BACKGROUND
Jerusalem is called to "wake up" and put on glorious garments and sit enthroned. Gentiles would no longer thrash the holy city. Jerusalem was sold for free because of their sins (50:1), but they would be redeemed (the Hebrew word, gā’al, means "to purchase out of slavery") and pay nothing (see below for Who will pay). Then, He reviews the history of their slavery.
After this, the Lord will return to Zion to reign. This will ultimately be fulfilled when the Messiah, Jesus, returns and reigns in peace. All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God!
Unlike their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites would not need to leave Babylon in haste because Cyrus, God's anointed (45:1), said they could return safely to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). God would protect them and point the way.
The Scarlet Thread of Redemption
Parts of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 are quoted in the New Testament:
52:15 in Romans 15:21
53:1 in John 12:38 and Romans 10:16
53:4 in Matthew 8:17
53:7-8 in Acts 8:32-33
53:9 in 1 Peter 2:22
53:12 in Luke 22:37
It prophesies of a servant Messiah who would suffer and die for our transgressions. He would be "disfigured, despised, stricken, afflicted, pierced through, crushed, oppressed, cut off, and numbered with the transgressors." This would pay the penalties for our transgressions and purchase our redemption. We would be "bought out of slavery," and the purchase price would cost us nothing but Him everything. With this, we would have peace and healing.
His death satisfied God's righteous demands for judgment against sin leading to salvation for everyone who believes!
WOOHOO!
REFLECTION/APPLICATION
It is such a paradox that the sad news of the suffering Servant is GOOD NEWS for sinning sheep!
Pray through Isaiah 53:5-6 today and let it be your prayer of commitment if you do not already know this suffering Servant as your Savior!
These are also wonderful verses to memorize.
PRAYER through Isaiah 53:5-6
Be He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being (peace) fell upon Him,
And by His scourging, we are healed.
(And in His wounding, we found our healing. The Passion Translation)
All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.
1 comment:
"And in His wounding, we found our healing" in the Passion Translation really hit me this morning! Thank you, Jesus.
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