Isaiah study & commentary

Isaiah 52:1-2

The call to awaken was once again issued (as in v. 9 & 17).  Zion could rise from the dust and ashes, from captivity and mourning.  Jerusalem was to put off the old garments, the defiled ones.  It was to put on the beautiful garments; this is the ritually pure.  Those that once defiled the land were leaving.  God was going to restore and purify the land.  Jerusalem could rise up and take the seat of honor once again. 

Isaiah 52:3

It was for nothing the people went to captivity.  There was no worthy cause in which they lost.  Not for a minute would they have said, "It was worth it."  It was worthless idols, rebellion, pride and much more.  In essence, it was turning their back on God and His ways. 

Redemption without money wasn't possible in their cultural understanding.  Redemption was to buy someone out of debt.  But the debt they owed was to the Lord.  It was by His reckoning they owed and debt and it would be by His reckoning it would be paid or forgiven.

Isaiah 52:4-6

The children of God went first down to Egypt, the world superpower at that time.  God delivered them by His hand.  Then the Assyrian came to oppress them.  The Lord delivered them.  Now, the Babylonians came to carry them away for nothing.  The 'for nothing' is that there is no profit back to Israel.  Therefore, because of this, the children of God will know His name once again.   They will know it is by His hand they will be brought out of exile. 

Isaiah 52:7-10

The mountains surrounded Jerusalem.  It would be a beautiful sight to see the feet of the messenger on the mountain.  The messenger would bring good news, the news of salvation, of redemption.  A time of peace amidst the announcement of salvation.  God would show Himself almighty and the people would declare that He reigns. 

It would be as though God rolled up His sleeve to show His muscle, His holy arm was all powerful.  All the gentile nations would see; all the ends of the earth would see and know the salvation of God.  I am thankful for that good news. 

Isaiah 52:11-12

The call to depart was the instruction to leave captivity & exile and return home.  They were to leave behind all the things that defile and make the unclean.  The seventy years was a purification, a purging and cleansing.  They were to take nothing unclean.  They wouldn't leave in haste as they had left Egypt.  However, much like the exodus, God would be their rear guard.

Isaiah 52:13-15

This is the final servant song.  The servant lives and moves with wisdom; all His ways are consistent with the ways of the Lord.  He will share with Yahweh the process of restoration of the people.  He will be lifted up as The King.  The astonishment at this was considerable but the way His visage was marred would surpass it.  He would be unrecognizable to those who would have normally recognized Him. 

This will lead to the sprinkling of the nations.  This is similar to the sprinkling of blood of atonement from the shed blood of the sacrifice.  It is the blood of the servant that will bring atonement of sin to the nations.  Kings will be left in astonished silence at what they will witness.  They had not previously understood or perceived what was going on.  Their eyes would be opened to this glorious truth.

©2018 Doug Ford