COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11
This poetic oracle begins what is generally thought of as "Trito-Isaiah," apparently addressed to returnees from the country of Babylon. While in exile there, many of the Jews remained firmly faithful to their own culture, having nothing to do with the Babylonians. Many others, though, had allowed themselves to be integrated into the local culture. But there was a third group, those who didn't quite fit into either group. These people were confused, unsure of their own status in God's eyes, fearful that they might be subject to divine retribution of one kind or another. In the words of this text we have an exalted statement of a loving, forgiving God. "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem," God counsels the prophe…