Isaiah will continue by explaining how the Covenant Promise will be fulfilled by the ultimate deliverer, Yahweh’s Servant, the Messiah.
49:1 Listen, islands, to me.
Listen, you peoples, from afar:
Yahweh has called me from the womb; (Micah 5:2)
from the inside of my mother, he has mentioned my name. (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:31)
2 He has made my mouth like a sharp sword.
He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand.
He has made me into a polished shaft.
He has concealed me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my Servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain.
I have spent my strength in vain for nothing;
yet surely the justice due to me is with Yahweh,
and my reward with my God.”
5 Now Yahweh, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
says to bring Jacob again to him,
and to gather Israel to him,
for I am honorable in Yahweh’s eyes,
and my God has become my strength. (Luke 1:31, Philippians 2:7)
6a Indeed, he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel. (Acts 3:19-21, Luke 2:29-32)
The Servant, the Promised Messiah begins by announcing his mission to the whole world. Yahweh renames the Messiah, Israel, You are my Servant Israel, because his mission is to succeed in obedience and in giving glory to God the Father where the nation of Israel had continually failed. The Messiah will be the true and faithful Israel. Because his mission is both to restore the preserved of Israel and, in fulfilling the Covenant Promise made to Abraham, be a light to the Gentiles, the Servant comes in strength. This is no milquetoast servant. His mouth like a sharp sword…a polished shaft.
Isaiah 49:6b I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, (John 8:12, Acts 13:47)
that you may be my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 15:7-18)
7 Yahweh, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One,
says to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers:
“Kings shall see and rise up, (John 1:11; 8:48-49; 19:14-15)
princes, and they shall worship,
because of Yahweh who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
8 Yahweh says, “I have answered you in an acceptable time.
I have helped you in a day of salvation.
I will preserve you and give you for a Covenant of the people,
to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage,
9 saying to those who are bound, ‘Come out!’;
to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves!’
“They shall feed along the paths,
and their pasture shall be on all treeless heights.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst;
neither shall the heat nor sun strike them,
for he who has mercy on them will lead them.
He will guide them by springs of water.
11 I will make all my mountains a road,
and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from afar,
and behold, these from the north and from the west,
and these from the land of Sinim.”
13 Sing, heavens, and be joyful, earth!
Break out into singing, mountains!
For Yahweh has comforted his people,
and will have compassion on his afflicted.
The Servant, Messiah is to bring salvation to the ends of the earth…kings shall see and rise up, princes, and they shall worship … The Gentile nations are rejoicing. The ancient Covenant Promise is fulfilled. The Holy One of Israel … has chosen [them] … They shall no longer hunger nor thirst.
At creation Yahweh made man in his own image. Mankind uniquely bears the image, the imprint of the Creator. We were made immortal in both body and soul. Though we were granted dominion over creation and given the task as overseers we traded our birthright for Satan’s hollow promise of freedom. But that promise was a lie. John 8:44 Instead of freedom we have earned slavery to sin and death. From that time onward there has been a cosmic battle over the souls of mankind between the Creator and the fallen angelic forces who are attempting to usurp God’s reign. Here Isaiah announces God’s plan to conquer death and restore to mankind, both his chosen people, the Jews, and the nations of the world, their birthright. He will restore the birthright, which was so carelessly thrown away.
The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19
What is Israel’s reaction to this promise of abundant blessing?
Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, “Yahweh has forsaken me,
and the Lord has forgotten me.”
Again falling back into old habits Israel claims victimhood saying, the Lord has forgotten me.
What is their long-suffering God’s response to their complaint?
Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yes, these may forget,
yet I will not forget you!
16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
Your walls are continually before me.
17 Your children hurry.
Your destroyers and those who devastated you will leave you.
18 Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
all these gather themselves together, and come to you.
As I live,” says Yahweh, “you shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament,
and dress yourself with them, like a bride.
19 “For, as for your waste and your desolate places,
and your land that has been destroyed,
surely now that land will be too small for the inhabitants,
and those who swallowed you up will be far away.
20 The children of your bereavement will say in your ears,
‘This place is too small for me.
Give me a place to live in.’
21 Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has conceived these for me, since I have been bereaved of my children
and am alone, an exile, and wandering back and forth?
Who has brought these up?
Behold, I was left alone. Where were these?’”
Yahweh declares that his everlasting love for his people is greater than a mother’s love for her nursing child. And even if somehow a self-centered, misguided mother would abandon her child, Yahweh will not forget them. Again, in an amazing picture, considering how great our unfaithfulness is, Yahweh announces that I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. He knows you like the palm of his hand! Further he promises that Babylon, your destroyers and those who devastated you will leave. The land that was once destroyed will be too small for the inhabitants who will live there.
Isaiah 49:22 The Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,
and lift up my banner to the peoples.
They shall bring your sons in their bosom,
and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.
23 Kings shall be your foster fathers,
and their queens your nursing mothers.
They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth,
and lick the dust of your feet.
Then you will know that I am Yahweh;
and those who wait for me won’t be disappointed.”
24 Shall the plunder be taken from the mighty,
or the lawful captives be delivered?
25 But Yahweh says, “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away,
and the plunder retrieved from the fierce,
for I will contend with him who contends with you
and I will save your children.
26 I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh;
and they will be drunk on their own blood, as with sweet wine.
Then all flesh shall know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior
and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
The Messiah will be my banner to the peoples…[for] the nations to rally to. In fact, kings shall be your foster fathers and their queens our nursing mothers. In other words the Messiah promised that as kings, foreign rulers, and nations come to Christ, they will defend and protect God’s people. An early example of this is when Constantine became a believer he put an end to the persecution of Christians.
“I, Constantine, proclaim that I have known the true God, and turned with abhorrence from the error of them that are no gods.” Eusebius, Life of Constantine
I have granted to those Christians free and unrestricted opportunity of religious worship.” Edict of Milan (313 AD).
A later example of kings ruling for the public good is found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, Of the Civil Magistrate, 1&3
God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good, and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers … As nursing fathers it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the Church of our common Lord…
As Paul wrote to the Romans,
Your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world … the preaching of Jesus Christ … has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith. Romans 1:8; 16:25 & 26
As the gospel spread around the earth, the nations of North Africa, Asia Minor, all of Europe, and eventually the Americas, embraced the free gift of Christ and, though not perfectly, leaders began building their laws and civilizations on God’s revelation.
Isaiah 50:1 Yahweh says, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away?
Or to which of my creditors have I sold you?
Behold, for your iniquities, you have sold yourselves.
and your mother was put away for your transgressions.
2A Why, when I came, was there no one?
When I called, why was there no one to answer?
Yahweh challenges Israel saying basically, since you say I have abandoned and forgotten you where is the certificate of divorce? Produce the documentation. Yahweh answers his own question. There is no certificate of divorce. It was not Yahweh who was unfaithful rather, it is always his people who are unfaithful. Behold, for your iniquities, you have sold yourselves.
Isaiah 50:2b Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem?
Or have I no power to deliver?
Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea.
I make the rivers a wilderness.
Their fish stink because there is no water, and die of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness.
I make sackcloth their covering.” (Luke 23:44-45)
4 The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary.
He awakens morning by morning,
he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. (Matthew 7:29; 11:28-29)
5 The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear.
I was not rebellious. I have not turned back. (Matthew 26:39)
Despite Israel’s complaints against him, Yahweh has the power to deliver. He was not rebellious … He did not turn away from Israel. It was the other way around. Israel turned from him.
Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to those who beat me, (Matthew 27:26)
and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. (Matthew 26:67)
I didn’t hide my face from shame and spitting. (Matthew 26:67-68, Luke 22:63-65)
7 For the Lord Yahweh will help me.
Therefore I have not been confounded.
Therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I won’t be disappointed. (Luke 9:51)
8 He who justifies me is near.
Who will bring charges against me?
Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will help me!
Who is he who will condemn me?
Behold, they will all grow old like a garment.
The moths will eat them up.
Again speaking prophetically of the future, the coming Messiah will be willing to be beaten, shamed, and spit upon in order to redeem his rebellious people. But more about that later in Isaiah 53.
Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears Yahweh
and obeys the voice of his servant?
He who walks in darkness
and has no light,
let him trust in Yahweh’s name,
and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who adorn yourselves with torches around yourselves,
walk in the flame of your fire,
and among the torches that you have kindled.
You will have this from my hand:
you will lie down in torment.
The servant of the Lord challenges Israel to trust in Yahweh’s Name and rely on his God instead of worshiping idols. Those who kindle a fire to worship idols will lie down in torment.
Are you willing to follow Yahweh’s light or do you follow your own light, which amounts to kindle[ing] a fire for self -worship?
The idol of niceness is alive and well in the American church. And like all idols, it demands sacrifice. In this case, the sacrifices are real: clarity and conviction. But giving niceness the final word risks turning Christianity into little more than a well‑spoken opinion. And in the end, the result is a remolded gospel that may gain applause from the world but doesn’t actually save… Large swaths of evangelicalism fear the appearance of rudeness and so error that is wrapped up in politeness is apparently now more palatable and even praised – while truth spoken plainly is denounced as unloving or combative. Brad Andrews, Substack
Was Isaiah’s message to Israel and the nations nice or was it true?
Isaiah 51:1 “Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness,
you who seek Yahweh.
Look to the rock you were cut from,
and to the quarry you were dug from.
2 Look to Abraham your father,
and to Sarah who bore you;
for when he was but one I called him,
I blessed him,
and made him many.
3 For Yahweh has comforted Zion.
He has comforted all her waste places,
and has made her wilderness like Eden,
and her desert like the garden of Yahweh.
Joy and gladness will be found in them,
thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Three times in this chapter Yahweh implores his people to listen. First, instead of feeling sorry for themselves they are reminded how, out of all of the nations of the earth, Yahweh had chosen Abraham as their father and Sarah as their mother. Look to the rock you were cut from. No matter what difficult circumstances you are facing you can be assured that Yahweh has called you. That is reason enough for joy, gladness, and thanksgiving.
Isaiah 51:4 “Listen to me, my people;
and hear me, my nation,
for a Law will go out from me,
and I will establish my justice for a light to the peoples.
5 My righteousness is near.
My salvation has gone out,
and my arms will judge the peoples.
The nations will wait for me,
and they will trust my arm.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
and the earth will wear out like a garment.
Its inhabitants will die in the same way,
but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will not be abolished.
The second reason for the people to listen is because they need to understand that Yahweh’s Law will go out…and establish [God’s] justice for a light to the peoples … The nations will wait for [Yahweh] and trust in [his] arm. This is again a reference to God’s Covenant Promise to Abraham. In the first part of the Promise, Yahweh blesses Abraham. In the second part of the Promise, Yahweh announces salvation will be forever to all the other nations.
Isaiah 51:7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my Law.
Don’t fear the reproach of men,
and don’t be dismayed at their insults.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool;
but my righteousness will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations.”
The third reason that the people must listen is because they need to understand that there is never any reason to fear the reproach of men. Though God’s people may be tempted to be dismayed at [unbeliever’s] insults and persecution Yahweh reminds them/us that in contrast to the short-lived insults which will disappear as the moth…eats…a garment, the righteousness of Yahweh lasts forever. His salvation [is] to all generations. What is there to fear?
After three times telling the people to listen, Yahweh implores them to awake. Reflect on how Yahweh ransomed you. Live lives of gratitude!
Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh!
Awake, as in the days of old,
the generations of ancient times.
Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces,
who pierced the monster?
10 Isn’t it you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep;
who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?
11 Those ransomed by Yahweh will return,
and come with singing to Zion.
Everlasting joy shall be on their heads.
They will obtain gladness and joy.
Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die,
and of the son of man who will be made as grass?
13 Have you forgotten Yahweh your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens,
and laid the foundations of the earth?
Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor,
when he prepares to destroy?
Where is the fury of the oppressor?
14 The captive exile will speedily be freed.
He will not die and go down into the pit.
His bread won’t fail.
15 For I am Yahweh your God, who stirs up the sea
so that its waves roar.
Yahweh of Armies is his name.
16 I have put my words in your mouth
and have covered you in the shadow of my hand,
that I may plant the heavens,
and lay the foundations of the earth,
and tell Zion, ‘You are my people.’”
The first awake implores believers to learn the lessons from their history and gain courage. Do you remember how when Israel escaped from Egypt God had dried up the sea and made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? In the same way Yahweh will deliver the people from Babylon. Those ransomed by Yahweh will return, and come with singing to Zion.
Isaiah 51:17 Awake, awake!
Stand up, Jerusalem,
you who have drunk from Yahweh’s hand the cup of his wrath.
You have drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering,
and drained it.
18 There is no one to guide her among all the sons to whom she has given birth;
and there is no one who takes her by the hand among all the sons whom she has brought up.
19 These two things have happened to you—
who will grieve with you?—
desolation and destruction,
and famine and the sword.
How can I comfort you?
20 Your sons have fainted.
They lie at the head of all the streets,
like an antelope in a net.
They are full of Yahweh’s wrath,
the rebuke of your God.
21 Therefore now hear this, you afflicted,
and drunken, but not with wine:
22 Your Lord Yahweh,
your God who pleads the cause of his people, says,
“Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering,
even the bowl of the cup of my wrath.
You will not drink it any more.
23 I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you,
who have said to your soul, ‘Bow down, that we may walk over you;’
and you have laid your back as the ground,
like a street to those who walk over.”
The second call to awake reminds the people that their discipline has ended. They had drunk from Yahweh’s hand the cup of his wrath but now Yahweh has pierced the monster and promises, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my wrath. You will not drink it any more. Instead, God now intends to afflict those nations that afflicted Israel.
Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion.
Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city,
for from now on the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you.
2 Shake yourself from the dust!
Arise, sit up, Jerusalem!
Release yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion!
The first awake taught the people to put on courage. The second awake taught them to remember Yahweh’s mighty deeds on behalf of his people. This third and final awake teaches those who remember Yahweh to put on strength. Because the time of their discipline is over they have been refined and are able to wear beautiful garments.
Do not think of yourselves as poor defeated believers? No! You live in the strength of Zion, the eternal city of God. Shake yourself from the dust of oppression, persecution, and subjugation. Since you have received freedom from Yahweh you are truly free. How can those clothed in the Spirit not demonstrate strength?
Isaiah 52:3 For Yahweh says, “You were sold for nothing;
and you will be redeemed without money.”
The nations that oppressed Israel would be pretty proud of themselves for capturing Israel; however, Yahweh wants his people to know that Israel’s exile had nothing to do with the strength or cunning of the other nations. In fact, it was all Yahweh’s doing. The mighty and proud nations of Babylon, Assyria, and Persia were doing nothing more than following Yahweh’s eternal plan. You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.
Isaiah 52:4 For the Lord Yahweh says:
“My people went down at the first into Egypt to live there;
and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause.
5 “Now therefore, what do I do here,” says Yahweh,
“seeing that my people are taken away for nothing?
Those who rule over them mock,” says Yahweh,
“and my name is blasphemed continually all day long.
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.”
Though the nations blaspheme Yahweh’s name because they mistakenly think that he wasn’t able to protect his own nation, there will come a day when they shall all know…that [Yahweh] I am he who speaks.
How will the whole earth come to understand that Yahweh reigns over all?
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace,
who brings good news,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Matthew 5:12; 15:29; 28:16)
8 Your watchmen lift up their voice.
Together they sing;
for they shall see eye to eye when Yahweh returns to Zion.
9 Break out into joy!
Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem;
for Yahweh has comforted his people.
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 Yahweh has made his holy arm bare in the eyes of all the nations.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there! Touch no unclean thing!
Go out from among her!
Cleanse yourselves, you who carry Yahweh’s vessels.
12 For you shall not go out in haste,
neither shall you go by flight;
for Yahweh will go before you,
and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Does our world need peace, good news, and salvation?
- Where God reigns there is peace.
- Where God reigns there is good news.
- Where God reigns there is salvation.
So depart, go out, proclaim salvation!
When Christ’s ambassadors proclaim the good news, all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God!
Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my Servant will deal wisely.
He will be exalted and lifted up,
and will be very high. (Acts 1:8-11; Ephesians 1:19-22; Philippians 2:5-9)
14 Just as many were astonished at you— (Luke 18:31-34; Matthew 26:67-68)
his appearance was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men
15 so he will cleanse many nations. (Hebrews 9:13-14; Revelation 1:5)
Kings will shut their mouths at him; (Luke 18:31-34; Matthew 26:67-68)
for they will see that which had not been told them,
and they will understand that which they had not heard.
Yahweh’s Servant, introduced in Isaiah 42:1 and Isaiah 49:3 appears here again.
In Acts 8:34 as the Ethiopian ambassador was traveling back to Ethiopia he was perplexed as he read Isaiah 52:13-53:12. God miraculously sent Philip to teach him the meaning of Isaiah’s prophecy.
How did Philip know the meaning of Isaiah’s prophecy?
After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead he carefully explained to the disciples how the Old Testament Books of Moses and the Prophets all foretold about him. Christ himself taught the disciples how the meaning of the Old Testament had always pointed to him.
Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27
After Philip explained the passage, the ambassador became a believer in the Servant, Jesus Christ. He was immediately baptized and went to Ethiopia proclaiming salvation a Christ’s ambassador.
God’s Servant is to restore Israel and be a light to the nations of the world but in a shocking turn of events these things are not going to be achieved by the normal means of might, power, and conquest. The people will be astonished. The Servant’s appearance [will be] marred. What is going on? Isaiah tells us that the Messiah will be rejected and murdered. Murdered? What kind of Savior is murdered?
The Messiah’s death will be the sacrifice of atonement for Israel’s sins and for the sins of the world.
Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?” Luke 22:63-64
53:1 Who has believed our message?
To whom has Yahweh’s arm been revealed? (John 1:11, Romans 10:16)
2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant,
and as a root out of dry ground.
He has no good looks or majesty. (Philippians 2:6-8)
When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised (Luke 4:28-29)
and rejected by men, (Matthew 27:21-23)
a man of suffering (Matthew 26:37-38; Luke 19:41; Hebrews 4:15)
and acquainted with disease.
He was despised as one from whom men hide their face;
and we didn’t respect him. (Matthew 23:37, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 13:34)
4 Surely he has borne our sickness
and carried our suffering;
yet we considered him plagued,
struck by God, and afflicted. (Matthew 8:16-17)
The tender root out of dry ground, the seed growing from the stump of Jesse, Isaiah 6:13, Romans 15:12, is going to be cut off out of the land of the living. In describing the counterintuitive nature of a Messiah, a deliverer, who is murdered, Isaiah doesn’t think that people will even believe him. Who has believed our message?
When the Messiah revealed his coming death to his disciples, the idea was so outrageous that they refused to believe him. Mark 8:31-32 The Jewish leaders during Jesus time on earth set out to kill him, putting to rest once and for all the idea that he was their Messiah. But, just like Assyria, Babylon, and Persia before them, they were actually carrying out God’s plan. Just as the lambs were sacrificed in the temple for the forgiveness of sin, so too the Messiah, the Lamb of God, John 1:29, was to be sacrificed at Passover for the forgiveness of the sins for the whole world.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions.
He was crushed for our iniquities.
The punishment that brought our peace was on him;
and by his wounds we are healed. (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24)
6 All we like sheep have gone astray.
Everyone has turned to his own way;
and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (1 John 2:2; 4:10; Galatians 1:4, 1 Peter 2:25)
7 He was oppressed, (Matthew 27:27)
yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. (Matthew 27:12-14)
As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he didn’t open his mouth. (Acts 8:32-33, Matthew 26:63, Luke 23:9)
8 He was taken away by oppression and judgment. (Matthew 26:47-27:31)
As for his generation,
who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living
and stricken for the disobedience of my people? (Acts 2:22-23, 5:30-31)
9 They made his grave with the wicked,
and with a rich man in his death, (Matthew 27:57, 1 Peter 2:22)
although he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth. (John 19:38-42, 1 Peter 2:22)
10 Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him.
He has caused him to suffer.
When you make his soul an offering for sin, (1 John 2:2)
he will see his offspring.
He will prolong his days
and Yahweh’s pleasure will prosper in his hand. (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7)
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light and be satisfied. (Luke 24:6)
My righteous Servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself;
and he will bear their iniquities. (Hebrews 1:1-4, Romans 3:21-26, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
12 Therefore I will give him a portion with the great.
He will divide the plunder with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was counted with the transgressors; (Luke 22:37, 23:32-43)
yet he bore the sins of many (Luke 23:34, Hebrews 7:25)
and made intercession for the transgressors. (Hebrews 1:1-4, John 10:11-18)
The cost of our sin is so great it took the Servant’s death to pay our debt. Romans 6:23
Jesus did not die because he was weak. He died because he was strong enough to lay down his life on his own terms and take it up again on his own authority. The Christ who overturned tables in the temple and answered the Pharisees with words sharp enough to get him killed walked toward the cross when every human option said otherwise. He is the Lamb. He is also the Lion of Judah. Virgil walker, Sola Veritas 5-1-26
Isaiah foretold these events 700 years before the Messiah came into the world. Note above how in the New Testament record writers frequently quoted from Isaiah 53. In explaining this to the Romans the Apostle Paul put it like this:
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but is now manifested, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the commandments of the eternal God, has been made known to all nations, leading to obedience of faith. Romans 16:25-26
As Isaiah foretold, the Messiah would be pierced and he would not open his mouth. Further, he would be cut off out of the land of the living, bearing our iniquities, his soul an offering for sin, and buried in a rich man’s grave. But he would not stay in the grave, After the suffering of his soul he will see the light he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous Servant will justify many …
The resurrection of Jesus Christ – a singular event that overthrew the dominion of death and offered instead the hope of salvation – is the beating heart of a faith that has shaped the moral and cultural architecture of the West for two millennia. The empty tomb testifies to God who personally entered human suffering, conquered it, and continues to offer redemption to a fallen world. Mark Tapson, 4-3-26, Frontpage
Although all of the details of Isaiah 53 were fulfilled in Christ, establishing him as the Messiah who was promised to Israel, many of the ancient Jewish leaders 2,000 years ago as well as Jewish leaders today continue to reject their Messiah. In fact, to this day, rabbis will not read Isaiah 53 in the synagogue readings perhaps because it so clearly points to the Messiah that they have rejected. Like the Apostle Paul we look forward to the day when all of the Jewish people will realize that Christ is, in fact, the Messiah they have been waiting for. Romans 11:26
Isaiah 54:1 “Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth!
Break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child!
For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says Yahweh.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations;
don’t spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left;
and your offspring will possess the nations
and settle in desolate cities.
The inability to have children, being barren, was a shameful thing. Similarly for Israel to be captive in Babylon was disgraceful and shameful. Paul quotes this passage in Galatians 4:27 For it is written: Rejoice, O barren, [You] who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband. In other words, with the inclusion of the Gentiles in the New Covenant, the number of Gentile believers surpasses that of the Old Covenant believers. With so many believers, the tent needs to be enlarged.
Isaiah 54:4 “Don’t be afraid, for you will not be ashamed.
Don’t be confounded, for you will not be disappointed.
For you will forget the shame of your youth.
You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer.
He will be called the God of the whole earth.
6 For Yahweh has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your God.
7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you,
but I will gather you with great mercies.
8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Yahweh your Redeemer.
Next Isaiah changes the metaphor from barren women to widows. Israel had accused Yahweh of abandoning or forsaking them. They were alone in the world much like a widow. But Yahweh says, no that is not true. Your Maker is your husband … The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer … I will gather you with great mercies.
It is true that Yahweh had disciplined his people. In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment. Of course from our perspective as mortal creatures 70 years feels of exile like a lifetime. But in light of the fact that eternity is our future, 70 years is but a moment. And after that moment, with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you. Yahweh emphasizes that his loving kindness is everlasting. We must reorient ourselves to God’s perspective.
Isaiah 54:9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to me;
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.
10 For the mountains may depart,
and the hills be removed,
but my loving kindness will not depart from you,
and my Covenant of peace will not be removed,”
says Yahweh who has mercy on you.
11 “You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted,
behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors,
and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your children will be taught by Yahweh,
and your children’s peace will be great.
14 You will be established in righteousness.
You will be far from oppression,
for you will not be afraid,
and far from terror,
for it shall not come near you.
15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by me.
Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you.
16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame,
and forges a weapon for his work;
and I have created the destroyer to destroy.
17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail;
and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants,
and their righteousness is from me,” says Yahweh.
To reassure Israel, Yahweh reminds the people of Noah’s flood, saying just as he promised to never again flood the earth, his loving kindness will not depart from [his people] and [his] Covenant of peace will not be removed.
What does this loving kindness look like?
God’s people, his New Covenant Church, will be built on a beautiful foundation. No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
When the Covenant children will be taught by Yahweh, their peace will be great and they will be established in righteousness.
Although from Israel’s perspective it looked pretty grim when Assyria and Babylon attacked them it was really all under Yahweh’s direction and plan. Similarly, because God created the blacksmith, when people gather against the faithful servants of Yahweh they can be assured that no weapon that is formed against [them] will prevail.
Isaiah 55:1 “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters!
Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat!
Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good,
and let your soul delight itself in richness.
3 Turn your ear, and come to me.
Hear, and your soul will live.
I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Isaiah cries out to the world, Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters. What do you thirst for? On a temporal level do you wish to live in a stable civilization? Do you seek the security of a just society based on God’s Laws? Would you like to see murderers, thieves, scammers, perjurers, rapists, and criminals of all kinds who disrupt safety swiftly brought to justice?
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. Ecclesiastes 8:11
On a spiritual level, are you searching for meaning? Are you searching for purpose? Are you haunted by guilt and shame? Do you have questions about what death holds? Does your soul long for eternal life? Many times we discover that the things that we pursue, the things that we thought would fulfill us leave us empty. Isaiah asks, Why do you spend money…and labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? Stop trying to buy peace and fulfillment. The Messiah has already paid the price that you cannot pay and invites you into his kingdom. He who has no money, buy, and eat!
In fact the Messiah made the same offer to the world. If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. John 7:37 If we would just come, listen, hear, and believe, our souls would delight…in richness and live! This is the everlasting Covenant Promise.
Isaiah 55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, (John 18:37) a leader and commander to the peoples. (Hebrews 2:10)
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know;
and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you,
because of Yahweh your God,
and for the Holy One of Israel;
for he has glorified you.” (Acts 3:13)
So that Yahweh’s ancient plan to bring all the nations back into his kingdom can be accomplished, Yahweh’s Servant comes to earth to be a witness to the peoples … A nation that didn’t know you shall run to you.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek Yahweh while he may be found.
Call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts.
Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him,
to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways,” says Yahweh.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky,
and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth,
and makes it grow and bud,
and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 so is my word that goes out of my mouth:
it will not return to me void,
but it will accomplish that which I please,
and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.
12 For you shall go out with joy,
and be led out with peace.
The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn the cypress tree will come up;
and instead of the brier the myrtle tree will come up.
It will make a name for Yahweh,
for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.”
When people ignore God’s Laws they eventually plunge their lives into chaos. When leaders ignore God’s Laws they plunge their nations into chaos. The ways that we devise, in as much as they deviate from God’s Laws will always disappoint. The Bible is a book about the history of the war between Satan and God, between evil and good. The wicked reject Yahweh and follow their father the devil. John 8:44 The righteous servants, those in the line of Abraham, growing out of the root of Jesse, are humble and repent. As you survey the scope of human history it is either Christ or chaos because [our] ways are not [Yahweh’s] ways. Now that the Messiah has opened the way offering salvation Isaiah begs the nations and peoples to seek Yahweh while he may be found. The nations were to take up Christ’s yoke and learn from him. Matthew 11:29
Just as Yahweh has sent rain from the sky to water the earth so that it will be fruitful, so too, Yahweh sent out his word to enlighten his people. Notice that Yahweh promises both transforming physical and spiritual blessing so that his people may prosper. Many times today, the church is comfortable with talking about God’s spiritual blessings of the assurance of salvation through the death and resurrection of the Messiah, but God also promises physical blessing to those who follow his Laws. God’s Law details freedom, true worship, family structure, education, individual ownership, free market economics, checks and balances in government, and so much more.
How are believers to follow God’s Law? Christ explains,
Jesus said: If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
When the nations return to their Creator and follow his ways,
The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.
Freedom requires accountability to God, and liberty without it is just license. Justice is not a human invention but a divine standard, and government exists to serve it, not redefine it. When the state oversteps, the church must say so. When the culture drifts, the church must anchor. Education, law, commerce, and governance are not neutral territory. All of it belongs to Christ. America was not founded on secular philosophy dressed in religious language but on theological conviction applied with uncommon seriousness to the ordering of public life. That theology is not dead. It needs to be believed and lived in our homes, our churches, our schools, and our public square. Virgil Walker, 6-24-26, Institute for Faith & Culture