What I Noticed Today (Isaiah 59-63)
Isaiah 59
In verses 1-2, Isaiah reminds the people that the Lord could save them but that they had built barriers between themselves and God, so God is no longer listening to them.
In verses 3-8, God explains what they have done: they are defiled with blood, lied, unjust, dishonest, they give birth to iniquity, their works are sinful, evil, and are sinful even in their thinking. They do not know peace or justice.
In verses 9-15a, Isaiah switches from the third person (they) to first person (we). Isaiah describes them of groping along, unable to see the righteous path. They hope for justice and salvation but are far from it because of their transgressions and sin.
In verses 15b-16a, the Lord sees no justice, and no one was doing anything about it.
In verses 16b-21, God, by His power, brought salvation. God fights for His people as a warrior. Isaiah used imagery to describe spiritual weapons in physical terms: the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, garments of vengeance, and a cloak of zeal. God will bring fury to His enemies and repay the nations (coastlands). Yet, God, the redeemer, will come to Jerusalem in the Millennium, pouring out His Spirit upon His children.
Isaiah 60
In verses 1-3, Isaiah describes the Millennial time with the Lord’s light coming and shining over the people of Israel, revealing God’s glory and because of this, the nations will come into the light.
In verses 4-9, Isaiah describes people coming from far away gathering around Israel because of their radiance. These people will bring great wealth praising the Lord.
In verses 10-14, Israel is described as being served by foreigners who will build up their walls. The city gates will never be closed because the riches are arriving continuously. Nations who had despised Israel in the past will now see Jerusalem as God’s chosen city.
In verses 15-16, God causes other nations to be fed by Israel (like a mother nurses a child).
In verses 17-22, God will cause great wealth to be brought to Israel, but what is brought is beyond gold and silver; it includes peace and righteousness. The Lord will be an everlasting light upon the city, all the people will be righteous, and God will be glorified.
Isaiah 61
In verses 1-3, scholars disagree about who is speaking, but the consensus is that it is Messiah. All three persons of the Godhead (trinity) are mentioned: the Spirit, the Lord God, and the Lord. He has been sent to proclaim the Lord’s favor, the time of God’s judgment, and to comfort those who mourn in Jerusalem.
In verses 4-9, the ruined cities will be rebuilt, and foreigners will serve them. Israelites will be called the Lord’s priests and will bring God’s message to the nations. Because of God’s covenant with the people of Israel, He will reward them, and their people will be known as blessed by the Lord.
In verses 10-11, Isaiah, speaking for the redeemed remnant, says they will rejoice because of God’s blessings, and righteousness and praise will spread among all the nations.
Isaiah 62
In verses 1-5, it is difficult to be certain of who the speaker is. It is either the Messiah or Isaiah. The message of the speaker will not be complete. Jerusalem’s righteousness shines bright (Millennium). In this time, nations will see Jerusalem’s righteousness, a crown in the hand of God, and God will rejoice over the city.
In verses 6-9, the watchmen on the walls never sleep as they guard the city. They are to call out to God persistently until He establishes Jerusalem as the praise of the earth.
In verses 10-12, the highway for the people to come to God is to be built up. A banner is to be raised to direct the people to God. And those who come will be called the Lord’s Holy redeemed people.
Isaiah 63
Verses 1-6 begins with the watchman asking a question and God answering. He will be coming from Edom after a battle, blood-stained, but victorious. He will fight the battles alone, taking vengeance on the nations.
In verses 7-10, Isaiah looks back in time to Israel’s past and remembers God’s grace and compassion for the people. God suffered with their suffering, and He redeemed them because He loved them. Despite all God had done for them, the people rebelled against God.
In verses 11-14, Isaiah recounts how God delivered the people in the Exodus, leading them through the Red Sea.
In verses 15-19, the remnant of Israel asked God to look favorably on them. Even though they had been disobedient, they knew that God was still their Father and redeemer. They asked God to return to them because they were His servants, his chosen people.
