In return from captivity, there is an important message to exiles from the One who never forsook.
Comfort, comfort – is a double message, calling – in verse 1. The Hebrew word “nachamu” meaning is to “comfort, panting, to cause to breathe again.” The New Testament word means to “come to the aid of, come to the side of” – as in a personal attendant. After years in captivity, the people are “out of breath-panting”, faint, weak; they have had their hope, and breath knocked out of them. It is time to breathe new life and perspective into the captives; to focus on God.
Comfort with what? A comfortable Word (notice, this word is not to make us comfortable). It is the word of a crier, such as, one who goes before a king or president to check and prepare the way, so everything is in good condition for the King’s arrival. It is a two-fold word. First, warfare is accomplished, completed, the affliction is full, found full, and so is ended, completely over (unlike Hussein and the continuous remounting). Second, iniquity is pardoned – “nirtsch”, meaning satisfactory payment, receive; justice is satisfied in God’s satisfaction; the debt is paid. No more bills will be sent because the bill has been paid in full. God is now able to re-establish His relationship with His people.
Gives voice to the One coming, so the way is paved and in good condition – verse 3. A voice is a sound made through the mouth, a vocal utterance, expressed wish, an opinion. The speaker here is not identified; it is the voice and message that are important. (Just as the United States has a changes of presidents, it is the position that is the real power not the person.) This voice sets up the way for the two-fold advent of the Word, the living representative: a) John the Baptist – comes from the wilderness, as did Moses, David, Paul, Jesus – verses 3-5. John the Baptist set up the way (which was message of repentance) for the first coming the Incarnation. b) verses 9-11 show second coming-where the voice is the shepherd of might (time of millennium where sheep are peaceful because Shepherd is in sight of them) – time for glorification of Adoni Jehovah (verse 10), who is the Master, Lord of all.
Gives utterance to the eternal voice – verses 6-8. Recognizes truth that flesh is grass and the goodliness dies. Sun beats on the grass and it withers; flower and grass can not stand up under the force of the Son. The Comforter, “ruach”, Spirit, blows on it. This is the Wind of God. The wind can be mild or destructive, and can be experienced in a personal breath or a general wind blowing through (Pentecost). Shows that speakers come and go, but the declarative Word of God outlasts everything and is eternal. This Word is breathed into us by the Holy Spirit Himself.
Shows the greatness of this incomparable God in Verses 12-28. You can not liken Him to another nor make an image of Him (see Romans 1). He takes princes and rulers down (verses 22-23), but keeps His people while they are in captivity and brings them out safely – verse 26.
The ultimate strength needed – verses 29-31. We think God is indifferent to our situation and unknowledgeable about our pain – verses 27-28. Thank God He does not grow weary as do we, but He remains strong and mighty to help us out.
We need to be comforted and breathed into with new life and hope – verses 29-31. This comes from waiting (they did a different kind of waiting in captivity; they complained while they waited). The term wait is “qavah”, “to bind together by twisting; to expect, gather, look patiently, wait for”. It has the idea of a group of people waiting and being bound together in the process.
Results in renewal. The word renew is “chalpah”, “to slide by or hasten away; pass on; spring up; change; alter; go forward; renew; sprout”. It speaks of the quickness of growth, strength which comes from expecting or waiting ON the Lord. It is not as much waiting FOR the Lord, but waiting, expecting on His Name and genius. It is not waiting for Him to do something, but WAITING UPON Him and drawing strength from that communion.