Isaiah 40:9 - Meaning and Application

It was promised in Isaiah 40:5 that the glory of the Lord would be revealed. That promise is the comfort God’s people must hold on to. Here Isaiah tells us how that glory will be shown.

First, it will be revealed to Zion and Jerusalem. Notice will be given to the remnant left in Zion and Jerusalem, the poor people of the land, those who worked as vine-dressers and farmers. They will be told that their brothers are coming back. The same message will also reach the captives who still loved Zion and Jerusalem.

Zion is said to be living with the daughter of Babylon, that is, among the Babylonians (Zac 2:7). Even there, she receives news of Cyrus’s gracious decree. The margin reads, “You who bring good news to Zion,” meaning the messengers who carried that proclamation. They were to do it gladly, make the land ring with it, and speak to the sons of Zion in their own language: “Behold your God.”

Second, Zion and Jerusalem themselves are to publish the news. The words of the text call on those who remain there, or who have already returned, to speak out when deliverance is moving toward completion. They are to announce it in public places where the whole land of Judah can hear. They are to cry out as loudly as they can, without fear of straining their voices. They should not be afraid that enemies will hear and oppose them, or that the news might prove false, or less good than it first seemed.

They are to say to the cities of Judah and all the people of the country, “Behold your God.” When God is carrying out the salvation of his people, they should spread the news carefully among their friends. They should make it clear that God himself has done it. Others may have been used as tools, but God was the one who acted. He is their God, the God who is bound to them in covenant, and he does it for their good and comfort. “Behold him,” they are saying. “Look at his hand in this, and look above all human helpers. The God you have long waited for has finally come” (Isa 25:9).

This may also point to the invitation sent from Jerusalem to the cities of Judah after the return from captivity, when they first set up an altar and came together for sacrifice (Ezr 3:2-4). When God’s worship is restored, his people should quickly send word to their brothers so they can share the joy of it. But the full meaning of this verse reaches farther, to the apostles’ bold public preaching of the gospel to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. The voice in the wilderness had announced that Christ was coming; now the message is that he has come. “Behold the Lamb of God.” Look fully at your Redeemer. “Behold your King, behold your God.”

Now Isaiah tells us what this revealed glory is. “Your God will come,” and he will make himself known in two ways.

He will come with the power and greatness of a prince (Isa 40:10). He comes with a strong hand, too strong to be stopped, even if resisted. His strong hand will bring his people into submission and will hold down and overcome both his enemies and theirs. He is strong enough to break through every obstacle in his path. Our Lord Jesus was full of power, a mighty Savior. Some understand the words to mean that he comes against the mighty one and overpowers him. Satan is the strong man armed, but our Lord Jesus is stronger, and he will prove it.

He will rule in spite of all opposition. His arm will govern, and govern for him, to carry out his plans and bring him glory, because he is his own final goal. He will also repay everyone according to what they have done, as a righteous Judge. His reward is with him. Like a returning king, he brings punishments for rebels and honor for faithful subjects. And he will finish what he came to do. His work is before him. He knows exactly what he has to do, how to do it, and how to bring it about. He himself knows what he will do.

He will also come with the pity and tenderness of a shepherd (Isa 40:11). God is the Shepherd of Israel (Psa 80:1), and Christ is the good Shepherd (Joh 10:11). The same one who rules with a prince’s strong hand also leads and feeds with a shepherd’s gentle hand. He cares for all his flock, even the small and weak ones. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. His word is food for them, his ordinances are the places where they feed, and his ministers are under-shepherds appointed to care for them.

He takes special care of those who need him most, the lambs, who are weak and cannot help themselves, and the mothers that are with young, who are weighed down and may suffer loss if they are hurt. He also watches over the growth of his flock, so it is not cut off. The good Shepherd has tender care for children who seem likely to do well, for young believers just beginning the Christian life, for weak believers, and for those with sorrowful spirits. These are the lambs of his flock, and they will lack nothing their condition requires.

He will gather them in the arms of his power. His strength will be made perfect in their weakness (Co2 12:9). He will gather them when they wander, pick them up when they fall, bring them together when they are scattered, and finally bring them home to himself. And no one will be able to snatch them out of his hand (Joh 10:28).

He will carry them in the bosom of his love and cherish them there. When they are tired, sick, faint, or burdened by rough paths, he will carry them onward and see that none are left behind. He will also gently lead them. By his word, he does not require more service than they are fit for, and by his providence he does not send more trouble than he knows they can bear, because he understands their frame.