ISAIAH 40: 9-11. [ADVENT I SERIES PART IV]
A VOICE OF DECLARATION
[Acts 1:6-8]
The preparer of the way already has been called to bring the life changing message that the glory of the Lord will be revealed on earth. When Immanuel comes He will indwell those who receive Him in order to give them eternal standing before the Lord. This revelation is not only for Israel, but for the nations. This revelation, called the good news, is to be heralded not only by the prophet but by all God’s people. Such glad tidings are to be proclaimed openly with the strong voice of gladness and certainty. It is God’s word for all peoples, in all the earth, in every generation.
This fourth Sunday in advent we will look at the voice’s fourth word. It is A WORD or VOICE OF DECLARATION and is found in verses 9-11 of Isaiah 40. Listen to the command of our God to His people in verse 9. “Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”
The prophet, who seems to be the speaker in verses 9-11, [or perhaps the call is from the same anonymous voice which commanded the previous message] summons Jerusalem to become the ambassador of her God. With mounting urgency the voice calls “Jerusalem” to become part of God's great work. Salvation is not simply so those of Jerusalem can bask in God's mercy. Rather, it is for the sake of the world (2:1-5; 66:18-19). This task of “lifting up the good news” begins as Zion, understanding the Lord’s Word, shouts the good news to all the villages around (52:7¬-10).
Either the new message of comfort or the coming of the Lord is the reason to proclaim the good news. Jerusalem or Zion (the double name so characteristic of the second part of Isaiah) is to relay the good tidings of victory. A victory won by the revelation of the Word of God substantiated by the presence of God is to be announced. It is Jerusalem and Zion who first hear the good news of her God’s return and are commanded to climb, like a herald, to some elevated place, to proclaim the news to the surrounding regions. This reads like our Lord’s command in Acts 1: 8 to spread the Good News from Jerusalem, to all Judea, and then to ends of the earth.
[The word rendered ‘tell good tidings’ is a feminine form and falls in with the usual personification of a city as a woman. She is bid to bear to her daughter cities the glad tidings, that God has revealed Himself. It is the same thought as ‘Cry out and shout, you inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst’ (Isa. 12:6). The prophecy refers to daughter of Zion or the Church. [The imperatives are feminine, appropriate for “the daughter of Zion” (1:8). See NIV’s the marginal rendering. It sets forth her task or calling as the proclamation of her indwelling King. The possession of Christ makes the Church the evangelist for the world; for it gives the capacity and the impulse as well as the obligation to speak the glad tidings. Every Christian has this command binding on him by the fact of his having Christ.]
The command sets forth the bold clearness which should mark the herald’s call. Naturally, anyone with a message to boom out to a crowd would seek some vantage-ground, from where his words might fly farther. If we have good news to deliver, let us seek the best and every advantage to deliver it.
There are too many of God’s heralds who are always apologizing for God’s word, and seeking to reconcile it with popular opinions. We are prone to speak truth less confidently because it is denied; but, while it is needful to speak with gentleness and in meekness to them that oppose, it is cowardly to let one tremor be heard in our tones though a world should deny His message.
The injunction “do not be afraid” will be repeated often in the next chapters. Zion need not fear that God has cast her off, nor that His word will fail. She is to take the position of a prophet, declaring God's plan even when that activity is far in the past or in the future, all with the inspired confidence that God’s Word will stand.
From the beginning of chapter 40 our advent series has been anticipating the coming of the Lord; and now He is now described and depicted, with the repeated call to behold Him in verse 10. “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.”
Our message’s essence is the proclamation of the manifested God. The One prophesied as coming, has already come, and will come again. This revealing of God is what we proclaim. God does not save His people with programs sent from afar. Neither does He save them from a distance. He comes! To gaze on Jesus is to “behold the Lord God.” God has made Himself known in the twin glories of power and gentleness (v. 11) in perfect balance. He comes as a strong one to rule. His dominion rests on His own power, and not on human allies. God is not just another god, He is the “mighty one” whose arm (a symbol of strength) would rule in authority as well as in fairness and justice. [“His arm” suggests Exodus power (Deut 4:34), very appropriate in relation to a return from exile, and due to be most wonderfully expounded later (see 53:1).]
His coming brings reciprocity, not merely as recompensing evil, but as rewarding the faith and hope of those who have followed Him. The reward and the recompense which He bestows and pays to His faithful servants “is with Him” and He presently holds it out before us, to encourage those who trust in Him and wait for Him.
Have you experienced the strong arm of God? I hope so, but if His strong arm is all you know, then be gripped by His other arm of compassion described in verse 11.
In verse 11 the speaker begins to show how one can depend on God to defend and care for those who will turn to Him. “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock. In His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom. He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
Our Lord is frequently spoken of in the Bible as the Shepherd. Here the lovely figure of the Shepherd is carrying the lambs “in His arms.” What a tender, reassuring truth this is for all who are His Sheep. The strength of Jesus’ mighty arm is used, not to wield an iron scepter, but to gather us to His bosom and guide us in His ways.
The Good Shepherd carries “the lambs” in His bosom because He has a tender heart. The sighs, ignorance, and feebleness of the little ones of His flock bring out His compassion. It is His responsibility as a Good Shepherd to consider the weak. He purchased them with His blood, and they are His property. He is responsible for each lamb, bound by a covenant not to lose one. They are all a part of His glory and reward
How may we understand the expression, "He will carry them"? Sometimes He carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial or carry them through great trail. Sometimes they are carried by being filled with an unusual degree of love so that they have the ability to stand firm. Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great delight in what they do know. Frequently, He carries them by giving them a very simple faith which takes His promises just as they stand. As they run straight to Jesus with every problem He takes them into His arms. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence which carries them above the world.
Notice that He carries the lambs in His bosom. His affection for His lambs is boundless. Would He put them in His bosom if He did not love them deeply? Here is tender nearness. They could not possibly be closer. Here is perfect safety. Who can hurt them when they are carried in His bosom? An enemy would have to hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort. May we become more fully aware of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!
God is a shepherd, scooping up His lambs and carrying them close to Him. God provides special treatment for special needs. At certain times our Shepherd will say, This one is hurting. Be careful of her wounds. We’re going to have to carry her for a while.” This tender care of God reminds us of His unique and personal care for us. This is the comfort we need.
God is figured as having two arms in verses 10 and 11. One arm is mighty, powerful, stretched forth in strength and righteousness. One arm tenderly cares for the weak and wounded. Almighty and tender... one awesome God.
In CLOSING
Remember the last time you purchased a new automobile? After a search of numerous car lots and after much research online or in automotive magazines, you decide on and buy the vehicle which best meets your needs. Then, the sun glares down, ice freezes on roadways, other drivers beat upon it, and the warranty expires. All too soon, it is time to seek another new car.
Every other thing on the earth is deteriorating. Even civilizations come and vanish. Governments rise and fall. Cities are built to the heights of brick and mortar and then are covered by the sands of time. Even our bodies that stand on the horizon of time are laid to rest in the grave of history.
We look at all of this and strain our eyes seeking stability. We long for comfort in the midst of change. There is hope for our despair. The creative Word of God brings the flowers to life and the dead in Christ to resurrection. The eternal Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, reaches across history with redemptive hope.
Here is the paradox introduced at the beginning of the book: if I insist I am permanent, then I become nothing; if I admit that God alone is permanent, then He breathes His permanence through His Spirit filled Word into me. Whatever lay ahead for the Israelites, they could know that God's word of promise would not fail them. You can know the same thing also. Come to Jesus, for there is no greater security than to be in the Good Shepherd’s arms.
Remember, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever" (v. 8). Our words are like grass-they dry up and blow away. But God's Word endures forever. Mediate on His Word and let it bring you into God’s presence so He can wrap His arms around you.
“Go Tell it on the Mountain”
PRAYER: Father, We realize that your mission is all about love. You love us so much that you gave us the most precious One in the universe, your Son Jesus Christ. We thank you for sending your Son to die for us. Surely you taught us to love one another!
We invite your peace to rule our hearts! As we end this year and reflect on your many gifts you have given us; let our heart be encouraged with the truth that you are a good God. We thank you for the peace we have through you. May our words and actions be ones that glorify you. Amen.
Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
