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“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 1:18
Come, Follow Me · Old Testament 2026 · Week 40
“Comfort Ye My People”
September 28 – October 4, 2026Isaiah 40–4910 chapters · 242 verses
Isaiah turns from warning to comfort: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.” A voice prepares the way of the Lord. He feeds His flock like a shepherd and carries the lambs in His arms. Those who wait on Him “shall mount up with wings as eagles.” He alone is God and Savior, the first and the last, the Redeemer who says, “I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” And He can no more forget His people than a mother her nursing child: “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.”
Chapter
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Study guide
Isaiah 40–49 are among the most comforting chapters in scripture. These notes help you hear their message and recognize the Lord's servant.
How to read this week
Notice the shift in tone. Chapter 40 begins a new section focused on comfort, redemption and return. Imagine you're an exile hearing it.
Read it as being about who God is. Again and again: “I am the LORD,” Creator, Redeemer, the first and the last, the only Savior (43:11; 44:6; 45:5).
Contrast the true God with idols. Idols are made, carried and can't save (44:9–20; 46:1–7). The Lord makes, carries and saves.
Find the servant songs. 42:1–9 and 49:1–13 describe a servant who brings light to the Gentiles. The New Testament identifies Him as Jesus.
Read chapters 48–49 with 1 Nephi 20–22. Nephi quotes them and explains them to his brothers as a prophecy of the gathering.
Isaiah's message of comfort
Ch. 40 — Comfort; the way prepared; strength renewed
Chs. 41–42 — Fear not; the servant who is a light to the Gentiles
Chs. 43–45 — Redeemer, only Savior, called by name; Cyrus named
Chs. 46–47 — Idols carried; Babylon falls
Chs. 48–49 — Refined in affliction; never forgotten
Images and ideas to recognize
Passage
Image
What it means
Isa 40:3
Voice in the wilderness
John the Baptist, preparing the way.
Isa 40:11
Shepherd carrying lambs
The Savior's tender care.
Isa 40:31
Eagles' wings
Strength renewed by waiting on the Lord.
Isa 42:3
Bruised reed, smoking flax
His gentleness with the weak.
Isa 48:10
Furnace of affliction
Trials that refine.
Isa 49:16
Graven on His palms
Christ's wounds and His remembrance of us.
Restoration connections
1 Nephi 20–22 — Nephi quotes Isaiah 48–49 and explains the gathering.
D&C 6:36–37 — “Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands.”
D&C 89:20 — Those who keep the Word of Wisdom “shall run and not be weary.”
D&C 128:22 — Joseph Smith applies Isaiah's theme of freeing prisoners to the redemption of the dead.
Questions for the week
Which verse in Isaiah 40 brings you the most comfort? Why?
What does it mean to you that the Lord has “called thee by thy name” (43:1)?
How are you one of the Lord's “witnesses” (43:10)?
When have you felt the Lord carrying you (40:11; 46:4)?
How does Isaiah 49:15–16 change how you feel when you think you've been forgotten?
Conference talks & Church resources
Talks the Church's lesson points to this week, plus other Church resources that teach from these chapters.
Scholarly papers
Faithful scholarship from BYU and related publishers, tagged with the chapters each one discusses.
Podcasts & video
Come, Follow Me shows and episodes covering this week's reading.