Reassurance of Israel’s Future Restoration
March 3, 2022
Commentary
A third wake-up call is addressed to Jerusalem and is a command not only to wake up, but to dress up (vv. 1-6). She must put on her beautiful garments (v. 1). She shall no longer be a servant girl trodden under foot by the gentile nations but she shall once again be the holy city (v. 2). God sold his people into captivity for nothing and shall redeem them without money as well (v. 3). Egypt had made slaves out of the Jews, Assyria had oppressed them, and Babylon had taken them captive, but now this was all ended (v. 4). Now another power, Babylon takes away Judah and mocks them (v. 5) and blasphemes God (v. 6). God says that the feet of those who bring good news are beautiful (v. 7). He goes on to say that everyone on guard duty shall sing together (v. 8). This will all happen when Israel’s Messiah returns to Zion to reign (vv. 9-10).
The defeat of Babylon by Cyrus was certainly good news to the Jews because it meant freedom for the captives (vv. 11-12). Isaiah uses repetition when he says, “depart, depart” (v. 11). It seems strange that God would have to urge His people to leave their place of captivity, but they had become comfortable in Babylon and were reluctant to leave. God commanded them to depart because Babylon was a condemned place. God promised to protect them (v. 12). At the second coming the servant will act wisely doing what the Lord wants him to do (v. 13). When He returns many will be “awestruck” as they see Him from a new prospective (v. 14). Even the kings will be silent and bow in wonder (v. 15).
Application
When the Jewish people obeyed God, He went before them (Ex. 13:21) and protected them. When I obey God I can always count on His leading and protection.
Isaiah 52:1– 15 (NET)
1 Wake up! Wake up! Clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your beautiful clothes, O Jerusalem, holy city. For uncircumcised and unclean pagans will no longer invade you.
2 Shake off the dirt! Get up, captive Jerusalem. Take off the iron chains around your neck, O captive daughter Zion.
3 For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will not be redeemed for money.”
4 For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “In the beginning my people went to live temporarily in Egypt; Assyria oppressed them for no good reason.
5 And now, what do we have here?” says the Lord. “Indeed my people have been carried away for nothing, those who rule over them taunt,” says the Lord, “and my name is constantly slandered all day long.
6 For this reason my people will know my name; for this reason they will know at that time that I am the one who says, ‘Here I am.’”
7 How delightful it is to see approaching over the mountains the feet of a messenger who announces peace, a messenger who brings good news, who announces deliverance, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
8 Listen, your watchmen shout; in unison they shout for joy, for they see with their very own eyes the Lord’s return to Zion.
9 In unison give a joyful shout, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord consoles his people; he protects Jerusalem.
10 The Lord reveals his royal power in the sight of all the nations; the entire earth sees our God deliver.
11 Leave! Leave! Get out of there! Don’t touch anything unclean! Get out of it! Stay pure, you who carry the Lord’s holy items.
12 Yet do not depart quickly or leave in a panic. For the Lord goes before you; the God of Israel is your rear guard.
13 Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted —
14 (just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man; his form was so marred he no longer looked human —
15 so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked by his exaltation, for they will witness something unannounced to them, and they will understand something they had not heard about.
Illustration: My Country Tis Of Thee by Samuel Smith
One bleak day in February 1832, Samuel Francis Smith, a young theological student sat in his room at Andover Seminary. He was going over a sheaf of German songs for children, given him by a friend, and composer Lowell Mason. As he hummed over one after another, one struck his fancy. The words were patriotic, but they did not appeal to him. He decided to write his own words. On a scrap of paper he tapped out the rhythm of the music as he began to write: My country, tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride, From every mountain side, Let freedom ring. This has become our hymn of freedom. (Source Unknown).