August 13, 2022: Haftarah – Isaiah 40:1-26
This week’s Haftarah portion is Isaiah 40:1-26. Listen in as Dr. Jeffrey Myers goes through Isaiah 40 – a chapter full of beautiful words of comfort by Hashem for His people.
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftarah:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftarah Portion – Isaiah 40:1-26
The message of Adonai given by Isaiah in this haftorah is one of comfort. Chapter 40 begins with a very wonderful verse of reconciliation, “Comfort, comfort My people, says your Yah. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, Adonai has punished her twice over for all her sins.” How does Yah comfort His people? Adonai is using His instrument, Isaiah, to deliver a message of change, of comfort. Adonai wants to reach out to each of us and give us personal comfort. He wants to directly speak to us—no middle man, no misunderstood details, no guessing, no points missed in communication that happens when a message is passed from one person to another. Yah wants to deliver His message to them, to us, on a one-on-one level, the Creator to the created being.
What does He want us to know? Adonai wants to comfort us in the fact He knows about us, our problems and He cares. He really cares!
As I have traveled over these last 40 years in ministry all over the world, I’ve found myself in unfamiliar territories, places, cities, situations, and crazy circumstances. What do you do when you find yourself in an unfamiliar place or situation? How do you find comfort in something so uncomfortable? When our lives throw us into unexpected situations, whether we face suffering, sorrow, or grief; whether we are experiencing chaos and confusion, whether by life or our choices…YAH ALMIGHTY is there to hold us, to comfort us. If I rely on myself, I find myself on a bedrock of sand which causes me to sink in my own despair. But, if I fix myself on Him, study His Word, meditate on His Word day and night…I hear His voice, that still small voice of love and compassion and comfort and things change!
In Isaiah 40:28-29 it says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? Adonai is the everlasting Yah, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.” Everlasting. Creator. Does not faint. Never weary. Gives power. Increases strength. These are the characteristics of the Yah we serve! Meditate on these and you will be comforted because we can be confident in His character. It doesn’t matter the circumstances; He is unchanging and always faithful. His promise, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.” Halleluyah, that our Father never gets exhausted, never faints but instead when we are about ready to give up and throw in the towel, He gives power to our weakness. His power sustains us and empowers us. When we choose to believe His Word and extend our faith, even in the mess, the chaotic, the craziness or unfavorable situations…this is how we find comfort in Yah.
The Ruach HaKodesh, our Helper, He teaches us all things and brings to remembrance all that the Father has promised and spoken. He is called the Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, and Standby. What comfort to know that He lives in each of us. Adonai wants to be our source of comfort. We are His child and He loves us, forgives us and wants to restore us. Like a child who has been disobedient and has gone through necessary discipline to correct their path—restoration is waiting and love and mercy is extended. Reconciliation is given and the relationship grows stronger. We can be secure in Yah’s love for us since He’s “sealed” us as His children. The penalty for our sin has been paid for by Yeshua HaMaschiach, “But Yah shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Adonai comforts us by the solid, unchanging nature of His character and His promises. The Word of Yah, as our anchor through suffering and sorrow, we can find comfort. We don’t always understand why, nor does it mean we are given an explanation but He is there…always! We do know that Yah is in control and His sovereign will is coming to pass.
Isaiah 40 marks a turning point in this book, as it changes from one of dread and judgement to one of hope and salvation. Our world today is becoming unglued at the seams and no one is able to hold it together. It seems it is changing so rapidly with no victory in sight, it seems to be falling to pieces. But the real truth that confronts us and comforts us is to be found in “The Word of our Yah stands forever”, even if our world does not! If we are to stand in all the shaking around us, our only hope is in the unshakable Word of Yah. We cannot even find shelter in the time of storm within ourselves because our righteousness is as filthy rags. We must trust Adonai! Yah does not change and His truth is always true; our perception of the truth either improves or declines. The Brit Chadasha doctrines are not new because Yah is the Yah of all the Word. We are not only saved by faith, we are comforted by faith, motivated by faith, and anticipate Yah’s glorious presence by faith.
Israel, like us, was at a turning point and Adonai was ready to receive, to forgive, and comfort them. So, He spoke to Israel through His prophet Isaiah, and I speak to you by the unction of the Ruach today. Comfort, comfort My people, your sad days are gone and your sins are pardoned. So let us serve Him, worship Him and love Him for His mercy and comfort.
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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This is His day…so come and gather and worship the Father for He is worthy of all our praise! Have a great Sabbath and a good week!
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