JEHOVAH CALMS OUR FEARS

 Although Jehovah comforted the exiles with a wonderful hope, he knew they would face challenges at the time of their liberation. Jehovah had foretold that toward the end of the Jewish exile, a conqueror would devastate the surrounding nations and threaten Babylon. (Isaiah 41:2-5) Would the Jews need to be worried? Jehovah comforted his people in advance, saying: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God." (Read Isaiah 41:10-13.)  What did he mean by "I am your God"? He was not reminding the Jews to worship him-that need was obvious. Rather, he was reminding them that he was on their side. - PSALM 118:6.

Jehovah also calmed the exiles' fears by reminding them of his unlimited power and knowledge. He invited the Jewish exiles to look up at the starry heavens. He told them that he not only created the stars but also knew all the stars by name. (Isaiah 40:25-28) How much more so, then, does he know the personal name of each of his servants! And if Jehovah had the power to create the stars, he definitely has the power to help his people. Yes, the Jewish exiles had no reason to be anxious or afraid.

Jehovah also prepared his people for what lay ahead. In an earlier part of the book of Isaiah, God told the nation: "Enter your inner rooms and shut the doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment until the wrath has passed by." (Isaiah 26:20) This passage may have had an initial fulfillment when Babylon was conquered by King Cyrus. An ancient Greek historian says that when Cyrus entered Babylon, he "gave [his soldiers] orders to cut down all whom they found out of doors." Imagine how scared the inhabitants of Babylon would have felt! But the Jewish exiles may have well been spared because they obeyed Jehovah's instructions.

Next time: JEHOVAH CALMS OUR FEARS -Conclusion 

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