Isaías 40
John Calvin · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 40:31
Calvin writes that in contrast to the strength God imparts… men’s strength easily fails, but God’s strength never fails. It is indeed certain that all the vigor which naturally dwells in us proceeds from God; but since men claim as their own what God has bestowed generally on all, the Prophet thus distinguishes between the strength of men which appears to be born with them, and that strength by which God peculiarly supports his elect; for God’s kindness, which is diffused throughout all nature, is not sufficiently perceived. And thus by “men’s strength” he means that which is generally possessed by mankind Matthew
Isaías 40:31
Calvin explains this interrelationship noting that "patience is the fruit and proof of faith" and "hope is the foundation of patience". Calvin goes on to say that "There is no place for faith if we expect God to fulfil immediately what He promises." (cp Ro 8:24, 25-note) In other words such a person is not trusting and thus is unwilling to wait patiently on Jehovah to fulfill His word. His strength upon thy weakness waits, His power for thy task. What more, O child of all His care, Could any great one ask? --Annie Johnson Flint The TWOT explains that… Waiting with steadfast endurance is a great expression of faith. It means enduring patiently in confident hope that God will decisively act for the salvation of his people (Ge 49:18). Waiting involves the very essence of a person’s being, his soul (nephesh; Ps 130:5). Those who wait in true faith are renewed in strength so that they can continue to serve the Lord while looking for his saving work (Isa 40:31). There will come a time when all that God has promised will be realized and fulfilled (Is 49:23; Ps 37:9 Ed: When? In the Millennium). In the meantime the believer survives by means of his integrity and uprightness as he trusts in God’s grace and power (Ps 25:21). His faith is strengthened through his testings, and his character is further developed (Ps 27:14). Israel is encouraged to hold fast to love and justice, i.e. they are to follow the law faithfully and maintain consistently the standards of justice, at the same time preserving an attitude of godly love (Ho 12:6; cf. Ps 37:34; Job 4:6). During times of visitation and judgment, the righteous must exercise great faith (Is 26:8; La 3:19-33). Thus Isaiah confidently asserts, I will wait (chakah) for the LORD, Who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope (put my trust in [Is 8:17NIV]; Lxx = peitho [word study]) in Him (Is 8:17). (Ed: Note the clear association of waiting and hoping/trusting.) When God arrives on the scene with redemptive power, the response of those who have waited will be jubilant joy and great singing (Isa 25:9). (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press) Qavah - 45v in the OT - Gen. 1:9; 49:18; Job 3:9; 6:19; 7:2; 17:13; 30:26; Ps. 25:3, 5, 21; 27:14; 37:9, 34; 39:7; 40:1; 52:9; 56:6; 69:6, 20; 119:95; 130:5; Pr 20:22; Is 5:2, 4, 7; 8:17; 25:9; 26:8; 33:2; 40:31; 49:23; 51:5; 59:9, 11; 60:9; 64:3 (see brief exposition of some of these verses above); Jer. 3:17; 8:15; 13:16; 14:19, 22; La 2:16; 3:25; Hos. 12:6; Mic. 5:7 and rendered in the NAS as -- eagerly waits for(1), expect(1), expected(3), hope for(2), hope in(1), hoped for(1), hopefully wait for(1), hoping for(1), look eagerly for(1), look for(1), looked for(2), wait for(21), wait on(1), waited(4), waited for(3), waited for eagerly(1), waited patiently for(1) Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. (Ed: Waiting is not passive but in this verse is related with seeking God, clearly a active process, whether by seeking Him in His Word as we study it or in prayer as we commune with Him.) Patience is a virtue that carries a lot of wait! Later in Isaiah's prophecy, Jehovah gives other promises using the verb qavah… And kings will be your guardians, and their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of your feet; and you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. (Isaiah 49:23) (John
Isaías 40:31
Calvin writes that the… Hebrew writers employ the phrase, “exchanging strength,” to denote “gathering new strength,” and thus “being restored.” The Prophet therefore shows, that godly persons, who shall hope in God, will not be deficient in strength; and he confirms what he formerly said “In rest and silence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15.) We must not become agitated, or throw ourselves forward rashly, but “wait” patiently. In this passage, therefore, waiting means nothing else than patience. Violent men dash themselves to pieces by their own eagerness, but the vigor of godly men, though it has less display, and often appears to lie buried while they calmly “wait for” God’s assistance, is refreshed and renewed. Scott Grant writes that… wait contains within it the concept of hope. It means to wait confidently for something. The people (Ed: in context speaking to those would be taken captive to Babylon) are supposed to wait for the Lord to administer justice and fulfill His promise to liberate and vindicate His people (Ed: cp prophecy of 70 years captivity in Babylon - Je 25:11, 12, Je 29:10, 11, Da 9:2). This is how they (Ed: Judah and Jerusalem) will "gain new strength." They will not gain new strength when the Lord acts to liberate them; they will gain new strength as they wait for the Lord to liberate them. The weary and weak are strengthened as they wait for the Lord. They find supernatural strength to endure captivity and even flourish within it: "They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." The Lord is not looking to change the circumstances of Israel in exile; He is looking to change Israel in exile. He has sent Israel into exile for the purpose of spiritual reformation. The scene of this reformation is, of all places, Babylon, the place of oppression. (Reference) Fortner writes that… "renew" means "change"– We find our strength only in Christ! We have none in ourselves! But the word also means "renew." They shall constantly have renewed strength, as they trust Christ– To Do His Will! To Labor in His Vineyard! To Resist the Devil! To Overcome Temptation! To Bear their Trials! To Endure Hardship! To Help the Brethren! (Isaiah 40:27-31 Hope Thou In God!) Morris rightly comments that… Those who look to the infinite, omniscient, omnipotent Creator for their supply of order, intelligence and power shall exchange their weakness and foolishness for His strength and wisdom. This is a marvelous energy conversion process. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. —Crosby Time spent “waiting on God” is never wasted. Harry