What does "His reward is with Him" mean in Isaiah 40:10? Canonical Context Isaiah 40 inaugurates the “Book of Comfort” (Isaiah 40–55), immediately answering the sorrow of exile with the promise of God’s triumphant return. Verse 10 reads: “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him” . The phrase under study stands at the heart of an oracle that proclaims both rescue and retribution. It prepares Judah—and ultimately the whole world—for a theophany in which Yahweh Himself appears as Warrior-King and Shepherd (vv. 10-11). Immediate Literary Context Isaiah 40:9 issues the call, “Here is your God!” Verse 10 then describes how He arrives: powerful (“with power”), sovereign (“His arm rules”), and equitable (“reward…recompense”). Verse 11 shifts to pastoral tenderness. The juxtaposition shows that God’s “reward” cannot be limited to one dimension; it embraces salvation for the faithful and judgment for the rebellious, held together in the single advent of the LORD. Theological Dimensions: Recompense of Salvation and Judgment a. Salvation: For repentant Israel, the “reward” is release from Babylon (fulfilled 538 BC) and ultimately the Messianic atonement (Isaiah 53:5-6). b. Judgment: For Babylon and all unrepentant nations, the same appearing brings “recompense” (Isaiah 47:3). Isaiah’s grammar, using synonymous parallelism, binds rescue and retribution in one act of divine arrival. Prophetic and Messianic Fulfillment in Christ Jesus self-identifies with Isaiah 40’s heralded LORD. John 1:23 cites Isaiah 40:3 to announce Christ’s Advent; Matthew 11:10 applies Isaiah 40:3 to John the Baptist, the forerunner. At Calvary and the empty tomb, Christ carries “reward” for believers—justification (Romans 4:25)—and simultaneously guarantees judgment on sin (John 12:31). The resurrection, attested by over 500 eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6)—a data set accepted by the majority of critical scholars—confirms that this reward is historically anchored. Eschatological Echoes: Revelation and Final Judgment Revelation 22:12 explicitly echoes Isaiah: “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to repay each one according to what he has done” . The same Greek phrase appears, linking the first coming to the consummation. Christ the risen King retains the prerogative to distribute eternal life (Revelation 21:6-7) or eternal separation (Revelation 21:8). Isaiah 40:10 therefore functions as both realized and future eschatology. Practical and Pastoral Implications for Believers a. Assurance: Because the reward is “with Him,” it cannot be lost to circumstance; it resides in the unchanging Person of God (Malachi 3:6). b. Motivation: Hebrews 11:6 affirms God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him,” catalyzing persevering faith and good works (1 Corinthians 15:58). c. Comfort: The exiles’ grief parallels today’s suffering. God’s promised remuneration urges believers to entrust vengeance to Him (Romans 12:19) and await perfect justice. Comparative Ancient Near Eastern Background Royal procession texts from Assyria (e.g., Tukulti-Ninurta I inscriptions) depict kings bringing tribute and punishment simultaneously. Isaiah redeploys that cultural imagery but attributes absolute authority to Yahweh alone, emphasizing monotheism over pagan polytheism. Contribution to Biblical Theology of Reward Scripture presents reward as: • Covenantal (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 19:11) • Christocentric (Colossians 3:24) • Eschatological (2 Corinthians 5:10) Isaiah 40:10 crystallizes these threads: covenant faithfulness culminates in Christ, who holds the final recompense. Summary “His reward is with Him” (Isaiah 40:10) asserts that when the LORD manifests His sovereign presence, He carries in His very being the power to bestow blessing and execute judgment. Historically, that appeared in Israel’s return from exile; prophetically and climactically, in the death-and-resurrection and promised return of Jesus Christ. For every person, this clause demands decision: accept the salvation secured by the risen Christ and receive eternal reward, or refuse and face righteous recompense. God’s reward is inseparable from God Himself—certain, comprehensive, and eternal. |
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