Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
And the glory of the LORD
The term "glory" in Hebrew is "kavod," which signifies weightiness, honor, and splendor. In the context of Isaiah, it refers to the manifest presence and majesty of God. Historically, the glory of the LORD was seen in the tabernacle and the temple, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. This phrase anticipates a future revelation of God's glory, ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the "radiance of God's glory" (Hebrews 1:3). Theologically, it underscores the hope of God's people for divine intervention and the ultimate restoration of creation.

will be revealed
The Hebrew word for "revealed" is "galah," meaning to uncover or disclose. This suggests an unveiling of something previously hidden. In the prophetic context, it points to a future event where God's presence and power will be unmistakably displayed to all. This revelation is not just for a select few but is intended for all to witness, emphasizing the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. The anticipation of this revelation encourages believers to live in expectation and readiness for God's future acts.

and all humanity together
The phrase "all humanity" translates from the Hebrew "kol basar," meaning all flesh or all people. This inclusivity highlights the universal nature of God's revelation. It is a prophetic vision where distinctions of race, nationality, and status are transcended, and all people are united in witnessing God's glory. This reflects the biblical theme of God's salvation being available to all, as seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and the vision of a diverse multitude worshiping God in Revelation 7:9.

will see it
The verb "see" in Hebrew is "ra'ah," which implies not just physical sight but also understanding and perception. This suggests that the revelation of God's glory will be so clear and undeniable that all will recognize and comprehend it. This seeing is both a physical and spiritual experience, where the reality of God's presence transforms understanding and belief. It calls believers to a deeper faith, trusting in the promises of God that will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken
This phrase underscores the certainty and authority of the prophecy. The "mouth of the LORD" signifies divine communication, emphasizing that what is spoken by God is trustworthy and will come to pass. In the Hebrew tradition, God's word is powerful and creative, as seen in Genesis 1, where God speaks creation into existence. This assurance provides comfort and hope to believers, affirming that God's promises are unbreakable and His purposes will be accomplished. It encourages a response of faith and obedience, trusting in the reliability of God's word.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises.

3. Humanity
Refers to all people, indicating the universal scope of God's revelation and the inclusivity of His message.

4. The Glory of the LORD
This phrase signifies God's manifest presence and majesty, often associated with divine intervention and revelation.

5. The Mouth of the LORD
Symbolizes God's authority and the certainty of His promises, as His spoken word is powerful and unchangeable.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of God's Promises
God's word is reliable and unchanging. When He speaks, it will come to pass. This should encourage believers to trust in His promises.

The Universality of God's Revelation
God's glory is not limited to a specific group but is intended for all humanity. This calls Christians to share the gospel universally.

The Manifestation of God's Glory in Christ
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's glory. Believers are called to reflect His glory in their lives through Christ-like living.

Hope in God's Future Revelation
The promise of God's glory being revealed gives hope for the future, encouraging believers to live with an eternal perspective.

The Transformative Power of God's Glory
Encountering God's glory transforms lives. Believers should seek to experience His presence daily through prayer and worship.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of God's glory being revealed in Isaiah 40:5 encourage you in your current circumstances?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in sharing the revelation of God's glory with others?

3. How does understanding the original Hebrew context of "glory" (kavod) deepen your appreciation of God's majesty and presence?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's glory in your life. How did it change you, and how can you seek more of His presence?

5. How does the revelation of God's glory in Jesus Christ, as seen in John 1:14, impact your understanding of who God is and how you relate to Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 33:18-23
Moses asks to see God's glory, and God reveals His goodness and proclaims His name, showing that His glory is tied to His character and presence.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh, and we have seen His glory, connecting the revelation of God's glory in Isaiah to the incarnation of Christ.

Revelation 21:23
The New Jerusalem has no need for the sun or moon because the glory of God illuminates it, showing the ultimate fulfillment of God's glory being revealed to all.
Christ, as the Lord's GloryR. Tuck Isaiah 40:5
The Glory of the KingJ. A. Macdonald, M. A.Isaiah 40:5
The Revelation of God's GloryBasil Wood, M. A.Isaiah 40:5
The Prophet's CommissionE. Johnson Isaiah 40:1-11
A Great Work Requires PreparationF. Watson, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
A Highway in the WildernessJ. Service, D. D.Isaiah 40:3-5
Christ Requires a Straight RoadA. T. Pierson, D. D.Isaiah 40:3-5
Comfort for the Afflicted ChurchBp. Horne.Isaiah 40:3-5
Israel's Preparation for the Coming of ChristF. Watson, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
Preparation Among the Heathen for the Reception of ChristianityF. Watson, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
Preparation for the Advent MessiahD. Wayland, LL. D.Isaiah 40:3-5
Preparation for the Coming of ChristF. Watson, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
Prepare Ye the Way of the LordS. P. Jose, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
Prepare Ye the Way of the LordC. Garrett.Isaiah 40:3-5
Preparing the Way of the LordG. Redford, LL. D.Isaiah 40:3-5
Preparing the Way of the LordW. Williams.Isaiah 40:3-5
Preparing the Way of the LordW. H. G. Temple.Isaiah 40:3-5
The Appealing VoiceF. Watson, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
The Divine Glory Revealed in ChristR. Watson.Isaiah 40:3-5
The Gnostic GospelF. Watson, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
The Golden AgeW.M. Statham Isaiah 40:3-5
The King's HighwayF. W. Macdonald, M. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
The Road MakerW. H. Williams.Isaiah 40:3-5
The Way of the Lord PreparedJ. B. Brown, B. A.Isaiah 40:3-5
Vox ClamantisJ. P. Gledstone.Isaiah 40:3-5
Vox ClamantisJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 40:3-5
Human Preparation for the Divine AdventW. Clarkson Isaiah 40:3-6
Christianity an Essential Element in True CivilisationA. Rowland, B. A.Isaiah 40:4-5
No Fear of UtopiaCanon H. Scott-Holland, M. A.Isaiah 40:4-5
Picturesque AbusesCanon H. Scott-Holland, M. A.Isaiah 40:4-5
Redemptive GrowthCanon H. Scott-Holland, M. A.Isaiah 40:4-5
Rough PlacesJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 40:4-5
The Battle for To-DayCanon H. Scott-Holland, M. A.Isaiah 40:4-5
The Levelling Force of ChristianityD. Thomas, D. D.Isaiah 40:4-5
The Prophet and the PicturesqueCanon H. Scott-Holland, M. A.Isaiah 40:4-5
The Prospects of the ChurchT. Price.Isaiah 40:4-5
The Rough Places Made PlainA. Watson, D. D.Isaiah 40:4-5
People
Isaiah, Jacob
Places
Jerusalem, Lebanon, Zion
Topics
Clear, Flesh, Glory, Honour, Mankind, Mouth, Revealed, Spoken
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 40:5

     1193   glory, revelation of
     1403   God, revelation
     2565   Christ, second coming
     8135   knowing God, nature of

Isaiah 40:1-5

     7725   evangelists, identity

Isaiah 40:1-8

     4112   angels, messengers

Isaiah 40:3-5

     1320   God, as Saviour
     4020   life, of faith
     4299   wilderness

Library
April 18. "They Shall Mount up with Wings" (Isa. Xl. 31).
"They shall mount up with wings" (Isa. xl. 31). "They shall mount up with wings as eagles," is God's preliminary; for the next promise is, "They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Hours of holy exultation are necessary for hours of patient plodding, waiting and working. Nature has its springs, and so has grace. Let us rejoice in the Lord evermore, and again we say, rejoice. And let us take Him to be our continual joy, whose heart is a fountain of blessedness, and who
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

'Have Ye Not? Hast Thou Not?'
'Have ye not known, have ye not heard? hath it not been told yon from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?... Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard?'--ISAIAH xl. 21 and 28. The recurrence of the same form of interrogation in these two verses is remarkable. In the first case the plural is used, in the second the singular, and we may reasonably conclude that as Israel is addressed in the latter, the nations outside the sphere illumined by Revelation are appealed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Unfailing Stabs and Fainting Men
'...For that He is strong in power; not one faileth.... He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.'-- ISAIAH xl. 26 and 29. These two verses set forth two widely different operations of the divine power as exercised in two sadly different fields, the starry heavens and this weary world. They are interlocked, as it were, by the recurrence in the latter of the emphatic words of the former. The one verse says, 'He is strong in power'; the other, 'He giveth
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

O Thou that Bringest Good Tidings
'O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain: O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!'--ISAIAH xl. 9. There is something very grand in these august and mysterious voices which call one to another in the opening verses of this chapter. First, the purged ear of the prophet hears the divine command to him and to his brethren--Comfort Jerusalem with the message of the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Shepherd and the Fold
... Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation.' EXODUS XV. 13. What a grand triumphal ode! The picture of Moses and the children of Israel singing, and Miriam and the women answering: a gush of national pride and of worship! We belong to a better time, but still we can feel its grandeur. The deliverance has made the singer look forward to the end, and his confidence in the issue is confirmed. I. The guiding God: or the picture of the leading. The original is 'lead gently.' Cf.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Secret of Immortal Youth
'Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.'--ISAIAH xl. 30, 31. I remember a sunset at sea, where the bosom of each wavelet that fronted the west was aglow with fiery gold, and the back of each turned eastward was cold green; so that, looking on the one hand all was glory, and on the other
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Salvation Published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! I t would be improper to propose an alteration, though a slight one, in the reading of a text, without bearing my testimony to the great value of our English version, which I believe, in point of simplicity, strength, and fidelity, is not likely to be excelled by a new translation
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Withering Work of the Spirit
THE passage in Isaiah which I have just read in your hearing may be used as a very eloquent description of our mortality, and if a sermon should be preached from it upon the frailty of human nature, the brevity of life, and the certainty of death, no one could dispute the appropriateness of the text. Yet I venture to question whether such a discourse would strike the central teaching of the prophet. Something more than the decay of our material flesh is intended here; the carnal mind, the flesh in
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

This Sermon was Originally Printed
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God."--Isaiah 40:1. WHAT A SWEET TITLE: "My people!" What a cheering revelation: "Your God!" How much of meaning is couched in those two words, "My people!" Here is speciality. The whole world is God's; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens are the Lord's and he reigneth among the children of men. But he saith of a certain number, "My people." Of those whom he hath chosen, whom he hath purchased to himself, he saith what he saith not of others. While
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

8Th Day. Reviving Grace.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."--ISAIAH xl. 31. Reviving Grace. "Wilt thou not revive us, O Lord?" My soul! art thou conscious of thy declining state? Is thy walk less with God, thy frame less heavenly? Hast thou less conscious nearness to the mercy-seat,--diminished communion with thy Saviour? Is prayer less a privilege than it has
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

"And the Redeemer Shall Come unto Zion, and unto them that Turn,"
Isaiah lix. 20.--"And the Redeemer shall come unto Zion, and unto them that turn," &c. Doctrines, as things, have their seasons and times. Every thing is beautiful in its season. So there is no word of truth, but it hath a season and time in which it is beautiful. And indeed that is a great part of wisdom, to bring forth everything in its season, to discern when and where, and to whom it is pertinent and edifying, to speak such and such truths. But there is one doctrine that is never out of season,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide
Newell Dwight Hillis was born at Magnolia, Iowa, in 1858. He first became known as a preacher of the first rank during his pastorate over the large Presbyterian church in Evanston, Illinois. This reputation led to his being called to the Central Church, Chicago, in which he succeeded Dr. David Swing, and where from the first he attracted audiences completely filling one of the largest auditoriums in Chicago. In 1899 he was called to Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, to succeed Dr. Lyman Abbott in the pulpit
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume 10

Of Loving Jesus Above all Things
Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus' sake. He must give up all that he loveth for his Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of created things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is faithful and lasting. He who cleaveth to created things will fall with their slipperiness; but he who embraceth Jesus will stand upright for ever. Love Him and hold Him for thy friend, for He will not forsake thee when all
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Prayer and Devotion
"Once as I rode out into the woods for my health, in 1737, having alighted from my horse in a retired place, as my manner commonly had been to walk for divine contemplation and prayer, I had a view that for me was extraordinary, of the glory of the Son of God. As near as I can judge, this continued about an hour; and kept me the greater part of the time in a flood of tears and weeping aloud.. I felt an ardency of soul to be what I know not otherwise how to express, emptied and annihilated; to love
Edward M. Bounds—The Essentials of Prayer

The God of all Comfort
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Among all the names that reveal God, this, the "God of all comfort," seems to me one of the loveliest and the most absolutely comforting. The words all comfort admit of no limitation and no deductions; and one would suppose that,
Hannah Whitall Smith—The God of All Comfort

Appendix xi. On the Prophecy, Is. Xl. 3
ACCORDING to the Synoptic Gospels, the public appearance and preaching of John was the fulfilment of the prediction with which the second part of the prophecies of Isaiah opens, called by the Rabbis, the book of consolations.' After a brief general preface (Is. xl. 1, 2), the words occur which are quoted by St. Matthew and St. Mark (Is. xl. 3), and more fully by St. Luke (Is. xl. 3-5). A more appropriate beginning of the book of consolations' could scarcely be conceived. The quotation of Is. xl.
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Justification.
Among all the doctrines of our holy Christian faith, the doctrine of Justification by Faith alone, stands most prominent. Luther calls it: "The doctrine of a standing or a falling church," i.e., as a church holds fast and appropriates this doctrine she remains pure and firm, and as she departs from it, she becomes corrupt and falls. This doctrine was the turning point of the Reformation in the sixteenth century. It was the experience of its necessity and efficacy that made Luther what he was, and
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Humble Worship of Heaven.
1 Father, I long, I faint to see The place of thine abode, I'd leave thy earthly courts and flee Up to thy seat, my God! 2 Here I behold thy distant face, And 'tis a pleasing sight; But to abide in thine embrace Is infinite delight. 3 I'd part with all the joys of sense To gaze upon thy throne; Pleasure springs fresh for ever thence, Unspeakable, unknown. 4 [There all the heavenly hosts are seen, In shining ranks they move, And drink immortal vigour in, With wonder and with love. 5 Then at thy feet
Isaac Watts—Hymns and Spiritual Songs

At Rest
Gerhard Ter Steegen Is. xl. 11 O God, a world of empty show, Dark wilds of restless, fruitless quest Lie round me wheresoe'er I go: Within, with Thee, is rest. And sated with the weary sum Of all men think, and hear, and see, O more than mother's heart, I come, A tired child to Thee. Sweet childhood of eternal life! Whilst troubled days and years go by, In stillness hushed from stir and strife, Within Thine Arms I lie. Thine Arms, to whom I turn and cling With thirsting soul that longs for Thee;
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
(LUKE 1.) "Oh to have watched thee through the vineyards wander, Pluck the ripe ears, and into evening roam!-- Followed, and known that in the twilight yonder Legions of angels shone about thy home!" F. W. H. MYERS. Home-Life--Preparing for his Life-Work--The Vow of Separation--A Child of the Desert Zacharias and Elisabeth had probably almost ceased to pray for a child, or to urge the matter. It seemed useless to pray further. There had been no heaven-sent sign to assure them that there was any
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God.
1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4.
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

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