Isaiah 52 - YHWH's Promised Redemption

Stephen Langton, remember that name. Nearly 900 years ago, Stephen Langton divided the Bible up into chapters. His decision as to where chapters 52 and 53 of Isaiah are divided is one of those things that make you go "hmmmmmm." This study will go through chapter 52 and verse 12; the last three verses belong to chapter 53.

Isaiah 52:1-2 (HCSB) “Wake up, wake up; put on your strength, Zion! Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the Holy City! For the uncircumcised and the unclean will no longer enter you. Stand up, shake the dust off yourself! Take your seat, Jerusalem. Remove the bonds from your neck, captive Daughter Zion.”

This passage starts off with yet another call for national Israel to WAKE UP! They are told to straighten up, recall to Whom they belong. For those that do not belong to God will be kept out. Recall to Whom you belong, get out of the dust and be seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-7)! Those led off to captivity would be set free. Lo, we who have been captive to sin since our birth have BEEN set free by the promised One!

Isaiah 52:3-6 (HCSB) For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without silver.” For this is what the Lord GOD says: “At first My people went down to Egypt to live there, then Assyria oppressed them without cause. So now what have I here”— ⌊this is⌋ the LORD’s declaration— “that My people are taken away for nothing? Its rulers wail”— ⌊this is⌋ the LORD’s declaration— “and My name is continually blasphemed all day long. Therefore My people will know My name; therefore ⌊they will know⌋ on that day that I am He who says: Here I am."

Israel was banished to Babylon without price; she will be redeemed without price. Indeed, king Cyrus of Persia would pay dearly to have the Jewish people resettle in Jerusalem and rebuild her. The history of national Israel started with slavery to Egypt, and God redeemed them without pay, as Egypt paid dearly to send them away. Assyria had been used by God so many times to punish rebellious Israel, yet they had no justifiable reason for their actions. Now Babylon will take Israel into exile and this is YHWH's declaration - His people are taken away without payment and their rulers wail, for their life of comfort and luxury had been taken from them. This is YHWH's declaration, those people who looked to their creature comforts would profane His name and blaspheme Him, forgetting Who had redeemed them from Egypt and for Whose reputation.

We who have been redeemed from a life of sin must never forget Who purchased us and for what reason He did so. Not for our sake, were we chosen - before anyone was born. For the sake of His name and the glory He alone deserves has anyone been raised up from death unto life. National Israel was redeemed from fleshly slavery and would be again; spiritual Israel is being redeemed from sin, gaining spiritual freedom, and reconciliation with God. The last verse in this section reminds us that is His desire - for His people know Him rightly. Not as the pagans and demons know OF Him, but truly to know Him as He knows us. And so we will, by the work of the Son.

Isaiah 52:7-10 (HCSB) How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” The voices of your watchmen— they lift up their voices, shouting for joy together; for every eye will see when the LORD returns to Zion. Be joyful, rejoice together, you ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has displayed His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

You ought to remember Paul's use of verse 7 in letter to the Romans, chapter 10. One who heralds good news is write it larger and run with the message so all can see it. Salvation is because God reigns - if He was the impotent god of so much bad theology, He would not be able to save; He would TRY to make salvation possible. To quote a line from a movie - that would be a "puny god." The watchmen who shout out with joy have a job to stay alert and let the city know when a messenger or an enemy approaches. Ezekiel has a couple of chapters devoted to these watchmen and we see in his writings (chapters 33 & 34) what their duties are and we'll find out how that relates to the charge elders in the New Covenant.

When Christ returns, when YHWH returns to Zion, everyone to the ends of the earth will know He has redeemed His people. We will rejoice with great joy to see Him, though everything of this realm is in ruins. Our time of toil and sweat and suffering will end. His strong arm will comfort His people and bring dismay to those who continue in their rebellion.

Isaiah 52:11-12 (HCSB) Leave, leave, go out from there! Do not touch anything unclean; go out from her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. For you will not leave in a hurry, and you will not have to take flight; because the LORD is going before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.

When national Israel is redeemed from Babylon and Persia, they will not be in a hurry as when they left Egypt. So it will be when He returns to gather all His redeemed unto Himself - no hurry on our part for YHWH goes before us, making our way straight and smooth. And He is our rear guard as well, making sure the slowest among us is not left behind.

All is from God, for God, and to God. We who are His will rejoice and praise Him for the mercy He has poured out on us. Again, take not for granted your standing with YHWH - we cannot stand of our own strength. He will hold us up - if we are His. Do you know Him?