Isaiah 52
Isaiah 52 describes a call for Jerusalem to awaken and prepare for salvation. It is a message of redemption and deliverance, emphasizing the power of God to restore His people. The chapter celebrates the return of God’s favor to Israel and the coming salvation that will free them from their oppression. It also looks forward to the good news of God’s reign and the exaltation of His servant.
Isaiah 52:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall no longer come to you.
2 Shake yourself from the dust, arise; Sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!
3 For thus says the Lord: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, And you shall be redeemed without money.”
4 For thus says the Lord God: “My people went down at first Into Egypt to dwell there; Then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
5 Now therefore, what have I here,” says the Lord, “That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail,” says the Lord, “And My name is blasphemed continually every day.
6 Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’ ”
7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
8 Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, With their voices they shall sing together; For they shall see eye to eye When the Lord brings back Zion.
9 Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord has 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.
Jerusalem is called to awake from its oppression and prepare for God's deliverance. The city is to put on its strength and beauty as a holy city, free from impurity. The captivity of Israel is depicted as self-inflicted, but God promises redemption without cost. The reference to Egypt and Assyria serves as reminders of past oppressions, but God is now stepping in to deliver His people. The proclamation of peace and salvation is celebrated, with the imagery of watchmen joyfully seeing God's return. The redemption of Jerusalem is seen as a display of God's power to the entire world.
Isaiah 52:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the Lord.
12 For you 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 rear guard.
God calls His people to leave their place of captivity, to come out from among the unclean. This is a call to holiness and purity, especially for those serving God. Unlike a hurried escape, this departure will be calm and orderly, with God both leading and protecting them. The assurance of God's presence as both a guide and protector is given, highlighting the security of His deliverance.
Isaiah 52:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
14 Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;
15 So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.
God introduces His servant, who will act wisely and be greatly exalted. However, this servant will also suffer, as seen in the description of His appearance being marred. This foreshadows the servant's sacrificial role, where His suffering will result in the redemption of many. His impact will be so great that even kings will be silenced by the revelation of what they had never known before. The servant's suffering and subsequent exaltation will reveal God's salvation to all nations.