Isaiah 40:1-2
Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament Scriptures, and one of the most quoted books, second only to that of Psalms. It has been referred to by scholars as a miniature Bible. There are 66 Books in the Bible, and there are 66 chapters in the Book of Isaiah. There are two divisions in the Bible, and there are two divisions in the Book of Isaiah. The first part of the Bible (OT) is comprised of 39 Books, and the second (NT) is comprised of 27 Books. The Book of Isaiah? Ditto...39 chapters in the first division (1-39), 27 chapters in the second (40-66).
It is my heart to walk you through just one chapter — the first of the second great division, Isaiah chapter 40. As we walk together through this chapter, you will see that the central theme so prevalent in the second half of this Book —hope, the future restoration of Israel, salvation through her Messiah, is here found in this single opening chapter. It is my hope that we might fix our eyes on God so as to be encouraged.
