The Comfort of Hope

The Comfort of Hope -

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vekovei Adonai yachalifu khoach

by John J. Parsons

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength...
- Isaiah 40:31a

Nachamu, nachamu ami: "Comfort, comfort my people."

Isaiah chapter 40 is all about comfort, not in the sense of pleasurable ease that leads to mindless contentment, but rather in the giving of strength to those who are afflicted and weary. Despite the menace of Babylonian captivity and exile, Isaiah foresaw Israel's future restoration and salvation. God comforted those trusting in Him to persevere despite the seeming defeat: His kingdom will one day be established upon the earth.

Learn Hebrew

In our verse, the subject is "they that wait," a participle that comes from kavah, which means to trust or hope. The Hebrew word tikvah (hope) comes from the same root. Originally, kavah meant to "twist" or "weave," as strands of a rope, making a tool capable of holding a heavy load securely.

There are many today with false hope, assuming that their good deeds or religious observances will make the burden of their lives secure. But the object of the participle here is Adonai: Only those that put their trust in Him are given the promise of renewal.

Notice that the word "renew" here comes from chalaf, meaning to change or come to life again. Job used this word when he said that even a tree cut down will put forth a second growth (Job 14:7), and he looked forward to the time when his "change" (chalifah) from mortality to immortality would come (Job 14:14).

Those who trust in the Lord are renewed in strength -- koach. Koach expresses the ability to endure and cope with the various trials of life. As Christians, we have been given the Comforter to help us in our infirmities until the time of our redemption is complete. In this hope we are saved (Rom. 8:24), and through this hope we are equipped with garments of praise and the armor of light (Rom. 13:12).

Zechariah calls God's people "prisoners of hope" and summons them to look forward to God's liberation (Zech. 9:12). Like Israel, we live in a time of affliction and spiritual warfare, but we do not lose heart and understand that our momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:16-5:6).

Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.

Transliteration:

vekovei Adonai yachalifu khoach

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