Preparing the Way of the Lord

verses one and two of second isaiah are about comfort. They tellJerusalem that her penalty has been paid, her time in babylon is over. This would have been out of place in the eighth century. And what comes right after this? A voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare the way of the lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our god. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low. The uneven ground shall become level and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see together. For the mouth of the lord has spoken. Again. You probably recognize these verses