Isaiah 40: the Lord will come as a Shepherd to care for his people

 Isaiah 40 we read:

- The Proclamation of Comfort (Isaiah 40:1-2) 

2 Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem,

    but also make it very clear

That she has served her sentence,

    that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!

- A Voice in the Wilderness (Isaiah 40:3-5)

3 Thunder in the desert!

    “Prepare for God’s arrival!

Make the road straight and smooth,

    a highway fit for our God.

God comes and this verse is directly related to John Baptist (thunder in the desert) announcing Jesus (God).

- The Transience of Humanity and the Eternity of God's Word (Isaiah 40:6-8)

The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,

    if God so much as puffs on them.

    Aren’t these people just so much grass?

True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,

    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”

People is like grass, but even so, God will visit mankind.     

- Zion, the Herald of Good News: the Lord comes with power as a shepherd to care his flock (Isaiah 40:9-11)

Climb a high mountain, Zion.

    You’re the preacher of good news.

Raise your voice. Make it good and loud, Jerusalem.

    You’re the preacher of good news.

  

Look at him! God, the Master, comes in power,

    ready to go into action.

He is going to pay back his enemies

    and reward those who have loved him.

Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock,

    gathering the lambs in his arms,

Hugging them as he carries them,

    leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.

    

- God's Incomparable Majesty and Power (Isaiah 40:12-26)

  21-24 Have you not been paying attention?

    Have you not been listening?

Haven’t you heard these stories all your life?

    Don’t you understand the foundation of all things?

God sits high above the round ball of earth.

    The people look like mere ants.

He stretches out the skies like a canvas—

    yes, like a tent canvas to live under.

He ignores what all the princes say and do.

    The rulers of the earth count for nothing.

Princes and rulers don’t amount to much.

- God, the Source of Strength and Hope (Isaiah 40:27-31)

  27-31 Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,

    or, whine, Israel, saying,

“God has lost track of me.

    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?

He energizes those who get tired,

    gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

    they walk and don’t lag behind.