July 2 - Isaiah 40:6-11

July 2 – Isaiah 40:6-11

“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

Sometimes it is hard to imagine that the prophets of the Old Testament actually heard the voice of God speaking to them.  I’m pretty certain that I would be terrified out of my mind if I heard a voice saying to me, “Cry out!”  But, Isaiah had been a prophet of God for a long time and God’s voice was familiar to him.

Read that sentence again.  God’s voice was familiar to him.  As much as I would be terrified, there is a certain bit of envy that I feel in that.  To hear the voice of God and recognize it would be an amazing thing, even if I was going to be asked to deliver bad news.

What should he cry out?  That man is going to be around forever.  We’re like grass and all of the amazing things … all of our glory … are like flowers in the field.  The grass withers and dies and the flowers – even in all of their beauty – will fall.  The hot winds blow over the grass and the flowers and they will not be able to withstand the heat.  God wasn’t finished with the Israelites.  They were going to fall. 

But, the one thing that stands above our frailty, our sin and our changeable behavior is God’s word.  We can’t be trusted, we don’t have the strength to be forever steadfast, but God does.  He will stand fast forever. 

In the next verses we find Isaiah commanding the prophets of Israel to bring good news!  He is prophesying the end of Israel’s misery.  God is returning.  This is such great news and it is the same news that we are to bring to the world.  Go to a high mountain, lift up your voice with a shout and don’t be afraid.  Call out to the world – God is here!!!  He came in the form of a man so that we could recognize Him.  Jesus Christ is our Savior.  Shout the Good News!

In ancient times, there were several different types of rulers.  There were tyrants and dictators, but the excellent rulers not only wielded their strength in power, but cared for their people as a shepherd cares for His flock. 

The arm suggests power – Isaiah uses this imagery throughout this book; his reward and recompense are symbols of a triumphant return for an army – returning with booty and loot following a successful battle.

God will care for his children, he will do so with sovereign power and he will do so as a shepherd who tenderly loves his sheep.