Page 82 - Isaiah Student Worktext

Once again, we see the contemporary fulfillment in the release from captivity, but also the ultimate
fulfillment in the forgiveness of sins provided by the death of Jesus on the cross. He more than paid
‘double’ for our sins.

V. 3-6 We can see that God had the work of Jesus on His mind as these
words were written, because they clearly point to the forerunner of
Christ, John the Baptist, because 3 of the 4 Gospels quote it Matthew 1: 3;
Luke 3: 4 and John 1: 23.

To prepare the way, make a straight highway, high places and low places
being leveled may sound like the work of an engineer, but John the
Baptist did these very things by pointing to the coming Lord. Leveling of mountains was done by
pointing out the fallacies of the teachings of the Pharisees who saw no need of a Savior. The filling of
the valleys was done by giving sinners hope.

As pastors, we are called to do the same: point out the fallacies of the world and bring hope to the lost.

V. 7-8 Here is my favorite verse. I have always loved it because it points to the temporary nature of
everything in and of this world. Youth, beauty, strength are all temporary. Sickness, disability and even
death, for the believer are temporary.

Truly, everything has changed since I was your age. Everything but this: the word of our God stands
forever. It is unchangeable and everlasting.

I love to watch old movies. It’s interesting to me to see how automobiles, kitchens, living rooms,
fashions have changed. It’s also interesting to me to realize that the youthful actors grew old and have
often died. Yet, here they are on film, still young and vibrant. The grass withers, the flower fades…

V. 9-11 Zion, here representing not just Jerusalem, but the people of God even today, is called to
proclaim the gospel, the ‘good tidings’ of calling people’s attention to God.

In V. 10 we see the power of God, with a strong hand, ruling with His arm. But in V. 11, we see the
gentle nature of our Lord: feeding His flock, gathering His lambs gently into that same strong arm.
Matthew 11: 28-29

Next, we see God demonstrating that He and He alone is God.

V. 12-14 Nothing compares to God. He can measure the waters of the earth in ‘the hollow of His hand’.
He can measure the heavens with ‘a span’, which is the distance from thumb to little finger.

He knows how much dust there is on the earth. He knows how much the mountains weigh. And who
taught Him this? Obviously, the answer is no one. God has never ‘learned’ anything. The ‘path of
justice’ is something that God Himself directed. We can’t understand the ‘why’ regarding God’s actions,
but He knows the ultimate outcome and how things that He is directing today will affect a thousand
tomorrows.

V. 15-20 In the eyes of God, even large and powerful nations are a drop in the bucket, dust on the
scales. Lebanon, known for its cedar trees, didn’t have enough wood to burn for a sufficient offering.

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