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how does this 'waiting' relate to the old testament's hope for a messiah or the day of the lord?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Isaiah 40:31

“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.”

This verse comes from the book of Isaiah, written by a prophet during a time of exile for the people of Judah. It offers words of comfort and hope to a community facing hardship and despair, reminding them of God's power and faithfulness.

What does 'waiting for Yahweh' mean in your life, especially when hope feels distant?

Then — the setting

The book of Isaiah is commonly understood to contain messages from at least two, and possibly three, distinct periods. Isaiah 40-55, from which this verse is taken, is generally attributed to 'Second Isaiah' (Deutero-Isaiah), a prophet speaking to the Jewish exiles in Babylon around the 6th century BCE (586-538 BCE). This community had lost their land, temple, and monarchy, and faced the profound challenge of maintaining their identity and faith in a foreign land. The message was one of comfort and renewed hope, promising that their exile was ending and God was preparing a new Exodus.

Across the Testaments

This passage is from the Old Testament, where 'waiting for Yahweh' is a recurring theme, deeply intertwined with the expectation of divine intervention, especially deliverance and justice, often associated with the 'Day of the Lord.' The Day of the Lord in the Old Testament is a complex concept, sometimes a day of judgment for Israel's enemies, sometimes for Israel itself, and ultimately a day of divine vindication and renewal for God's people and creation. This waiting often held messianic overtones, particularly the hope for a future king from David's line who would restore justice and peace. In the New Testament, this 'waiting' transforms. While still embracing patience for God's ultimate plan, it now primarily centers on the person of Jesus Christ—His first coming as the Messiah, and the anticipation of His second coming (the 'parousia') to consummate God's kingdom. Believers are called to wait in hope and active expectation for the full realization of salvation and resurrection, often described as 'waiting for the blessed hope' (Titus 2:13) or 'waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ' (1 Corinthians 1:7).

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Psalm 27:14
This Psalm also encourages waiting for the Lord, trusting in His strength and goodness.
Lamentations 3:25-26
Even in deep lament, there is a recognition that it is good to wait quietly for God's salvation.
Romans 8:25
Paul speaks of waiting eagerly for hope that is not yet seen, with patience.

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