Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

In the first 39 chapters of Isaiah, we've read his prediction of Jerusalem's fall to

Babylon, which happened approximately 100 years after he wrote those words, and we'll

read more about that time in other books.

But before all that takes place, Isaiah also wrote prophecies of a hope beyond that, a

future restoration post-exile in Babylon.

We see this starting to unfold in chapter 40 where he speaks to the future generations.

In chapter 40, we see the end of Israel's exile.

They've been brought back in and God is comforting them.

In 48, Isaiah reminds Israel that even though God's creation passes away, God's word

itself will stand.

He is immovable.

One of the primary points of chapter 40 is that God is worthy of worship and sovereign

over all things.

Verses 16 through 17 point out that if we were to offer all his creation up to him as

an offering, it would still fall short of praising him as much as he deserves.

But Israel still struggles with trusting and praising God.

Both the rich and the poor among Israel build idols, and the people still fall into sin

and entitlement.

They act like God can't see their actions and their hearts and that he's being mean to

them.

So Isaiah calls them to be servants of Yahweh to turn to him.

...