What was the message in Isaiah 40-55? Who was the intended audience? Chapters 40-55 of the book of Isaiah, also known as Second Isaiah or Deutero-Isaiah, have been examined and discussed by many biblical scholars. In this new work, Debra Moody Bass synthesizes the work of noted authorities on Deutero-Isaiah, recent scholarly analysis, and archaeological work from prominent archaeologists such as E. Stern to identify the audience and message in this critical passage. God Comforts Israel identifies the message God gave to the people of Israel in the 6th century B.C.E. as a message of comfort. This comfort was all encompassing and was meant to encourage the exiles to return to Jerusalem and become the 'Servant of Yahweh' and proclaim to 'the ends of the earth' the salvation of God.