Chronological Bible Study – July 29
What I Noticed Today (Isaiah 49-53)
Isaiah 49
In Isaiah 49, the Servant describes his calling and the restoration of Israel.
In verses 1-3, the Servant calls on people of all nations (the reference to coastlands) to listen.
Note: The Servant is identified as Israel (v. 3), but this cannot refer to the nation of Israel as a whole because the Servant is to restore the nation to God. It would be more correct to identify the Servant as the believing remnant of Israel. However, New Testament authors Matthew, John, and Luke each considered Jesus to be Messiah; the Servant referred to by Isaiah.
In verses 4-6, the Servant describes his labors as having been in vain, yet his vindication will be in the Lord. He describes being called from the womb to be God’s servant to bring the people of Israel and Judah back to God. In addition, the Servant was called by God to be a light to Gentiles leading them to salvation.
In verse 7, the Lord assures the Servant that despite being despised and abhorred by the people, he would be successful in his mission because God chose him.
In verses 8-12, the Lord says, referring to the Millennium (time of favor, the day of salvation), that he will be a covenant to the people. Those who believe will not hunger or thirst, and the scorching sun will not hit them because God will deliver them.
In verse 13, Isaiah responds calling on the heavens and earth to rejoice because God has comforted His people, and will have compassion on the afflicted.
In verses 14-26, Isaiah relates a conversation between the Lord and the people of Jerusalem (Zion). In verses 14-21, Zion says they feel as though God has abandoned them. Yet, those who have destroyed Jerusalem will leave, and the people will begin to return. The returning people will be such a large group that they will not have enough room (vv. 19-21), suggesting that this passage refers to the Millennium.
Isaiah 50
In verses 1-3, the Lord speaking through Isaiah says He has put away Zion because they had sinned by rejecting Him, but He has the power to redeem them.
In verses 4-6, the Servant is speaking. He says He is sustained by the Lord God and suffered for the Lord. He turned his back on those who beat him and allowed men to tear out his beard.
In verses 7-9, the Servant expresses confidence that the Lord God will help Him. He will not be humiliated or put to shame because the Lord God is near.
In verses 10-11, Isaiah exhorted the Servant’s followers to trust in the Lord. Those who build their own fire and walk in their own light will lie down in a place of torment.
Isaiah 51
Isaiah 51-52:12, is the second major section of these chapters and is focused on the exultation of the righteous remnant.
In verses 1-3, Isaiah called on those who pursued righteousness and sought the Lord to remember their heritage, Abraham and Sarah, and how the Lord blessed them.
In verses 4-8, the call is to both the Lord’s people and to all the nations (a reference to the coastline) to listen because the time for judgment is near. The earth will wear out, and those who dwell there will also die, but the salvation of God is forever.
In verses 9-11, there is a call for God to rise up (awake) and save His people.
Note: The reference to Rahab is not to Rahab the Harlot (Joshua 6:25-27), but to Rahab the sea monster whom God hacked to pieces. Sea monsters represent the chaos of those opposed to God. The reference to the dried-up sea bed, making a road for the redeemed to pass over is an image of the Israelites escaping from Egypt through the Red Sea.
In verses 12-16, the Lord comforts the remnant saying they need not be afraid of men who die and have forgotten their Creator who made the heavens and the earth. Those who believe in God will not go down to the pit (die). God will protect them because they are His people.
In verses 17-23, Isaiah calls on the people of Jerusalem who have drunk from the cup of God’s wrath to rise up. The time of their torment is over. The Lord will remove the cup of wrath from them and pass it on to their tormentors (Babylon).
Isaiah 52
In verses 1-6, the third call to wake-up is issued. This time to Zion (Jerusalem) where the uncircumcised and unclean will never again enter in (referring to the Millennial time). “To shake off the dust” means to stop mourning. Jerusalem was sold into slavery, but will now be redeemed by the Lord.
In verses 7-8, Isaiah speaks of a future time when Messiah will return to Jerusalem to reign, and the people will rejoice.
In verses 9-10, Isaiah says when the Lord returns; He will comfort and redeem His people and the salvation He brings will be seen over all the earth.
In verses 11-12, Isaiah speaks of the remnant’s return to Jerusalem in the Millennium, exhorting them to depart from evil and to purify themselves. The Lord will go before them, and the God of Israel will guard them, from the rear.
Verse 13 begins the third section (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) of these chapters and is focused on the Servant who will be belittled then exalted.
In verses 13-15, the Servant will act wisely and be lifted up, although many will be astonished at His marred appearance. He will cleanse many nations (sprinkle = cleanse in Mosaic Law, Leviticus 4:6).
Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 continues the Servant Song that began in Isaiah 52:13.
In verse 1, the speaker is likely Isaiah, and the “we” referred to includes the Israelites. Few people believe the Servant. There is nothing about his appearance that makes him special. In fact, the nation of Israel despised and rejected him.
In verses 4-6, the remnant now realizes the Servant has borne their sorrows and grief. He was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
In verses 7-9, the Servant was led to the slaughter but said nothing. They planned to bury him with the wicked, but God saw to it that he was buried with the rich (the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea).
In verses 10-12, the Lord’s will was to have the Servant put to grief, his soul an offering for sin. Through the Servant’s death, many shall be made righteous because He bore their guilt. He bore the sin of many making intercession for us before the Lord.