Introduction
Isaiah praises God for delivering Jerusalem from the Assyrian oppression and looks forward to a greater deliverance.
Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city:
for from now on the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you.
Arise, sit up, Jerusalem!
Release yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion!
“My people went down at the first into Egypt to live there:
and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause.
“seeing that my people are taken away for nothing?
Those who rule over them mock,” says the LORD,
“and my name is blasphemed continually all day long.
Therefore they shall know in that day that I am he who speaks.
Behold, it is I.”
who publishes peace,
who brings good news,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Together they sing;
for they shall see eye to eye when the LORD returns to Zion.
Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem;
for the LORD has comforted his people.
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Go out from amongst her!
Cleanse yourselves, you who carry the LORD’s vessels.
neither shall you go by flight:
for the LORD will go before you;
and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
his appearance was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men—
Kings will shut their mouths at him;
for they will see that which had not been told them,
and they will understand that which they had not heard.
Questions
1. Why is Jerusalem told to awake?
v 1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion.
Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city:
for from now on the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you.
2. What will be the result of the LORD making his holy arm bare?
v 10 The LORD has made his holy arm bare in the eyes of all the nations.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
3. What does Isaiah say that God’s servant wIll do for the nations?
v 15 so he will cleanse many nations.
Kings will shut their mouths at him;
for they will see that which had not been told them,
and they will understand that which they had not heard.
Summary Points
- v 1 to 6 Jerusalem, whose inhabitants have recently been oppressed by the Assyrians, is encouraged to wake up and listen to the LORD's words
- v 7 to 12 Good news of peace and salvation will be publicised. The inhabitants of Jerusalem are encouraged to rejoice in their salvation
- v 13 to 15 God’s servant will be exalted and wise, but people will be astonished at his disfigured appearance