July 29: Isaiah 49-53

July 29, Isaiah 49-53

Isaiah 49 The salvation of the Lord will come through the Servant of the Lord - namely that of Jesus Christ the Messiah. God wanted the whole world to hear that God would be glorified through Jesus. From the Tyndale Bible Commentary, ‘ Rejected by his own people (49:4), the Messiah would bring salvation to the Gentiles (49:5–6) and restore Israel to God (49:5). His mouth was likened to a sharpened “sword,” a reference to the Messiah’s speaking ministry (49:2; cf. Heb. 4:12). The name “Israel” was applied to the Messiah, the One who fulfilled God’s expectation for his people (49:3). The Messiah appeared to have labored “to no purpose” to bring God’s people to himself, but his work will eventually be rewarded (49:4). The Messiah was given literally as a “token and pledge to Israel” (49:8; cf. Gen. 12:1–3). One of the strongest statements in Scripture regarding God’s faithfulness to his people is found in 49:15–16.’ 

Jesus Christ will be triumphant worldwide and the joy will be exceptional and God’s love for us knows no bounds.

Isaiah 50 Israel’s sin led to them being sold as exiles. The Servant, Jesus, is the obedient one. They did not call on God, as if He wasn't more than able to help them out. The Servant relies completely on God as Master and trusts in Him fully. That is what we are to be doing as well. 

Isaiah 51 God comforts Zion (God’s people) and calls the righteous remnant to listen and look to Him for deliverance.God promises that He will take care of them and that His salvation will be forever, as will His righteousness. There are many against God. God is the Comforter and is not to be forgotten regardless. 

Isaiah 52 The Lord is coming for His remnant and blessings will follow. God is calling them to wake up and get ready for what is coming. 

“How beautiful upon the mountains

    are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

    who publishes salvation,

    who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

How beautiful is that? Those that proclaim God’s good news are favored heavily. God is coming again my friends. From the TBC again, ‘Paul used this verse in Romans 10:15 of the messengers who herald the “good news” of salvation in Christ. The message was addressed to the Jews in Babylon, who would have to choose between economic security in Babylon and the hazards and hardships of returning to Judah (see note on Ezra 1:5).’ I agree whole heartedly!

Jesus is our Savior. In verse 13 we learn about Jesus being resurrected, ascending and being exalted. This all happened…

Isaiah 53 What a famous chapter of the Old testament! Jesus was to die in the place of the guilty (all of us), in order to satisfy the requirements of sin to a holy God. Jesus Christ would be disfigured (Matt 27:28-31), just like the prophet Isaiah said. Jesus was not going to be some good looking guy that attracted people to Him. He was despised. Rejected. Had grief. Had sorrow. He carried all of our sins on him and took on our deserved punishment, even though He was without sin.  

That is easy, JESUS CHRIST!

I have taken this final section from the TBC as well… a concise summary!

‘Redeemed Israel spoke in retrospect and explained why they rejected the Messiah, Jesus (53:1–3). The Messiah bore the consequences of Israel’s sin although they did not realize it at the time. Sin is pictured here in terms of its results or consequences in people’s lives—sickness and pain. Matthew used this text with reference to Jesus’ healing ministry (see note on Matt. 8:17). The emphasis in 53:5 is on substitution. What Christ suffered, he suffered for believers (“our sins,” “peace,” and “healed”). The figure of straying sheep was used to describe the spiritual apostasy of Israel and all people (53:6; cf. Rom. 3:23). The Messiah Servant suffered willingly and silently (cf. Matt. 26:63; 27:11–14; Luke 23:9). The unjust judicial proceedings Christ was subjected to were reflected in 53:8. The Jewish Sanhedrin violated their own laws by (1) convening at the house of Caiaphas rather than the regular meeting place, (2) meeting at night rather than during the day, (3) convening on the eve of a Sabbath and a festival, (4) pronouncing the judgment the same day as the trial, and (5) ignoring the formalities allowing for the possibility of acquittal in cases involving a capital sentence. Although condemned with wicked criminals (the two thieves), Christ was buried in the tomb of a rich man (cf. Matt. 27:57–60).

The Servant Song concluded with God’s promise to exalt his Servant because he did the Father’s will in dying as a guilt offering (53:10–12; cf. Phil. 2:9–11). The “heirs” was a reference to Christ’s spiritual progeny who would trust in his redemptive work. Because of Christ’s suffering, many would be justified (cf. Rom. 5:1, 18).’

To sum it all up: 

• Salvation only comes to us from God through His Son Jesus Christ. 
• Our sin leads to slavery. For Israel, it was literal slavery, for us it is literal slavery (just in a different way).
• Yahweh is coming again for His people. Are you one of His?
• Jesus was foretold a very long time before He came and fulfilled all of the prophecies about Himself. Praise God for sending us His Son!