If you seek to interpret the Bible literally, as I have been taught to do, these Millennium Verses are so exhilarating!
For example today’s Text, Isaiah 40:1-2 … “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.”
Something has happened in Jerusalem!
Instead of constant readiness for war, constant hatred and scorn flowing from all her neighbors, constant existential threats surfacing daily … “Comfort,” yes double “Comfort!”
What a change, what a “reversal” … due totally (I believe) to Jesus’ Second Coming to earth!
And not only does our Text suggest a cessation of hostilities … but a forgiveness of sin! With both results being miraculous, just the second a greater one than the first!
“Comfort” (in Hebrew “nacham”) is a powerfully emotional verb here. The Lord is quite excited, putting all His Strength behind the imperative. And, if you recall, when the Hebrew language doubles a word or phrase … its emphasis is increased exponentially!
And just (here) who are God’s people? The next Line answers, the inhabitants of “Jerusalem!”
Salvation has come! Jesus has come! Faith and belief in Him have come! The city that recently was a “cup of trembling unto all people” (Zechariah 12:2) is now “the joy of the whole earth!!!” (Psalm 42:8)
Because “her iniquity is pardoned.” Her “sins” (specifically “perversions,” the noun “avon” in Hebrew) have been “forgiven.” Yet a strange thing here, the verb for “pardoned” is literally “ratzsah,” normally translated “to be pleased with, to accept!”
I figure God has so washed away Israel’s putrid sins … that once where there was abomination and stench (in God’s Nostrils) there is now “delight and favor!”
Wow!
Remember the last time Jesus spoke to this Capital City? “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:37-38
That’s NOT speaking comfortably!
But once she has repented, the people of that metropolis will again enjoy the gracious blessing of the Lord Jesus, His Presence too!
In fact, Jesus’ very next Words to Jerusalem in Matthew 23 … “Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
Amen!
Israel has been punished for her spiritual failures, sins … punished to a 200% extent, according to Isaiah! Maybe God’s math here is calculating … double sins/double punishments/but now DOUBLE BLESSINGS!
However, looks like to me … “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20, Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
I don’t even live in Jerusalem and my heart is comforted this morning, just studying this golden Millennial Promise!
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