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. Versus 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 in their hearts and that he's being

mean to them. So Isaiah calls them to be servants of Yahweh, to turn to him. But instead,

just like they did in the wilderness, they complain and accuse God.

They look to the gods of Babylon, just like their forefathers in the wilderness look to the gods of Egypt.

Once again, they're missing the point that Yahweh has rescued them.

That rescue does lead them through tough times.

It's not all a bet of roses,

but Israel can't see the big picture. Isaiah encourages them to trust God because God is doing things they can't possibly understand, and God is capable of more than they can imagine. He tells them

to wait for God, because God himself will renew their strength as they wait for him.

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