Based on a series of sermons preached in PCC Prayer Meetings in 2020
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him
Isaiah 40:10
We are continuing with our study of the 40th chapter of the prophecy of Isaiah. We noted several things about this chapter thus far: (1) it begins the section of this book that focuses on promises and comfort after 39 chapters predominantly of judgement and condemnation; (2) It is not only about God generally, but about the Lord Jesus Christ; (3) It calls upon the Lord’s ministers of the New Covenant to focus on messages of comfort instead of condemnation; (4) the message of comfort has to do with salvation from sin in Christ; and (5) It calls upon God’s people to testify of the good news in Christ to each other and the world.
In our present study, we come to verse 10, and may draw three things from it:
- First, Christ will come with a strong hand;
- Secondly, His arm shall rule for Him;
- Thirdly, His reward is with Him.
1. Christ Will Come with a Strong Hand
“Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, …” (v. 10a).
The Lord GOD, Adonai Yahweh, almost certainly refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage, after all, is about Him coming as the Immanuel, whom all flesh shall see (v. 5).
How would Christ come? If Christ comes as a man, wouldn’t He be coming in weakness? But, no, we are told that He would come with a strong hand, i.e., with might and power. How is that so?
Well, remember that Christ did not empty himself of all but love. He took on human nature, but He remained fully God. He came as the God-Man, the Immanuel. In Him, the fullness of the Godhead dwells (Col 2:9).
Though human nature is weak and a babe is helpless, our Lord was not weak and helpless even as He chose to humble Himself for our salvation. He came indeed with a strong hand to deal with our sin, to deliver us from the bondage of the wicked one and to conquer death on our behalf.
2. Christ’s Arm Shall Rule for Him
“…and his arm shall rule for him…” (v. 10b).
In ancient times, the arm was a symbol of strength, particularly in war. The psalmist says: “[The LORD], he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory” (Ps 98:1).
Likewise, the Lord says through Moses:
I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm
Ex 6:6
What does Isaiah mean when he says that the arm of Christ shall rule for Him? It means that Christ will come as a conqueror to conquer. He will come, and by His power, He will defeat His enemies and free His people from bondage. He is “the Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6).
Remarkably, He would do all these by His own strength without any external help, for He alone would walk for His people. He alone would go to the cross for them. He alone would rise again for their justification.
Thus, the apostle Paul speaks of Christ ascending on high and leading captivity captive (Eph 4:8; cf. Ps 68:17-18). The arm of Christ shall rule for Him: defeating His and our enemies, and bringing us under His loving rule.
3. Christ’s Reward Is with Him
The words that Isaiah uses, “behold, his reward is with him, and his work [or recompense] before him,” picture a conquering king rewarding his army or citizens with a portion of the bounty of his conquest. This is usually done after a successful military campaign. Thus, in 1 Samuel 30, we read of how, after David defeated the Amalekites, he distributed the spoil of the conquest with everyone, including those who were too tired to join in the campaign.
But now the interesting thing in the case of Christ is that He would go to war alone, and He would give gifts to His captives. This is what Paul says in the same verse where he tells us that Christ led captivity captive: “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Eph 48). He is alluding to Psalm 68:18.
Christ our King not only comes for us, but He is full of gifts and rewards. He has given us an earnest of our inheritance, even the Holy Spirit. And when He comes again, He shall give us the fullness of His reward, including what is commensurate with our service for Him. “Behold, I come quickly,” He says, “and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev 22:12).
Conclusion
What a privilege we enjoy! Isaiah lived at a time when the Babylonian conquest was imminent. He had not seen the worst that would happen to Israel, not to mention catch a glimpse of the brightness that would follow. On the other hand, we have been accorded the great privilege of looking back and seeing his prophecy being fulfilled and looking forward to even better things to come.
Looking back, we see Christ in His first coming, His conception, His birth, His life, His message, His miracles, His suffering, His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension and His sending forth of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. All these bear testimony to what Isaiah is prophesying in our text.
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.
But looking forward, we see Christ coming again the second time to put down all His and our enemies and usher in a completely renovated new heaven and new earth wherein dwells only righteousness and love.
Oh, may the Lord grant us a heart of gratitude and awe and wonder at how our God has bent the heavens so that we who are unworthy and sinful creatures of dust could behold Him, experience His power, enjoy His rule and expect His blessings in His Son.
Oh, brethren and children, look to Christ when you feel weak and powerless. Behold, He has come with a strong hand. Know that His grace is sufficient for you and that you can do all things through Him who strengthens you.
Look to Christ when you feel your life spiralling out of control, brethren. Behold, He has come and His arm is ruling for Him. Not only has He conquered, He is conquering. He has ascended to the right hand of the throne of God, where He is upholding all things by the word of His power for the good of His people. You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you. All things are working together for your good.
Look to Christ when you feel your life is meaningless and insignificant. Behold, Christ’s reward is with Him, and His recompense for your work is with Him. He has gifted you with the Holy Spirit as an earnest of your inheritance. He will reward you for your good works, even if all you have done is to give a cup of cold water in His name.
Seek therefore, to serve with faith and hope in Him, knowing that He makes all things beautiful in His time. Amen.
—JJ Lim