Isaiah 52:1-15
Q.1. Why was Israel’s oppression pointless? How had they been treated by God? What makes His promise of restoration amazing? How would it come to pass? Who will be impacted? – (Isa.52:1-12)
God had been addressing the plight of His people because of their sins (Isa.51:17-23). He called on the nation to loosen the chains of bondage and replace them with the clothing appropriate for her high calling – Awake, awake. Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city (Isa.52:1 c.f. Isa.52:2). Their oppression was pointless because – You were sold for nothing… (Isa.52:3). God had repeatedly demonstrated His care for them, by bringing them out of Egypt and Assyria, where they were taken for absolutely no gain (Isa.52:4-5). As well as this, God’s name had been blasphemed continually (Isa.52:5). However, the Lord announced plans to restore them once more – Therefore My people shall know My name; In that day I am the one who is speaking, `Here I am.’ (Isa.52:6). This is totally amazing, considering Israel’s lack-lustre regard for Him. God then revealed the way in which this would occur – through the Gospel. Paul quoted from Psalm 52 in his explanation of the spread of the Gospel though God’s messengers – 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Rom.10:13-15). This action of God will supersede all that has gone before. It will bring hope to Israel – Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem (Isa.52:9). However, God will not stop with Israel, because through the Gospel – The Lord has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God (Isa.52:10). Unlike the deliverance from Egypt in the past, this liberation will be different, for – you will not go out in haste, nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard (Isa.52:12 c.f. Exo.12:11).
Q.2. What will God do for His Servant at a future time? How will He be treated before His exaltation? Of whom does Isaiah speak? Who will benefit? Why is this surprising? – (Isa.52:13-15)
Now God returned to focus on the Suffering Servant through Whom this salvation will come (Isa.52:13-15). It is a foregone conclusion that – My servant will prosper. He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted (Isa.52:13). However, before all that is accomplished an incredible contradiction will take place – Just as many were astonished at you, My people. His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men (Isa.52:14 c.f. Heb.12:2-3). Isaiah predicted that before His exaltation, God’s Servant would be terribly disfigured. This prophecy pointed to the extreme sufferings of Jesus on the cross. However, the benefits are out of this world – In this way He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand (Isa.52:15 c.f. Isa.52:10). Paul supported his claim that the Gospel was foreshadowed in the Old Testament, by giving copious quotations in Romans 15:9-21. He quoted Isaiah 52:15 in Romans 15:21. If Israel had read their Scriptures more carefully, they would have known that it was God’s plan to not only cleanse His people, but also that – In this way He will sprinkle many nations (Isa.52:15).