Reflections on Isaiah 52

Isaiah 52 (Contemporary English Version)
1. Jerusalem, wake up! Stand up and be strong. Holy city of Zion, dress in your best clothes. Those foreigners who ruined your sacred city won't bother you again.
   
2. Zion, rise from the dirt! Free yourself from the rope around your neck.
   
3. The LORD says: My people, you were sold, but not for money; now you will be set free, but not for a payment.
   
4. Long ago you went to Egypt where you lived as foreigners. Then Assyria was cruel to you,
   
5. and now another nation has taken you prisoner for no reason at all. Your leaders groan with pain, and day after day my own name is cursed.
   
6. My people, you will learn who I am and who is speaking because I am here.
   
7. What a beautiful sight! On the mountains a messenger announces to Jerusalem, "Good news! You're saved. There will be peace. Your God is now King."
   
8. Everyone on guard duty, sing and celebrate! Look! You can see the LORD returning to Zion.
   
9. Jerusalem, rise from the ruins! Join in the singing. The LORD has given comfort to his people; he comes to your rescue.
   
10. The LORD has shown all nations his mighty strength; now everyone will see the saving power of our God.
    
11. Leave the city of Babylon! Don't touch anything filthy. Wash yourselves. Be ready to carry back everything sacred that belongs to the LORD.
    
12. You won't need to run. No one is chasing you. The LORD God of Israel will lead and protect you from enemy attacks.
    
13. The LORD says: My servant will succeed! He will be given great praise and the highest honors.
    
14. Many were horrified at what happened to him. But everyone who saw him was even more horrified because he suffered until he no longer looked human.
    
15. My servant will make nations worthy to worship me; kings will be silent as they bow in wonder. They will see and think about things they have never seen or thought about before.

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Here Isaiah compares Israel's Babylonian captivity with her Eygptian captivity as he has done in previous chapters. In both instances, Israel was "sold for nothing," and "will be redeemed without silver." (52:3) Israel was not sent into slavery to pay any debts and therefore will not have to be redeemed for a price. It was God who sent her into slavery and therefore it was God who redeemed her. The whole process of slavery and redemption is designed by God to return Israel to her God. It also pictures what happens to all of us through sin. When we submit to temptation and sin, we place ourselves in slavery to sin. But God wants to redeem us and bring us out of that slavery and sin.

God's covenant with Abraham was to make of him a nation that would bless the world. At least a portion of this blessing to the world would be to point them to the Lord. This was accomplished in some respects through God's prospering of Israel as the nations saw what her God did for her. But, as is pointed out in this chapter, it was also accomplished through God's redemption of Israel from slavery. Thus, indirectly Israel blessed the nations also through her sin as it demonstrated God's mercy and power to redeem her. And what a wonderful sound it is to hear the proclamation of peace! And how beautiful are the feet of those who herald that peace! (52:7)

Isaiah then looks beyond the restoration from Babylonian captivity to the redemption that will be brought by the Messiah. At that time, He will "sprinkle (cleanse) many nations." (52:15) Not only will Israel be redeemed at that time, but also many nations.