The Voice of One Crying Out (Isaiah 40:1-5; Matthew 3:1-6)
In Matthew 3, we find a something of a Messianic prophecy. This is not a prophecy about Jesus, per se. This is technically a prophecy about John the Baptizer. However, the prophecy pinpoints the Messiah, because the Messiah was to have a forerunner.
This is one of 11 prophecies in Matthew that is not introduced with a fulfillment formula. In other words, Matthew doesn’t say, “Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet” (cf 2:17). He says that John is the one about whom Isaiah spoke. Matthew doesn’t leave any room for a double or typological fulfillment here. Isaiah was given a glimpse of the future by God, and he spoke about John the Baptist.
Isaiah’s Prophecy
The Book of Isaiah divides neatly into two sections. Chapters 1-39 speaks about judgment that will befall the wicked Israelites. Chapters 40-66 speak about the hope of the Israelites after the Babylonian Captivity. That’s important as we study this prophecy. This prophecy begins the lengthy section on hope in the Book.
Isaiah 40:1-5.
God calls on the prophet to comfort His people. Why would God want the people comforted after the Captivity? Does this tell us something about the love God has for His people? If so, what? Does God want us comforted today after we have sinned? How might He comfort us today?
Judah had received double from the Lord for her sins. How did the nation receive double for her sins? Do we ever receive double for our sins? Does it ever feel as though God is giving us double for our sins?
This voice cries in the wilderness. Can you think of other times when the people of God cried in the wilderness? Do you think there’s a connection between that time in the wilderness and this?
The one in the wilderness was to make straight the paths of God. How did John the Baptizer do that? It was common in Jesus’ day to have others prepare the way for important people. Kings would often send emissaries to prepare a town for a royal visit. Sometimes they would need to make repairs to the roadway the king would be traveling.
The glory of the Lord would be revealed (v 5). How would God’s glory be revealed?
The Prophecy and John
John’s message was: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v 2). What does that message have to do with preparing the way of the Lord? Why is repentance necessary to be part of the kingdom of God?
Why would John wear “strange” clothing and eat “strange” food? Would his behavior help or hurt his message?
The people are going to John. Shouldn’t he have gone to them? Isn’t the role of the preacher to go to people?
Why are the people baptized “confessing their sins” (v 6)?
The Prophecy and Jesus
Matthew uses this prophecy to say some important things about Jesus.
Jesus is a king. The “kingdom of heaven” is the kingdom of Jesus. Remember, it was kings in antiquity who had their arrival announced.
Jesus is divine. Matthew very subtly uses this prophecy to declare the deity of Jesus. Notice that “Lord” in Is 40:3 is “Yahweh” in Hebrew. Matthew equates Jesus with Yahweh.
This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Dale Ridge church of Christ in Roanoke, Virginia.