Scholars point out that Isaiah is like a mini-Bible because it has 66 chapters like the Bible has 66 books, and has a distinct change of message beginning in chapter 40 like the Bible’s division between Old Testament and New at the fortieth book. Note what’s different in Isaiah’s message in today’s reading, and understand what a precious Savior and what great salvation we have.
The opening verses speak of comfort, tenderness, the end of warfare, and iniquity being pardoned. Why would that be, when the people’s sin is ongoing? Because there is a point where God says, “Enough; it’s time for a new plan.” Are you ready for the revealing of this new plan? It’s exciting enough for the hearers to prepare for it. And here it is: “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it.” It might have been hard for the first readers to get excited about that very obscure plan, but it should be easier for us to get excited about it, knowing that He is referring to Jesus’ coming to earth. But what kind of plan for man’s salvation is that, that God’s glory is revealed? How does that allow for pardon of sin?
God’s plan for man’s salvation is a wonderful plan; the more we understand about it, the more we realize how wonderful it is. In these chapters in Isaiah God gives us insight into the salvation that He has provided for us, insight that is unique, and so provides a fuller picture of our salvation than the New Testament alone provides. I encourage you to spend time contemplating what Isaiah says about the salvation God has provided to us, and what our wonderful Savior has accomplished for us. I’ll give a few hints by explaining some of the imagery that is more difficult to understand.
In verses 41:17-18 He talks about the poor and needy seeking water and His answering them. This is imagery that Isaiah will continue to use to indicate seekers who will find God: we must come poor and needy, that is, recognizing our impoverished state and total inability to remedy that situation. We need to come as needy for God’s provision for our souls as a parched person is for water. For as ignorant as we may be to the truth, we truly are like a wilderness that needs tamed by God. Do you understand how needy you are for God’s help? If you don’t, ask God for that gift of neediness so that you can come to Him as needy as you must be to receive the rivers and springs and pool of water, the abundant answer to your need, that He wants to give.
Verses 42:2-4 describe Jesus when He was on earth. He didn’t clamor for attention or seek to create a hype; He came quietly. He was so gentle that He didn’t break so much as a damaged reed. Are you damaged? Can you cherish the gentleness with which He came, with which He still wants to meet you today? He didn’t quench a faintly burning wick – that would be someone whose flame is burning so dimly that it’s in danger of going out. He didn’t quench that faint feeling then, and He doesn’t want to quench it now; He wants to fan those faint flames into passion. Doesn’t that understanding fan your flames of love for Him, and doesn’t that flicker make you want to be the light-giving flame He wants you to be? Please talk to Him about what shape your flame is in and what He can do in you!
There are many other images in these chapters. Please consider what God intends for them to convey, and what that means to you and your relationship with Him. The more we understand about the great salvation our Savior makes possible for us, the more we are able to realize that salvation in our own lives. This is some important reading for us; I’m praying for you, that God will use it in your life as powerfully as He has used it in mine.