what does isaiah 52:7 mean

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns., How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'. they lift up the voice, together do they sing (v. 8a). How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! A cascade of words is used to describe the communication these messengers/sentinels convey: peace, good news, salvation (repeated at the beginning and end of the pericope), Gods return to Zion, comfort, redemption. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. (g) Signifying that the joy and good tidings of their deliverance would make their affliction in the mean time more easy: but this is chiefly meant of the spiritual joy, as in Na 1:15, Ro 10:15. The call from God is not irresistible. The voice of your watchmen! They will no longer be a ruined people, but will instead be a redeemed people. The Lord has made known his victory! Again, we pick up on the cosmic proportions of this victory, of Gods return. It may be applied to all other ministers of the Gospel in later ages, who are bringers of the same good tidings to the children of men, to whom their very feet are beautiful, and even at a distance, upon the high mountains; not to carnal men, but sensible sinners, to whom the good news of salvation by Christ is welcome. These sentinels see the messenger at a distance, but understand from his gestures that the news is good. Yahweh will go before them to scout out the way and will protect them from behind. The returned exiles experienced great opposition from local people and the project ground to a halt (Ezra 4; Nehemiah 4-5). 7-9), because (3) the nation misjudged the meaning of his death by assuming that he died for his own sins rather than for the nation's (vv. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. People of faith often talk about what they call a leap of faith. That language alludes to the difficulty involved in acting on faith rather than having some sort of guarantee or sure thing. Just as God called Abram to leave his home and go to a land that God would show him, so also God calls us to act by stepping onto the road with the faith that God will reveal our destination in due time. They had made God their enemy, and knew not how to make him their friend. The news is stated in cosmic terms: Your God reigns! Once again, we encounter the realignment of all earthly power and authority. Isaiah's purpose was to bring back the nation of Judah - God's nation - back to the faithfulness as well as proclaim the coming of the Savior, and His future reign. b. Peace, happiness, and salvation (Isaiah 52:7) God reigns (7), God returns to Zion (verse 8), God has comforted His people and redeemed Jerusalem (verse 9), God has made bare His holy arm for all the nations of the Earth to see the salvation provided by God (verse 10) OVERVIEW These verses are an allegory (a work in which the characters represent other things and symbolically express a deeper . By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 1-3), (2) as well as in his death (vv. My name continually all the day is blasphemed, Yahweh says (v. 5). The prophet calls the people to listen so that they can hear the voices of the sentinelsso that they can share in the joy that the sentinels are experiencing. Verse Isaiah 52:7. Where God reigns, salvation reigns. However, we should not be troubled by the thought of seeing an ugly Jesus in heaven. Break forth into joy, sing together, However, as noted in verse 3, Yahweh has not had to pay a price to achieve the redemption of his people. Christmas candles and wintertime in North America compel Johns description of Jesus as Light shining in the darkness to jump off the page and into the preachers mouth. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (v. 10b). It is true that the feet of those who had traveled far in dry and dusty roads would present a spectacle offensive to the beholder; and it is true also, as Dr. Campbell suggests, that the consideration that they who were coming were messengers of peace and safety would convert deformity into beauty, and make us behold with delight this indication of their embassy. When Yahweh raises up Cyrus of Persia to defeat the Babylonians and free the Judean exiles, Yahweh will be publicly vindicated. Put on your beautiful garmentsfor the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you: Jerusalem could put on clothes of beauty and glory because the time of judgment was over. halcyon days! The author is Second Isaiah, who wrote chapters 40-55 to bring words of hope to the people of Judah, who have suffered defeat and have seen their beloved Jerusalem destroyed and many of their fellow-citizens killed by the sword. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. It is an embodied peace! Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem (v. 9). However, as married people can attest, the yada that comes with marriage is a knowing that goes far beyond sexual knowledge. The victory that is proclaimed does not belong to this or that king, to this or that country, to this or that ideology, but to God alone. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Make them wail, says the LORD, Isaiah 53 is the fourth of the four "Servant Songs." (The others are found in Isaiah chapters 42, 49 and 50.) This will be a deeply comforting event for the people, but this will also be a very public matter, visible and concrete; all nations, indeed all the ends of the earth shall see what God has done. The long anticipated herald announcing that these ruins are to rise, at length appears. The New Testament equivalent is euangelion (gospel). Now therefore, what have I here, says the LORD, The watchmen who see this happy return are probably those in Jerusalem who had long awaited the messengers. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. He doesnt guarantee that we will have easy lives but that God will prevail. Perhaps the messenger raises his arms above his head in a V for victory. that bringeth good tidings of good; or, "that bringeth good tidings" {l}; for the original does not require such a tautology; it means the same good tidings as before, and which follow after: that publisheth salvation; by Jesus Christ, as wrought out by him for sinners, which is full, complete, and suitable for them, and to be had of him freely; and what better tidings than this? Touch no unclean thing; However, it is not Cyrus who will save the people, but Yahweh. THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL In an interlude of uncertain meaning (52:3-6), God declares that the peoples release from slavery will be accompanied by the defeat of Israels oppressors (Babylon) as had earlier been the case with Egypt and Assyria. Today, we as well are keenly aware of the battles around us, the many places of death that the celebration of Christmas Day does not do away with. They are to purify themselves so that they will be fit for the task aheadthe task of carrying the temple vessels from Babylonia to Jerusalem. How beautiful How exceeding precious and acceptable; upon the mountains Of Judea, to which these glad tidings were brought; are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings Tidings, first, Of the release of the Jews from captivity in Babylon; and, secondly, Of the redemption and salvation of mankind by the Messiah. 2. To a person dying of thirst, a cup of water would be beautiful even if the cup were chipped or soiled. So shall He sprinkle many nations: Sprinkling is often associated with cleansing from sin in the Old Testament (Exodus 24:8, Leviticus 3:8, Numbers 19:21, Ezekiel 36:25). He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high: The first words of the LORD in the mouth of the prophet regarding His Servant declare His victory. This echoes the meaning of Isaiah's name, which means the "salvation of Yahweh." 2 Having read the book, one might wonder about the strong presence of judgment that runs through the first thirty-nine chapters when the theme is salvation. They can be assured that God will surround them in their return home, going before them and bringing up the rear. The lesson to be learned here is that we should be slow to interpret difficulty as a sign of Gods displeasure. My people went down at first The word ruins describes Jerusalem after the Babylonian devastation. And it is suggested, that the knowledge of the Lord should be spread, the good tidings of peace and salvation be delightfully published, and that the ministers of the Gospel should have clear light, and be harmonious and unanimous in the publishing of it, Isa 52:6-8. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. How delightful on the mountains Are the feet of one who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns! What do the individual words in Isaiah 52:7 mean? Sentinels are trained to alert the populace to danger, but are happy to announce good news instead. c. The LORD has made bare His holy arm: The thought beginning at Isaiah 51:9 (Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD!) Psalm Commentary on Psalm 98 It is a cosmic peace. ii. The exiles wonder if Yahweh has abandoned themor if the Babylonian gods have shown themselves to be stronger than Yahweh. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Not to mention, so much of this poetic passage seems to describe Jesus' life. The good news (a theme that is introduced so strongly in 40:9-11) is a gospel word and centers this text on all that God has accomplished for these captives of Israel. Cyrus of Persia will allow them to depart under the protection of his imperial decree, and will even provide funds to help them with the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple. Nahum 1:15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! All people, all creation is pulled into this salvific act. Shall no longer come to you. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Go out from there: Prophetically, this has both a near and a distant application. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Commentary on Isaiah 52:7-10 The text from Second Isaiah follows closely on Christmas Eve's reading from First Isaiah though historically they are situated far apart. The people are waiting waiting for the messenger who announces the return of the Lord, for when the Lord returns to Zion then the people too will follow. and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, i. Israel will soon be free. 3. 9. fol. Isaiah 52:7. Despite this seemingly straightforward progression of events, upon closer look, we discover several surprises in the story. asked the LORD to put on strength (Isaiah 51:9). Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Who is the one who struck You? (Luke 22:63-64). O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off. (John 21:12) This may indicate that the marred visage of Jesus remained after His resurrection. But never the righteousness or salvation of God. The victory is peace but a peace that is more than simply an end to war. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news: Isaiah prophesies of the beautiful feet of those who bring the Gospel the good news. This is to be expected among the nations but should never be so among Gods people. Yahweh has used the Babylonians to punish the exiles and to prepare them for redemption, but that phase of their history is drawing to a close. And His form more than the sons of men. Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 41:27; Nahum 1:15 ). Here, the promise is that the work of the Messiah will bring cleansing to many nations. Who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! The good news news of peace, glad tidings, and salvation can all be summed up in the glorious proclamation, Your God reigns! Where God reigns, peace reigns. Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural, Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular, To be fresh, full, cheerful), to announce, Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular, Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace, Something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity, Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular, Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem, Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular, gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative, Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular, To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel, Christ persuades the church to believe his free redemption, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT Prophets: Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are (Isa Isi Is). The larger context of these verses (see 51:17-23) vividly describes how the people of Israel have been devastated and depopulated in the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587 BCE. It is a poetic hyperbole used to express the terrible effect of the beating He endured. (l) "evangelizantis bonum", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius; "qui nuntiat bonum", Cocceius. All reasons for battle, all reasons for warfare, all reasons for hatred, pride, self-justification are eliminated. Put on your strength, O Zion; It comes running to greet the oppressed. He also does it as a witness and a testimony to others, so they can see the salvation of our God. What Does Isaiah 53:7 Mean? The ruins of the city are invited, ironically, to break forth in singing (52:9). This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased." Jesus Christ is not only Saviour of the world but He is King of Israel and Lord of . You who bear the vessels of the LORD. Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; From their perspectives, it has appeared that the Babylonian gods have won a victorythat they have proven more powerful than Yahweh. The first people to see the messenger would be the watchmen or sentinels looking out over the surrounding countryside. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. No wonder those who bring good news have beautiful feet; they are out partnering with God for the salvation of men. So one . Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:7 appears to share text with Nahum 1:15, although Nahum does not mention the beauty of the evangelists' feet. 40:5). Go out of the midst of her! If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. What God has done is captured in such key words as salvation and redeem; both of these words are understood in a comprehensive sense, with effects both bodily and spiritual. b. The text from Second Isaiah follows closely on Christmas Eves reading from First Isaiah though historically they are situated far apart. Are the feet of him who brings good news, If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Verses 4-5 recount Israels bondage to Egypt and Assyria and the resultant effect on Yahwehs reputation. In the body of the song (53:1-9), Isaiah confessed (on behalf of his own people) that (1) Israel utterly rejected the Servant of the Lord in his life (vv. They call captive Jerusalem to wake up and loose the bonds of captivity (v. 2). Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, Therefore My people shall know My name: Yet God will glorify Himself; first, He will do it among His own people. When they spoke against Him before, it was in blindness, but now what had not been told them they shall see. From the words of the prophet that begin Second Isaiah (Comfort! War is now over, once and for all. It was intended for the Babylonian captives Isaiah has prophesied to; but also, for those gathered to the LORD in the very end times. Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! Keep in mind that this is poetry in which it is possible for ruins to raise their voice in song. KJV: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. In Isaiah 52:7, the prophet Isaiah announces, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" In this passage, Isaiah is looking forward in time to the Babylonian Captivity, when Jerusalem would be lying desolate. The result was so shocking that many were astonished when they saw Jesus. In this case they sing the news of victory for all to hear. This shows that this passage has ultimate fulfillment in the very last days. The Targum is. Upon which the waste places of Jerusalem are called upon to rejoice, both because of the restoration of the Jews, and the conversion of the Gentiles, Isa 2:9,10. He must be the messenger with a report on the outcome. This page last updated: November 29, 2022. This chapter is a prophecy of the glorious state of the church in the latter day, typified by the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon. Where God reigns, glad tidings reign. Isaiah 52 - Joy When the LORD Reigns in Zion A. Now, the third Awake, awake! i. Now their freedom is dependent on their willingness to do what Yahweh has commanded. This deliverance is not only for the people of Israel and Judah but also for all the earth. Put away your pre-conceived notions and your cultural Jesus. You can also change some of your preferences. 11. There is no need for Yahweh to pay a fee to redeem Judah, because Babylonia paid nothing for the privilege of placing Judah in captivity. Zion, of course, refers to Mount Zion on which Jerusalem is built. According to Ezekiel, the prophets were the leading watchmen for the nation. (Wolf). a. Also, this does not likely mean that the sentinels see a vision of God (cf. Seen on the distant hills, running rapidly, he is a beautiful object. This passage is about humanity's atonement: our reconciliation with God. YLT: How comely on the mountains, Have been the feet of one proclaiming tidings, Sounding peace, proclaiming good tidings, Sounding salvation, Saying to Zion, 'Reigned hath thy God.' of Even the broken down walls, the ruins of Jerusalem are called into song. [1] Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Behold, My Servant: This passage, through the end of Isaiah 53, has in focus the Servant of the LORD. 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. They are exceeding precious and acceptable. (k) a "caro". Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. It is worth considering what all these imperatives to the exiles are doing in a context that stresses the decisive action of God in Israels salvation. But there is no doubt that the phrase is also used as a specific title for the Messiah, and this is what is in view here. that she has received of Yahwehs hand We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. The presence of judgment indicates its necessity for salvation to occur. A new day has dawned! And their singing calls forth singing from all the ends of the earth. Isaiah: End Times and Messiah in Judaism is an unusual . How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. 1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. double for all her sins (40:1-2). d. In the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God: God does not make His saving strength known just for those who are immediately rescued. And My name is blasphemed continually every day. iv. Published: APRIL 1, 2020 16:27. This is the source of all our singing. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Yet, they would be blessed by being redeemed without money. This peace and good news and salvation are not simply for the exiles in Babylon. The singing arises out of great anxiety a battle has been engaged, death is confronted. ), which the WEB has updated. i. We know that Jesus retained some of the scars of His crucifixion (Luke 24:40, John 20:25-28), perhaps this extends to His face as well. Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations, A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. Albert Schweitzer, who did great good things in Africa for God, said, Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but must accept his lot calmly if they even roll a few more upon it (from his book, Out of My Life and Thought). He has laid the responsibility for the captivity squarely at the feet of the captives. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! And the chapter is concluded with some account of the Messiah, of his humiliation and exaltation, and of his work and office, Isa 52:13-15, and which are enlarged upon in the next chapter, which ought properly to begin with these last verses. Duration: 88 days. When we make up our minds about who Jesus is, its easy to become blind and deaf to the plain, simple message of the word of God. The question is whether they will believe the good news and act on the command. you who bear the vessels of Yahweh (v. 11b). Hebrews is a rich writing that presents a plethora of puzzles to the interpreter of the text. a. that her iniquity is pardoned, This passage is interpreted of the Messiah and his times, by many Jewish (m) writers, ancient and modern; See Gill on Romans 10:15. a. In neither situation was there any reason other than Yahweh to hope that they might find freedom. Then the arm was bared the symbol of any mighty undertaking or initiative. (Bultema). All rights reserved. The astonishment mentioned may be subtly referred to in the New Testament. God didn't hand them over for a payday), it will be redeemed without money (says God). What do the major concepts mean in Isaiah 52:7? The Lamb of God [related lesson] 1. This is the Servant previously spoken of in Isaiah 42:1, and Isaiah 49:3 and 6. i. Therefore my people shall know (Hebrew: yada) my name (v. 6). But as long as the Lord abandons Zion, the people as well will remain in exile. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophetIsaiah, and is one of the Books of the Prophets. The ruins will not remain ruins, because Yahweh has comforted his people and has redeemed Jerusalem. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. And all the ends of the earth shall see You can tell by the way the feet move! The time is coming when Israel as a nation will kneel before Him in unanimous repentance and national grief, when "they look upon Him Whom they have pierced," and God Almighty will proclaim, "Behold, My servant. xxix. Let those weary and heavy laden under the burden of sin, find relief in Christ, shake themselves from the dust of their doubts and fears, and loose themselves from those bands.

Greg Ward Macquarie Wife, Devil Lane Bloods, Articles W