Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Isaiah 52:7 - 52:12
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Messengers of Redemption
v. 7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, namely, those of the salvation of Israel, of Zion, that publisheth peace, announcing that all devastating warfare is now ended, that bringeth good tidings of good, preaching with glad acclaim, that publisheth salvation, making the fact of redemption known throughout the nation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth, He has entered upon His rule. During the exile, indeed, the Lord had given the heathen power over the kingdoms of the world and even over Israel, but now that His people is delivered from the bondage of Babylonia, He has once more established His Kingdom of Grace over Israel, just as He has once more assumed the reins of the world government, never to relinquish them again. The picture which is here drawn is one of perfect Messianic conditions, the beauty of the Messianic era with its wonderful Gospel proclamation.
v. 8. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice, as they see the messengers approaching; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye, very plainly and unmistakably, when the Lord shall bring again Zion, when He Himself shall return to his city. Such shouts of rejoicing are now inserted in order to emphasize the full extent of the deliverance gained.
v. 9. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem, the ruins of the city themselves being regarded as mourning on account of the downfall of the city; for the Lord hath comforted His people, placing them once more into their ancient heritage, He hath redeemed Jerusalem, tearing it out of the hands of the enemies.
v. 10. The Lord hath made bare His holy arm, in preparing for a mighty punishment, in the eyes of all the nations, before the eyes of the unbelieving, mocking enemies; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God, being obliged to witness in what manner the Lord brings deliverance to His people. The description now goes back to the first moments of the deliverance from Babylon.
v. 11. Depart ye, depart ye, the Lord urges the returning Jews, go ye out from thence, from the midst of idolatrous Babylon, touch no unclean thing, anything connected with idolatry; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord, namely, those belonging to the Temple, which the exiles took back with them to Jerusalem. Cf Ezr_1:7-11. The expression refers to the need of consecration in the Lord's work in all times, under all circumstances.
v. 12. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight, in a precipitate hurry, as at the time of the exodus from Egypt; for the Lord will go before you, their Ruler Himself being their guide, and the God of Israel will be your rearward, bringing up the rear and thus sheltering them on both sides and giving them the full security needed in all their ways. Thus the believers are ever and everywhere secure against the evil plans of their enemies, the Lord Himself being their Guide and their Protector.