FUTURE COMFORT FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Isaiah 40:1-31
*Chapter 39 introduced the future judgment of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
Juday would spend 70 years in Babylonian exile for her sin. The remainder of
Isaiah speaks of future things concerning those in exile and those who will return, and has much to say about the coming Messiah.
I. Comfort My People (vs. 1-11)
a. While this could be viewed as the reprieve from the Assyrian invasion, the
judgment spoken against Jerusalem from Babylon is still to come. What
here points to a future comfort?
b. Verses 3-5 are prophetic and see fulfillment in Matthew 3. To whom does
this refer?
c. Verses 6-8 draw a contrast. What is the contrast and what stands as most
important?
d. Verses 9-11 point to another yet to come. Who is it, and how do you
know?
II. To Whom Then Will You Liken God? (vs. 12-20)
a. Verse 12 considers creation and the magnitude of its detail. What is this
intended to do?
b. Verses 13-17 are reminders to Judah that God is before all, above all, and
beyond all. Does man still need to be reminded of these facts?
c. Verses 18-20 contrast the Awesomeness of their God to the feeble
constructs of idolatry. Is there any real comparison?
III. To Whom Will You Liken Me? (vs. 21-31)
a. How is God’s omnipotence contrasted with the fitness of man in
verses 21-26?
b. Verse 27 reveals the vain thoughts of man. In it, man expresses the idea
that what he does is not seen by the Almighty or is his just cause a concern
of God. What does God say about this?
c. Against the grandeur, majesty, and power of God, what overwhelming
truth is revealed in verses 29-31?
Application: How awesome is God?
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