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Isaiah

CHAPTER 52

1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Zion or Jerusalem is a reference to the nation of Israel. Here they are called to "Awake!" Awake from sleep, awake from deadness; and come to liveliness. The prophecy concerns Israel being released from captivity. When we are saved from the bondage of sin, we are "awakened" from deadness and brought into the liveliness of a relationship with God.

They are called to "put on thy beautiful garments." The most beautiful suit is to be worned when we are sure we won't become soiled. God's assurance to them is that they will not be soiled again. When a person is saved, he is to begin putting on the beautiful garments of Christ.

They are called to "shake" the dust from their garments. One must "rise" in order to do that, and then find a better place to sit.

The cause of sin is ourselves (verse 3). There is no real reason for us to live in sin, neither is there a real reason for us to exist eternally in the death of sin. It is "for nought," because God has given us free redemption through surrender to Christ.

4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Israel had heard God plead with them to stop worshipping idols (which are NOTHING), and to turn again to Him. But they refused. Therefore, God says it is for "nought" (nothing) that they were carried away into captivity.

But God promises to make His Name known all across the world (verse 6). And everyone who really listens will KNOW that it is GOD Who speaks. It is GOD in JESUS that has accomplished this!

Those who bring forward the "good news" of Jesus Christ are counted as having "beautiful....feet." Those feet may be rugged and full of corns from walking; but they are BEAUTIFUL because they bear the person who bears the gospel of salvation.

8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD hath 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.

The "watchmen" here do not refer to those enlisted in the army and standing on the walls of Jerusalem. But these watchmen are the spiritual watchmen of Israel.

When the spiritual watchmen see God restoring Israel, then they will certainly have something to sing about! Not only will they sing, but all Israel will sing with them. They will sing of the "comfort" (verse 9) of the Lord. God's comfort to sinners is His REDEMPTION!

God has "made bare" His holy arm. He has rolled up His sleeves and WORKED for our redemption. The promise of that redemption is in the Old Testament. The performance of that redemption is in the New Testament through what Jesus did on the cross for all sinners. His death, burial and resurrection proves that God HAS worked, and IS working for the salvation of mankind.

11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. 12 For ye 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 rereward.

When people are redeemed by the blood of Christ, then they are also consecrated through the entrance of God's Holy Spirit into their hearts. Then they are constantly called to holiness (verse 11).

Christians are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and ordained by the Holy Spirit of God. They are to "go forth" into the world and share the good news of salvation. They are to be willing "vessels" of the Lord and "bear" the good news.

There is no need for "haste" (verse 12), however, neither should we fall behind! Christians sharing the good news of salvation with others should patiently and certainly look for God's leadership. Yet we cannot use that as an excuse for laxness in the service!

13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: 15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Here is the promise of Messiah. He is "My Servant," says God (verse 13). He WILL be perfect in all His ways, and He will be EXALTED above all men.

Jesus Christ is that "Servant." He came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on a cruel cross, was placed in a grave, and then was RESURRECTED. After His resurrection, Jesus ASCENDED to heaven. Indeed, He is EXALTED above ALL mankind.

Jesus' illegal trial brought a lot of physical punishment. The Bible says people will be ASTONISHED at His appearance. Because of His suffering, Jesus' features were deformed more than ANY man (verse 14). The hate and animosity of a sinful world was poured out upon Him!

Yet, even kings of the world will bow down to Christ. He IS "King of kings, and Lord of lords..." (Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16).

Even the greatest leader in the world cannot receive God's eternal glorious heaven without bowing down and submitting himself before Jesus!

May it be that people everywhere today will see the need to surrender to Jesus and constantly praise Him for the salvation He offers.
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.