Isaiah 24–27 is a section in its own right within the prophecy. It deals with the conflict between Israel (spiritual and natural) and the world, and the ultimate triumph and blessedness of Zion, when Yahweh reigns therein in glory with “his ancients”. These chapters follow a lengthy section of…
Isaiah’s Visions of Salvation and Judgment (1) Read More »
Isaiah 59 divides into three parts.
59:1–8 Judah’s sins have separated God from His people; therefore He has not delivered them. In verses 2 and 3 the people are accused of sin and this is evident by use of the second person pronouns “you” and “your”; but in verses 4 to 8 the third p…
Isaiah 59:1–8 “Your Iniquities have Separated between You and Your God” Read More »
Introduction to Isaiah 56
Isaiah 56 extends the calls of the previous chapter: men are required to amend their ways in preparation for the imminent revelation of salvation resulting from the Servant’s completed work (v1–2). In the following section (56:3–8) the invitation to partake of the ri…
“Yet will I Gather Others to Him …” Read More »
PSALM 78, which portrays in such vivid fashion God’s goodness to Israel from the days of Egypt down to the time of David, indicates in its opening verses the object of the recital: the knowledge of past favours transmitted to the psalmist and his contemporaries must in its turn be handed on to…
In the last half of this chapter, reference is again made to the rise of Cyrus who would do Yahweh’s “pleasure upon the Chaldeans”. Israel is invited to consider such foreknowledge as it proves their Redeemer to be the true God. There is also a lamentation that Israel had not heeded His comman…
The concluding verses of Isaiah 49 provide us with two dramatic prophetic pictures. In verses 22 and 23 Zion is informed that her children shall be gathered to her with regal attention and respect. The last three verses speak of Yahweh’s deliverance of the children of Zion from their oppressor…
The last eight verses of Isaiah 45 stress the objectives Yahweh had in the creation of the world. All nations will ultimately learn that He, the God of Israel, is the true God and that all other deities are a mere pretence. Witness to His purpose and Godhead has not been hidden from men, nor will th…
“Unto Me Every Knee Shall Bow” Read More »
43:14–17 Redemption from Babylon: a New Exodus
In this section the Exodus theme continues. The fall of Babylon is announced and promised. This is the first time Babylon is mentioned since 39:3–6 where the impending captivity in that land is foreshadowed. The captivity is to be followed, after 7…
Isaiah chapters 46 and 47 deal with the fall of Babylon and the utterly useless idols in which the nation had trusted (Dan 5:23). There is a contrast between them and Yahweh Who has preserved His people from their inception.
Chapter 47 focuses on the arrogance of Babylon and her swift demise. Cit…
This chapter concludes a lengthy section commencing in chapter 40 in which sins of Judah are enumerated and the reasons for the impending Babylonian captivity are given. But Yahweh’s purpose with His people will not fail “for his name’s sake” (v9). “New things” He declares which He …
