After the hard reading of the passages from yesterday’s words of woe from the Lord, we find ourselves today in a great section of scripture.  By the time we get to Chapter 40, we get to these words (some of my favorite in the Bible):

²⁸ Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Here are a few thought that come to mind from reading theses passages today:

1. Chapters 14-24 is covered with prophesy of the Lord “opening up a can” on the people who are living apart from Him.

2. It’s no wonder the people of Israel misread the Lord’s prophesy about the long-expected King (Jesus) being a warrior king.

3.  The tone begins to change in chapters 25-27 to words of praise to the Lord.

4.  My favorite verse in this section of scripture is: “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” (Isaiah 26:8)

The book of Isaiah is a long and complex writing.  Today’s section of scripture begins the first 13 chapters of the total 66 chapters of Isaiah.  In this section, much of the prophet’s words are directed toward the people of Judah.  The Lord is speaking through Isaiah to bring judgment on the people of Judah for the way they’ve been acting and their need to turn back to the Lord.

To me, the most important parts of this section of scripture are the description of heaven that Isaiah recounted in chapter six and the verses that begin to point directly to the coming Savior.  Much of these passages foretell the coming King, Jesus Christ.  Check out: Isa. 7:14-16, Isa. 9:2, Isa. 9:6-7, Isa. 11:1-5, Isa. 11:10-12.