Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD Almighty: 6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” Isaiah 39:5-7 NIV Isaiah 40:1-2: NIV Good News: your sins are for. (v.1-2) Surely, He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6 NIV She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus,because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV Isaiah 40:3-5 NIV Good News: The of God will be revealed. (v.3-5) The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV Isaiah 40:6-8 NIV Good News: is certain. (v.6-8) Isaiah 40:9-11 NIV Good News: Christ comes with the strength of a and the gentleness of a . (v.9-11) The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 NIV I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11 NIV Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance. Psalm 33:12 NIV For the LORD’s portion is His people, Deuteronomy 32:9a NIV Questions for Discipleship group and/or personal study: Opener: The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word which means ‘coming’. What are you anticipating or expecting this Advent season? Go to the Source: Read Isaiah 40:1-11 Imagine you were a person in exile in 586 B.C. Would these words have brought you comfort? Why or why not? What do these verses tell you about God? Is there a word or phrase that stands out to you, that God is speaking to you? Live it out: What does it mean for you to prepare your heart for the coming of King Jesus into your life this Advent? What needs to be leveled or shored up so you can “make a highway for our God” (v. 5) in your life?