1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, [and] sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day [is] blasphemed.
6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore [they shall know] in that day that I [am] he that doth speak: behold, [it is] I.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean [thing]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward.
13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for [that] which had not been told them shall they see; and [that] which they had not heard shall they consider.
Overview of Isaiah 52
Isaiah 52 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Isaiah, addressing themes of redemption, restoration, and the proclamation of good news. It serves as a bridge between the preceding chapters, which focus on judgment, and the subsequent chapters that emphasize salvation and hope for Israel.
Key Themes
- Redemption and Restoration: The chapter emphasizes the future restoration of Jerusalem and the people of Israel after their exile.
- Proclamation of Good News: The call to announce the arrival of salvation and the reign of God is a central focus.
- Divine Sovereignty: The text underscores God’s authority over nations and His ultimate plan for His people.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-2: Call to Awakening
The chapter opens with a call to Zion (Jerusalem) to awaken and put on strength and beauty. This imagery suggests a transformation from desolation to glory.
- “Awake, awake!” – A repeated command indicating urgency for the people to rise from their spiritual slumber.
- “Put on your beautiful garments” – Symbolizes the restoration of dignity and honor to the people of Israel.
- “Shake yourself from the dust” – A metaphor for leaving behind the shame and degradation of exile.
Verses 3-6: The Promise of Redemption
These verses highlight God’s promise to redeem His people, emphasizing that they were sold into exile without payment but will be redeemed without money.
- “You were sold for nothing” – Reflects the unjust treatment of Israel and their suffering.
- “You shall be redeemed without money” – Indicates that God’s salvation is a gift, not something earned or bought.
- “My people shall know My name” – Points to a future relationship where the people will recognize and honor God.
Verses 7-10: The Proclamation of Good News
These verses celebrate the beautiful feet of those who bring good news, emphasizing the joy and hope that accompanies the announcement of salvation.
- “How beautiful upon the mountains” – The imagery of messengers running to proclaim peace and salvation.
- “The Lord has bared His holy arm” – A metaphor for God’s power being revealed in the salvation of His people.
- “All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” – Highlights the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan.
Verses 11-12: Call to Depart from Exile
The chapter concludes with a call for the people to depart from Babylon, signifying a physical and spiritual return to their homeland.
- “Depart, depart, go out from there” – An imperative for the people to leave behind their captivity.
- “Touch no unclean thing” – A reminder to maintain holiness and purity as they return.
- “The Lord will go before you” – Assurance that God’s presence will guide and protect them in their journey.
Conclusion
Isaiah 52 serves as a powerful message of hope and restoration for the people of Israel. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing God’s sovereignty and the joy that comes with the proclamation of His salvation. The chapter invites readers to reflect on their own spiritual awakenings and the transformative power of God’s redemptive work.
