Isaiah of Babylon was one of the first ones, who spoke about the imminent end of Babylon and about the return of the Jewish people on the land of their fathers. When he began his sermon, it seemed completely improbable: nothing indicated on the fast changes. And all the same they occurred, quickly and for the most people unexpectedly...
Isaiah of Babylon was one of the first ones, who spoke about the imminent end of Babylon and about the return of the Jewish people on the land of their fathers. When he began his sermon, it seemed completely improbable: nothing indicated on the fast changes. And all the same they occurred, quickly and for the most people unexpectedly: the Persian army under Cyrus the Great command took with storm Babylon and put an end to the existence of Babylon. For the Jews it meant the possibility of returning on the land of their fathers: shortly after the end of the war with Babylon, in 517 before J.C., Cyrus published a decree about the return of the Jews on the land of their ancestors. So who was Isaiah: a predictor? A visionary seeing all that is going to happen? Probably, all the same no. It is completely possible that the prophet did not even think about the political events, when he predicted the imminent end of the captivity.
Another thing was revealed to him: he understood that the spiritual state of the people had changed, and that the period of confession was finished. Of course to understand that only by the human mind, although and penetrating, is impossible: it is necessary to see here the depths of the human heart, and not only one, but several hearts. Such a thing is possible only for God. But God can reveal His vision, to whom He wants. Well then upon the mountains sound the good news: the time of the expiation of the people had come. And at the same time came the moment of the coming of the Messiah. Actually, the Good news was, first of all, the news about the coming of the Messiah, That they waited just after the end of the captivity and the return of the people on the land of their fathers. Of course, it was still necessary to restore the city and the Temple, of which remained only the foundation, but this task turned out to the future repatriates easily practicable. The main thing was in the fact that came, finally, the time of the Kingdom of God, the time, when God will begin Himself to govern His people.
Actually, the messianic Kingdom was perceived by most of the yahvistes believers as the Kingdom of God: because in the Messiah they saw, first of all, the Ruler sent by God, Who had to restore the independent Jewish State and introduce in it laws, corresponding the Torah. It was important: for nobody of those who waited for the possibility to return on the land of their fathers, did not want to lose it again any more, because of the violation of the commandments given by God. The Kingdom of God should be in particular the Kingdom of God Himself, where He rules according to His laws through the Messiah sent and put at the head of the people by Him. Of course, such picture of the society and ideal State was a little bit schematic, and the hopes of its immediate realization - a little naïve.
And still, before the coming of the Messiah there was again not only one century. And all the same, from the captivity really returned completely already different people. The people, for whom the denial was worst than death, people, for whom the observation of the Torah was something which is obvious, as much as one did not even have to speak about it, people, who did not already want to return any more to the past, but wanted to go forward - to the Kingdom of the Messiah, Who they [ the peoples] imagined themselves in a very earthly way, but which they waited sincerely. Began a new stage of the history of the people of God, which had to end at the threshold of the New Testament.
52 The church redeemed and called upon to rejoice therein, Isa 52:1-6.
The universal preaching of the gospel glorious, Isa 52:7-10.
A call to free ourselves from bondage, Isa 52:11-12.
Christ's kingdom shall be exalted, Isa 52:13-15.
52:1 Awake - This is a prediction and promise what she should do, that she should awake or arise out of her low estate, and be strong and courageous. Beautiful garments - Thy sorrows shall be ended, and thou shalt be advanced into a glorious condition. O Zion - O my church.Come - Either to molest thee, or defile thee.The uncircumcised - Heathens or infidels.Unclean - Nor any others, who are unholy.
52:2 The dust - In which thou hast sat as a mourner. The bands - The yoke of thy captivity shall be taken off from thee.
52:3 Sold yourselves - By your sins, without any valuable consideration paid by them either to you, or to your Lord and owner.Without money - Without paying any ransom.
52:4 Egypt - Where they had protection and sustenance, and therefore owed subjection to the king of Egypt. And yet when he oppressed them, I punished him severely, and delivered them out of his hands.The Assyrian - The king of Babylon, who is called the king of Assyria, Ki2 23:29, as also the Persian emperor is called, Ezr 6:22, because it was one and the same empire which was possessed, first by the Assyrians, then by the Babylonians, and afterwards by the Persians.Without cause - Without any such ground or colour, by mere force invading their land, and carrying them away into captivity.
52:5 What have I - Why do I sit still here, and not go to Babylon to punish the Babylonians, and to deliver my people? For nought - Without any provocation, or pretence of right. Howl - By their unmerciful usage.Blasphemed - The Babylonians blasphemed me as if I wanted either power or good will to save my people out of their hands.
52:6 Shall know - They shall experience my power and goodness in fighting for them. In that day - When I shall redeem my people: which work was begun by the return of the Jews from Babylon, and perfected by the coming of the Messiah. Behold - That all these promises are the words of the omnipotent, unchangeable God.
52:7 The mountains - Of Judea, to which these glad tidings were brought, and from which they were spread abroad into other countries.Of him - Or, of them; the singular number being put for the plural.Returneth - In the days of the Messiah, God did discover and exercise his dominion over the world far more eminently than ever he had done from the beginning of the world until that time.
52:8 Thy watchmen - Thy ministers, who descry the approach of this heavenly king. Lift up thy voice - To give notice to all people of these glad tidings; and by way of exultation, to sing forth the praises of God for this glorious day. Eye - Distinctly and familiarly, their eyes beholding the eyes of this king of glory. They shall be eye and ear - witnesses of the words and works of Christ, and therefore their testimony shall be more certain and valuable. Bring again - When God shall complete the work of bringing his church out of captivity.
52:11 Depart - Out of Babylon. Touch - Carry not along with you any of their superstitions or idolatries. Ye - And especially your priests and Levites, who minister in holy things, and carry the holy vessels of the temple, keep yourselves from all pollution.
52:12 Not by flight - But securely, and in triumph, being conducted by your great captain the Lord of hosts. Rereward - So that none shall be able either to oppose you in your march, or to fall upon you in the rear.