Isaiah is moved by God to bring hope. First, He announces to Israel of their pending release from slavery. He reminds Israel that as they went down to Egypt as guests, they were soon made slaves. After slavery, He freed them. He delivered them, and He will do it again. It is important to note they were not yet slaves. He promises that they will not have to rush out in some daring escape, no, instead, they would leave deliberately and confidently–as they did from Egypt.
Next, Isaiah brings more hope–not just to the soon to be captive Israelites, but to the world. Isaiah then describes Christ’s sacrifice to save us all. Beaten beyond human recognition stripped and slain on a cross. That prophecy is a great reminder that, as God’s chosen people, those who are saved can stand with confidence, walk with peace, and know that the same God who freed Israel from the hands of Egypt, Assyria, and the Persian empire; will also free those that trust and follow Him.
We walk in peace and confidence that God, our Father, will prepare, protect, and provide for us. We will not escape trials; we will not avoid hurts or pain. None have in the past; nor, will anyone avoid these realities until Christ’s return. We simply need to trust God to lead us through this journey, and we must walk humbly until He either takes us from through death or returns and we join Him in the air. Either way, when the journey is done, He will be glorified as the God that completed every promise that He has ever made!
God Bless You
Wake up, wake up, O Zion!
Clothe yourself with strength.
Put on your beautiful clothes, O holy city of Jerusalem,
for unclean and godless people will enter your gates no longer.
2 Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem.
Sit in a place of honor.
Remove the chains of slavery from your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion.
3 For this is what the Lord says:
“When I sold you into exile,
I received no payment.
Now I can redeem you
without having to pay for you.”
4 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Long ago my people chose to live in Egypt. Now they are oppressed by Assyria. 5 What is this?” asks the Lord. “Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation.[a] My name is blasphemed all day long.[b] 6 But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them.”
7 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[c] reigns!
8 The watchmen shout and sing with joy,
for before their very eyes
they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem.[d]
9 Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song,
for the Lord has comforted his people.
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord has demonstrated his holy power
before the eyes of all the nations.
All the ends of the earth will see
the victory of our God.
11 Get out! Get out and leave your captivity,
where everything you touch is unclean.
Get out of there and purify yourselves,
you who carry home the sacred objects of the Lord.
12 You will not leave in a hurry,
running for your lives.
For the Lord will go ahead of you;
yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
The Lord’s Suffering Servant
13 See, my servant will prosper;
he will be highly exalted.
14 But many were amazed when they saw him.[e]
His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human,
and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.
15 And he will startle[f] many nations.
Kings will stand speechless in his presence.
For they will see what they had not been told;
they will understand what they had not heard about.[g]
Walking With God 