Isaiah God is at Work Isaiah 51:17-52:12 O n of the ongoing problems the Church has constantly struggled with is understanding the scriptural distinction between herself and Israel. This struggle continues today. Even those who hold to the truth that scripture means what is says, still want to use scripture to try to support the position that the Church is spiritual Israel and has in effect replaced her. But how can we understand aspects of both the Old and New Testament if we fall into this trap? And while clearly the suffering Messiah came for the world, he first came for Israel. And if there is no distinction between the Jew and Gentile, then why does Paul say I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16, 2:9-10). Paul says this in spite of the fact some what to use, actually misuse his words in Galatians when he stated: There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Dr. McGee, in his introduction to 52 notes: When God says, O Zion, He doesn t mean Los Angeles, or Pocatello, Idaho, or Muleshoe, Texas. He means Zion, which is a geographical place in the land of Israel. It is actually the high point in the city of Jerusalem. It was David s favorite spot. Blessing is going to come upon Jerusalem, and it will no longer be an unattractive place. 1 I Introduction II Present Sufferings Verses 17-23 A. Wrath Verses 17-20 B. Relief Verses 21-23 III Future Kingdom Verses 1-12 A. Restoration Verses 1-3 B. Retribution Verses 4-6 C. Rejoicing Verses 7-10 D. Returning Verses 11-12 IV Conclusion 1 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 3, Isaiah, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1982, p. 308.
Introduction: The human condition is fallen and as a consequence its history is one of death and destruction. But all of scripture points to messages of hope, justice, and restoration. This hope is promised to all God s saints, whether we re talking about Old Testament, New Testament, Church, and times yet to come. The hope includes a restored Israel, vindication of God s children of all ages, but most importantly for a restored relationship between individuals and their creators. Thorough out history, it is this hope that has kept the faithful of God from giving up in the midst of trials and tribulations. And for that matter, it is this hope that has kept us going even when our circumstances have been pretty comfortable. Although when it gets too comfortable, it s hard to remember this earth isn t our home. Israel/Judah, because of her own sin, hasn t had any problems remembering life isn t all she had hoped for, and under the circumstances, didn t have a right to hope for. But, the one point scripture makes about real hope is this: it is grounded in who God is, not in whether it is deserved, because it never is. As we move further into this last section of Isaiah, we see the promise of the greatest hope scripture has to offer, the coming of the suffering servant. And it is this hope that many of Israel have so far missed. Verses 17-20: The end of Chapter 51 presents a contemporary Israel and the conditions which were a consequence of her sin. Chapter 52 presents a future hope. God starts by calling Jerusalem, Zion, to wake her up to her condition. To often one reason people don t turn from their sin and to God is because they are in denial. They are unaware how far they have fallen from who God intends them to be. And therefore God s promise of comfort is given in the context of His judgment. The cup of wrath is so overpowering that, like strong drink, the one who receives it staggers and is unable to stand on his own. And to add insult to injury, there is no one left to guide her. Of course there is the prophet, but the leaders, religious or otherwise, are the ones who led Judah into this mess. It is only God who can lead us out of the messes we get ourselves into by not letting Him lead us. (Can you give any examples?) The question is, when there are no resources left, when God s judgment falls and there is no escape, where do people turn for comfort, for hope? And the obvious answer is, or should be: Verses 21-23: God. He judgment does come to an end. Remember, here the judgment is intended to bring the nation to repentance. The cup is to be removed. First, contextually, we know this is referring to the end of the Babylonian exile. With the end of judgment on Israel, will come the judgment on her enemies. Wiersbe describes it as: To put your foot on the neck of your enemies was a humiliating declaration of their defeat, but instead of Babylon walking on the Jews, the Jews would walk on the Babylonians. 2 2 Wiersbe, Warren W., The Bible Exposition Commentary, Old Testament The Prophets, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1971, p. 57. ) 374 (
But as we have seen on a number of occasions, the magnitude of these prophecies would seem to go beyond the limitations of the Babylonian captivity, no matter how significant this would seem to be from a Jewish standpoint. Vine and McGee describe the greater future fulfillment this way. All this will yet be enacted in the coming time of Jacob s trouble, when Satan s efforts to destroy Israel reach their height. 3 The enemies of Israel will not escape the judgment of God. Every nation that has majored in anti- Semitism has fallen: Egypt, Persia, Rome, Spain, Belgium, and Germany. This chapter should alert the believers today that God will yet choose Israel, and that the events in the Near East indicate that we are fast approaching the end times, although no specific prophecy is being fulfilled at this hour. 4 Verses 1-3: The proof in the pudding, so to speak, is that God again calls the people to awake to the promise of a bright future in a restored Jerusalem. The city is to be redeemed. The city will be a place for the righteous. The unrighteous will not be allowed to enter. The residents will be followers of God represented by the use of the concept of circumcision. A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man s praise is not from men, but from God (Romans 2:28-29). Where Israel s enemies paid nothing for Jerusalem, because God let them take the city for His own reasons, the city would also be redeemed without money. Grogan puts it this way: Verse 3 preserves in brief compass three important truths. Jerusalem was, in fact, handed over to Babylonia by God himself as a punishment, of course. Yet those who were given her paid nothing and so were owed nothing. So God would act again but this time in redemption, not punishment. So the word redeemed, normally implying cost, does not have this connotation here. 5 Of course real redemption can t be bought. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:8-9). Verses 4-6: God reinforces His promises by reminding Israel of her bondage to Egypt, Assyria and now Babylon. While these nations blasphemed God, their day came and will come when their mouths are closed and God releases His people. And it is this history that is the basis of hope. (What is your HIStory?) Vine summarizes it this way: This is how the Lord reveals Himself in our times of tribulation and difficulty. He uses such circumstances by way of increasing our knowledge of Himself, His character, His power, and His grace. It is 3 Vine, W. E., Isaiah, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1971, p. 160. 4 McGee, p. 307. 5 Grogan, Geoffrey W., The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Isaiah, Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990 ) 375 (
when we come to an end of ourselves that He makes Himself known to us. Wits end corner provides the turning at which the Lord manifests to us not only our own helplessness but His almightiness. We may be like Peter, who, finding himself going down to a watery grave, cried out Lord, save me. Christ planned the whole circumstance so that his ardent follower might know the strength of His arm and His power to do more than deliver. How often in the midst of the troubles of His disciples He said (that with which this passage in Isaiah ends) It is I! 6 Verses 7-10: The message of hope is coming and, in his mind, Isaiah looks up and sees a messenger running with the message, God s salvation. Those who get to give the good news are indeed greatly blessed. And so all Israel rejoiceses because their God lives. A reference to messengers who ran from the scene of a battle to bring news of the outcome to a waiting king and people (see 2Sa 18:26). Here the news refers to the return from exile 7 Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper, Look, another man running alone! The king said, He must be bringing good news, too. (2 Samuel 18:26). But beyond the hope of return from exile comes a greater hope, a hope for all mankind, a hope that comes with the Messiah, another message of good news. Obviously Paul sees it this way, for he is the one who said: And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (Romans 10:15, Ephesians 6:15). Even the city itself is called to rejoice because the desolation is to become once again a center of God s glory. And peace coming to Jerusalem would certainly be a cause for great rejoicing today. So we too can praise because we serve a living God. One day the world will see the truth that God is alive, God saves, God acts, and God will judge His enemies and the enemies of His children. The NIV Study Bible Notes remind us The return of God s people to Jerusalem emphasizes his sovereign rule over the world. God s kingdom will come more fully at the second coming of Christ (see Rev 19:6). 8 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns (Revelation 19:6) In the coming days God s arms will be bared. Like the warrior who throws back the cloak covering his sword arm, the Lord arises to battle. He will move to bring this to pass and when He does so, nothing will ever stand in the way of the completion of all He has foreordained. Verses 11-12: Moving back from the distant future to the near future, the exiles of the Jewish people are commanded to prepare and leave Babylon, returning at last to Jerusalem. This 6 Vine, W. E., Isaiah, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1971, p. 162. 7 NIV Study Bible Notes, Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1999 8 Ibid. ) 376 (
again harkens back to the Exodus. There is no need to hurry because God is with them and protects their backs. As with the Exodus, there is to be a change in attitude, one that is no longer rebellious, but obedient to God. This didn t last when the people left Egypt for Canaan. But here it is different. Here we no longer see a rebellious people but an obedient one. This is demonstrated by a call to ceremonial cleanliness. And because of their obedience, God will be their rear guard between them and their enemies. Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long (Exodus 14:19-20). Where only a remnant of Israel left Babylon to return home, all of Israel will come out of the nations to the land where they will turn to God, to His Son and to the Millennial kingdom. Then it will be a day of great rejoicing. Dr. McGee emphasizes why there will be so much joy and praise. One of the things you will note about present-day Jerusalem is the lack of a joyful song. Around the Mosque Omar (which stands on the temple site) everything is in a minor key. If you go to the wailing wall, wailing is what you hear and the Jews are knocking their heads against it. But in the Millennium everybody is going to Break forth into joy and they will sing together. It will be a joyous time! 9 The transition between this message of hope and restoration in the kingdom transitions back in time to the foundation of that hope, which, as we will see next time, is found in the Suffering Messiah. Conclusion: We ve talked a lot about hope and comfort in God s word. How have these promises impacted your in your walk? What I find encouraging is first, it s comforting to focus on God as the God of restoration, rather than the God of judgment. This is how we focus in the New Testament, but now we can see that this quality is obvious in the Old Testament as well. As we look at the suffering of those around us, and by this I mean the emptiness and pain in their lives, we have a message of joy and hope, of eternal life and a Messianic king. Today, as I was preparing this lesson, I had two people come to the door, a mother and her adolescent daughter. They were distributing Watchtower materials. It is so sad to see the vanity of religion, the emptiness of false gods, and the overwhelming cruelty of seeing it passed on from generation to generation. But we can rejoice in three things. First we have the gift of salvation so we have a restored relationship with God. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) 9 McGee, p. 309. ) 377 (
Second, we have the message of salvation so we can offer it to the lost, the hurting, the empty. We have a loving God who offers the gift of those who would listen to the speaking of His Spirit. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16). Third, we have a future of hope based on God s promises of an eternity with Him. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:1-5). We have so much to praise God for that it will take all of eternity to praise Him. I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days (Psalm 34:1-12). ) 378 (
Isaiah God is at Work Isaiah 51:17-52:12 I Introduction II Present Sufferings Verses 17-23 A. Wrath Verses 17-20 B. Relief Verses 21-23 III Future Kingdom Verses 1-12 A. Restoration Verses 1-3 B. Retribution Verses 4-6 C. Rejoicing Verses 7-10 D. Returning Verses 11-12 IV Conclusion I Introduction: (Romans 1:16, 2:9-10; Galatians 3:28) II Present Sufferings: A. Wrath: B. Wrath: III Future Kingdom: A. Restoration: (Romans 2:28-29, 1 Peter 1:8-9)
B. Retribution: C. Rejoicing: (2 Samuel 18:26; Romans 10: 15; Ephesians 6:15; Revelation 19:6) D. Returning: (Exodus 14:19-20) IV Conclusion: (Romans 5:8;, 1:16, Revelation 22:1-15; Psalm 34:1-12) Personal Application: Again, let s continue to focus on praising God. Prayer for the Week: Lord, we give You the praise and glory for whatever is of beauty in our life. Let us share the truth that will give others the opportunity to also praise You. In Christ s name, amen.