Focal Passage: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
This is the first of six Bible Studies for Life entitled: Looking Forward to CHRISTmas.
(I always spell it “CHRISTmas,” by the way. For years I have put CHRIST in all caps. It’s a reminder to me and everyone that we are not the reason for the season, He is. After all, it’s not “ChristmUS!” )
Looking Forward is a good choice of words; we all remember from childhood that a huge part of any CHRISTmas morning was the anticipation of it. So it was — to an immeasurably greater degree — that very first CHRISTmas: centuries of anticipating the wondrous day of Christ’s birth on earth had millions of saints and angels ‘on tip-toe’ with excitement!
Surely there’s no place in Scripture better than Isaiah 40 to begin studying the CHRISTmas anticipation; today’s lesson is Looking forward with HOPE.
How do YOU define H-O-P-E? How about “Hanging On, Praying Expectantly”? I personally like to say “Hallelujah! Our Promises Endure.”
Either way, Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 40 is filled with an expectant HOPE.
Dawson
One Bible teacher describes verse 1, “The thunder and lightning of Mount Sinai has now subsided, smothered by the wonderful message of God’s grace.” Yes, the first 39 chapters of Isaiah — much like the first 39 books of the Bible itself (Old Testament Scriptures) — are filled with the ‘thunder and lightning’ of God’s judgment on His disobedient people. But now in chapter 40, the prophet Isaiah clears the air with the comforting fresh wind of grace and HOPE.
“Voices of hope” could be the theme of our focal passage.
Notice the references to voices: “‘Comfort, comfort My people,’ says your God. ‘Speak tenderly to her, and announce’ … A voice of one crying out. … the mouth of the Lord has spoken. … herald of good news … raise your voice loudly … say …”
Every voice in this passage is filled with hope. What kinds of voices are they?
Verses 1-2, A comforting voice. This is the voice of a loving Heavenly Father, speaking through Isaiah. Comfort, comfort My people, says your God. The “God of all comfort” (II Corinthians 1:3-5) tells Isaiah to speak tenderly to His people. Isaiah is to announce that God’s people have three reasons to hope: her days of captivity are over, her sins are forgiven, and she has been given “double” what she deserves.
When a certain radio host is asked, “How are you doing?” His well-known reply is “Better than I deserve.” Aren’t we ALL!
Verses 3-5, A compelling voice. This is the voice of John the Baptist, foretold 600+ years before the words “Prepare the way…” came out of his mouth! All four Gospels quote verse 3 as applying to John the Baptist, a truly compelling voice. Are YOUR words getting others ‘ready for CHRISTmas’ — clearing the way for them to see Jesus in all His glory?
Verses 9-10, A commissioning voice. These sound like the words of the Great Commission to Christ’s followers. We’re to raise our voice — “tell the world” — that Jesus, the governing SOVEREIGN is also the gentle SHEPHERD, and is coming back SOON!
WE are the (CHRISTmas) herald of good news, the Gospel; let’s “GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN!” B&R — Dawson is pastor emeterius at First Baptist Church, Columbia, and has served as transitional interim pastor at numerous churches across the state since his retirement from full-time ministry.
