Isaiah Chapter 52 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 52:1–3
Awake! Awake, Tziyon! Clothe yourself with your strength! Dress in your splendid garments, Yerushalayim, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean will enter you no more. Shake off the dust! Arise! Be enthroned, Yerushalayim! Loosen the chains on your neck, captive daughter of Tziyon! For thus says ADONAI: "You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money."
The use of the word awake speaks of a coming change and we remember that Tziyon is a kingdom word that speaks of the redeemed city of Jerusalem. Here, we see a change for God's people as they are redeemed from their bondage in this world and are established as leaders in the kingdom of God. We also see that, just as Israel went into exile because of their sin and not as a financial debt, their redemption will come through the blood of the sacrifice of Yeshua and not through the payment of money.
Isaiah 52:4–6
For thus says Adonai ELOHIM: "Long ago my people went down to Egypt to live there as aliens, and Ashur oppressed them for no reason. So now, what should I do here," asks ADONAI, "since my people were carried off for nothing? Their oppressors are howling," says ADONAI, "and my name is always being insulted, daily. Therefore my people will know my name; therefore on that day they will know that I, the one speaking - here I am!"
God reminds the people that they had willingly went to Egypt buy Assyria had attacked and carried them off for no reason and caused them great suffering. In doing this, the name of God was insulted and so, on the day of judgement, Israel will know that it is God who is keeping his covenant with the people.
Isaiah 52:7–9
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation and saying to Tziyon, "Your God is King!" Listen! Your watchmen are raising their voices, shouting for joy together. For they will see, before their own eyes, ADONAI returning to Tziyon. Break out into joy! Sing together, you ruins of Yerushalayim! For ADONAI has comforted his people, he has redeemed Yerushalayim!
In this passage, mountains refer to governments and we see that the kingdom is going to be above all of the earthly governments and peace is coming becuase God's will is being accomplished. Yeshua Messiah brings salvation and reigns in this kingdom and we see that those who trust in him are watching for what they know is coming and that is the kingdom. All eyes will see Messiah returning to Jerusalem bring joy and praise again to the city of Jerusalem.
Isaiah 52:10
ADONAI has bared his holy arm in the sight of every nation, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Once again, we see the Hebrew word translated as arm but, in the masculine form, this speaks of a son and we see that God has revealed his son to the entire world and the fact that redemption for all men comes through him.
Isaiah 52:11–12
Leave! Leave! Get out of there! Don't touch anything unclean! Get out from inside it, and be clean, you who carry ADONAI's temple equipment. You need not leave in haste, you do not have to flee; for ADONAI will go ahead of you, and the God of Isra'el will also be behind you.
This passage speaks of a needed change for all people and this speaks of repentance which is a turning away from the unclean. The call goes out to the leaders of Israel and to the rest of the people. We see that the price of redemption has been paid but the outcome of it will come in time. Knowing that the price has already been paid drives out the fear that is brought on by the enemy and we have the assurance that God will lead his people and gather them all together.
Isaiah 52:13–15
"See how my servant will succeed! He will be raised up, exalted, highly honored! Just as many were appalled at him, because he was so disfigured that he didn't even seem human and simply no longer looked like a man, so now he will startle many nations; because of him, kings will be speechless. For they will see what they had not been told, they will ponder things they had never heard."
This passage refers to the ultimate victory of Messiah as he will be honored by all men. We see the fact that Messiah would suffer and be beaten beyond recognition at his first appearance but his blood would be sprinkled upon the nations preparing them for redemption. The Gentiles would see and pay attention to the message of redemption through Messiah.