Chronological Bible Study – July 26
What I Noticed Today (Isaiah 40-43)
Isaiah 40
In verses 1-11, God speaks to the people through Isaiah. Their time of judgment is near an end. A voice (probably Isaiah) called out to prepare the way for the Lord as the Lord’s glory will soon be revealed (vv. 3-5). A second voice cries out (probably God), stating that the word of our God will stand forever (vv. 6-8). A messenger was to pass on Isaiah’s message telling the towns of Judah that the Lord was coming. Verse 11 says the Lord will both carry and lead the weak and young in the flock.
In verses 12-26, God’s majesty is described. Isaiah asks five rhetorical questions in verses 12-14, showing that God created the universe without needing help from anyone.
- In verses 18-20, Isaiah contrasts God’s creation with the idols made by man, out of elements that God created.
- God’s sovereignty and control over the world are described in verses 21-26. God created the heavens and the earth, he establishes and takes down rulers, and God calls even the stars by name.
In verses 27-31, Isaiah reassures the people of Jacob and Israel that God was still watching over them, His strength never weakens, and those who remain faithful to the Lord will be restored.
Isaiah 41
Isaiah 41 is a challenge from God to all the nations to come face Him for a trial.
In verse 1, the reference to islands (or some translations coastlands) is directed to all the nations of the world.
In verses 2-4, the Lord states emphatically that it is He that brings events to pass. He is the first and the last.
Note: The “one from the east,” referred to in verse 2, is Cyrus, King of Persia, who defeated Babylon in 539 B.C.
In verses 5-7, The nations band together in an attempt to defeat Cyrus, but rather than turning to God, they turn to the metalworkers to make more idols.
In verses 8-10, God reminds Israel that He has chosen them; thus, they should not fear because He will strengthen them and help them.
In verses 11-16, God makes it clear that He will not help those nations who oppose Israel. Those who strive against Israel will perish.
In verses 17-20, God states again how He will care for the people of Israel (they are the poor and needy) by bringing water to desert lands. He will cause springs to rise up. Seven kinds of trees are listed in verse 19 that will all grow in what was a desert.
In verses 21-24, God challenges the nations to bring forth their idols to tell about the former things and to tell about the future to prove they are gods.
In verses 25-29, God states it was He who called Cyrus up in the north. The false gods and idols of other nations knew nothing of God’s plan and were worthless.
Isaiah 42
Verses 1-17, is referred to as a “Servant Song.”
Note: Isaiah’s reference to “servant” may be either the Messiah or the nation of Israel, depending on the context of the passage.
In verses 1-4, the servant who has the spirit of God is the Messiah.
In verses 5-7, The Lord, who created the heavens and the earth will give you (the Messiah) as a covenant to the people.
In verses 8-9, the Lord will not let foreign idols take credit for what He has done. Only He can tell of the former things and the things to come.
Verses 10-17, is a song of celebration and praise to God by people all over the world, because of His victory and judgment over His enemies.
In verses 18-25, Isaiah describes Israel’s failure to hear and see God’s Law. These were spiritual disabilities. Referring to Israel, he exhorts them to hear and see what God has done, but they disregarded God even though they had heard and seen His works.
The Lord had promised to bless the people of Israel if they would live by His Law, but they did not so they would face the judgment of being driven out of their cities, put in prison, and left with no one to rescue them except the Lord.
Isaiah 43
In verses 1-9, God explicitly calls out Judah and Israel, saying they need not fear because God had created them and redeemed them. God will be with them through the waters and the fire because He is their Lord and Savior. God ransomed them because they are precious in His eyes, and He loves them. God created them and ransomed them, loves them, and has promised to be with them and restore them to their land!
In verses 8-13, God challenges other nations to bring witnesses who can speak of things past and things to come as a way of demonstrating to Israel’s spiritually deaf and blind that He was their God.
In verses 14-21, Isaiah says, “thus the Lord speaks” to emphasize this is the Lord speaking through him. God identifies himself as redeemer, Holy One, the Lord, creator, and king. God promised he would bring defeat to the Babylonians. He will do a new work making a way in the desert, providing water in abundance, and His people will praise Him.
Verses 22-28 referring to the Israelite’s future exodus from Babylon; Isaiah says God would save them. They had not called on God or worshiped him with offerings, sacrifices, or incense because they were weary of God. Their sins had been piling up and had wearied God.
Even though the Lord would forgive Israel (v. 25), they still needed to state their case (v. 26) if they think they were right. However, their first fathers had sinned, as had their priests and prophets. Therefore, God would deliver them to destruction (which occurred in the Babylonian captivity).
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.