Isaiah 40-49 • Dr. S. Michael Wilcox • Sept 28-Oct 4 • Come, Follow Me 2026

September 23, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

In this episode of followHIM, Hank Smith and John Bytheway welcome back Dr. S. Michael Wilcox to explore Isaiah 40–49, the beginning of a dramatically different tone in the prophet’s writings. The first word of chapter 40—“Comfort”—sets the stage for a portion of scripture that is less about warning and judgment and more about hope, intimacy, and the nature of God. Wilcox’s central argument is that these chapters are not primarily about predicting the future, but about teaching us who God is and what he feels for us.

How to Read Isaiah: Liken, Don’t Just Locate

Wilcox opens with a crucial interpretive key for reading Isaiah: “Shut your left brain down and turn your right brain on.” Isaiah is a poet, not a systematic theologian. His language is figurative, layered, and resists a single fulfillment. Wilcox urges readers to adopt the word “contemporary” as a lens. Isaiah speaks to his own time, to Jesus’ time, to Nephi’s, and to ours—all at once. The goal is not to pin down a prophecy to one event, but to liken the words to yourself.

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

Never miss an episode of followHIM

Get every new episode summarized in your inbox — free, ~5 minutes to read.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

What you'll learn

1 (00:02) **Introduction & Reading Isaiah as "Contemporary"** - Dr. S. Michael Wilcox joins to discuss Isaiah 40-49, emphasizing the shift in tone from warning to comfort.
2 (02:55) **Isaiah 40: The God of Infinite Power and Deepest Intimacy** - God’s own voice invites us to behold a God who is both infinitely powerful and intimately gentle.
3 (08:35) **Isaiah 40:27-31: "Why Sayest Thou... My Way is Hid?"** - The chapter answers the fear that God has forgotten us, offering strength for the weary.
4 (11:50) **Isaiah 41: "Fear Thou Not, I Will Help Thee"** - God directly addresses our deepest fears, especially the fear of failure and the judgment.
5 (16:49) **Isaiah 42: The Gentle Servant** - The Father describes the Son, whose gentleness is the source of his power.
6 (20:54) **The Man in the Last Chair: A Vision of Judgment** - A powerful personal story illustrating the role of Christ as an advocate at the judgment bar.
7 (23:41) **Isaiah 43: "I Have Loved Thee"** - God answers the question of why he offers such intimate help: we are precious to him.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Hank Smith John Bytheway

Show Notes

Touched by an episode? Click here to send a voice note.

What if God, who holds oceans in His hand, is more concerned with your fear than your failures? Dr. S. Michael Wilcox joins Hank and John to explore Isaiah 40-49, weaving personal loss, a vivid vision of divine judgment, and the promise that God never grows discouraged with those who are honestly trying.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/rWohGVtM0Ks

followHIM website: https://www.followHIM.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcast

TIMECODES

00:00 Beginning of Episode - Dr. S. Michael Wilcox

2:31 Shut the left brain, turn on the right

6:52 Liken the words of Isaiah

9:02 Introducing Dr. S. Michael Wilcox

11:25 “Comfort ye, my people”

13:58 “A voice crying in the wilderness”

17:05 “Behold your God”

19:11 Michael wasn’t a great runner

22:04 Who hath measured the waters

25:15 It’s the invitation to intimacy

28:33 When God feels far away

32:29 Kind, not just powerful

33:38 I have a B+ personality

38:15 Holding your hand through it

41:41 He won’t break what’s already bruised

45:21 Justice, not condemnation

48:03 Trusting the one leading you

50:02 The Waiting Room

53:13 I’ll go in with you

57:13 I won’t remember your sins

59:39 Someone pleading on your behalf

1:00:04 A judgment meant to be pleasant

1:04:01 The greatest discovery of life

1:07:10 God loves me

1:10:26 A blessing poured on your children

1:13:01 You will not be forgotten

1:16:40 The god you carry vs. the God who carries you

1:20:15 Babylon falls, Zion rises

1:25:15 Babylon’s false confidence

1:29:31 Make room, you’re going to need it

1:33:42 Peace that never stops moving

1:38:29 Send THIS to your teen

1: 40:03 Fed in the highest places

1:43:03 A love that won’t forget you

1:45:21 Look at how many are coming

1:49:18 Carried by others

1:55:00 It’s not a race, we’re going gently

1:57:35 End of Episode - Dr. S. Michael Wilcox

Thanks to the followHIM team:

Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, Sponsor

David & Verla Sorensen: Sponsors

Dr. Hank Smith: Co-host

John Bytheway: Co-host

David Perry: Producer

Kyle Nelson: Marketing, Sponsor

Lisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, S