Isaiah 40:21-31

Isaiah 40:21-31

Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- "Help and Deliverance," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.
- II.XXX.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- V.14, VI.3, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- I.4, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 207)
- II.22, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
- Chapter XVI, Against Praxeas, Tertullian (c. 213)
- Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "...men must patiently abide, and not curiously seek out the cause of God's delay in our affliction."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "It is bad to have evil thoughts rise in our minds, but worse to turn them into evil words."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "Why dost thou give way to such jealousies concerning thy God, of whose infinite power and wisdom, and goodness, there are such evident demonstrations."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "Rather, "They shall put forth fresh feathers as eagles" are said to renovate themselves; the parallel clause, "renew their strength," confirms this. The eagle was thought to moult and renew his feathers, and with them his strength, in old age (so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Ps 103:5). However, English Version is favored by the descending climax, mount up--run--walk; in every attitude the praying, waiting child of God is "strong in the Lord" (Ps 84:7; Mic 4:5; Heb 12:1)."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- "Waiting for Christ," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
  - "So to wait for Christ to come in his fullness is not just a passive thing, a pious, prayerful, churchly thing. On the contrary, to wait for Christ to come in his fullness is above all else to act in Christ's stead as fully as we know how. To wait for Christ is as best we can to be Christ to those who need us to be Christ to them most and to bring them the most we have of Christ's healing and hope because unless we bring it, it may never be brought at all."
- Commentary, Isaiah 40:21-31, Steed Davidson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
  - "Given the choice between a source of relief that is distant and slow acting but guaranteed and one that is nearby but ineffective, most persons may tend to choose the relief close to hand."
- "Listening to Our Inner Jobs," John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2012.
  - "But do we do well to silence our Jobs, our honest questioners of the 'tried and true?'"
- "Have you not known, grasshopper?" Michael Coffey, 2012.
- Prophetic #Poetry - Isaiah's Cosmic God, Tim Good, The Naked Alien, 2012.
- Commentary, Isaiah 40:21-31, W. Dennis Tucker, Jr., Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  - "The text this week holds two thoughts in tension."
- Isaiah 40:12-31, Bible Study by Anthony Bartlett at Preaching Peace.
- Isaiah 40:12-31, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series B, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Commentary, Isaiah 40:12-26, Ralph D. West, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  - "To find one who is powerful and merciful at the same time is rare."
- Commentary, Isaiah 40:27-31, Ralph D. West, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  - "God has enough power to shower mercy on us in any place at anytime."
- "Perfection Is the Voice of the Oppressor: A Spirituality of Imperfection," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
  - "In what sense do you agree or disagree with Lamott that 'perfection is the voice of the oppressor?'"
- "Grasshopper Eyes and Eagles Wings," Rev Todd Weir, bloomingcactus.
  - "In faith, it is the capacity to look at the vast expanse of the world with a sense of awe and wonder that lifts us to new heights."
- Isaiah 40:21-31, Epiphany 5B, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
  - "In spite of the people?s inability to comprehend the way of Yahweh or to see any confidence in the future, Yahweh moves to deliver them."
- "Isaiah 40 in Babylon," Tim Bulkeley, 5 Minute Bible (podcast).
- Isaiah 40:21-31, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "As we know a God is Creator, all powerful and yet chose to come to earth and live with human vulnerability. It is this God that we might also need reminding about in order that we find again the trust that is not swayed by the powers of the world."
- "Exploring the Joy of Sports," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Sports," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
- "Who Is Like Thee?" Mary W. Anderson, The Christian Century, 2000. Religion Online.
  - "In a risky but effective homiletical strategy: Isaiah proclaims the greatness of the Lord in contrast to the insignificance of the people. Who are they to question God?s ways, God?s abilities? He is a master at putting God and humankind in perspective."
- "Comfort For God's People: Behold Your God (Isaiah 40)," by Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
  - "The promise of these verses is for those who wait on the Lord. These are the ones who will find new strength to carry them through the trials of life. Remember that our word ?comfort? comes from the Latin cum fortes, ?to give strength.? As our Comforter, God gives us new strength when we learn to wait on Him."
- "God Gives Strength," Faith and Health Connection Weekly Health Scripture.
Articles & Background:
- "Three is Not Enough: Jewish Reflections on Trinitarian Thinking," by Dr. David R. Blumenthal, Professor of Judaic Studies, Emory University.
  - "The tendency to personalist language in describing and addressing God, especially in Scripture, is well-known. The question is, can it be improved upon?"
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Anderson, Mary W., "Who Is Like Thee?" The Christian Century, 2000.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Keiser, Thomas A., "The Song of Moses as a Basis for Isaiah's Prophecy," Vetus Testamentum, 2005.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Mafico, Temba L., "The Ancient and Biblical View of the Universe," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1986.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Nelson, Laura J., "An Old Woman and the Sermon of Second Isaiah," Word and World, 1989.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Snaith, Norman Henry, "Psalm 1:1 and Isaiah 40:31," Vetus Testamentum, 1979.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- What It Takes To Be A Winner, William L. Self, SermonSuite.
- "Who Is My Equal?" Dr. Frederick J. Gaiser, Luther Seminary, 2003.
- "We Live in Two Orders," Paul Tillich, from The Shaking of the Foundations, 1955. At Religion Online.
Reviews:
- Review: Francesc Ramis Darder, El triunfo de Yahve sobre los idolos (Is 40,12-44,23): "En vez de zarzas crecera el cipres". Facultat de Teologia de Catalunya, 2002. Review by Leo Laberge in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004. (Review is in English.)
- Review: Jim W. Adams, The Performative Nature and Function of Isaiah 40-55. T&T Clark, 2006. Review by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer, Review of Biblical Literature, 2008.
With Children:
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," February 5, 2012, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Isaiah 40:21-31 and Jasper's Beanstalk by Nick Butterworth.
- Worshiping with Children, Epiphany 5B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "Junk Food Christians," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
- "None of the Stars Are Ever Missing," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "Traffic Lights of God," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
Drama:
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- "Grasshoppers: Isaiah 40," David Coleman, 2012.
- Isaiah 40:25, Isaiah 40:26, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 40:31, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Isaiah 40;28, 31. The Cyber Hymnal.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
  - God of our Fathers
- At Oremus Hymnal:
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Isaiah
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Isaiah