GOD’S CALL TO AWAKEN

ISAIAH 52

The ringing tone of God’s alarm clock comes to awaken Zion or Jerusalem to cast off the chains of captivity.  Isaiah is addressing a group of discouraged Jews, who have been in Babylon for seventy years as captives, to look ahead with the eye of faith.  This call has a double fulfillment in that it deals with a remnant from Babylon and future time when the Messiah is going to restore Jerusalem to its intended place as the city of Peace with worldwide influence.  During the Millennial reign of Christ for 1,000 years, no pagan will plunder or destroy the Holy City of Jerusalem.  On March 7, 2008, the Jerusalem Post, page 9, has an article on suicide bomb-proof buses that are being tested in Jerusalem, leaving little doubt that we have not seen this prophecy fulfilled as of this date.  In Isaiah 52:2, the Prophet is calling upon His Jewish brethren to shake off the dust of defeat and humiliation and assume a position of dignity as the redeemed of the Lord.  There are times in our lives when we need to act on the rich spiritual heritage that we have in Christ.  The background of Isaiah 52:3-5 is that of being enslaved by Egypt and later in Babylon.  The hope of Israel is that a faithful and promise keeping God is always to be foremost in the minds of the Jews and all of God’s people.

In Verse 7-12 of Isaiah 52, we have the vision of the homeward march of those Jews who left Babylon and were guided by Jehovah.  The good news is that those who bring the message of peace catch our attention as we hear the message that sets the prisoner free.  There is only one good news and Paul says in Galatians 1:8-9, “Though we, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”  This message of the grace of God will one day be part of the Gospel of the Kingdom, which will lead Israel to accept the One whom they rejected on His first appearance to earth.  The Prince of Peace will return, and there will be blessing for the entire world through Him.  The fact that all the earth and all nations will see this in Isaiah 52:10 points us beyond the Babylon experience of Israel and keep the yet future reign of Messiah in view.  In the arm of Jehovah, we see the ancient warrior’s stance as he throws back his upper garment from his right shoulder in readiness for battle.  The outcome of this battle is never in doubt and is recorded in Revelation 19:19-21.  The message of Isaiah 52:11-12 is for the Jews to depart Babylon for they are commanded to leave. Only about 50,000 left Babylon in 538 B.C. when Cyrus issued his decree.  They were under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua the High Priest (Ezra 1 & 2).  A second group under Ezra left in 458 B.C. and numbered about 1800.  Many never left and stayed in the area and only a few years ago returned to Israel from the former Soviet Union.  They were known as the Mountain Jews. 

In Isaiah 52:11, they were not to touch unclean things, and we are reminded that Paul directed by the Holy Spirit makes this same application to believers of our day in II Corinthians 6:14 to 7:1.

In Verses 12 of Isaiah 52, the Prophet adds a final word of encouragement.  The Lord went before Israel in their Exodus from Egypt; He stood between them and their enemies.  When we obey God, we can always count on God’s leading and protection.