Isa_51

Isaiah 51:1-16 – Comforting the Lord’s People.

Comforting the Lord’s People, 51:1–16

51:1–3             Tidings of Comfort and Joy

51:4–6             Everlasting Salvation

51:7–8             Righteousness and Salvation

51:9–11           Old Exodus, New Exodus

51:12–16         Fear and Forgetfulness

Loosening the Bonds of Oppression, 51:17–23

51:17–20         Jerusalem Receives the Cup

51:21–23         Jerusalem’s Enemies Receive the Cup

V.1 – one may read this as if Isaiah is talking to us and that we need to listen because we are involved in seeking the Lord.  Counsel is to look to the “rock” in which you came from.

V.2 – That Rock represents Abraham, Isaac, Jacob as the foundation stones for the nation of Israel.  Since Jesus is the true “Rock” we listen to Him.

V.2 ‘he was but one’ – “alone” – but from him God created a nation of chosen people to show his power.

Isaiah 51:2 (NKJV)
²  Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him.”

V.3 – God comforts the exiles in words:  “For the LORD comforts Zion;” – as Zion represents Jerusalem and by extension, the nation of Israel.  He will return them there soon.  Foreshadows the future plans of taking his people home to the ‘heavenly Zion’.

V.3 “…thanksgiving and the voice of song” – they will sing in grateful response to Yahweh for their deliverance.  As we will praise God the for accomplished deliverance in the near future.

V.4 – “give attention” – because God is really speaking through the prophet.  The law will  be used to promote justice and righteousness.  –

V.5 – It will be ‘a light to the peoples’ as Jehovah’s justice is displayed through the work of the Servant.

V.6- “Lift up you eyes to the heavens” –

Compare:  Isaiah 40:26 (NKJV)
²⁶  Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.

The greatness of the heavens is an example of Yahweh’s creative power.  This compares the temporary nature of His creation in contrast to the enduring nature of God’s plan of salvation.

V.7 – ‘..whose heart is my law;” –  a renewal of having one’s heart focused on obeying Him.

V.8 – the image of fabric consumed by a moth would illustrate the fate of those who taunt and revile God’s people.    The verse closes with ‘but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.”

It reveals that in God’s new order only his righteousness and salvation will exist.

V.9-11 – Old Exodus, New Exodus

V.9 – “awake, awake, put on strength”   A call to bring the promise of salvation was demonstrated in the days out of Egypt and establishment of his people in the promise land.  “Rahab” would here figuratively be used to represent Egypt and that drama.

Today, we long for God to bring the promise of salvation completeness to the now existing world.  Awake to the wonderful promises God gives us today.

V.10 – ‘dried up the sea’  –  means of salvation for His people and destruction to the Egyptians that followed.

V.11 – “the ransomed of the LORD shall return …to Zion..singing…joy…gladness & Joy.”

V.11 – “the redeemed to pass over” –  Redeemed is a legal term for buying family members out of slavery.   The term “salvation’ is a redeeming process for us today.  It is part of God’s redeeming work toward the human family.

V.12-16 – Fear and Forgetfulness

V.12 “I am he who comforts you” – a declaration made by God that He has not forgotten His people.

Here God begins to answer his people’s cry and begins the process where he makes himself known to them as their divine Comforter.

Who will come forth? – Have you forgotten?  Are you afraid of mortal man?

V.13 – ?s to remind them who He is and as the creator of everything wouldn’t it seem logical that He can accomplish his will?  He is the ultimate sovereign over all things.

V.14 – He will make haste to release them from their bondage to Babayan.

Not lacking ‘bread’ would be a symbol of the necessities of life as the essential and staple part of the people’s existence.

 V.15 – “I am “Yahweh”, your God.  From Exodus 6:7 where Yahweh makes an agreement with Israel that He takes them as “his people”.

Exodus 6:7 (NKJV)
⁷  I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.  “Zion” or “Jerusalem” as symbols of being the nation of God Chosen People, Israel.

V.16 – “..put words in your mouth”  –  expression of how God has put His words in the prophets mouths to speak to you.     Covered them with the ‘shadow of his hand’.  He has hid the “Servant” in his hands.  (Isa. 49:2)

Isaiah 49:2 (NKJV)
²  And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.”

V.17 – “Wake yourself – stand up”  –  Now Yahweh calls them to be now He will redeem them.  They were in Babylon because of their sins and were judged accordingly.

V.18-20 – “there is none to guide her”….  Shows a need for a guide provided by God.  None of the current generation of exiles can give the guidance required.

V.21 – Therefore…you were drunk, but not with wine.   They were drunk with their own counsel, their own pride, their own stubbornness and more…

V.22-23 – Pleads the cause of Yahweh acts on their behalf.  Jeremiah 50:34 (NKJV)
³⁴  Their Redeemer is strong; The LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, That He may give rest to the land, And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

Isaiah 52:1-15….