In the major subsection of Isaiah 40-55, the prophet Isaiah foresees a time when the Israelites will be restored back to their land from Babylonian exile. God’s ‘servant’, Cyrus, the Persian king, will issue a decree that will bring the Jewish exiles back to Canaan. Even though this foreign leader does not know Yahweh God, the Sovereign LORD is still able to guide him as His agent to serve His purposes.
Israel’s Need For A Spiritual Restoration
But something further needs to be accomplished in the lives of the Israelites for a full restoration to God to occur. It was their sin and defilement which caused their judgment of exile in the first place. If they are not transformed, how can they dwell in God’s presence? How can they keep living in the land? God desires to cleanse them and forgive them so that they can walk with Him in their land (Is. 52:1-6). How can God and Israel have a faithful and fruitful relationship together? How can the LORD fulfill His purposes of seeing Israel be a light unto the nations and bringing Gentiles to worship Yahweh God as the only true God (Is. 2:1-5)?
In Isaiah 51:7-12, Isaiah greatly rejoices at the good news that God has found a way to establish His kingly reign among a responsive people. God has found a way to bring His salvation to all the peoples of the earth (Is. 52:10). What is the way? It is through the sufferings and glory of the Servant of the LORD (Is. 52:13-53:12). We have already been introduced to the Servant in Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-7 and 50:4-9. Now in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, we are given the most detailed description of the Servant, both in his person and his work. He will be the one who will atone for the sins of the people of God, and it is through him that God’s will is accomplished. It is through him that a people will be justified and cleansed.
God’s Ways Are Not Like Man’s Ways
As we look at the prophesy of the Servant in Is 52:13-53:12, we are struck by how differently God works to accomplish His purposes on earth in comparison to man. There was nothing in the outward appearance of the Servant that was physically attractive or beautiful. You would think God’s gift to humanity would come in a beautifully wrapped package. But not this Gift.
Christians believe that this Servant is a prophesy of Jesus the Christ/Messiah. He fits the picture here in Isaiah. He was not born in a king’s palace, but in a smelly manger with humble farm animals. He was a carpenter and was gentle and lowly in heart (Mt. 11:28-30; 12:15-21). There was nothing in his appearance or manner that suggested worldwide influence. Yet through his atoning sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection, the will of the LORD is prospering. Many different peoples are being made righteous, just as Isaiah 53:10-12 prophesied.
It is through the Suffering and Risen Servant, Jesus, that the once rejected and barren Zion will become a fruitful mother (Isaiah 54:1-8). Yahweh God is a faithful husband to His people. And it is because of His faithfulness, that the LORD will create Zion as a place of complete healing and blessing (Is. 54:11-17). The Apostle John describes the new Jerusalem in Revelation 21:17-21 with the same description we find in Isaiah 54:11-12. We can have complete confidence in the righteousness of our covenant God!
QOTD: Are you actively praising and thanking your faithful God and are you passionately serving Him on this earth?