Isaiah 40 is considered the center of the Bible, a pivot point that joins the old with the new. It is so starkly different from the previous 39 chapters of Isaiah that many believe it was written by a different author. Regardless, it’s God’s Word. He’s the Ultimate Author.

George Frideric Handel’s libretto (text) for his oratorio, Messiah, took much of Is. 40 because it is so rich in prophecy about the coming Savior. Since 1742 when Messiah was first performed, multiplied thousands each year sing the Word of God at Christmas and Easter when performing Handel’s famous composition.

As he was writing the musical score, he had rented a small chamber to isolate himself to finish the work. He had hired a person to bring him meals so he could devote his efforts to the composition. On one occasion, this person entered the room and found George with his head down on the manuscript, weeping at the vision of God he had just seen. There are tear stains to this day on that piece of music … the Hallelujah Chorus!

READ/LISTEN: Is. 40-42