Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Context of Isaiah 55:11: An Overview of Isaiah 52:1-56:8

AN OVERVIEW OF ISAIAH 52:1-56:8
            With all of the competing interpretations of Isaiah 55:11 in circulation, how are we to determine the true significance of the verse? In order to retrieve its proper meaning, we must consider the context of Isaiah 55:11. For this reason, we will examine the contents of Isaiah 52:1-56:8 to gain a better perspective of God’s guarantee that His word will not return void.
Isaiah 52:1-54:17
The focus of Isaiah 52:1-54:17 is the nation of Israel. In the past, God’s covenant people had been humiliated for centuries as slaves in Egypt. In more recent history, the Assyrians had oppressed them without cause. God promised to deliver His people from those who invaded Jerusalem and as a result these foreigners would know His name (52:1-6).
            As a result of the messenger’s announcement that the people were freed from servitude, they rejoiced. God bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, demonstrating His victory over all kingdoms and all false gods. The people had nothing to fear, because God would go before them and serve as their rear guard as well. This act of deliverance would result in all nations seeing His salvation (52:7-12).
            The highlight of this portion of the Book of Isaiah is the fourth Servant Song (52:13-53:12).[1] This powerful passage describes both the source of forgiveness from sin as well as the means by which spiritual salvation is possible.  The Servant of Isaiah is Jesus, and the song foretells the suffering and ultimate vindication of the Son of God that would occur over seven centuries after Isaiah prophesied these events.
            Just as God promised to Noah that He never again would flood the entire earth, one day He never again would punish the Israelites for their wickedness because of the Messiah’s sacrifice. When Israel’s enemies assailed the nation, God would ensure that neither weapon nor false accusation would be effective. The Lord would be the source of His peoples’ vindication (54:1-17).
            In summary, the focus of Isaiah 52:1-54:17 is God’s dealings with the nation of Israel. Even though the nation had forsaken Him in the past, because of His love and faithfulness He would bring about both their physical and spiritual deliverance through His Messiah. God’s mighty, matchless arm prevented Israel’s enemies from triumphing over them because they were His covenant people.
Isaiah 55:1-56:8
            Whereas the focus of Isaiah 52:1-54:17 primarily is Israel, the emphasis of 55:1-56:8 broadens out to include the Gentiles. Jesus did not die only for the sins of the Israelites, but also for the sins of the entire world (John 1:29). The dual emphasis on the spiritual deliverance of both Jews and Gentiles in Isaiah 52-56 provides the foundation for discovering the true context of Isaiah 55:11.
            The offer of salvation is available not only to Israel, but to the entire human race: Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost (55:1).  The invitation is threefold in nature: “come (Isa. 55:1–5), seek (vv. 6–13), and worship (56:1–8).”[2] The result of receiving the Lord’s salvation is joy, peace, and an everlasting covenant with Him (56:9-16). God assured faithful non-Israelites that they would receive the same treatment as Abraham’s descendants. They could look forward to an everlasting name that never would be cut off, as well as access to God’s holy mountain. In fact, their sacrifices would be just as acceptable on His holy altar as those of Israel. Ultimately, the Lord would gather dispersed Israel to Himself as well as the Gentiles who placed their faith in Him (56:1-8).


[1] The other Servant Songs appear in Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, and 50:4-9.
[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Comforted (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 144.

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