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The Bible Teaching Commentary on Genesis: The Book of Foundations
Commentaries that specialize on training the teacher!
Understanding the Heart
of Discipleship
Isaiah 40:1-5
The Bible Teaching Commentary
Paul J. Bucknell
_________________________
Isaiah 40:1-5 Intro | Isaiah 40:1-2 | Isaiah 40:3-4 | Isaiah 40:5
Isaiah 40:1-5 Study Questions
Book of Isaiah: Overview, Chronology and Ouline
Introduction
The Lord has a loving plan for each one of His children, but this plan or project is not what we usually think of. One might think of a big construction site rather than a sofa with nice pillows.
God shapes His people through His Word and circumstances so to create a place for His glory. He indeed does forgive us of our sins, but He is insistent on cleaning our hearts of those sins, whether it be a big mountain or a deep steep valley. God is clearing a way through repentance. God has something much greater to place in our hearts!
The more we understand God's plan,
the easier and quicker it is to make progress
Text: Isaiah 40:1-5
”Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. “Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received of the LORD’S hand Double for all her sins.” A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:1-5, NASB).
Isaiah 40 DirectoryIntroduction |
Purpose
To help us understand the way God disciples His people that we might work along with Him and make more loyal disciples and effective servants.
Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven, we have such a narrow view of your training program for our lives. We think that our lives are fully trained after a few difficult sessions, but in fact we hardly see our faults. Please forgive us. Cleanse us. Teach us Your ways. We have pride that needs to be eliminated and wounded areas where we improperly respond in fears, doubts and bitterness. We call out to Thee that Thou would change us more like Christ. May our goal only to be more like Christ even if it means facing these hard shaping times. Thank you for your constant love and that You discipline all those you love. In Christ's Name we pray, amen.
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Discussion
The LORD in Isaiah 40:1-5 highlights the overall means by which He redeems and uses His people. These three stages perfectly correspond with the three New Testament teachings of Christian living. The Lord justifies, sanctifies and glorifies His people.
These three points, then, form an overall view of the journey of discipleship that our LORD takes His people on. We will first look at the summary chart and then a more fuller description below.
OVERVIEW OF OUR JOURNEY OF DISCIPLESHIP ISAIAH 40:1-5
Scripture |
Summary |
A. True ComfortIsaiah 4O:1-2“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.” |
The covenant with God's people stands behind all His works with and in His people including judgment. Once God's purpose through discipline is accomplished, it is ceased. Here, then, they will find comfort and encouragement.
ApplicationNo matter how difficult the process, we are never to undermine God's work by asking, "Doesn't He love me?" His love is everlasting. God disciplines His children because of His love. |
B. An Empty Room(Isaiah 40:3-4)"A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley." (Isaiah 40:3,4). |
God's purpose is to make room for Himself. He does this through lifting the valleys and lowering the mountains. ApplicationGod helps us make room for Him in our lives. This is sanctification - setting apart to Himself. He does this in two chief ways: (1) He helps us overcome the lack of faith where we have given up hope, and (2) He helps us get rid of different manifestations of pride and self-confidence. |
C. The Lord's Glory(Isaiah 40:5)"Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” |
God only receives glory when His work is made manifest in our lives. ApplicationWe must strive as our life's goal to bring glory to His Name. This means we allow Him to do His work in and through us the way He desires. This begins now on earth but is perfected in His presence. |
This passage highlights the three levels of discipleship that each believer is designed to pass. Biblical Foundations for Freedom has many resources to help you train others at each of these levels. Check out our who library of free resources for this first level of discipleship or go to our store! |
- Next => A True Comfort (Isaiah 40:1-2)
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Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted:
(C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988