Isaiah 41 and 42 contain several repeated phrases: my servant…whom I have chosen; do not fear…I am with you; I am your God/the Lord. Even though the people will be going through tough times God wants them to know that they are the chosen ones with whom he has made a covenant. They do not need to fear because He will save them.

God spends a great deal of time reminding them that He is God, the Lord. These idols…these gods will not help them. They are not the real deal. God has prepared the earth for his people and they will have power over it.

There is a reference about a man from the north who will be sent by God. It is a reference to King Cyrus of Persia who ultimately delivers them from Babylon. But the reference presents a type of Messiah whose description can apply to Jesus.

Hebrews 5 compares Jesus with the high priests who act on behalf of the people. Being mere humans they must also sacrifice for their own sins. Jesus became not only the High Priest but also the sacrifice and now is able to save all who obey him.

The writer laments that he is unable to go into deeper detail with the readers because they can only handle spiritual milk. Often when in a church the members have not continued their study of the word, the pastor is forced to be superficial in teaching. The congregation cannot handle being challenged by deeper things. We all are responsible to continue our learning or we, like the readers of Hebrews, will become dull in understanding.