Once again we are in the happy position of not having to wonder who the speaker is in these opening verses. The Apostle tells us in Romans 10 that these verses speak of Christ gathering His elect people from the nations of the world. It is Christ, not Isaiah, who was found by poor Gentiles. The gospel was sent into all the world to be preached among the nations when the rebellious people, that is, the Jews, rejected Christ. God is not mocked This chapter prophesies judgment of the Jewish nation which long had despised the Lord’s overtures of divine goodness. If the Jews of Isaiah’s day should wonder why their nation is to be overthrown and carried into exile the prophet provides the answer;…

We previously noted chapter 63 ends with a request for God to look down from heaven to behold the needs of His people. Today’s chapter begins with a call to the Lord to come down from heaven in a demonstration of power to deliver the church from her oppressors. The Old Testament church knew trial and persecution, often physical and brutal. It is the earthly experience of all Christ’s church to be tried. Satan’s antagonism towards believers is not a new phenomenon. Daily deliverances The Lord has personally come down from heaven to deliver His people at the cross. He will return again from heaven to deliver the church at His second coming. However, it is perhaps best to consider Christ as coming spiritually and…

Our passage divides into three sections. The connecting thread is the Lord’s deliverance of His people from their enemies. In the first part Isaiah anticipates a day of divine vengeance and ‘the year of my redeemed’. In the second part the kindness and faithfulness of God in times past is recalled, especially the deliverance of Israel from captivity in Egypt. The final part is a prayer for help. In it, faith is expressed, sins are confessed, and an appeal is made for recovery and restoration upon covenant grounds. Isaiah quizzes Christ The prophecy is descriptive of the victories of the Lord Jesus over His enemies at the cross and the triumphs of His love and grace in redemption. It opens with a series of questions…

Suppose we lived in Isaiah’s day. What outward factors and conditions would contribute to our comfort and peace? What circumstances might indicate temporal blessing and prosperity? Living in a fortified and gated city, perhaps, protected by armed guards. Fertile fields close by with fruitful vineyards to provide supplies of food and wine. An honourable reputation, strong, local alliances and proven friends affording a sense of national and regional stability. Long life, good health and large families that bode well for the future. Spiritual blessings By such representative images the prophet anticipates the gospel age and comfort and peace of a spiritual kind. He foresees spiritual blessings given to the church which describe its privileges under the Messiah’s rule. Isaiah’s purpose is to encourage God’s remnant…

The close connection between this chapter and Luke 4:14-21 means there is no doubt as to the identity of the preacher said to have been anointed by the LORD. Isaiah is prophesying the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus read this passage in the synagogue at Nazareth at the commencement of His ministry and declared it fulfilled in Himself. God the Holy Spirit descended upon the Lord Jesus, as a dove at His baptism. This was witnessed by John the Baptist who declared ‘for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him’. A well-informed people We are again reminded how much of Christ the Messiah these Old Testament believers understood. By prophetic revelation they looked forward to Christ’s coming in faith, being…

This is a chapter full of positive promises and good hope for the church of Jesus Christ. As we have seen in earlier passages there may be occasional references to the return of the exiled Jews from Babylon. However, there is much deeper spiritual depth and meaning to the prophet’s words when seen through New Testament eyes. Isaiah speaks of the church’s enlargement, victory and ultimate triumph. He provides some beautiful references to our Saviour and Redeemer. He emphasises Christ’s success in gathering His church for the glory of Jehovah God. Light shining in darkness The opening call to ‘arise, shine’ may be understood as a call from God the Father to the Lord Jesus Christ to rise up and shine forth in His covenant…