Even a superficial observer can hardly fail to see that these occurrences are joined

together as links in a chain, and the earnest student who uses these notes in the right

spirit, and is dissatisfied with a casual survey, will see the great desirability of a scrutiny

of the passages and their contexts in order that the import of the opening cry of Isa. 40: 1

may be gathered up at something like its true worth.

What this "comfort" implies, how far it is possible of attainment, what place human

agency has in it, and many other features, must await our next article. Meanwhile let us

rejoice that there is room for such a word in the purpose of the ages, and that even though

the Church of the Body of Christ be far removed in sphere from the kingdom of Israel,

yet are they all one in their need of forgiveness and in being met in wondrous grace.

The intent reader will find a field of interest in the study of the rather obscure

prophecy of Nahum. As may be surmised, Nahum is nacham, "comfort". The prophet

deals with Nineveh (see Isa. 37: 37), quotes Isaiah (Nahum 1: 15), asks "Whence shall

I seek comforters for thee?" (Nahum 3: 7), and shows by the figure that uses "wounds"

and "bruises" (Nahum 3: 19), that Assyria was like Israel (Isa. 1: 6) except that God

remembered His covenant and redeemed Israel, whereas no such "comfort" is ministered

to Nineveh. However, the matter is somewhat obstruse, and its explication would occupy

more space than is at our disposal.