There has been a lot said about the NATIONS of the world, going all the way back to Isaiah chapter 13. (I never realized what an International Prophet this great man of God really was.) Of course, a sizeable amount of that Material concerns Judah and Jerusalem, the “home front” for Isaiah.

And even the way Chapter 39 ends, with a “focus” on Babylon, is quite significant. (Babylon, the NEXT NATION that will try to dominate (persecute, if not annihilate) Judah.

Remember, he (Isaiah) ministered under the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. After which the leadership quality in that little Land deteriorated rapidly. With King Josiah being the only significant “bright spot.” All the others being dismal failures. Yes, Manasseh (who reigned 55 years) finally repented, but it was nearly a case of “too little, too late.”

In other words, Judah is heading toward National Calamity. The “Babylonian Captivity,” to be exact.

Yet in all those decades of chaos, Isaiah chapters 40-66 promise “better days” ahead, in the distant future anyway, for Judah. For Israel really, the whole Nation!

This is one reason Isaiah is often called the “Evangelist” among the Old Testament Prophets. He says a lot (at times in Type and Symbol and then at times by Direct Inference then actually by Name) about Jesus!

All I am saying today is that Isaiah chapters 40 onward should be the most exciting part of the book.

In fact, look at the opening words of chapter 40, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.” Verses 1 and 2, thrilling!

What a change of pace!

The Lord willing, we shall begin this fairly long (but equally profitable) journey tomorrow morning. Twenty-seven more chapters!

Let’s all be willing learners!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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