Isaiah 40:3

¶ The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

The voice {H6963} of him that crieth {H7121} in the wilderness {H4057}, Prepare {H6437} ye the way {H1870} of the LORD {H3068}, make straight {H3474} in the desert {H6160} a highway {H4546} for our God {H430}.

A voice cries out: "Clear a road through the desert for ADONAI! Level a highway in the 'Aravah for our God!

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.

Commentary

Isaiah 40:3 (KJV) delivers a powerful prophetic declaration, serving as the opening trumpet blast for the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66) within the book of Isaiah. It paints a vivid picture of preparation for the Lord's glorious arrival.

Context

This verse emerges from a period of national distress for Israel, as the prophet Isaiah looks beyond the impending judgment of Babylonian exile to a future of restoration and divine comfort. Chapters 1-39 largely focus on judgment, while chapters 40-66 pivot to themes of hope, redemption, and God's faithfulness to His covenant people. The imagery of preparing a road for a coming king or dignitary was common in the ancient Near East, symbolizing the grand arrival of someone important. Here, it is applied to the Lord God Himself returning to His people, promising an end to their period of punishment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Arrival and Restoration: The primary message is the imminent coming of the Lord, signifying an end to Israel's suffering and the beginning of a new era of salvation and comfort. This passage reassures the exiled people that God has not forgotten them.
  • Call to Preparation: The "voice" issues a command to "prepare ye the way of the LORD." This isn't merely physical road construction but a spiritual readiness, a call for repentance and removal of spiritual obstacles that hinder God's presence among His people.
  • The Forerunner's Role: This prophecy famously points to a specific individual who would precede the Lord. The New Testament clearly identifies this "voice in the wilderness" as John the Baptist, who prepared the hearts of the people for the first coming of Jesus Christ.
  • God's Majestic Return: The imagery of making a "highway in the desert" emphasizes the grandeur and certainty of God's coming, overcoming all barriers and making His presence unmistakable.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "prepare ye the way" is panu derek (פנו דרך), meaning "clear the way" or "make ready the path." Similarly, "make straight" comes from yashshu (ישרו), which implies leveling or straightening out uneven ground. The word "highway," mesillah (מסלה), refers to a raised, well-constructed road, often used for significant processions. These terms emphasize the removal of all impediments to ensure a smooth, grand passage for the Almighty, whether literally or metaphorically in the spiritual landscape.

New Testament Fulfillment and Cross-References

This verse is profoundly significant because of its direct fulfillment in the New Testament. All four Gospels quote or allude to Isaiah 40:3 in relation to John the Baptist's ministry, highlighting his role as the divinely appointed herald of Jesus Christ:

This connection underscores the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and their precise fulfillment in Christ, serving as a powerful testament to God's meticulous plan of salvation. The prophecy also points to the broader concept of God sending a messenger before His coming.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 40:3 carries enduring relevance:

  • Personal Preparation: We are continually called to "prepare the way of the Lord" in our own hearts, removing sin, distractions, and anything that hinders a deeper relationship with God. This involves repentance, spiritual discipline, and obedience.
  • Missional Imperative: Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ's first coming, we are called to prepare the way for others to encounter Christ, sharing the Gospel and demonstrating His love. This means clearing spiritual obstacles in the world around us through prayer and evangelism.
  • Anticipation of Christ's Return: The verse also speaks to the ongoing readiness for Christ's second coming, reminding us to live in expectation and holiness, ensuring our "way" is straight for His return.

Isaiah 40:3 is a timeless call to readiness, a reminder that God is always on the move, and His people are to be prepared for His glorious presence.

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Cross-References

  • Malachi 3:1 (99 votes)

    ¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Mark 1:2 (84 votes)

    As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

  • Mark 1:5 (84 votes)

    And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

  • John 1:23 (70 votes)

    He said, I [am] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

  • Matthew 3:1 (63 votes)

    ¶ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

  • Matthew 3:3 (63 votes)

    For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

  • Luke 1:16 (49 votes)

    And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.