In this eloquent and beautiful chapter Messiah, Yahweh’s Anointed, declares his commission, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God” (v2). He had been instructed that he might “know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (50:4). The op…
Isaiah 61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me” Read More »
This chapter presents one of the most beautiful pictures in the Bible of the Kingdom of God. It portrays the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant where those who have blessed his seed are blessed and those who have cursed them are caused to submit. In his seed all nations are finally blessed and Zio…
Isaiah 60 “Arise, Shine; for thy Light is Come” Read More »
In this remarkable section of the Word of God we learn how Zion will be transformed by Yahweh. To emphasise the coming glory contrast after contrast is made with the past. These verses also provide us with significant pieces of the jigsaw that make up our vision of the coming Kingdom of God.
60:15�…
Isaiah 60:15–21 “I will Make Thee an Eternal Excellency” Read More »
As has been mentioned Isaiah 63:7 commences a long sustained appeal by Isaiah to Yahweh to remember the special status of the chosen race, Israel. Why does he make this plea? Because in the opening vision (63:1–7), the Conqueror of all nations has stressed the fact that he was alone, that none of …
Isaiah 63:7–19 “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD” Read More »
In this remarkable chapter the coming glory of Zion is stressed and elaborated, making silence impossible. Isaiah will pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and Yahweh will put “watchmen upon [her] walls” whose persistent appeals will at length bring promise to reality. There are figures of majestic …
Isaiah 62: “For Zion’s Sake will I Not Hold My Peace” Read More »
In this 58th chapter of Isaiah true fasting and Sabbath-keeping are contrasted with false observance of them. It is a question of the motive. Were these acts of worship genuine and from the heart or merely for outward human consumption? Fasting is a form of self-deprivation voluntarily undertaken to…
Isaiah 58:1–7 True Fasting Contrasted with the Counterfeit Read More »
The first 13 verses of this chapter describe a nation that has departed from Yahweh to idolatry and the immoral rites associated with it. Righteous men were being removed by God in view of the impending judgment. They would “enter into peace” but, alas, the wicked would suffer a different fate, …
Isaiah 57:13–21 “I create the fruit of the lips, peace …” Read More »
This chapter reflects the divisions in Judah in the reign of Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh. His systematic liquidation of the righteous, including at length Isaiah himself, coupled with the idolatry and debauchery which he introduced, sanctioned and practised, brought Judah to new lows and made desolat…
Isaiah 57:1–12 “Thou hast Discovered Thyself to Another than Me” Read More »
The first seven verses of Isaiah 58 make it plain that acceptable worship touches all aspects of a believer’s life. Service to God must be accompanied by compassion to fellow servants otherwise it is invalid, even obnoxious. There must be consistency if a favourable response is expected. Fasting a…
Isaiah 58:8–14 “And I will Feed Thee with the Heritage of Jacob” Read More »
Introduction to Isaiah 55:4–13
In the opening verses of this section we are told of the response to the call and offer made in 55:1–3. There is a wide-ranging acceptance as men of all nations rally to the preaching of the gospel based on the resurrection of the Servant who has become witness, l…
“Nations that Knew Not Thee Shall Run unto Thee” Read More »
