Isaiah 60 is a prophetic message of hope declaring Jerusalem's dark days over saying that God's light had come. So it starts: "Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you... Nations will come to your light... you will look and be radiant... and the riches of the nations will come... herds of camels will cover your land... and I will adorn my glorious temple... foreigners will rebuild your walls... the glory of Lebanon will come to you... all who despise you will bow at your feet... and will call you the city of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel... then you will know that I the Lord am your saviour... I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler... and the Lord will be your everlasting light... and they will possess the land forever... I am the Lord and I will do this swiftly!"
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Isaiah 59 (résumé): Sin, Confession and Redemption
Isaiah 59 says "surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save... but the problem is your iniquities which have separated you from God... the way of peace they do not know... they are swift to shed innocent blood." The people then admit that "justice is far from us... like the blind we grope in the dark... we all growl like bears and moan mournfully like doves... for our offences are many... rebellion and treachery against the Lord... turning our backs on God... so truth has stumbled in the streets." Then the text says that God intervenes because there was no-one to solve the problem so he did it himself... He put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation and repaid wrath to his enemies... and the Redeemer will come to Zion for those who repent of their sins.... and God's spirit and word will be with his people for ever.
Isaiah 58 (résumé): True fasting
Isaiah 58 criticizes fasting and religiosity when it is just a façade for true spirituality. True sincere religion has to be inside and outside and not fasting and exploiting workers at the same time! Not fasting amidst quarrelling and strife. To fast with sincerity one has to loose the chains of injustice... you need to share your food with the hungry... provide the poor with shelter and the naked with clothes. Then, and only then will your righteousness go before you... then you will call and the Lord will answer. If you satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your night will become like noonday and you will be like a well-watered garden... and if you honour the sabbath then you will find your joy in the Lord.
Isaiah 57 (résumé): The righteous perish
Isaiah 57 condemns Israel's repeated idolatry, pagan practices and spiritual adultery. At the start the premature deaths of righteous people are mentioned as they go unnoticed by the wicked. Then Israel is condemned for spiritual adultery and rebellion, even sacrificing their children in pagan rituals! They have even put pagan signs on their doors. "You have been false to me and not remembered me... when you cry out for help let your collection of idols save you!... but the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land. Then God declares: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit... peace, peace to those far and near... and I will heal them... but there is no peace for the wicked."
Isaiah 56 (résumé): Salvation for others
Isaiah 56 points to a more inclusive message of salvation which includes foreigners and eunuchs and which encourages one and all keep the sabbath. "These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer... which will be a house of prayer for all nations". The chapter closes warning against corrupt leaders. These "watchmen" and "shepherds" are condemned for being lazy ("they lie around and dream") and are selfish ("each seeks his own gain").
Isaiah 55 (résumé): Invitation to the Thirsty
Isaiah 55 is a messianic prophecy pointing to the salvation and grace available in the Messiah. It is a wonderful invitation to receive spiritual blessings from God. "Come, all who are thirsty... come buy wine and milk without money." It goes on to call people not to spend money on worthless things... "listen to me and eat what is good... so your soul might live... seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him whilst he is near... turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on you... my ways are higher than your ways... my word will not return to me void... you will go out in joy and be led forth in peace... and instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree"!
Isaiah 54 (résumé): The future glory of Zion
Isaiah 54's prophetic message holds Israel as a "barren woman" symbolizing the nation after the Babylonian exile. She is told to "burst into song and shout for joy" because things are about to change! For "you will spread out to the right and to the left... and dispossess nations!" God therefore says he is Israel's "husband" and "redeemer". He says: "For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back." God then promises not to be angry with Israel again in a similar promise that he made to Noah, and says that even if the mountains shake his unfailing love will not be shaken! God then promises to rebuild Jerusalem using precious stones and he promises that "all your sons will be taught by the Lord." He then concludes saying that "no weapon forged against you will prevail!