Deliverance

In Isaiah 40, Isaiah announces God’s coming glory and His power while showing the people their helplessness. Isaiah holds up God’s faithfulness and promise to bring home a faithful remnant as a source of hope and assurance. By pointing out the power of God to do all that He has promised to do, Isaiah reminds the people of God that He is at work in His purpose and His desire to walk with them, renewing their strength day by day. These images are replayed in the chapters to follow, offering comfort and assurance to the people. It is a change from the first 39 chapters. While we have seen broad judgments before, Isaiah now concentrates on Babylon and the coming captivity, as well as the promise of release and return. Isaiah 41 shares God’s promise of deliverance from captivity. A captivity that was brought on by the sin of the nation, but that would be overcome by God. Isaiah 43-45 goes back to the picture of redemption and is followed by a picture and promise of God’s judgment against Babylon in chapters 46-47. Chapters 48-52 and 54-59 reveal that Israel’s release from Babylon will result in exultation and celebration by the people of God. The foundation laid in chapter 40 is worked through the remaining book by drawing the people, and the reader, into the surety of God’s faithfulness and power.