ComFort, Comfort my people
A Message of Consolation
Comfort, comfort my people, says your G-d, speak to the heart of Jerusalem… (Isaiah 40:1,2)
That’s what we read in the Book of Isaiah.
But what is this message of consolation with which G-d wants His people Israel to be comforted?
It is a message that all of Jerusalem’s troubles and hardship will be over. “And cry to her that her hardship is ended” (Isaiah 40:2).
The Tender Shepherd Bringing Home His Flock
The message of consolation is that G-d will come and act.
“Behold the L-rd G-d comes with might, and His arm rules for Him” (Isaiah 40:10). And we immediately hear about the result of the “ruling of his arm.”
“Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him” (Isaiah 40:10).
This speaks of G-d’s own reward and recompense. It is what He acquired by His work, by the “ruling of His arm.” What G-d acquired with His work goes before Him: His redeemed people, His flock.
Because the message of consolation is a message that G-d Himself as a tender Shepherd will bring His people home in the Jerusalem-to-come, where all trouble is over.
“He will tend His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arms, He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11)
A Key to Understanding
The message of consolation is a beautiful message of hope. It is true because G-d promised it (Isaiah 40:5,8). But does all Israel automatically share in this consolation?
To come to the enjoyment of the comfort of G-d something really key is essential. Or to state it better: there is someone at the heart of Isaiah’s message of consolation whom we should get to know in order to be part of the people brought home by G-d.
From Wrath to Eternal Favor
What is needed to be redeemed? Let’s consider the following: why did Jerusalem endure hardship in the first place?
Because G-d was angry with His people and had to punish them because of their sins. “You have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His wrath” we read in Isaiah 51:17.
But now the message for Jerusalem is: “She has received from the L-rd’s hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:2). In other words, in His grace G-d says to Jerusalem “It is more than enough. You won’t be punished for your sins anymore.” “The bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more” (Isaiah 51:22).
In an amazing act of undeserved mercy G-d forgives all of Israel’s sin. “Her iniquity is pardoned” (Isaiah 40:2).
At first Jerusalem was under G-d’s wrath; now Jerusalem will enjoy G-d’s eternal favor. “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed” (Isaiah 54:10).
But how does Jerusalem get into this state of eternal favor? And how can we be one of her children enjoying such amazing peace? “And great shall be the peace of her children” (Isaiah 53:13), Isaiah tells us.
A Special Servant at the Heart of the Good News
Through Isaiah G-d points to a very special person who does something extraordinary. Twice G-d says “Behold My servant…” (Isaiah 42:1, 52:13). Being G-d’s servant here means “someone through whom G-d acts in a special way.”
Not only will this servant restore Israel, G-d will do far more through him. G-d even says: “I will give you as light to the nations, to be My salvation to the end of the earth”(Isaiah 49:6)
So what does this special servant do? He dies for Israel’s sins, then lives again (Isaiah 53). Through Him G-d’s people are led home. “He who has pity on them will lead them” (Isaiah 49:10).
The Confession of Redeemed Israel
Here is what the Israel that is forgiven and brought home by the servant will say: “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
see also: Isaiah 53: the Gate to Shalom
Who is He?
But who is this special servant of the LORD through whom you can enjoy G-d’s eternal favor forever? That’s a question of the utmost importance.
“Who among you fears the L-RD and listens to the voice of His servant?” we read in Isaiah 50:10. So If we want to be true G-d-fearers we will listen to this Servant. So who is He?
We are convinced this servant is Jesus of Nazareth. No one else fulfills Isaiah’s prophecies.
Based on Strong Testimony
Jesus of Nazareth died by crucifixion but then rose again from the dead. His disciples witnessed it and testified to this. They were willing to suffer and die for this testimony. Would they be willing to do that if they hadn’t witnessed with their own eyes Jesus was alive again?
If Jesus indeed died and rose again, if He indeed fulfilled this prophecy, then what?
Then He is the one who offers Israel G-d’s comfort. Then it is through Him that we come into G-d’s forever favor. Then it is through faith in Him that we join the eternal homecoming in the Jerusalem where all trouble is gone.
Invitation
Not sure? Not convinced? You disagree? Well, we’d love to talk.
We invite you to check out the evidence and further explore these claims.
We invite you to read the New Testament (Brit Hadasha) to see for yourself how prophecy became history.
We invite you into G-d’s eternal comfort.
