Bible Commentary: Isaiah 39-66

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Bible Commentary for Isaiah 39 thru 66

Isaiah Chapter 39

Merodach-Baladan, the son of the king of Babylon, sent messages to Hezekiah when he heard of his illness and his recovery. When the envoys delivered his messages, Hezekiah welcomed them and proceeded to show them all of the treasures that were in his palace and his storehouses. Jehovah was not pleased with Hezekiah so He sent Isaiah the prophet to him. Isaiah asked him where had the men come from and what had they seen in the palace. Hezekiah explained that they had come from Babylon and that he had shown them all of his treasures. Isaiah then told him that Jehovah had said that everything that these men had seen would one day be taken to Babylon along with some of the offspring of the royal house to serve the king of Babylon. (2 Chronicles 32:24-31; Daniel 1:1-6).

Isaiah Chapter 40

The words of the prophet Isaiah are now directed towards Judah and Jerusalem when Jehovah is about to deliver them from captivity to Babylon and to lead them back to their land that will now be beautified. (Isaiah chapter 35) He tells the prophet to comfort them and speak to them tenderly as a mother would to her young children. She was told that all her sins had been atoned for and that she had received just punishment for them.

The people had undergone a complete change in attitude towards their leadership. The ones that they had deemed to be lofty, mountain-like, were no longer to be thought of as such. Those they previously viewed as of no account, as a low valley, were to be highly estimated. Jehovah would reveal His glory and all would see it when He delivered His people from Babylon. Jehovah’s word was sure to be fulfilled as it endures forever while humans are too frail to make such guarantees.

Matthew 3:3, is applied to the work that John was doing. Jehovah began his inspection of the nation at this time and He completed it at the end of Jesus’ ministry, a four-year period. (Luke 19:44)

Isaiah was to announce this good new to Judah from atop a high mountain and he was to do so in a loud voice. He would proclaim that Jehovah their God was coming with power either to reward or recompense. He cares for His people as a shepherd tends his flock and He gently leads those who are helpless and weak among them.

Yet He is described as being able to measure the waters of the oceans in the hollow of his hand, hold the dust of the earth in a basket, or weigh mountains on scales. He alone brought these things into being and no one instructed Him on how He should have made them. Even nations are as a drop in a bucket in His eyes. Lebanon does not have enough trees nor are there enough animals to offer sufficient burnt offerings to Him. He cannot be compared to anything or anyone that humans are familiar with. They can only copy what they see on the earth. To Jehovah, from His heavenly vantage point, all the people are like grasshoppers. Even the rulers He brings to nothing. When one looks at the sky and sees the countless number of stars there and considers that Jehovah knows how many there and has even given them all names, they know that He has no equal.

Israel still has not put complete trust in their God, Jehovah. They complain that He pays no attention to their plight and will not see that they get justice. Isaiah encourages them by telling them that Jehovah does not tire out nor grow weary and His understanding is unfathomable. He is able to renew the strength of those who need help enabling them to regain their strength


Isaiah Chapter 41

Jehovah now speaks to the nations to come forward and meet with Him so that He could inform them of something that they did not know. He is the one who controls their history. He can decide to take one leader and his people and bring them against another nation to topple it. He gives this nation control over all other nation and no one can stop them. This statement refers to His use of Cyrus, the Persian, to bring the mighty nation of Babylon down. Jehovah is the only one who has ever been able to accomplish this feat, even making His choice of who He would use generations before the individual is born.

When people faraway saw what Cyrus had done to Babylon, they trembled. They attempted to allay their fears by making more idols to protect them. But Israel was not to become fearful as these nations were, as they, the descendants of Abraham his friend, were the people He had chosen. He had not rejected them and He would be with them to strengthen and help them. Those who oppose them would be put to shame and would perish. He would make them like a new threshing instrument and they would thresh their enemies and reduce them to chaff. As they winnowed them the wind would blow them away. Israel was to rejoice in Jehovah and in His glory.

Jehovah would now make provisions to provide water for the needy and poor. He would cause water to flow in the desert and would cause trees to spring up there. This would be miraculous because the trees mentioned do not normally grow in the desert and only Jehovah Himself could accomplish this.

The nations are invited by Jehovah to bring their gods forward so that they can tell their worshippers what the future holds for them thereby proving that they are gods. But these gods prove to be nothing and those who follow them will also come to nothing. Jehovah again speaks of the one that He will call from the north and the rising sun that will tread upon rulers as if they were clay in the hands of a potter. When this comes to pass, who will be given the credit for making known this fact? Certainly not one of the gods of the nations for they were unable to say anything. Jehovah was the first to tell these glad tidings to Zion about their release from Babylon.

Isaiah Chapter 42

Jehovah describes the one that He has designated as ‘His servant.’ He is called Israel, as he is the one that the nation would style themselves after. Jehovah would put His spirit on him and he would bring justice to the nations. He would not speak harshly nor discourage the people but would with gentleness help them. He would continue in his assignment until justice prevailed upon the earth. Jehovah, the creator of all things and the giver of life to all, is the One who would take hold of his hand and would make him a covenant to Israel and a light even to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18-21) He would bring spiritual light to those that are blind; free those held captive in prison and release those who are in dungeons of darkness. Jehovah guarantees that He alone would get the glory and He will not allow it to go to any false god. His word has in the past been proven to be right so He will now announce new things to His servant before they come into being.

Those of the nations will sing a new song of praise to Jehovah about the things that He is doing. This will include those who make their living on the sea, those who live on islands, those in the deserts such as the people of Kedar, and those in the mountainous regions such as Sela, the capital city of Edom. They will give glory to Jehovah as they see Him stir up His zeal and raise a battle cry as He triumphs over His enemies.

During the time that Israel was being disciplined, Jehovah spoke of Himself as being silent and holding Himself back. But now, as a woman about to give birth, He becomes more urgent in His desire to help them. He will bring judgment upon their enemies and bring His people to safety guiding them along unfamiliar paths. He will light the dark paths and smooth out the rough places for those who trust in Him. But those who choose to put their trust in idols will be turned back and put to shame.

Jehovah’s words to the nation of Israel, who also are called ‘His servant,’ are somewhat harsh. They are blind and deaf to His words by their choice. They have seen and heard many things but they chose not to pay attention to them. It pleased Jehovah to give them laws that were great and glorious and that revealed His righteousness. But they paid no attention to them. So instead of receiving the blessings promised to those who obeyed His laws, they became a people plundered and, as it were, trapped in caves or languishing in prisons with no one to rescue them.

The prophet revealed to them that it was Jehovah that had given them over to be looted and plundered because they refused to obey His laws and would not follow His ways. He had poured out His anger upon them which had engulfed them as flames would but it had had no affect upon them. They were still dull of heart and refused to understand why they had received such treatment. After all of this, would any of them, in the future, listen to His words?

Isaiah Chapter 43

Jehovah now says to His Servant that he is not to be afraid because He will help him through whatever difficulties he will face. He is his savior and He will give other peoples as a ransom for him. He is precious, honored and loved by Jehovah. He will bring his children from the west, north and south, everyone who is called by His name and whom He has created for His glory.

Israel, who is described as being blind and deaf, is brought before the nations who are assembled before Jehovah. He challenges the nations to prove that they had knowledge concerning what would happen to Israel. They should be able to produce their witnesses to vouch for the fact that they had made predictions in the past and these had come true. Israel could vouch for the fact that Jehovah alone was the One who was able to do this, as they were witnesses to this fact. He alone was the One who had revealed the future and had saved His people and had proclaimed it, not some foreign god. Israel should have been able to vouch for the fact that since ancient times, no one was able to stay His hand.

Jehovah will cause Babylon to fall and they would become fugitives in the ships that they proudly sailed the waters in. He would do this for the sake of Israel, as He is their Creator and their King. He reminded them of how He had brought them through the Red Sea and how He had destroyed the Egyptian chariots and horses. But they did not need to dwell on the past as He was now bringing about something new and Israel would be aware of it. He would make a way for them to travel through the desert and there would be a plentiful supply of water there. The desert creatures would honor Him because of this water and they would be instrumental in giving this water to Israel. These desert creatures represent the Gentiles who Israel previously considered unclean and had no association with them. Jehovah is certainly doing something new for them. (Acts 10:14-16)

Israel still has not called upon Jehovah nor have they offered Him what was His due. He had not put extra burdens upon them but they had burdened Him with their sins. Yet He would be willing to blot out their sins and remember them no more if they could prove to Him that they were worthy. But that would be hard to do since their fathers, their priests and prophets had rebelled against Him. So He would have no choice but to subject them to disgrace, scorn and destruction.

Isaiah Chapter 44

Again Jehovah speaks to His Servant and encourages him not to be fearful. He is called Jeshurun or the upright one. Jehovah will pour water on the thirsty land and His spirit and blessings upon the offspring of His Servant. They will suddenly spring up like grass in a meadow or like trees growing by streams. One will say “I belong to the LORD [Jehovah]” another will call himself by the name of Jacob. These people are Gentiles who become Israelites.

Jehovah now challenges anyone who claims to be a god to make known to Him what happened in the past and what the future of His people will be. Israel is not to be afraid as Jehovah has already told them what the future holds for them and they are witnesses that He is the only true God, their Rock.

Isaiah now discusses the folly of idolatry. Those who advocate their worship are ignorant and they are unaware of that fact. Anyone who shapes and casts an idol will be put to shame, as these craftsmen are simply men. A blacksmith takes a tool and works with the metal in the hot coals, shaping it with hammers. He forges it with the strength of his arm. He does not stop to eat or drink thus using up his strength while making this idol from metal. A carpenter draws the outline for his idol on wood using a marker. Then he chisels it out in the form of a man so that it can dwell in a shrine. None of this should inspire anyone to put his confidence in these man-made gods.

A man takes a tree from the forest and he cuts it into pieces. He takes one piece and uses it to make a fire to warm himself and to cook his food. With the other he makes a god and bows down to it. He prays to it and asks it to save him because it is his god. This person is blind and his mind is closed to any sort of understanding. Reasonably, if a person gave some thought to what he was doing, he would recognize the foolishness of it all. But as Jehovah says, his heart has misled him. He is unable to think rationally.

Israel should keep in mind that the gods made by humans are nothing and that Jehovah is the only God who can help them. He will not forget them and He has even forgiven them their sins, these are a thing of the past. They should return to Him because He has redeemed them. The people and rulers should all rejoice because Jehovah has shown His glory in Israel.

Jehovah, their redeemer, is the One who has created the universe and He is also the One who makes false prophets, diviners and those who are viewed as wise look foolish but who upholds the words of His messengers. Jehovah has decreed that Jerusalem will be inhabited, the towns of Judah shall be rebuilt and all of its ruins restored. He also decrees that the waters surrounding Babylon would dry up and that Cyrus would do all that pleases Him. Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the foundations of the temple would be laid.

Isaiah Chapter 45

Jehovah’s choice to use Cyrus to release His people from Babylon was made more than one hundred fifty years before the event actually occurred. In this chapter, Isaiah gives details of what Cyrus would do. Jehovah would empower Cyrus to subdue Babylon, to capture its kings and to open the gates into the city where he would find the treasure stores and gain riches from secret places. Jehovah had this information recorded beforehand so that Cyrus would know that it was He who summoned him by name to accomplish these things. And he should know that it was for the sake of His people that He had given him this honor even though Cyrus had never acknowledged Jehovah as the supreme God. He would learn that there was no one like Jehovah, the only God and He would gain glory because of what He enabled Cyrus to do.

Israel is in no position to question how Jehovah accomplishes His purposes any more than could clay question the potter about what he was doing or a child question his parent about why they gave birth to him. No one questions Jehovah about what He is doing as He created everything and it was His purpose to raise up Cyrus and use him to free the exiles and to rebuild Jerusalem and Cyrus would not receive any payment for doing this.

When Jehovah has restored Israel, many Gentile nations will submit to them. They will walk behind them in chains and will bow to them. They will admit that Jehovah is with Israel and that He is the only true God. That these individuals acknowledge Jehovah as the only true God show that they recognize the folly of worshipping idol. Jehovah has given Israel an everlasting salvation and they would never suffer disgrace or shame, as those who make idols will. Jehovah declares that He is the one who created the earth and He formed it to be inhabited. Jehovah spoke openly to Israel and they were encouraged to hope in Him because all of His words were truth and He would act to fulfill them.

Again, a challenge is issued to those who bow to idols of wood to declare the future as He, Jehovah, had done. He is the only righteous God and Savior; there is no one else. Those who worship idols are told to turn their attention to Jehovah so that they may be saved because He is the only God. Jehovah has sworn to something that will not be revoked and that is, that every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will acknowledge that in Him alone is righteousness and strength. (Romans 14:11) Those who expressed anger towards Him will come to Him to give an account of what they had done. Jehovah has justified Israel and in this they will rejoice.

Isaiah Chapter 46

The gods of the Babylonians had to be carried about and they were wearisome to those carrying them. But these gods too would stoop and bow low, as they would be carried into captivity. But it was not like this with Jacob. It was Jehovah who carried and sustained them since their being made into a nation. Who could they compare Him to or make equal to Him? Certainly they would not compare Him to the gods that were fashioned by the hands of the craftsmen and were then carried upon their shoulders to the place where they would stand and never be able to move from. Although people constantly call out to it, they never get an answer nor does it save them from their troubles.

Rebellious Israel who was guilty of worshipping idols was told to take to heart the fact that Jehovah, the only true God, had made known to them from ancient times onward what the future would hold for them. Whatever He purposes He will accomplish. From the east He would summon a man who would carry out His purposes. All that He spoke, He would bring about. He told those stubborn-minded Israelites that He would bring His righteousness near to them and He would grant salvation to Zion.

Isaiah Chapter 47

Isaiah now writes concerning the fall of Babylon. The Virgin Daughter of Babylon would be removed from her throne and she would sit on the ground. She would no longer be called tender or delicate, as she would have to work like a servant. Jehovah would take vengeance on her, as He was the Holy One of Israel. Babylon would no more be called a queen of kingdoms. He had been angry with His people and He had given them into the hand of Babylon to discipline them. But Babylon had shown them no mercy and had laid a heavy yoke even upon the aged. It was her aim to remain queen of the nations forever but she had not given consideration to Jehovah’s purposes for her.

Babylon was feeling safe and secure thinking that she was different than any other nation and that she would never be defeated. But Jehovah’s word to her was that all that she dreaded would come upon her in just one day, she would lose all that she had. Her wickedness would not be able to save her nor would her knowledge and wisdom. When disaster comes upon her there would be no way that she could save herself. She could continue with her magic spells and sorceries, they may or may not help her. She could call on her astrologers and stargazers to save her from what was coming upon her, but they would prove to be like stubble that fire easily burns up. Although she had labored with these since her beginnings, they would prove to be ineffectual in saving her. Babylon's rulership lasted only seventy years.

Isaiah Chapter 48

Jehovah now upbraids Judah for her hypocrisy. They took oaths in His name even calling upon it, but they did not do so in truth or in righteousness. They took pride in being considered citizens of Jerusalem even if they did not live in the city. But all of their claims about relying on Jehovah were false. Jehovah had already warned them where their attitude would lead and when He acted, His words came true. Jehovah knew that Israel was very stubborn therefore He told them years in advance what He would do so that they could not give the credit to their gods of wood and metal. Would they be willing to admit to this truth? (Deuteronomy 30:1-5)

Now Jehovah will tell them new things, things that they have never known before. He is bringing these things into being at this time so that they cannot say that they have already heard of them. He had hidden these things from them because of their rebelliousness. What He was about to do would be done for His own sake, for the sake of His Name and His praise. He would delay bringing His wrath upon them so that He would not have to cut them off completely. He would restore them to the land although He knew that they had not been refined in the sense that they were righteous. They had only been in the furnace of affliction. He would do this so that His Name would not be defamed and His glory go to another god.

Jehovah again reminds them that it is He that is in control of the heavens and the earth. They needed to listen to Him. They could not name any other god that had foretold future things. Jehovah had chosen a man who would carry out His purpose against Babylon and he would succeed because Jehovah would back him. Jehovah had not spoken about Cyrus in secret and He would be there when it was time to bring about what He had spoken.

Jehovah tells Israel that He, their God, taught them what was best for them and gave them proper direction. If they had listened, their condition would be vastly different than what it currently is. They would be enjoying peace and righteousness that flowed like a river. Their descendants would be like the numberless grains of sand on the seashore and would live in the land always. They would not be in captivity in Babylon.

The announcement to leave Babylon would be given with shouts of joy. They would be told that Jehovah had redeemed Jacob. They would travel through the desert and would not be thirsty because Jehovah would provide plenty of water for them to drink, just as He had done in the past.

Isaiah Chapter 49

The islands and distant nations are urged to listen to the one that Jehovah has chosen. Jehovah chose him from the womb and called him by name at His birth. He prepared him for his special work by making his mouth as sharp as a sword and made him into a polished arrow that He hid in his quiver. He did not made known His choice of this one to anyone. He would be called Israel, His Servant, and He would display His glory through this one.

However, this individual complained to Jehovah that he had already used up his strength in a work for which he had received no reward but he believed that God would in due time give him his reward. Even though Jesus is also called Jehovah's Servant, we can find no evidence that he ever made this statement to Jehovah. We therefore conclude that this is an imperfect human speaking these words, the modern-day servant. He is speaking about the many years that he spent as an elder among the Jehovah's Witness, expending much energy yet had not received any reward for all of his work.

Not only did Jehovah give him the commission to restore or bring back Israel to Himself but he would also to be a light to the Gentiles so that His salvation would reach to the ends of the earth. Although he would be despised and abhorred by the nation he was sent to, yet kings and princes from the nations would pay homage to him. This will happen because Jehovah will have given him honor. Jehovah would answer him in the day of His favor and would help him in the day of salvation and He would make him a covenant for Israel. He would restore the land so that Israel would inherit the desolated places and he would free all those who are in a captive condition and in darkness.

Those preserved of Israel would respond to the servant’s invitation and they would travel back to Jerusalem. They would not be thirsty or hungry nor would the heat from the sun beat upon them because Jehovah will feed them and provide them with water to drink. They will come from places afar off, from the north, the west and the south. The earth, the heavens and the mountains would rejoice because Jehovah will have shown compassion for His people.

Even though Zion thinks that Jehovah has forgotten her, He has not. Even if a mother forgets the child that she nurses at her breast, Jehovah will not forget Zion. She is like an engraving on his hand and her walls are constantly before him. He will bring her sons back to her, all those born during her time of trouble. Those who had laid her waste will have gone from her. When her sons arrive they will find the land too small for all of them so they will say to Zion ‘make room for me so that I may live here.’ She will then ask who had begotten those sons for her as she was bereaved of all of her children. She was barren and had been a wanderer do someone else must have brought these children up for her. She still does not know where they came from.

Jehovah tells her that He will lift up His hand to the nations and set up a banner for the peoples. They will bring her sons and daughters on their shoulders. Kings will act as foster fathers for her children and princesses will be their nurses. These Gentiles will become subjects of Zion and will be subservient to her. The woman will finally know Jehovah and that anyone who waits hopefully for Him will not be put to shame.

Jehovah asks if captives can be taken from the strong. The answer is usually no. But Jehovah answers yes that it will happen when He contends with the ones that have taken her captive. Her captors will become so hungry and thirsty that they will eat their own flesh and drink their own blood as though it was wine. This is a metaphor for their being destroyed. All mankind would know that He is the One that saves Israel.

Isaiah Chapter 50

Jehovah speaks of Israel as a wife that he gave a certificate of divorce to and sent away. He did this because she had rejected Him. When He called to her through His prophets, no one answered. Did Judah think that Jehovah would not be able to help her, to rescue her? Did Judah not know that He could, with a rebuke, turn rivers into deserts or cause the sky to darken as if sackcloth covered it?

Jehovah had taught his Servant the proper words to use to comfort the weary, awakening him morning by morning, opening his ears to hear like one being taught and he did not rebelled. He accepted the persecution from those of the nation of Israel who do not want to hear his words. Because he knew that Jehovah would help him, he set his face like flint to accept this abuse because he would be vindicated as he was doing Jehovah’s will. Those who were falsely accusing him would eventually come to nothing.

Admonition is given to those who follow the Servant. Even if they do not understand everything, they are advised to continue to walk by faith and to put their trust in Jehovah as they keep in mind that they have no light. But for those who choose to light their own fires, leaning on their own understanding and not waiting on Jehovah, will find themselves reeiving nothing but torment from the Servant as he will not share any light with them.

Isaiah Chapter 51

Jehovah admonishes those who are seeking him and pursuing righteousness to give attention to their forefather, Abraham. When Jehovah called him, he had no descendants. Jehovah blessed him and he became many. Zion can take heart that Jehovah will fulfill His promises to make Zion blossom into a garden-like place and her people will be joyful.

Jehovah has decreed that law and justice are to go to the nations and He will accomplish it by means of His right arm of power. All that they had put their trust in will be gone but Jehovah’s salvation and righteousness will never fail. The remnant that has God’s law within them should be courageous and not be fearful of the insults and reproaches of men who will not continue but will pass away.

Just as Jehovah has in the past showed His power in behalf of His people, He would awake now and save His people. Had He not cut Egypt, called Rahab here, to pieces when He rescued His people from there and made a road in the sea so that they could walk through it? In the same manner, He will bring the redeemed of Israel back to their land with gladness and joy and all sighing and sorrow will have passed away.

Jehovah is the one who comforts Israel. Some though have become so fearful of men that they have forgotten Jehovah and live in constant fear of the wrath of the oppressors. They forget that the oppressors are just men and it is Jehovah who is the powerful One, the Creator of heaven and earth. He will release them from their prisons and they will have bountiful provision to give them strength. He has given them His word that He will protect them and by the same word, He has said that they are His people.

Jerusalem is told to rise up, to awaken, now that she has finished drinking the cup of Jehovah’s wrath that caused her to stagger. During the time of her drunkenness, her captivity, none of her sons that she bore were able to help her, to give her any sort of guidance. Because of the calamities that came upon her, many of them had been killed or trapped in a net like a deer as they too suffered because of the wrath of God being poured out on Jerusalem. But now Jehovah has taken from her the cup that caused her to reel and He will not give it to her again to drink. He will give it to those who have tormented her, commanding her to lie prostrate so that they could walk over her and to which she submitted.

Isaiah Chapter 52

Zion is now told to wake up and put on strength because it is now time for her to be rebuilt as her time of judgment is over. She is to stop mourning in the dust and rise up and sit upon her throne. She would never again be defiled because of foreign armies entering her gates. She had been sold for no money and would be repurchased without money. In the past, the Egyptians and the Assyrians had oppressed them and now the Babylonians have taken them away for nothing. Because of their sins, His Name was constantly being blasphemed. (Romans 2:24) But when he restores them this time, they will know His Name and will recognize that He had foretold this before it happened.

There will be one bringing the good news that Jehovah is now reigning over Zion. (Romans 10:15) He has released them from captivity to Babylon and proclaimed salvation to them. They will burst forth with song because Jehovah has comforted His people by redeeming them. His display of power before all the nations will enable them to see His great act of salvation. The people are urged to leave Babylon and touch nohing unclean. This advice is appropriate because it is the priests that were responsible for carrying the sacred vessels back to Jerusalem. (2 Corinthians 6:17) Their departure would not be in haste as though they were fugitives because Jehovah would go ahead of them as well as being their rear guard.

Isaiah now focuses on additional prophecies about Jehovah’s Servant. He would be successful and he would be exalted although many had refused to accept that he was the one Jehovah had chosen to carry out His will. He would bring a cleansing to many nations because they will be taught many things that they had not previously known or understood. (Romans 15:21)

Isaiah Chapter 53

The one who believed Jehovah’s message and the one that He revealed His power to was His Servant. (John 12:38; Romans 10:16) He was like a tender shoot, a root coming up out of dry ground before Jehovah. He had nothing in the way of beauty or majesty that would have attracted God’s people to him. In fact, they despised and rejected him because he was not important to them. He became a man familiar with sorrow and suffering. He was the one who took their sins and carried them away but they viewed him as being one that Jehovah had afflicted. (Matthew 10:17; 1 Peter 2:24, 25) They did not realize that he was suffering because he was trying to bring healing to them. They had all turned away from Jehovah and were deserving of destruction.

He accepted this oppression and affliction and as a lamb that was being led to the slaughter, he did not complain. (Acts 8:32-35) He was cut off from the "land of the living" because of being unjustly accused although he had done no wrong and was assigned a grave with a rich man. (Luke 22:37) It pleased Jehovah to crush him in this manner because if he would offer himself as a guilt offering, Jehovah would give him offspring, long life and prosperity. After his sufferings conclude, he will see its fruitful results, that is, he will have brought salvation to many. He will be given great spoil because of his willingness to act on behalf of many transgressors among God’s people.

Isaiah Chapter 54

Restored Israel is spoken of as a barren woman who would shout for joy because she was about to bear many children. She would need to provide more space for them so that they would have plenty of room. She would forget what she had gone through in the past, all of the disgrace and humiliation she had experienced as a youth. Jehovah, her Maker, is her Husband and He will restore her as a man would who had once rejected his wife but now takes her back. Jehovah had abandoned them because of His anger but now He would have compassion on them. He views His dealings with them to be like the days of Noah when He swore that He would not bring flood waters over the earth again. He again swears that He will never be angry with them again so that He would remove His covenant of peace from them. (Genesis 8:20-22)

He will rebuild the city with its foundations, walls, gates and battlements with stones made of precious gems. (Revelation 21:10-14) Jehovah will teach all of her sons and as a result they will experience great peace. Tyranny and terror will be far removed from them because they will have been established in righteousness. Anyone who attacks them will not have been sent by Jehovah but will do so on their own and they will not win the battle. Jehovah is the one who gave humans the ability to forge weapons to do destructive work against His people. But this will no longer be the case, as peace and safety will be their heritage from Him. (Isaiah 13:4, 5)

Isaiah Chapter 55

Jehovah urges all those of His people who are thirsty and hungry to come to Him to buy their water and food because it will not cost them anything. Previously they had spent their money on bread and water that did not satisfy them. If they listen carefully to Him, they would eat what is good and would have it in abundance and He would make an everlasting covenant with them to love them, as he promised his servant, David. (2 Samuel 7:8-16) This promised one will be a commander and leader to the nations. He will summon nations that he did not know and they will come to him because Jehovah will have given him glory.

Isaiah advises Israel to seek Jehovah while He is near to them. The wicked should abandon his evil ways and thoughts and turn to Jehovah who is willing to forgive him. Israel can take comfort in the fact that Jehovah’s ways and thoughts are not anything like theirs. As the heavens are higher than earth, so His ways and thoughts are above those of humans. His words will always be fruitful, never failing to accomplish what He sends them to do. He has promised them that joyful conditions will accompany them as they return to their land and that the desolated land will be changed into a paradise and they can put their trust in these words.

Isaiah Chapter 56

Israel is urged to keep justice and do what is right because the time is near for Jehovah to reveal His salvation and righteousness to His people. Those who keep His laws and refrain from evil will be blessed. Any foreigner who has bound himself to Jehovah should not think that Jehovah would overlook him. A eunuch who keeps the covenant will be given a name and a memorial in His temple that will be better then sons and daughters. Any foreigner who binds himself to obey Jehovah and His laws will be allowed to come into His house and offer sacrifices that will be acceptable to Him. His house at this time will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Jehovah also promises to bring in from the nations others besides the ones already gathered to worship him.

Jehovah now calls the beast of the field to come to have a meal. (Ezekiel 39:4; Revelation 19:17, 18) Israel's leaders are in line for destruction because they are blind, ignorant, love to sleep and have large appetites that are insatiable. They have no understanding and each seeks their own gain. Their constant cry is for wine and beer and they give no consideration to the judgment facing them.

Isaiah Chapter 57

The righteous men are perishing from the land because of all of the evil being done in it and no one even gives this any thought. These are only able to find peace in death. The wicked continue to mock and sneer at Jehovah by making sacrifices to other gods, even offering their children to them. They have chosen these gods over Jehovah and they offer their grain and drink offerings to them upon the high hills where they built their altars. They even have pagan symbols inside and outside of their homes. They conclude pacts with other idolaters to share their beds. They wore themselves out searching for more badness to engage in. They should have concluded that this worship was not gaining them anything and should have returned to Jehovah but they did not. They simply found the strength to continue in their evil ways.

What could have made them stray so far from Jehovah? Was it because He went for a long time and did not call them to account for their wickedness? He is now ready to expose them for what they truly are and bring the appropriate judgment upon them. When they cry out for help, Jehovah will not hear them. They will have to depend on their idols to save them provided the wind had not carried them away. Those who have taken refuge in Jehovah will eventually inherit the land. (Psalms 37:3, 9, 11, 22, 29)

Jehovah is now ready to forgive His people their sins. A road is to be prepared and all obstacles are to be removed so that nothing will block their way. He who dwells on high is ready to revive the spirit of the lowly and the heart of the contrite. He would not always be angry with them because if He did, they would grow faint. Jehovah was enraged by their love of unjust gain and He punished them but they did not change. Even so Jehovah is still ready to heal them, to guide them and comfort them which will bring praise to Him. He offers peace to all those who are willing to repent but for the wicked, there can never be any peace. (Isaiah 48:22)

Isaiah Chapter 58

Jehovah has Isaiah to shout aloud and declare to His rebellious people that although they appear to be seeking Him and are eager to know His ways yet they do not do what is right nor obey His commands. They say that Jehovah has not noticed that they fast and have humbled themselves. But Jehovah sees the hypocrisy of their fasts. They do as they please; they are unfair to their workers and there is always quarreling and fighting on these days. They would never get a hearing ear from Jehovah because of doing these things.

He tells them that the day of fasting was not meant to be simply a day when a man would bow his head appearing to be humble and lay on sackcloth and ashes. The day of fasting that pleased Jehovah was one where they would stop mistreating and oppressing others, share their food with the hungry, and provide food, clothing and shelter for those in need especially their own brothers. This change in their attitude would get His attention and He would heal them and be there for them whenever they needed help.

If they would get rid of oppression and gossip and would expend themselves in behalf of the needy, then Jehovah would always guide them, satisfy their needs and strengthen them while they were in a land not their own. When He restored them to their land they would become known as those who repaired broken walls and restored streets with dwellings. If they would honor the Sabbath by not doing what they pleased on it, He would give them joy and they would have the very best that the land offered. (Nehemiah 13:15-18)

Isaiah Chapter 59

Jehovah is still able to save Israel and He can hear her call for help, but why does He not help her? Her sins have separated her from Jehovah and they have caused Him to hide His face and close His ears. Their hands are bloodstained, their lips speak lies, and justice is pushed aside in favor of empty arguments and lies. Their activities are akin to hatching the eggs of poisonous vipers or spinning spider webs. Anyone eating one of these eggs will die or if an adder hatches, its bite means death. The webs that they spin are of no use in making coverings for themselves. Their evil deeds do not produce anything worthwhile for themselves or anyone else.

Therefore justice is far removed from them and they are out of touch with righteousness. There is no light so they grope like blind men feeling their way. The oppressed express anger and they mourn because of the lack of justice. They admit that their sins are many in Jehovah’s sight and these testify against them. These sins include rebellion and treachery against Him, turning of their backs to Him, stirring up revolt and uttering lying words from the heart. So justice is pushed aside, righteousness is far off and truth and uprightness cannot stand. Anyone trying to live righteously and avoid evil comes under attack.

Jehovah looked at the people and He was very displeased that justice was nonexistent among them and there was not one man willing to intercede to bring it about. So He would have to act to save His people. He put on His armor of righteousness, salvation, vengeance and zeal and He would recompense them for what they had done. There would be those who would fear His Name and would acknowledge His glory because His Servant, as redeemer, would come like a rushing torrent to save His repentant people. He will conclude a covenant with them stating that He would not remove from them His spirit or His word that He had given them to time indefinite. (Romans 11:26, 27)

Isaiah Chapter 60

Zion is told to arise because the glory of Jehovah that has come upon her. All the nations are in dense darkness but she has light. Because of this light, nations and kings will come to her. If she looks around she can see her sons and daughters being brought to her and this will cause her to glow with radiance. The nations will come to her bringing their wealth with them. These will all come praising Jehovah and He will accept offerings from their flocks upon His altar. Their presence will be an adornment for His temple. Those coming from the islands in the ships of Tarshish will also bring silver and gold to honor Jehovah.

Foreigners will join in the rebuilding of Zion because Jehovah will show compassion upon her. Her gates will always be open, day and night. (Nehemiah 13:19: Revelation 21:25) Anyone that will not serve her will come to ruin. Just as cypress, pine and firs trees were brought from Lebanon to build the Solomon’s temple, so again these trees will adorn Jehovah’s temple. Even those who oppressed her will bow at her feet. She will be called the "City of the LORD [Jehovah]."

Zion had previously been forsaken and desolate but now Jehovah will make her the pride and joy of all people. She will be given the best of nourishment and He will replace that which is inferior with the more valuable and stronger things. Violence, ruin and destruction will no longer occur within her borders. She will have no more need of the sun or the moon to give her light because Jehovah will be her everlasting light. (Revelation 22:22, 23) She would not have to worry about her leadership becoming inadequate, as Jehovah will never fail to provide sustenance for her. At that time, all of her people will be righteous as they are the planting of Jehovah to display His splendor. He will then increase her people from being a small nation to one that is very populous.

Isaiah Chapter 61

In a typical sense the first three verses or this chapter may have applied to Isaiah. We know that Jesus applied these words to himself and of course they will have a modern-day fulfillment. (Luke 4:18, 19; Isaiah 49:8, 9) Jehovah has anointed this one to bring good news to those in Israel that are oppressed. He would bind up those that are brokenhearted, bring liberty to the captives and freedom to those in prison. He would also proclaim to them Jehovah’s year of favor and His day of vengeance. Jehovah will bestow upon them a crown of beauty, the oil of gladness and garments of praise instead of the mourning, despair and grieving things that they are currently undergoing. They would rebuild their land that has been ruined by those who took it over. Foreigners would work in the fields and vineyards and shepherd their flocks. They would be called priests and ministers of God and will be supported by the wealth from the nations.

The Mosaic Law stated that the firstborn son would receive a double portion of the land as his inheritance. Jehovah speaks of Israel in the sense of their being a firstborn son, as they will receive a double portion of their inheritance along with everlasting joy instead of the disgrace they previously suffered. Because His people have now rejected all forms of unrighteousness and they practice justice, Jehovah will conclude an indefinitely lasting covenant with them. They will become known as a people that are blessed by Jehovah.

For additional information concerning this everlasting covenant, see the article entitled "God's Everlasting Covenant Explained - Heb. 13:20" at the following site:

http://www.livingwatersforum.com/forum/ ... .php?t=400


Zion will take great delight in Jehovah because He has clothed her in garments of salvation and righteousness just as a bride and bridegroom adorns themselves as part of their wedding attire. Jehovah will see that their righteousness is displayed before all nations.

Isaiah Chapter 62

Jehovah will not remain silent until He brings salvation and righteousness to Israel so that the nations may see it. She will also be given a new name that Jehovah will bestow on them and they will be a crown of splendor in His hands. They will not be called by the name "Jehovah" as the Jehovah Witnesses and others will have brought so much reproach and blasphemy upon it. (Revelation 13:6) Jehovah will reveal the correct pronounciation of His Name for them to use. She will no longer be called ‘Deserted’ but ‘Hephzibah’ and ‘Beulah’, because Jehovah will have taken delight in her and her land will be married.

Watchmen have been posted on Jerusalem’s wall so that they can continue to beseech Jehovah on behalf of the city that He fulfill His promise to make her the praise of the earth. Jehovah has sworn that He will never again give the grain and wine that Israel had toiled for to foreigners but they will harvest and eat their own produce.

Preparation will be made for Jehovah to come to Jerusalem. Roadways have to be cleared and built up for the arrival of this important dignitary. Then a proclamation will be made to the nations that Zion’s Savior has come to her and He brings with Him His reward. They will be called a Holy People, a people redeemed by Jehovah.

Isaiah Chapter 63

This chapter pictures someone coming from Bozrah in Edom clothed in garments stained crimson. This one is not identified by name but he speaks as one who is given the power of saving Israel. When asked why his garments are stained red, he answers that he had trodden the winepress alone because no one from among the people came to help him. He trampled the people down in his anger and their blood had splattered upon his garments. He had in mind that the day of vengeance and the year of his redemption had come. He was appalled that no one supported him so he brought salvation by means of his own strength and his wrath sustained him. He trampled nations and poured their blood on the ground.

Israel will now praise Jehovah for the kindness that He has exercised towards them. He became their Savior and was with them to save them from all their distresses. He redeemed and supported them but they rebelled against Him and grieved His holy spirit. He then became their enemy and fought against them.

His disobedient people now recall the past when God delivered them from Egypt and put His spirit upon them, dividing the sea before them so that they could pass through. They did not stumble as they traveled to the land where He would give them rest. In His leading of them He made a glorious name for Himself. Israel now wants Him to pay attention to them as in the past because they are in need of compassion and tenderness something that He has been withholding from them. They appeal to Him as a child would to a father reminding Him that He has been their redeemer from days of old. Even though they wandered away from Him, they want Him to return to them. They acknowledge that for a while they did possess His holy place but the enemy has now trodden it down. It now appears to them that they are no different than those over whom Jehovah had never ruled, those who had never been called by His Name.

Isaiah Chapter 64

Israel desired that Jehovah would come out of the heavens to make His judgements manifest against the nations and to make His Name known as He had done in the past. There is not another God like Jehovah who acts in behalf of those who wait for Him, for those who do what is right and follow His ways. But if they continue to sin as they have are doing, then is there any way that they can be saved? They are all unclean such that any righteous acts they perform are no better that the rags of a menustrating woman. Therefore He has hidden His face from them and they waste away in their sins.

They beg Him to recognize that He is still their Father, as they are the work of His hand. They do not want Him to continue angry with them forever. Jerusalem is a desolated city, Zion is a desert, the temple where He was worshipped had been burned with fire and the entire land is in ruins. Therefore they beg Jehovah to act soon in their behalf and relent of the severe punishment that they are now undergoing.

Isaiah Chapter 65

Jehovah’s attention has now turned to a people who have never called on Him, who have never sought Him nor were called by His name. He draws their attention to Himself by saying, “Here I am, here I am.’ He has tired of constantly calling to his obstinate people, Israel, who refuse to listen to Him. (Romans 10:20) They provoke Him by offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick to other gods right in front of His face. They keep vigil at night among the graves and they fill their pots with all sorts of unclean meat. They have developed an arrogant religious attitude toward their fellowman. These acts irritate Jehovah as much as smoke blowing in a person’s nostrils would. Jehovah will bring punishment upon these individuals to the full measure of their sins.

But He will not destroy the entire nation, He will raise up descendants from them who will obey Him and He will give them the land to possess as an inheritance. But for those who leave Him, who prefer to appeal to the gods of fortune and fate, their destiny would be for the slaughter. Jehovah had called to them but they refused to answer and had spoken to them but they would not listen.

He contrasts the condition of those who obey and those who do not. His servants would eat, drink, rejoice and sing out for joy of heart while these disobedient ones will go hungry, experience thirst, suffer shame and cry out because of a broken spirit. Their name will become a curse and He will give His servants a new name. When they take oaths, it will be in His name and they will swear by the God of truth. Jehovah will no longer remember their past sins.

Jehovah will create a new arrangement, a new Jerusalem, and the former things, their servitude to the nations, will not be remembered. Israel will rejoice at what Jehovah is doing because Jerusalem will be a place for rejoicing and joy. Jehovah will take delight in it and in its people and there will never be a reason for the sounds of weeping and crying there. (Revelation 21:3, 4)

These conditions will exist even before the thousand-year rule begins. The new heavens will be the newly formed earthly government made of repentant Israelites and Gentiles who become Israelites. The new earth will be the nations or Gentiles who decide to be obedient to the earthly government. (Zechariah 8:23; Isaiah 2:2-4)

The life expectancy will be greatly extended, as a man who only lives one hundred years will be thought of as dying in the prime of life. He will be considered an accursed person. They will build houses and plant vineyards and they will enjoy their fruitage forever. They will not work in vain nor will they bring forth children who will be doomed to misfortune for they will be a people blessed by Jehovah. Even before they call, He will answer them. There will be peace even among the animals as Jehovah guarantees that harmony and safety will prevail in His Holy Mountain.

Isaiah Chapter 66

Jehovah’s throne is in heaven and the earth is his footstool, therefore, He is not interested in humans building a house for Him to dwell in as He has made all things. He is more concerned about the attitudes that they develop. Jehovah does give his attention to those who are humble and contrite in spirit and who tremble at His word. Those that offer sacrifices to Him but do not possess these qualities are considered as unclean before Him. For instance, when an unclean priest kills a bull as an offering, it is the same to Him as if he killed a man. If he breaks the neck a lamb, it would be the same as if he broke the neck of a dog, an animal considered unclean to an Israelite. If he burns incense, it is akin to his blessing an idol. (Proverbs 15:8) Since they choose to take delight in the things that Jehovah hates, so Jehovah will treat them harshly and bring upon them what they dread because when He warned them, they refuse to pay attention.

Jehovah warns those who leave the organization because they revere His word that their brothers will hate them. They will chide them sarcastically saying that maybe Jehovah would uphold them so that they would see them rejoice. When Jehovah does uphold them, their brothers that mocked them are going to be put to shame. A noise will be heard coming from the temple indicating that Jehovah is repaying them their due.

Isaiah now describes a woman giving birth to a child. The odd thing about this birth is that she gives birth before she has labor pain. Nothing like this has been heard of before. But this is exactly what will to happen to Zion, she will bring forth her sons before her labor begins. Jehovah is capable of causing this to happen. Therefore those who love Jerusalem will rejoice and be glad for her, as they will receive bountiful blessing through her.

Jehovah has decreed that the peace of Jerusalem will flow like a river and the wealth of the nations will flow like a flooding stream. Her children will be comforted because of what He does for Jerusalem. Their hearts will rejoice and they will flourish like grass. But the enemies of Jehovah will only see His indignation. He will come with fire and a whirlwind as He brings His anger upon them. When He executes His judgment upon them, many will be killed. (Jeremiah 25:33)

Those in Israel who prepare themselves to serve their idols, going into their gardens and eating the flesh of abominable animals will all come to their end together. Jehovah will reject them because he knows their works and thoughts and He will turn His attention to the nations and gather them so that they will see His glory. He will set a sign among the survivors of Israel and He will then send some of them to those nations that have never heard of Him. When these ones learn of Him then they will declare His glory to all the nations and they will bring other Israelites who are scattered among the nations back to Jerusalem. They will bring them in the same manner that Israel brought their grain offerings to the temple, in clean vessels. Some of these He will use as priests and Levites.

Jehovah guarantees that those who worship Him will endure and there would be those from all mankind that will come and bow before Him from month to month and week to week. These will all give consideration to those who rebelled against Jehovah and they will agree that they are to be treated as contemptible for all eternity.


NOTE: Any cited verses used in the commentary were taken from the New American Standard Bible (NAS), the New International Version, (NIV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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