Is. 51:1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
Is. 51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
The LORD continues to call His people to remembrance. Emphasis is made that He is speaking at this point to those who are pursuing the things that are right and are “seeking” the Lord. The Hebrew for the word seeking stated, “to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer).” This would indicate that these people are not just going through rituals when they bring their sacrifices and offerings to the Lord; the motivations of their hearts are pure.
At first read it doesn’t sound like a good thing to compare Abraham and Sarah to a rock and the hole of a pit. I think you have to look at the end of verse two to get the perspective. The prophet is referencing a rock quarry. Many stones or much gravel are obtained from one rock. That seems to be the intent of the comparison. Abraham was singled out by God to become the father of the nation of Israel. Through the offspring of this one man and his wife would descend the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, a people that He promised Abraham would be as the sand of the sea and the stars in the sky.
Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies….
The message is one of encouragement to those in the nation who are truly seeking to follow God. Though few, God is able to bless them and multiply them in the same way that He blessed and multiplied Abraham and Sarah. No matter how desperate the situation looks for the nation as a whole, their God is able to deliver them and will fulfill the promised covenant blessings to Abraham.
Is. 51:3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
This verse definitely takes us into the prophetic future. Zion/Israel has never been in a position comparable to the Garden of Eden. The new nation of Israel (since 1948) has made great inroads agriculturally, but could certainly not be compared to the Garden of Eden. Not only will the land produce abundantly, but the people will also be filled with joy and thanksgiving. This is not a description that fits the land as a whole today. They still have much to fear from their enemies and have great disagreement among themselves as to how to deal with these enemies.
The time is coming when YHWH is going to take pity on His people and His land. He will be the source of their blessing; He will be the source of their joy and gladness. He will be the One to whom they give their thanks in praise and worship. The land of Israel today is basically a secular nation; they do not recognize God as LORD or act as a nation with a mandate from YHWH.
Is. 51:4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
“my people…..my nation” – God has set apart the nation of Israel as His. That calling will not change no matter how rebellious they may be.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
I am reminded that in verse 1 He makes it clear that He is talking to the godly remnant of the nation. He assures them that He will accomplish His purposes for the nation of Israel. He had already given them His law as recorded in scripture, and the choice was theirs to obey or not. There is a time coming in the future when Jesus will rule as the King of kings from Jerusalem and His judgment will be final for not only the nation of Israel, but also for all peoples. At that time, He will rule with righteous judgment against those who disobey His law. The Hebrew for light makes reference to happiness. The fact that He is a righteous Judge will bring happiness to those in His kingdom.
Is. 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
“salvation” = liberty, deliverance, prosperity, to be open, wide or free, to be safe
Again, the language speaks to me of a time yet future—a time when the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God, is on the throne as King. At that time the nation of Israel will experience the blessings of deliverance, prosperity and safety. The Hebrew for the word arm is indicative of power and strength. In other words, the King will rule with authority and with the ability to enforce what He commands. Even the Gentile nations will “wait” upon the Lord. The Hebrew for wait stated to “bind together, collect, expect.” This seems to indicate a sense of union submissive to one authority with certain expectations of that authority. That expectation seems to be the privilege of trusting in the strength and power of the King for their own good.
Is. 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
This verse takes us on into the future beyond the millennial kingdom of the Messiah according to the book of Revelation.
The sequence of events indicated is as follows (cf Revelation 20-21:1):
Satan is bound in hell for 1000 years.
Christ rules on earth on the throne of David for said 1000 years.
At the end of the 1000 years Satan is released to work his deceit once more, and he will be able to gather an army “as the sand of the sea.”
God destroys this army with fire from heaven and Satan is cast into the lake of fire.
The Great White Throne Judgment takes place at which time all those who have rejected Jesus will be judged according to their works.
All not found in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire.
Then appears a new heaven and earth.
The Apostle Peter also had some words to say about the new heavens and earth.
2Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
It’s hard not to get hung up on the phrase “the day of the Lord” in this passage. This phrase is so closely associated with the time of Jacob’s trouble, the 7 years of tribulation, that it can be confusing.
I decided to stop and look at a list of all the verses that contain this phrase. The Greek for the word day can be specific or represent an indefinite period of time. As I thought about this list, the thought entered my mind that maybe this is a reference to the final part of that “day” of judgment. Just as prophecies about the two comings of the Messiah were spoken of by the prophets as “one” event, the same truth could be applicable to the prophecies of the “day of the Lord” regarding the new heavens and earth. That totally removes the difficulties that jump out at me as I try to resolve the seeming differences regarding this time in the passages that reference it.
Creation was cursed along with the man for whom it was created when man chose to reject God as LORD. Isaiah compares the aging of man to the deterioration of the creation. Both Isaiah and Peter reference the use of fire. Isaiah states that the heavens will vanish like smoke, and Peter states that the heavens and earth will be dissolved due to the intensity of the heat.
The important point to make is that those who have placed their trust in YHWH will be saved forever, time without end. For God’s salvation to be forever, God is understood as existing forever, which in turn includes His righteousness (and holiness, and love, etc).
Is. 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
Is. 51:8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
I am reminded again that the Spirit is using the prophet Isaiah to deliver His message—the prophet who writes poetically, which in Hebrew involves repetition. These two verses are basically repeating the truths previously stated.
The LORD is talking to those who can understand and discern righteousness and who have God’s law in their hearts. He is reminding these godly people that they have nothing to fear from men. Wicked men are going to die (physically and spiritually) and be destroyed. Those who place their faith in YHWH can be sure that God will never change. His salvation is sure for all who place their faith in Him in all future generations; they may die physically, but they can look forward to glorious eternal life in a resurrected body in the presence of God.
Is. 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
Is. 51:10 Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
As I read the wording in these verses a few times, it seems that the speaker must be Isaiah. He is getting excited about the message he is delivering. He wants the LORD to exert the power and authority He has been speaking about in the previous verses “now.” Isaiah is reminded of the times that the LORD had demonstrated that power in the early beginnings of the nation. According to the Hebrew, Rahab is a reference to Egypt, which he proceeds to compare to a dragon (monster). Verse 10 continues the thought by referencing the parting of the Red Sea to allow the Jews to escape from the Pharaoh and his armies.
I can empathize with Isaiah. He is eager for the time of blessing about which he is prophesying. I am eager for the time of blessing about which I am studying. You can’t help but get excited to think about Jesus ruling on the throne with total righteousness and the creation experiencing healing that will make the land fruitful and its inhabitants, both man and animal, live in harmony with one another. The animals won’t be in question, but man will still have a sin nature and the choice to obey or not—the key difference being, sin will be dealt with immediately. Scripture tells us He will rule with a rod of iron.
Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Is. 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
The prophet knows that when the LORD is on the throne, “the redeemed of the LORD,” specifically the Jewish people, will be eager to come home to their land. They will want to exult with joy in their place of blessing and privilege. It will be a time of joy such as the nation has never experienced before. Sorrow and mourning will no longer be synonymous with the Jew.
Is. 51:12 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
Is. 51:13 And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
The LORD is definitely the speaker again in these verses. The Hebrew for the word comforteth includes not only pity and consolation, but “to avenge.” Part of the comforting process for the nation of Israel will be the fact that God will take vengeance on their enemies for the way they have been mistreated. God is the One who has exacted punishment upon His people, but the nations have gone far beyond what God intended and He will take vengeance. He is the only One with the right to do so.
Psalm 94:1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
The LORD is stating the obvious. He had promised the nation blessing beyond measure in return for their obedience. He had proven His power and authority through many miraculous events. They had chosen to reject the God Whom they should have served in fear and obedience. They showed more fear of their human enemies than they did of God Almighty—the Creator.
The last half of verse 13 was a bit difficult. After reading through several translations and a few commentaries, I think I have a glimmer. The obvious part is that the LORD is making a huge contrast between Himself and the enemies they fear “continually every day.” A human enemy will, at worst, only be able to exert his terror for a limited time. If Israel would but look at her past, she would see that her enemies of the past have not been able to maintain a position of strength and authority. God’s position of strength and authority has not diminished in any way; He is ever in control. Any current or future enemy will have limited times of rulership. If they would but trust in God and serve Him in truth with all their heart, they would have nothing to fear from these enemies. That was His promise.
Deuteronomy 7:11-18 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee. If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt…
Is. 51:14 The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
Another hard verse, and another time I wish I knew Hebrew. Many of the translations make this a statement of limited captivity and future provision as stated in the NAS: The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking.
This makes sense in connection to the preceding verse. That being the case, I have to remind myself to read it from the perspective of the speaker—the LORD. Calvin states it like this, “Yet with good reason does God say that that event will come quickly which he delays till a fit season; for, although to us it may appear to be long, yet, being appropriate and suitable, the time is short.”
Probably the most important point to take from this verse is that God never intends to abandon His people or give up on them. He will punish according to His righteous judgment, but He always allows for repentance and return to Him.
Is. 51:15 But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.
This is one of the characteristics of the book of Isaiah that so impresses me. God continues to confirm Who He IS. He expresses Himself totally and unequivocally as THE GOD.
This is another reminder of how He delivered Israel from Egypt through the parting of the Red Sea. The “waves roaring” I believe is a reference to the waters crashing back together in destruction of the Pharaoh’s army. Only one being possesses that kind of authority and power—YHWH, the LORD of hosts, the greatest army of all.
Is. 51:16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
YHWH is the speaker. He has put His words in “thy” mouth—Is this Isaiah, Messiah or the people of Israel in general. I decided to search “put my words,” and interestingly enough they were found in only two other places.
Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
The verse in Deuteronomy would seem to be a reference to the Messiah, and the verse in Jeremiah references Jeremiah, both of whom reference all the prophets (in old and new testaments) through whom YHWH has spoken to His people.
“covered thee….hand” – There is no safer covering than that provided by the LORD—even if just His shadow. This is a statement of love—of protection, provision and needed correction.
Again, the last half of the verse is difficult for me. My first thought is that it is a statement of God’s purposes from before the foundation of the world. He knew ALL before He ever created. (Which brings up a whole other set of questions I can’t even begin to answer, but doesn’t change the truth of this statement.) The people of Israel and Jerusalem were set apart as God’s chosen people and land before He created the first thing.
A couple of translations, such as the NIV, state it as an identifier of the Lord as the One from whom the message comes—“I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”
The Complete Jewish Bible gives rise to some interesting thoughts by its translation—“in order to plant the skies [anew],
lay the foundations of the earth [anew]
and say to Tziyon, ‘You are my people.’”
This would tie in to verse 6 above regarding the destruction of the heavens and earth, which in turn references the new heavens and earth spoken about in other parts of His word.
Obviously, there is much to consider. I am reminded of the following verse in Romans.
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
I believe there are many layers of meanings to God’s Word, and the future may prove all of these ideas to have merit.
Is. 51:17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
Is. 51:18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
I had to read through to the end of the chapter again to get some understanding. “Dregs” reference the residue left from the making of the wine. Isaiah is painting a word picture of a people who are exhibiting the signs of drunkenness in response to God’s judgment of their sin. They have experienced God’s wrath to the full. There are no spiritual leaders left to give her direction according to the Word of God.
Again, this takes my thoughts past the time of Christ, especially since the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, and certainly since the reign of the Ottoman Empire.
Is. 51:19 These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
Though making a reference to two things, the prophet goes on to list four. JFB gave insight regarding this discrepancy. The pairs are representative of judgment on the land and on the people. The land will experience desolation and destruction, and the people will experience famine and the sword.
The wording tells me that this judgment is certain. The people cannot expect relief until God’s purposes have been fulfilled.
Is. 51:20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
This is a picture of helplessness. The people have experienced God’s wrath and punishment in its fullness.
Again, that has not happened as of yet. God’s wrath will finally be expended and His refining judgment of the nation of Israel completed at the end of the 70th week of Daniel, the time of Jacob’s trouble, the 7 years of tribulation.
Is. 51:21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
Emphasis is made that their weakness and the lack direction is not a result of the intoxication of wine; it is a lack of spiritual leadership and discernment. Implied—it is a direct result of their disobedience to and rejection of YHWH as their LORD.
Is. 51:22 Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
Is. 51:23 But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
“thy Lord the LORD” – YHWH is the Lord/Master of Israel. He has called them to a special purpose and place of privilege, and His purposes will be accomplished. They may rebel and reject Him for a while, but He is always preserving a remnant. One day “all Israel shall be saved.” (Romans 11:26)
Not only is He the God of Israel, He is God Almighty over all of creation.
“pleadeth” – toss, grapple, defend, rebuke, strive thoroughly
There seems to be more than one truth here. God does defend His people as several translations state. He is also striving (endeavoring with earnestness) with His people to get them to turn to Him in repentance and faith. Part of that process includes rebuking them for their sin through punishment.
“thou shalt no more drink it again” – This will only be true of Israel at the end of the tribulation. The enemies of God’s people will experience His wrath and judgment to the full.
Is. 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
This verse emphasizes that the prophet is speaking of a future time. Never has it been true that the uncircumcised and the unclean have been kept out of Jerusalem. Isaiah is a poet and is equating Zion’s future strength to beautiful garments. The word for strength in the Hebrew states, “strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise).” That is why strength (singular) is equated to garments (plural). What makes Zion/Jerusalem the holy city? The fact that this is the place on earth with which God has chosen to identify His name.
1Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
Is. 52:2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
Evidently, before Jerusalem is in a position to put on beautiful garments of strength, she will have been in captivity. I believe this is a reference to the rule of Antichrist. Once the LORD destroys the Antichrist and assumes the throne of David the nation of Israel will finally experience blessing and peace forever—but not until then.
Is. 52:3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
As I read several translations of this verse, I thought the KJV and the Darby really had the right idea. God didn’t sell His people to their captors; He gave them over to them for judgment. They are the ones who sold themselves by their rejection of God and by turning to false gods and other nations for their protection. When Israel is redeemed by God and restored to a position of fellowship, it will be because they have turned back to Him in faith and repentance. The Lord made it very clear that He would not return until His people wanted Him to.
Luke 13:34-35 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Is. 52:4 For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Both the Egyptians and the Assyrians were the main oppressors of Israel before the Babylonian captivity. In recent years I heard a teaching by Chuck Missler that cast an interesting possibility regarding this scripture. A quote from one of the articles on his website states: “Much has been speculated about the specific Pharaoh in this book. Stephen gives us a clue when he notes that, ‘Another king arose who knew not Joseph.’ The Greek term used was heteros, another of a different kind, not allos, another of the same kind. This Pharaoh was of a different race and dynasty. (Josephus also makes mention of this fact, who describes "the crown being come to another family.") It seems that he was the Assyrian of Isaiah 52:4.”
This would seem to make a bit more sense to me in reference to the phrase “oppressed them without cause.” This Pharaoh had no cause to oppress the Jews. They had been invited to Egypt during the famine and had been given the land they occupied. The only reason the Hebrews were placed in bondage was because of Pharaoh’s fear that they would turn on him—not because of anything they had done to him or his country. When the Assyrian empire, on the other hand, conquered the northern tribes and took them into captivity, it was for cause—God’s judgment upon His rebellious people.
Considering the context of reference to a future time, I can’t help but make a comparison between “the Assyrian” and the Antichrist. The Antichrist, too, will oppress God’s people without cause. Considering Antiochus Epiphanes as the main type of the Antichrist, I wouldn’t be surprised if he also turned out to be an Assyrian. Assyria was absorbed by Rome, so he would, therefore, also be Roman. He would also have to be Jewish for them to accept him as their Messiah. This identification is based on place of birth as well as ethnicity.
The 70th week of Daniel is a time intended to bring Israel back into relationship with the Lord—one that they will never again reject; it will bring in everlasting righteousness.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
The wrath of God that will be poured out upon planet earth during this time is directed toward His enemies, the wicked, and the unbelieving. It is not directed toward the nation of Israel.
Isaiah 13:9 & 11 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it….And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Is. 52:5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
Because of the context I believe this is a reference to future times. Again, the phrase “for nought” stands out. The Babylonian captivity happened for a reason, for cause, as a judgment from God upon His people for disobedience and for neglecting the sabbatical years for the land.
2Chronicles 36:20-21 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
In the last 3.5 years of his rule, the Antichrist is going to declare war on God’s people “for nought,” for no good reason. His sole motivation will be hate.
Revelation12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
We know that the Antichrist will be blatant in blaspheming the name of God
Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Usually, as the leaders go, so go their followers.
Is. 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
“therefore” – When the events happen that He has foretold.
The day is coming when the nation of Israel, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, will recognize God as LORD and Jesus, His Son, as Messiah and King. This is the time that is spoken of by the prophet Zechariah.
Zechariah 12:8-10 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Is. 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
How many times have I heard this verse used in mission conferences! And it is so true. The sad thing is that we children of God are so hesitant to share the good news, the gospel of salvation through Jesus. We are so afraid of offending someone or turning them away. I am trying to learn to become bolder and not to worry about what the person may think of me or how they might respond negatively. The important thing is to share the truth of God’s Word and trust the LORD to work through the Holy Spirit. We are not responsible for the outcome; we are responsible to share what we know and possess. They can’t respond if they don’t hear.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It is going to be especially great news for those who turn to God in faith during the tribulation period—especially the Jews. They will be able to look at His Word and see that everything is happening according to His Word. They will finally start seeing clearly after having been blind so long to the truth of scripture. In that time, which will be the worst ever to impact this earth and its inhabitants, God’s Word will provide hope, strength and comfort.
The Hebrew for the word peace encompasses much: “safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace.”
Is. 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
The Hebrew for watchmen indicates one who is “leaning forward,” looking with expectation. Who are these watchmen? In a coming chapter we are told that they have been specifically placed in position by God and are constantly entreating Him to “make Jerusalem a praise throughout the earth.” These are verses that I quote often when I pray. It is a time that I am anticipating with great joy because I know that means that I will be with the Lord and He will be on His throne in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 62:6-7 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Is. 52:9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
This will be the response of the watchmen to the coming of the King. Their message will be one of great joy and cause for great celebration. Jerusalem will be a waste when He comes, but that will soon change. The Lord is going to bring great blessing and prosperity when He comes (as Isaiah will describe in more detail in upcoming chapters).
Is. 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
In previous study we have found that the arm is a symbol of one’s strength and power. Making it bare would be a word picture of displaying this strength and power for all to see. The fact that the LORD’s arm is described as holy gives understanding that the judgment executed in His strength and power is righteous according to His purposes.
When Christ returns as King “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” This makes me think of the verses in Romans that express the longing of creation for this time.
Romans 8:21-23 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Is. 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
Is. 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
“go ye out of the midst of her” – The first question in my mind was regarding “her.” To whom did it refer? It seems to reference “the earth” in the previous verse. Although many Jews have decided to make their home in the nation of Israel since 1948, there are still many millions dispersed throughout the nations of the earth. We read in chapter 49 how the LORD would cause the Gentiles to facilitate the return of His people to their land. Just as the LORD went before and behind them to ensure their safety and provision during the Exodus, He will again do so in the future.
“rereward” = the rear guard
“the vessels of the Lord” – This would seem to be a reference to the items used in the Temple. Many commentators seem to think this chapter is referencing the deliverance from Babylonian captivity, but for the reasons cited in previous comments I do not believe this is the case. These two verses would certainly seem to apply to that time, since they left Babylon with the permission of Cyrus and were taking with them many of the temple vessels. I know that the Temple Institute in Jerusalem is preparing even now for the establishment of the new temple and that most of the items required for service have been made. It makes me wonder if many of these will be spirited out of Jerusalem during the time of the Antichrist’s fury and desecration. The future will one day reveal the truth. I will continue to seek the teaching of the Spirit regarding the meaning of this scripture.
Is. 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently (wisely, with good success), he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
“prudently” = wisely, with good success
These verses begin a very powerful and terrible, but beautiful section of scripture. The prophet introduces this section with a statement of the victorious results of the sacrifice that Christ, the Messiah, (“my servant”) would make by obediently coming to earth as a man, living a sinless life, and laying down His life in death to provide the gift of salvation for man—despite the fact that He would be rejected and treated shamefully.
Christ will be exalted and extolled as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
It is no wonder in my mind that the Jewish people had a hard time rectifying the suffering Messiah with the conquering King. It’s really the same problem that people have today—expectations and lack of understanding. They cannot see with spiritual eyes because they have rejected The Truth. On the one hand, we want to blame God for everything and hold Him accountable to our expectations while rejecting Him as LORD and His Word as true. We have placed ourselves in the position of king and Him in the position of servant. Until we are humbled in our hearts and brokenhearted for our sin, we will never be able to experience His healing and understand His truth.
LORD, I pray for understanding and enlightenment as I enter into this most holy section of scripture.
Is. 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
“astonied” = to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense):—make amazed, wonder
“stupefy” = To make stupid; to make dull; to blunt the faculty of perception or understanding in; to deprive of sensibility.
The flow of thought is difficult to follow. From declaring the exaltation of His servant as King, the LORD jumps right in to describing His humiliation. This verse is a reference to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. I thought the Hebrew for the word astonied allowed for the various responses of those who were witnesses to these events.
Many were stunned; including those who witnessed the results of the savage beating that He endured and those who had heard Him teach and believed Him to be the Messiah. They had expected Him to deliver them from the Romans and reign as King.
Many were devastated—His mother and close followers
Many were stupefied—especially His disciples who hadn’t understood all of His teachings, including the pointed ones in which He shared with Him His death, burial and resurrection.
Luke 18:31-34 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Many were amazed; like the soldier who realized that the events of nature that happened in response to His death testified that this was the Son of God.
Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
The last two phrases of this verse emphasize that He endured a beating that was worse than any other man on earth has suffered. He was completely disfigured (from the Hebrew for marred). I believe this means that He was basically beaten beyond recognition.
Chuck Missler goes on to make application to His conversation with the two disciples on the Emmaus Road (They didn’t recognize Him.), His appearance to the disciples in the upper room (They were terrified.), to Mary Magdalene (She didn’t recognize Him.), and to the disciples (They didn’t recognize Him at first; they were fishing; He was on shore.).
Is. 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
“sprinkle” = to spirt, i.e. besprinkle (especially in expiation)
“expiation” = The act of making satisfaction or atonement for any crime or fault; the extinguishing of guilt by suffering or penalty.
Through His suffering, He will provide atonement for the sins of many nations. Those who come to understand this will be astonied in return at such unconditional love. They will be left speechless.
The last half of this verse is a bit hard. Paul referenced this section in his letter to the Romans. He seems to be using it as one of his motivations to keep going into places where the name of Christ would not be known.
Romans 15:20-21 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
After glancing at several commentaries, I think Paul gives us the most understanding of the meaning. It is obvious that God had especially privileged the Jews to receive His words of truth through the prophets. They knew a Messiah was coming even though they didn’t understand that His coming would be in two parts. They knew that they were to serve as an instrument of blessing to all nations of the earth according to God’s promise to Abraham.
Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
After the death and resurrection of Christ and the formation of the church, the gospel began to circulate to those who had never heard the teachings of scripture. How would they “see” the truth? Through the lives of believers. They would be encouraged to consider truths never heard before because of the testimony of men and women of faith.