52:7God says that the feet of those who bring good news are “beautiful.” It is a wonderful privilege to be able to share God’s Good News with others, his news of redemption, salvation, and peace. To whom do you need to give the Good News?
Life Application Study BibleIsaiahChapter 52
Isaiah 52
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1174, 1175
52Isaiah 52
1for unclean and godless people will enter your gates no longer.
2Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem.Sit in a place of honor.Remove the chains of slavery from your neck,O captive daughter of Zion.
3For this is what the LORD says:“When I sold you into exile,I received no payment.Now I can redeem youwithout having to pay for you.”
4This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Long ago my people chose to live in Egypt. Now they are oppressed by Assyria. 5What is this?” asks the LORD. “Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is blasphemed all day long.* 6But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them.”
7How beautiful on the mountainsare the feet of the messenger who brings good news,the good news of peace and salvation,the news that the God of Israel* reigns!
8The watchmen shout and sing with joy,for before their very eyesthey see the LORD returning to Jerusalem.*
9Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song,for the LORD has comforted his people.He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10The LORD has demonstrated his holy powerbefore the eyes of all the nations.All the ends of the earth will seethe victory of our God.
11Get out! Get out and leave your captivity,where everything you touch is unclean.Get out of there and purify yourselves,you who carry home the sacred objects of the LORD.
12You will not leave in a hurry,running for your lives.For the LORD will go ahead of you;yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
The LoRp’s Suffering Servant
1313 See, my servant will prosper;he will be highly exalted.
14But many were amazed when they saw him.*His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human,and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.
15And he will startle* many nations.Kings will stand speechless in his presence.For they will see what they had not been told;they will understand what they had not heard about.*5 3 1 Who has believed our message?
Textual footnotes
- and Syriac versions; Masoretic Text reads How can I comfort you?
- 52:5 Greek version reads The Gentiles continually blaspheme my name because of you, Compare Rom 2:24.
- 52:7 Hebrew of Zion.
- 52:8 Hebrew to Zion.
- 52:14 As in Syriac version; Hebrew reads you. §2:15a Or cleanse.
- 52:15b Greek version reads Those who have never been told about him will see, /and those who have never heard
Life Application Notes 3 notes
52:12The people did not have to leave in fearful haste because Cyrus, God’s anointed (45:1), decreed that the Jewish exiles could return safely to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). They had the king's approval, his guaranteed protection. More important, the LORD would go ahead to point the way and be behind to protect them.
52:13The servant, as the term is used here, is the Messiah, our LORD Jesus. He would be highly exalted because of his sacrifice, described in chapter 53. §2:14, 15 This servant, Christ, would be “disfigured”; but through his suffering, he would cleanse the nations (Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:2). 53:1ft This chapter continues to speak of the Messiah, Jesus, who would suffer for the sins of all people. Such a prophecy is astounding! Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly thinking. But God often works in ways we don’t expect. The Messiah's strength is shown by humility, suffering, and mercy.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 1175
§3:1 tRom 10:16