Isaiah 40:1-11

The Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a compilation that spans well over 200 years in the life of Israel and Judah. The first portion, known as First Isaiah, comprises chapters 1-39, and is set during the second half of the 8th century, BCE. This was a time of growing threat from the Assyrian Empire, culminating in the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722/21, BCE. The second portion, known as Second Isaiah or Deutero-Isaiah, comprises chapters 40-55, and is set sometime in the 6th Century, BCE. During this time, the Babylonian Empire would supplant the Assyrian Empire, and the southern kingdom of Judah would fall, with the temple in Jerusalem being utterly destroyed and ransacked in 586, BCE. The third portion, know as Third Isaiah or Trito-Isaiah, is set sometime after the return of the exiles when the Persian Empire supplanted the Babylonian Empire, and the Persian king, Cyrus, allowed for the return and restoration of the Jews and their temple.

 Last Sunday, we read from Trite-Isaiah, 64:1-9. This week, we read from the first chapter of Deuteron-Isaiah, 40:1-11. Some verses in this chapter will be familiar to many of us from sermons, hymns, and sacred music such as Handel’s “Messiah”.

 The setting is just prior to the Persians’ conquest of Babylon, and the return to the Jewish people to their homeland. Imagine yourself awaiting return home from exile as you read these verses. What feelings might arise in you?

 Now transpose this message and your feelings to our pandemic today. How do these verses sound as we await the end of the pandemic?

 How do they seem to call for a new, more kind, compassionate, and just normal?