Prepare the Way of the Lord
“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. (Isaiah 40:1)” – The time and place of this proclamation was near the end of the long captivity of the Judean exiles in Babylon. The exhortation to comfort the people was directed to the priests and prophets; they are to console the people with an assurance that better times were ahead. This proclamation of good news gave the exiles renewed hope to start over and rebuild their lives.
That proclamation also serves as the prologue of Isaiah chapters 40-55, also known as Deutero-Isaiah or Second Isaiah, which many scripture scholars believe was written by an anonymous prophet during the end of the Babylonian exile. Knowing this information lends to a deeper understanding and appreciation of what was said and written whenever we read the bible.
Why would a message that was given over 2,500 years ago have any relevance in this day and age? Isaiah chapter 40 not only foretells the coming of the Messiah, but it also gives us clues on who He is, and what kind of a Messiah He will be.
The message in Isaiah chapter 40 foretold of a voice in the wilderness proclaiming “Prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! (Isaiah 40:3)” These same words were used in Mark 1:13 to describe John the Baptist – he was the voice crying out in the desert, calling the people to repentance so that they can prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The message in Isaiah chapter 40 also foretold that the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and He shall be like a shepherd (Isaiah 40:5): He will feed His flock, He will gather His people and carry them in His bosom, and He will lead them with care (Isaiah 40:11). That prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ; He is the Good Shepherd who gathers His people, He cares for them and He leads them.