The Word of our God

January 2, 2011

Lesson: Isaiah 40:1–11

Key Verse: Isaiah 40:8

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Introduction

As there is no other Name (Jehovah God) under heaven whereby we are saved, there is no other written Word whereby we are comforted. This Word, written, is not of men but of God. We have been given His Word. It is the grass that withers, “but the word of our God shall stand forever.” The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God. The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches us that by the inward work of the Holy Spirit, we are fully persuaded and assured “of the infallible truth and divine authority” of Scripture. Further, “the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture.”

The Gospel is nothing more or less than Isaiah’s statement that “the word of our God shall stand forever.” Paul testifies that his preaching was not “with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:4). It was the Spirit and His authority, or word, that made the preaching of the Gospel of Christ efficacious. It was the wisdom of God, not of man, that must be preached. Paul said that he spoke “the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory” (2:7). It is that which was hidden and now revealed by God that we preach of Christ. For “it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (2:9).

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Comfort my People—Isaiah 40:1–2

Who are those who need comfort? They are the people of God! How can we be a comfort to those around us when we do not know our Lord’s comfort? When we look at the world and condemn its sins, forgetting that log wedged into our own eye, then we do not know the comfort of our Lord. The Lord speaks to Isaiah that he may proclaim clearly, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”

It is in a sense of unworthiness that we find our best comfort in Christ. It is then that we feel the breath of the Lord upon us. The compassion of the Lord breathes heavily upon those who come to Him, knowing that He alone can and will deliver us from our transgressions and despair. This comfort is found in Christ our Good Shepherd: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4).

Isaiah is to speak to the people “comfortably,” or from a heart of deep concern and understanding. The one who gives such comfort knows that “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it… The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Prov. 16:22–24). The message from the Lord that Isaiah is to preach, is that His people’s “warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.” The reason for God’s forgiveness is that “she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” The Lord’s justice has been accomplished. He has given to Israel what justice demands, no more, no less. In Christ, by the grace of our Father, we have received justice. Christ took upon Himself our sins, guilt, and deserved punishment. In Him we are comforted, having our iniquity pardoned.

Discussion: What is Isaiah’s message to God’s people?

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The Glory of the Lord—Isaiah 40:3–5

That pardon, given to His people, Israel, is justified in Him who will come. Remember the “voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Receiving “double” or true justice for their sins, the people of God hear the promise of redemption. In the desert there will be a straight way. The valleys and mountains will be made as one land, that all may see, having no crooked paths or rough places to walk. The highway will be for God’s walk, not ours. It will be His way of salvation. His Son will be sent, and no one will be able to hinder His coming.

The Gospel writers are moved to see this verse fulfilled in John the Baptist, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matt. 3:3). The One who walks this straight path is confirmed by John, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). In Him who is the only Way, Truth, and Life, will we see the glory of God. In that straight path, that provision and promise kept, will the glory of God be seen. ‘Glory’ meaning all that is revealed of our God and His Messiah, as He is revealed in His Word. He and His marvelous work of grace will be revealed, “and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

Discussion: How is the glory of the Lord revealed?

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The Enduring Word—Isaiah 40:6–8

What the “mouth of the Lord” has spoken will endure forever. For “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Every gift comes by the Word of the Lord. He spoke, and the earth was formed. The Lord spoke, and creation was his from the minutest cell to the mighty sun. The grass soon turns brown, the flower loses its beauty, but “the word of our God shall stand forever!” It is the flesh of man that is like grass. So is their goodness. For the good they may do comes from the lust of their flesh. Both will pass away. Only the Word of God will stand firm. Only His goodness that He manifests in His people will stand.

It is the Lord who “breathes” upon the flesh of man and the flower of the field. In His breath there is life. It is He who gives life, and who takes it away. It is the Lord who sends forth His Spirit, and they “are created; and thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the Lord shall endure forever; the Lord shall rejoice in his works” (Ps. 104:30–31).

Discussion: What does it mean that the Word of the Lord stands forever?

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The Lord’s Herald—Isaiah 40:9–11

Who is the Lord’s herald? The teaching elder or pastor is set apart to teach, admonish, and comfort; they are ministers of the Word. However, who is to do the work of the herald? Are we not all to be heralds or evangelists? It is the family led by the father; it is the congregation led by the under-shepherds; the people of God getting that high mountain, and not hiding the Word under a basket. The Lord says, “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain.” That we might get the full meaning of this, the Lord repeats the same thought in other words, “O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength.” This command to be God’s herald is not to say that we have to add something to our list of certain gifts. It is saying that one of the basic characteristics of the Church of our Savior is that of a herald. This is what Zion, Jerusalem, His congregation, is: a herald. This is part of the nature of the Church. Therefore, get into that position where the voice of the Gospel will be heard. We do this with the strength and authority of our King and Savior. Therefore we are not to be timid or afraid, but proclaim to the people of God, “Behold your God!” It is the Lord who will come with a strong and authoritative hand. He will rule with majesty. His reward is with Him, for what He will say and do will be accomplished to the glory of the Father. His word is efficacious as the Gospel is heralded. It will be seen in the reward, that all that comes to Him will not be lost. Scripture teaches this of Christ: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

It is the Church that needs to hear this message. We cannot preach Christ unless first Christ is preached to us. We cannot give glory to God in our daily lives unless we have seen the glory of God in our fellowship as sheep of our Good Shepherd. O Zion, proclaim the Word of God, the full counsel of our Lord, clearly and strongly. In Christ, then, we will see the glory of the triune godhead.

Discussion: Who is to be the herald of the good news of Christ?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.