I. Comfort for the Oppressed
"Comfort, comfort my people" were the starting words. It was a very different intent and tone from the first 39 chapters. Chapters 1-39 were about predominantly Condemnation and Punishment; Chapters 40-66 were about Comfort and Promises.
"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem" literally means speaking to the heart. It was not just a passing or surface statement, but a message God wants the people to know and to feel. (v2)
Two main points God wants them to know: (a) Warfare is ended (b) Iniquity is pardoned. In our lives, many "warfares" are because of consequences of our own disobedience. God is never pleased when we are being punished, and He is always there to comfort us that the pain or difficulties will be over soon. In addition, He reminds us our iniquity has been pardoned, and this was made a reality after Christ died for us.
The phrase "to receive from the Lord's hand double for all their sins" (v2), does not mean they were punished twice for their sins, but "double" means "to fold over, fold in half" which means that the sin and the payment had been equal.
In hind sight, we realise that our punishments are not corresponding to our sins, else we would not only suffer in life but also separated from God after life. Rather, Jesus was the one who had taken the punishment to make it "equal" to what we would have to bear.
"Make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (v3) is symbolic of making a way for God to come. Yet There are mountains and crooked paths that need to straightened out. Rough places needed to be smoothen out. Then the glory of God will be revealed. This is not just applicable at a national level, but most importantly, at a personal level. Our hearts first need to settled down, accept that the warfare is over, that we have been forgiven, and we now need to change our attitudes, our behavior to allow God's glory to outshine our own ambitions, so that "all flesh shall see it".
Luke 3:4 attribute this prophecy to what John the baptist was doing to prepare the "hearts" of the people to received Jesus. What was the real message to the "hearts" of the people? In verse 6-8, it speaks about the frailty and brevity of life. We all will fade away, but the word of God stands forever. (v8) God's word has been around since the time of Moses, and has never been proved wrong. If this is the case, it speaks about the urgency and humility for individuals to invite God into our hearts.
“All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." (1 Peter 1:23-25)
II. Preparing for His Coming (9-11)
"Behold your God!" (v9) invites us to gaze on the majesty of God. But when you gaze at God, what comes to mind other than His majesty? Perhaps different people will see a different aspect of God because of their personal experience. These may be love, power, confidence, tenderness, comfort, provider, help, and so on.
When God comes, he will come with power and brings reward to his people. He will provide for his people and He will carry the weak (the lambs) and young in His arms. (v11) Jesus was the good, the great and the Chief Shepherd:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)
"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep.. " (Heb 13:20)
"And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." (1 Pet 5:4)
III. God's Supremacy (12-17)
Global and Space - God reminded the people of his greatness, where the creation is small compared to Himself. His "hands" can hold all the waters and can measure the heaven. All the mountains on earth can be measured on a scale. (v12)
Science and Moral Knowledge - God is not just omnipotence but also omniscient. He has all the knowledge and understanding, but also the moral knowledge such as justice. (v14)
Nations and Politics - The nations are a "drop in the bucket" compared to God's power. Even if the entire forest of Lebanon was used to burn all the sacrificial animals, they would not be sufficient to satisfy God. Nations are nothing and worthless to God. What is important to God are the souls of men.
IV. God the Creator (18-26)
Objects of Worship - verses 18-20 is a mockery of idols, where the workman has to choose durable wood and carve something that will not fall over. Today, we have other idols, from materialism to pleasures.
God, on the other hand, was the "original" creator. He sits above the Earth, and all the inhabitants are like grasshoppers.
He is the one who controls who becomes princes or judges, when they rise and when they fall.
God wants us to "lift up our eyes on high", to look and understand the number and the nature of the stars, and ponder God's majesty and power and ask the question "To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?" (v25)
V. God our Caretaker (27-31)
Our lives are not hidden from God, even when we thought so. (v27) God neither faints nor is weary, and his understanding is "unsearchable", he knows everything. God knows our needs.
God is the one who strengthen us when we need it. We wait on the Lord and when time is right, he gives us strength to soar above our problems. "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (40:31)
No comments:
Post a Comment