BOOK OF ISAIAH - CHPATERS  52 - 57

A study on the last 27 chapters of Isaiah helps us to understand the end of the present age. Use this brief outline as a study guide as you read the verses yourself.

These chapters historically speak to the exiles and prophetically speak to believers that: 1.God is powerful and has not been defeated by the God of Babylon (Satan and the world system), 2.God continues to love Israel (believers) and has not abandoned them. 3.God is reliable and what He promises, He will do. 4.The exiles (believers) can be sure they will return to their land (believers overcome) as the words of the prophets are--and will be fulfilled. We will try to understand these chapters and how they relate to Israel and the Church prophetically in our time. As you read keep in mind that Isaiah is an end of the age, millennial book. It is a dual prophecy. It is historically true and prophetic to the period in which it was written and is also a word to future believers about the end of the age. When reading the prophets we should always try to understand them in their historical (that time), personal (our lives), and prophetic (future) context.


52.1-6 God continues to encourage His people. God tells Zion that her nightmare is over. A captive sat in the dust in humiliation--now the Lord is telling His people to shake off the dust. God has not sold us out. Assyria has robbed them and they have been mocked unceasingly--God’s enemies will learn His name and see His glory--God is saying, “here I come!”

Once again we see encouragement. Just as Zion was comforted after going through exile and tribulation--so will that generation that goes through the tribulation be comforted and victorious. Why would the Lord spend so much time repeating this message over and over to us? A day is coming when those who read these words will be comforted in their time of distress. If we can understand the truth of the end times, the words of the prophets become clear. Everything points towards the second coming of the Savior. Do you see it?

52.7-12 A concluding word of restoration. What an incredible prophecy is contained in these verses! Historically we see the Israelites returning to Jerusalem with joy. They bear the vessels of the temple as the Lord marches before them. Prophetically we see the Lord coming on that day in the clouds, in power and glory! Every eye shall see Him. We are the vessels of the Lord who will serve in His temple. He will “tabernacle” with us.

52.13-15 A prophecy of the servant. We see the Lord described in the final three verses. Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, if only you would recognize your King! A day of national redemption for the nation is coming, but if only they could see now! This book is so loaded with end time words it makes you want to faint! Jew and Gentile will become one new man. Ezek 37.15-28

53.1-12 The suffering servant is described. He came unto His own but they received Him not. The day is coming when they will turn to Him and mourn. (Zechariah 12.10; 13.6) Rabbinic teaching looks at this chapter as describing the nation and some look at it as the Messiah--but they still do not recognize Yeshua. Pray for them to recognize Him soon. These verses do describe the nation of Israel in that they are a nation despised in the world--just as the Lord is despised. The Lord highly identifies with the nation of Israel.

54.1-17 Zion rebuilt and secure. The city of Jerusalem or Zion is described as a childless woman who is forsaken by her husband. God assures her that He remains her husband and she will have many children. This chapter recalls Hosea chapter one. Zion is assured that she will have to enlarge her tent to accommodate all her children. See Jeremiah 10.17-25 where the prophet lamented Zion’s state. Now the reverse is promised. They have been cast off for their sins, but the Lord will bring them back in love. The covenant between God and Israel cannot be broken. Jerusalem will be rebuilt as a beautiful and enduring city. The New Jerusalem described in Rev 21 sounds a lot like the final verses of this chapter. God will wipe away all our tears!

55.1-13 An invitation to redemption. Noteworthy is the plea that people abandon sinful behavior.

55.1-5 God’s invitation. Anyone who wishes to know God can come and drink the water of the Torah. Yeshua is the living water. God promised David his descendants would rule forever as a royal dynasty. That is Yeshua and those who follow--both Jew and Gentile who accept His salvation.

55.6-7 A call to repentance. God’s hands are outstretched.

55.8-11 God’s promises and the prophecies God issues through His prophets will never fail to come true. Just as rain waters the earth and brings forth fruit, so God’s word will have effect.

55.12-13 The word of God achieving it’s purpose brings joy and peace to us. The way will become clear.

56.1-8 Covenant and Community. The prophet addresses the role that observance of the commandments plays in forming our identity. Many Christians today are “lawless” because they abuse the grace of the Lord. We are still required to obey the Torah. If we say we love Him, we obey His commands (1 John 5.1-3; 3.3-6). There is a fine line between freedom and grace. We obey God’s laws because we love Him--any other motivation falls short of grace.

We see in these verses the love of God to all people--God is no respecter of persons. All can receive freely of His grace, but then we must grow to love him so that keeping the law is not a burden. This is walking in the Spirit. In Bible times eunuchs were castrated court officials. In Levitical law eunuchs could not serve as priests in the temple. God is telling them that they still have a future in the family of God--if they hold fast to the covenant and obey the Torah.

56.9-12 Condemnation and consolation. These verses denounce corrupt leaders--both politically and in the church. Wild beasts can denote foreign nations devouring our strength. Shepherds and dogs symbolize false prophets or pastors/rabbi’s who tell the people what they want to hear. Remember, the prophet is talking to the people of God.

57.1-21 Condemnation and consolation continues. The description of the people’s sin continues by focusing on idolatry.

57.1-13 The prophet describes the practices of idolatry that are taking place in the land. Idolatry is compared to harlotry and takes place with the burning of incense under green trees. These verses also talk about child sacrifice, which is comparable to abortion in our day. All people care about is instant gratification.

Today many churches have embraced pagan rites without even realizing it. I have seen churches that practice prayer wheels, Mandela’s, and labyrinth type prayer wheels. These are all rooted in pagan rites. We have also allowed secular humanism and political correctness infiltrate the Church/Judaism. We need to get back to the pure word of God. The prophet is speaking to God’s people--he is warning the Church/Judaism.

57.13b-21 Salvation. God recognizes our weaknesses and will help us overcome them if we are truly contrite and seek His grace. Sin, however, will be punished. The Lord wants us to sanctify ourselves and walk righteously before him. That means understanding the law or Torah. Does the Lord cheat, steal, kill, covet, or lie? No, than it appears the ten commands are good enough for Him. Hide the word in your heart so that you do not sin against Him (Ps 119.11).

In verses 19-21 the prophet divides the nation into two groups: the true or faithful for whom it will be well, and the wicked for whom there is no safety. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2.12)


Tomorrow: Chapters 58 through 66