Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Isaiah 49-55

  • 49:1-7 The Servant of Yahweh declares his call to Israel and the nations and is validated by Yahweh.
    • 1-4 Yahweh's Servant proclaims his call and his birthright, declaring Yahweh's assured reward, despite the apparent futility of the proclamation.
    • 5-6 The Servant is sent, not just to Jacob, but to all nations, for proclaiming only to Israel brings insufficient glory.
    • 7 The Servant, despised and subjected in the meantime, will be glorified by kings in the end.
  • 49:8-26 Yahweh declares his redemption through his chosen Servant to desolated Israel.
    • 8-12 Yahweh commissions his Servant as a blessing to his people, freeing prisoners and gathering the scattered.
    • 13-18 While creation celebrates Yahweh's love for his people, Yahweh's people deny it; Yahweh declares his profound, loving devotion.
    • 19-23 Israel, who assumes herself barren, shall bring forth a throng of descendants, causing the nations to prostrate themselves.
    • 24-26 While Israel doubts Yahweh's ability to save, Yahweh, the Mighty One of Jacob, promises certain rescue.
  • 50:1-51:8 Yahweh rebukes those who seek their own way, exhorts those who seek righteousness, and promises comfort to the moth-eaten.
    • 50:1-3 Yahweh corrects Israel's misperceptions about the exile and confronts them for their lack of faith.
    • 50:4-9 The faithful servant submits to Yahweh, stands up to his enemies, and is vindicated by Yahweh.
    • 50:10-11 Isaiah offers two response options: 1) trust Yahweh and be delivered or 2) trust the gods and be tormented.
    • 51:1-8 God offers three reasons.
      • 51:1-3 Just as God made Abraham into a nation, so he will restore Israel.
      • 51:4-6 God's justice-righteousness-salvation is certain and eternal.
      • 51:7-8 Enemies are exceedingly temporal, but Yahweh's deliverance is forever.
  • 51:9-52:12 Yahweh calls Israel to recognize the coming salvation through the Servant.
    • 51:9-11 "Arm of Yahweh" is awakened; ransomed return to Zion after deliverance from Egypt as in days of old.
    • 51:12-16 Yahweh chastises his people for fearing their impotent tormentors; he, he will protect them.
    • 51:17-20 Isaiah calls under-Yahweh's-wrath Jerusalem, slapping them awake to realize punishment.
    • 51:21-23 Yahweh promises to remove the cup of wrath from Israel and pass it to her tormentors.
    • 52:1-2 Zion is awakened; she is called out of destruction and oppression into glorious restoration.
    • 52:3-6 Yahweh, who delivers his people from rebellious oppressors without compensation, will be known by his people by Name.
    • 52:7-10 Yahweh's deliverance is so certain the heralds announce, the watchmen rejoice, and Jerusalem sings.
    • 52:11-12 Israel leaves captivity clean, in peace, and protected.
  • 52:13-53:12 Yahweh describes the exaltation and suffering sacrifice of his chosen Servant.
    • 52:13-15 Acting-in-wisdom Servant, of late marred and abused, shall astonish the nations with revelation.
    • 53:1-3 The servant (Messiah) brings saving power, but unexpectedly comes from humble beginnings and rejection by men rather than the expected triumphal entry
    • 53:4-6 The servant bore Yahweh's justice to save us from our wrongdoings and wanderings - not, as we perceived, as payment for his own
    • 53:7-9 He bore this punishment undeservingly and without objection, yet his only thanks was to be buried with the wicked
    • 53:10-11 His sacrifice, grief and anguish were the will of Yahweh to afford salvation and righteousness to others and the fulfillment of his purpose and prosperity
    • 53:12 His sacrifice earns spoils; despite being perceived a wrongdoer, he is ultimately noble in paying for others' wrongdoings
  • 54:1-17 Yahweh calls the afflicted to recognize Kingdom blessing.
    • 54:1-3 Yahweh offers promise-based commands to the barren one to prepare for children.
    • 54:4-8 Yahweh offers love and compassion to lift Israel, his bride, out of shame.
    • 54:9-10 Based upon his eternal steadfast love, Yahweh promises to end his rebuke of Israel.
    • 54:11-15 Yahweh rebuilds and protects battered Israel.
    • 54:16-17a Yahweh reiterates his sovereignty.
    • 54:17b All these blessings come from Yahweh.
  • 55:1-13 Yahweh calls his people to enter his blessing by coming to him and seeking relationship with him.
    • 1-5 Yahweh calls all (Israel and Gentiles) who realize they are thirsty to be satisfied by him, basing his call on his promise to David and future glorification of Israel.
    • 6-11 Yahweh calls unable-to-be-quenched-satisfaction-seekers to seek him, who alone is able to pardon, for he is sovereign and we are not.
    • 12-13 Yahweh's blessing--peace and abundance for Israel--are an eternal sign of his covenant.

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