THE LORD GOD

The name Lord God (Hebrew, Adonai Jehovah), although used over twenty times by Isaiah, is only used when the utmost reverence is desired to be expressed. It is not the same name also translated ‘Lord God’ in Genesis 2, but a name that conveys both authority and ownership in the first word ‘Lord’, and loving relationship in the second word rendered ‘God’. It is to the Lord God that those aroused by the glad tidings of verse 9 are directed, as they hear, ‘Behold your God’.

The glad tidings appear to be on the lips of Zion and Jerusalem. They are the glad evangelists announcing that their God has appeared among them. As we know, the One so described is the Lord Jesus, not now in the garb of a Galilean worker, but now moving in mighty force across the land of Israel. What good news! They will say, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us’, Isa. 25. 9; cf. 26. 8. Like a ripple in the pond, the gospel will spread first to the cities of Judah, v. 9, and thereafter to the uttermost parts of the earth, 66.19.

Note how well they speak of Christ. Let every gospel preacher of this age learn to speak as well of Christ. The Lord God is described as twice more we hear ‘Behold’. Now the character of His coming and the consequences of His coming are brought to view. The Lord God comes as a Mighty One, His arm ruling for Him. Who then will oppose? Who will take counsel together against Him? The evangel, which we hear, has not yet rung across the Judaean hills and will not until the earth has known its awful hour of trial, Rev. 3. 10 RV. As the Lord God comes, both reward and retribution are to be before Him in that great day of accountability that earth will know; see Matt. 25. 31-46. This day of judgement is not to be confused with that described in Rev. 20. 11-15, which takes place one thousand years after this event prophesied by Isaiah, cf. Rev. 20. 7-10.

To us, who trust the Saviour, has been committed the gospel of the grace of God that we might carry it to the uttermost parts of the earth. Through the exalted Christ is preached the forgiveness of sins, Acts 13. 38. May we preach this with the urgency that will mark the preachers of Isaiah 40. 9-10!