifest His glory. The command to “make straight in the desert a highway for our God” implies that even in desolate and barren places, a way can be made for God. The transformation of the landscape – valleys being exalted, mountains being made low, crooked paths straightened, and rough places made plain – symbolizes the spiritual transformation that needs to occur in the hearts of people. This preparation is not just a physical endeavor but a profound spiritual readiness to receive God. The ultimate purpose of this preparation is that “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” This is a universal promise, indicating that God's glory will be made manifest to all people, and it is a declaration confirmed by the Lord Himself: “for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” This section is a powerful reminder of the need for spiritual readiness and the promise of God's universal revelation.

The Word of God Endures (Isaiah 40:6-8)

Isaiah emphasizes the enduring nature of God's word. “The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:6-8 KJV)

Here, the fleeting nature of human life is contrasted with the eternal permanence of God's word. The imagery of “all flesh is grass” and “all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field” highlights the temporary and fragile nature of human existence. Just as grass withers and flowers fade under the scorching heat, so too does human life pass away. This is a sobering reminder of our mortality and the transient nature of earthly things. However, the passage offers a powerful contrast: “but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” This declaration emphasizes the enduring and unchanging nature of God's word. While human life is temporary and subject to decay, God's word is eternal and steadfast. It is a source of lasting truth, hope, and guidance that transcends the limitations of human existence. This contrast serves to reassure believers that even in the face of life's uncertainties and challenges, they can rely on the unwavering and eternal nature of God's word. It is a testament to the reliability and permanence of God's promises and teachings, offering comfort and assurance to those who trust in Him. This section encourages us to place our faith not in the fleeting things of this world, but in the eternal word of God.

The Good Tidings of Zion (Isaiah 40:9-11)

The prophet calls on Zion to proclaim the good news. “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:9-11 KJV)

This passage is a call to Zion and Jerusalem to boldly proclaim the arrival of God. The command to “get thee up into the high mountain” and “lift up thy voice with strength” emphasizes the need for a clear and confident declaration. The message is simple yet profound: “Behold your God!” This is an invitation to recognize and acknowledge the presence and power of God in their midst. The passage continues to describe the Lord God as coming “with strong hand,” signifying His power and authority. His “arm shall rule for him,” indicating that He will govern with strength and justice. Yet, this powerful God is also portrayed as a gentle shepherd. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” This imagery conveys God's tender care and compassion for His people. He is not only a mighty ruler but also a loving and protective shepherd who tends to the needs of His flock with gentleness and care. This dual portrayal of God – as both powerful and compassionate – underscores the multifaceted nature of His character. It reassures believers that they can trust in His strength and authority while also finding comfort in His love and care. This section is a beautiful depiction of God's reign, combining justice and power with tenderness and compassion.

The Incomparable God (Isaiah 40:12-31)

The rest of the chapter emphasizes the incomparable nature of God. “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:12-31 KJV)

This extensive passage is a powerful declaration of God's unparalleled greatness and sovereignty. It begins by posing a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the immensity of God's power and wisdom. “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span?” These questions emphasize that God's understanding and control over creation are beyond human comprehension. The passage diminishes the significance of nations, comparing them to “a drop of a bucket” and “the small dust of the balance.” This serves to underscore the vast difference between God's majesty and the limited power of earthly kingdoms. The futility of idolatry is also addressed, pointing out the absurdity of creating graven images to represent the incomparable God. “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” The passage emphasizes that God is far above any human representation or comparison. It affirms that God sits “upon the circle of the earth” and stretches out the heavens like a curtain, highlighting His supreme authority over all creation. The passage also addresses the feelings of despair and abandonment that the Israelites may have felt in exile. “Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?” It reassures them that God is aware of their plight and that His power and understanding are limitless. The passage concludes with a message of hope and encouragement for those who trust in God. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” This promise offers comfort and assurance to those who feel weak and discouraged, reminding them that God provides strength and renewal to those who wait on Him. This section is a comprehensive affirmation of God's unique and unmatched greatness, His sovereignty over all creation, and His unwavering care for His people.

In summary, Isaiah 40 is a message of comfort, hope, and the revelation of God's power and glory. It assures God's people of His forgiveness, His enduring word, and His incomparable greatness. It’s a reminder that even in times of hardship, God is present, powerful, and caring, offering strength and renewal to those who trust in Him. Guys, this chapter is truly awesome and full of inspiration!