Isaiah preached during the reigns of a number of kings, the most notable being Hezekiah, with whom he has a lot of interaction. He preaches both before and after the time of the Assyrian capture of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel, so in some ways the message of hope after the captivity that we have been seeing from the prophets during and after the Babylonian captivity of Judah are similarly present. In other ways, the message is different - here, there is no specific date set for the new heaven and earth promised. Also, with the Kingdom of Judah still being present, that changes the setting also, as Isaiah is also preaching to them directly. The date is very important in understanding the future events prophesied - the naming of Cyrus more than a century before the Babylonian captivity and about 2 centuries before Cyrus' edict give us strong affirmation of the control of the future by God, and knowing He can also be relied upon to fulfil the things in this passage that have not yet come to pass.
Comfort is a theme in the passage before us. Mentioned 16 times in these chapters 40-66, compared to 2 times in the prior chapters, and there are also 21 mentions of peace, a related concept. These chapters are definitely shifted in tone from the ones before, as the prophet relays his message from God focused less on the immediate happenings, and more on the overall picture of God's plan and purposes, looking far into the future.
The initial chapters of this section focus upon the Lord strengthening us, and there is much descriptive energy given to this. We also see His power and might - His ability to strengthen us.
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.
(Isa 40:28-29)
Leading on from this, we again see the frustration of God over the idolatry of the people. Here is the all-powerful, omnipotent, omniscient, loving, caring, righteous God - eternally living - and yet the people find inanimate things in the world, shape them by their own hands, and then worship them as gods.
I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
(Isa 45:5)
Yet despite their continued rejection of Him - for His Name's sake, and His praise He continues to rescue them and redeem them. This leads us into the next part, where the prophet considers the coming Messiah. In the early part of this section we saw tell that He would be caring and kind, not breaking the bruised or treading down those already fallen - now we see Him again. The famous section here on Christ starts with the fact that He will be exalted and extolled, and immediately lists His suffering. So counter to what the world expects - and yet it is indeed because of the suffering that He is so worthy of the praise!
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(Isa 53:5-6)
The language of divorce and putting away in Chapter 50 now changes to a language referring to marriage in Chapter 54.
There are a number of chapters that deal with ethics. Again, the recurring theme is one of not only outward displays but practical actions - heart attitude as well as going through motions. Our righteousness is not seen in how well we do things by ourselves, but how we interact with other people.
We see that in that time, the evil was still rife, and anyone not going along with it became a target (59:15). But the Lord does not neglect His own, and this leads us back into the description of our Deliverer, Christ, Who executes righteousness and justice. Now we see Him coming in vengeance against the wicked - a contrast to the suffering servant we saw earlier, yet clearly the same person.
The passage finishes with further description of the new age that the next coming of Messiah will introduce, and more description of the coming itself. it is hard to imagine a place as described here, yet we can rejoice in the knowledge and firm hope of the promise.
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
(Isa 66:18)
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
(Isa 66:23-24)
How glad we can be for a Lord that knows us intimately! How sobering it is to remind ourselves of the ultimate end for those who do not know Him - at the end of this message of hope for the righteous (through Him), we see Hell described for those who disobey God. It is interesting that both descriptors of Hell are used here, the festering waste pile/dump full of maggots and worms, and the burning lake of fire - indicative of the rottenness of evil, and the intense suffering apart from God. As the prophets of old, let us expound the message of God's truth to all people, warning them, so that He might use the message of the Gospel of His Grace to redeem them from the festering fiery destination they are currently heading! Praise God for the grace shown unto us that He has redeemed us from such a fate and brought us into this promise of a new hope! Praise the Lord!
And happy new year - I am writing this sentence as a countdown song happens across the road. Thank you Lord for all You have been to us in this past year, and I pray for your continued work in this country and around the world, in Your power, according to Your plan and purposes. Thank you for all Your guidance, for Your Word, and we rest in You for continued strength and guidance in the coming year - as You have promised to grant us, and we know You are ever with us. To You be all glory and honour, now and forever Amen.
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