Wrapping up the previous post on Mal. 3:1-3, we should note that John the Baptist was also the fulfillment of the promise that Elijah would come before the Messiah (Ma. 4:4-6). John was the fulfillment, yet Elijah was still to come. Jesus taught this (Matt. 17:10-13). He also taught that John would fill the role of Elijah in individual hearts if they would accept him and his call to repentance (Mt. 11:7-15). It is quite interesting. The last word from God in the OT (Mal. 4:4-6) was followed by the next recorded word from God, when an angel told Zacharias that he and Elizabeth would have a son named John (Lk. 1:5-25).
Mark 1:3, quoting Isa. 40:3, also speaks of the ministry of John the Baptist. The 40th chapter of Isaiah is a mountaintop in Scripture. I would encourage you to read it in its entirety. In this post we will look at v1-11 and then provide an outline for the rest of the passage.
· v1: Why do God’s people need comfort? By the time of Isaiah, the Northern Kingdom (Israel) had been eliminated by the Assyrians. Hezekiah was delivered from Assyria, but Isaiah prophesied that the Babylonians would eliminate Judah. They needed to hear words of comfort and hope.
· v2: How did Israel receive double for her sins? Some relate this to the two kingdoms God would use to judge Israel. Others say Assyria and Babylon are one and Rome, in a later time, would be the second. Others believe this is just a way of saying her chastening by God was abundant. Any of these might be the answer, but I like the idea in the context that it is the judgment by warfare and the judgment for her iniquity.
· v3-5: What is the message to be dried out, and did John the Baptist preach this message? Like Malachi, it is one of preparing the way of the LORD. The people, by their repentance, would be ready to submit to the LORD when He came. That was the message of John.
· v6-11: What about this message? The same voice that said to cry out the message of v3-5 says to cry out this message. This message speaks of the mortality of all flesh but of the immortality of the “word of our God.” The “word” that is of importance is that the LORD is coming: “Behold your God!” He will come and rule and comfort His people, His flock. This is the message of Isa. 40-66, given in wonderful detail. By the end of the prophecy Israel’s warfare will conclude because Messiah rules, and her iniquity will be atoned for through the suffering of the Messiah.
The remainder of Isa. 40 is thus: God is omnipotent and omniscient and all-wise, able to do this (40:12-14); the nations are a big “nothing” against Him (40:15-17); no one can compare to God (40:18-26); therefore, be comforted, Israel, and wait on the LORD (40:27-31). Hallelujah!
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