Consolation of Israel

Simeon has waited his whole life to see the promise of God fulfilled

Luke 2:25-32 Simeon meets Jesus

Comfort will come for God’s people who have been waiting on God’s salvation

Isaiah 40:1-5 Comfort my people

Good news has come to God’s people

Get ready for the Messiah to come

All flesh shall see the glory of the Lord revealed

God is sending his chosen one to bring salvation to those that wait on him

God has promised and it will not be undone

Isaiah 40:9-11 Comforting News

Lift up your voice and tell all about what God will do

He will come in strength and power

He shall gather up his people who trust in him

He will come as a gentle shepherd

Isaiah 40:12-20 Comfort in God’s plan not mans

God is above all things and can not be forced into a certain time and place

Man has tried this from the beginning by making idols and claiming they have god in a certain place

Building temples and claiming that god dwells there

VS 16- Even if we had all the wood in the world and burned every animal as a sacrifice it would not be enough for the One True Creator of the universe

Man is so desperate to bring god into their midst that they will even make god out of wood and stone

VS 21- have you not known? God is above all things and it is an offense to make him in our own way

Isaiah 40:25-31 Comfort in God’s Power

How is it that God will be revealed then?

Look to God and wait for Him to reveal

He will not faint and will not be weary

If we wait on God he will renew us

He will reveal himself to those who search for him

Not making your own way or your own god

Looking to him and his revealed way

Simeon waited on God to reveal his plan and his messiah

God revealed to him that he would meet this messiah before his death and he did

This is what he said

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant departIn peace, according to thy word

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation 

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.