The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV
Page 344
54:11, 12 colorful gems…sapphires…rubies…crystal…precious stones. The elaborate ornamentation will outfit Jerusalem to be the center of the future, eternal messianic reign following the Millennium (Rev. 21:18–21). As magnificent as this is, it is not as important as the spiritual richness of the kingdom, when truth and peace (v. 13) prevail along with righteousness (v. 14). The Lord Himself will teach everyone during the messianic kingdom, so everyone will know His righteousness (11:9; Jer. 31:34). Jesus gave this verse an additional focus, applying it to those with spiritual insight to come to Him during His first advent (John 6:45).
54:15–17 Whoever assembles against you shall fall. In the millennial kingdom this will occur, as prophesied by John in Rev. 20:7–9. The Lord will burn up all Israel’s enemies. The heritage of the Lord’s servants in the Messiah’s kingdom will include His protection from would-be conquerors. It should be noted that after the Servant-song of Isaiah 53, Israel is always referrred to as God’s “servants” (plural) rather than His servant (54:17; 56:6; 63:17; 65:8, 9, 13, 14, 15; 66:14).
Isaiah 55
55:1 Everyone. The Servant’s redemptive work and glorious kingdom are for the benefit of all who are willing to come (53:6). The prophet invites his readers to participate in the benefits obtained by the suffering of the Servant in chap. 53 and described in chap. 54. no money…without money and without price. Benefits in the Servant’s kingdom will be free because of His redemptive work (53:6, 8, 11; Eph. 2:8, 9). wine and milk. Symbols for abundance, satisfaction, and prosperity (Song 5:1; Joel 3:18).
55:2 not bread. This is the “bread of deceit” (Prov. 20:17) and not the “bread of life” (John 6:32–35).
55:3 everlasting covenant. The New Covenant that God will give to Israel (54:8; 61:8; Jer. 31:31–34; 32:40; 50:5; Ezek. 16:60; 37:26; Heb. 13:20). sure mercies of David. The Davidic Covenant promised David that his seed would be ruler over Israel in an everlasting kingdom (2 Sam. 7:8, 16; Ps. 89:27–29). Paul connected the resurrection of Christ with this promise (Acts 13:34), since it was an essential event in fulfilling this promise. If He had not fully satisfied God by His atoning death, He would not have risen; if He had not risen from the dead, He could not eventually sit on David’s earthly throne. But He did rise and will fulfill the kingly role (v. 4). Cf. Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23, 24; 37:24, 25; Dan. 9:25; Hos. 3:5; Mic. 5:2. The whole world will come to Him as the Great King (v. 5).
55:6, 7 Here is one of the clearest OT invitations to salvation now and kingdom blessing later. It gives an excellent example of how people were saved during the OT period. Salvation grace and mercy were available to the soul that was willing to 1) seek the Lord (Deut. 4:29; 2 Chr. 15:4) and 2) call on Him while He is still available (65:1; Ps. 32:6; Prov. 8:17; Matt. 25:1–13; John 7:34; 8:21; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 2:3; 3:13, 15). Such true seeking in faith is accompanied by repentance, which is described as forsaking ways and thoughts and turning from sinful living to the Lord. A sinner must come, believing in God, recognizing his sin and desiring forgiveness and deliverance from that sin. At the same time he must recognize his own inability to be righteous or to satisfy God and cast himself on God’s mercy. It is then that he receives a complete pardon. His sin has been covered by the substitution of the Messiah in his place (chap. 53). This OT pattern of salvation is illustrated in Luke 18:9–14.
55:7 forsake. An integral part of seeking the Lord (v. 6) is a turning from sin (1:16).
55:8, 9 My thoughts…My ways. Some may doubt such willingness as is described in v. 7, but God’s grace is far beyond human comprehension, especially as manifested toward Israel.
55:10, 11 rain…snow…My word. Moisture from heaven invariably accomplishes its intended purpose in helping meet human physical needs. The Word of God will likewise produce its intended results in fulfilling God’s spiritual purposes, especially the establishment of the Davidic kingdom on earth (vv. 1–5).
55:12 go out with joy…led out with peace. Exiled Israel will return from her dispersion rejoicing in her deliverance and unbothered by her enemies.
55:13 Instead of the thorn…myrtle tree. In the Davidic kingdom positive changes in nature, including the reverse of the curse (Gen. 3:17), will be an ongoing testimony to the Lord’s redemption of His people (44:23; Rom. 8:19–23).
Isaiah 56
56:1 about to come…to be revealed. Incentives to comply with 55:6, 7 include the nearness of God’s kingdom of salvation and righteousness (51:5).
56:2 keeps from defiling the Sabbath. Sabbath observance, established after the deliverance from Egypt (Ex. 20:8–11), became a sign of fulfilling the covenant God made with Moses (Ex. 31:13–17).
56:3 foreigner…eunuch. Such individuals, excluded from Israel by the law (Ex. 12:43; Deut. 23:1, 3, 7, 8), will find in the coming of the messianic kingdom the removal of such exclusions.
56:4, 5 hold fast My covenant…an everlasting name. Eunuchs with hearts inclined to comply with the Mosaic Covenant may anticipate an endless posterity. It is never works that save (cf. Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8, 9); rather, obeying God’s law, doing what pleases Him or desiring to keep the promises of obedience are the evidences that one has been saved, and will thus enjoy all salvation blessings.
56:6, 7 holds fast My covenant…accepted on My altar. The sacrifices of a foreigner who loves God, whose heart is inclined to serve Him and obey the Mosaic law, will find his sacrifices welcome, in the coming kingdom as well.
56:7 My house…for all nations. In the kingdom of the Messiah, the Jerusalem temple will be the focal point for worship of the Lord by people of all ethnic backgrounds. Jesus cited a violation of this anticipation by His contemporaries in His second cleansing of the temple: Jewish leaders had made the temple a commercial venture (Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46).
56:8 Others besides those…gathered. Besides gathering Israel’s exiles into His kingdom, the Lord will bring in non-Jews also (49:6).
56:9–12 A commentary on Israel’s false prophets and irresponsible leaders who led them astray.
56:9–11 beasts…watchmen…shepherds. These titles identify the wicked; other prophets refer to Israel’s enemies as beasts (Jer. 12:9; Ezek. 34:5, 8). Prophets, who should have been watchmen and warned Israel to repent, ignored their responsibility (cf. Ezek. 3:17). Priests also failed to lead Israel in paths of righteousness (Ezek. 34:1–6; Zech. 11:15–17).
56:12 wine…intoxicating drink. This is indicative of the self-indulgent irresponsibility of the leaders. Drunkenness completely obliterated any concern that leaders had for their people. See notes on Prov. 31:4–7.
Isaiah 57
57:1, 2 In contrast to the evil leaders, who were engaged in debauchery and self-indulgence, were the righteous who were removed from impending divine judgments. The righteous do suffer by oppression and distress at what is going on around them, but they die in faith and enjoy their eternal reward.
57:3 sorceress…adulterer…harlot. Sorcery and adultery were figurative designations for idolatry. God summoned the wicked to give an account.
57:4 stick out the tongue. The ungodly blatantly ridiculed God’s messengers (e.g., 28:9, 10).
57:5, 6 These verses feature elements of idolatry such as child sacrifice, which were a part of worshiping the Ammonite god Molech (Jer. 32:35; Ezek. 20:26, 31). In response to Israel’s offerings to idols, what was the Lord’s appropriate response—to be satisfied or to take vengeance? Jeremiah had the answer (Jer. 5:9, 29; 9:9).
57:7, 8 The location of idol altars where Israel committed spiritual adultery in offering sacrifices (Jer. 3:6; Ezek. 16:16) to Baal and Astarte.
57:9 went to the king. An example of this was Ahaz, who called on the king of Assyria for help and spared no expense in copying the idolatry of Assyria (2 Kin. 16:7–18).
57:10 found the life of your hand. Rather than recognizing the hopelessness of idolatry, and in spite of the weariness of idol worship, the Israelites found renewed strength to pursue their idolatrous course.
57:11 you have lied. These wicke
d people feared false gods more than the true God to whom they played the hypocrite, trading on God’s patience.
57:12, 13 I will declare your righteousness. God will break His silence by elaborating on Israel’s sham righteousness, a sarcastic way of saying they have no real righteousness. The folly of such devotion to non-existent gods will show up when judgment comes and they all are blown away, while the worshipers of the true God enjoy the blessings of the kingdom. See Ps. 37:11; Matt. 5:5.
57:14–20 In contrast with the threats of judgment for idolatry (vv. 3–13), vv. 14–20 give promises of blessing.
57:14 Take the stumbling block. The command is to remove all barriers to prepare the way for God’s people to return to Him (62:10).
57:15, 18 revive the spirit…revive the heart. The Lord sends true revival, which comes to the humble and contrite (61:1–3; contra. v. 10). After all the years of Israel’s sin and backsliding, and of Israel’s punishment, God’s grace will prevail (43:25) and spiritual healing and restoration will come.
57:17 backsliding. See note on Prov. 14:14.
57:19 fruit of the lips. According to Heb. 13:15, this phrase refers to praising and thanking God. Cf. Hos. 14:2. In this context, it is the voice crying “peace, peace” in a call to people far and near to come to the Lord and receive spiritual healing.
57:20, 21 like the troubled sea. In contrast to those in v. 19, the wicked enjoy anything but peace (Jude 13). Cf. 48:22.
Isaiah 58
58:1—66:24 This section describes the future glory for God’s people Israel.
58:1–5 A description of religious formalism that manifests itself in improper fasting.
58:1 Cry aloud. The prophet was to tell the people of Israel in plain language those areas of their behavior with which the Lord was displeased.
58:2 take delight in approaching God. Israel was merely “going through the motions.” Their appearance of righteousness was mere pretense (1:11).
58:3–7 Why. The people complained when God did not recognize their religious actions, but God responded that their fastings had been only half-hearted. Hypocritical fasting resulted in contention, quarreling, and pretense, excluding the possibility of genuine prayer to God. Fasting consisted of more than just an outward ritual and a mock repentance, it involved penitence over sin and consequent humility, disconnecting from sin and oppression of others, feeding the hungry, and acting humanely toward those in need.
58:8 your righteousness…rear guard. When Israel learned the proper way to fast, she would enjoy the blessings of salvation and the Messiah’s kingdom (52:12).
58:9 Here I am. See 65:1. In contrast with the complaint of v. 3, a time will come when the Lord will be completely responsive to the prayers of His people (65:24). This will be done when they are converted and giving evidence of the transformation in the kind of works that reflect a truly repentant heart (vv. 9, 10). At the time of Christ’s return, Israel will demonstrate true repentance and the fullness of blessing will be poured out (vv. 10b, 11).
58:12 build the old waste places. In view here is the final restoration of the millennial Jerusalem, of which Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls (Neh. 2:17) was only a foretaste (61:4; Amos 9:11).
58:13 turn away your foot from the Sabbath. The Sabbath was holy ground on which no one should walk. Keeping the Sabbath was symbolic of obedience to all the law of Moses (56:2). For the setting aside of Sabbath law in the NT, see notes on Rom. 14:5, 6 and Col. 2:16, 17.
58:14 delight yourself in the LORD. Repentant ones walking in fellowship with the Lord experience satisfaction of soul (Ps. 37:4). Their satisfaction will not come from material goods (contra. 55:2).
Isaiah 59
59:1 LORD’s hand…His ear. The Lord’s strength is more than adequate to bring deliverance to captive Israel (50:2). His ear is attuned to the call of His repentant people (58:9; 65:24).
59:2 iniquities…sins. Abraham’s physical lineage had not yet experienced the Lord’s deliverance because of the barrier created by their wrong-doing. This is a universal truth applying to all men—sin separates people from God (cf. Rom. 3:23).
59:5 vipers’ eggs…spider’s web. It is sad when persons do evil, but even sadder when they delight in poisoning or ensnaring others with their evil habits (Rom. 1:32). Israel had reached this latter state.
59:6 webs…works. Just as spiders’ webs are too flimsy to serve as clothing, so were Israel’s evil works. Spiritually, they did not suffice.
59:7, 8 Their feet…shall not know peace. From Isaiah’s pen, the words focused on the national depravity of Israel that stood in the way of God’s deliverance. Paul showed that what was true of sinful Israel is indicative of the depravity of all mankind (Rom. 3:15–17).
59:10, 11 grope…stumble. Here is a picture of men seeking unsuccessfully to escape their depraved condition through their own strength. They wind up growling and lamenting their inability to gain salvation (Deut. 28:29).
59:12–14 transgressions…sins. The prophet supplies the answer to the nation’s frustrations: their sins and transgressions remain as an obstacle to God’s deliverance. Though their external rituals may be proper, the hindrance of impure motives remains between God and His people (Matt. 12:34; Mark 7:21, 22). The presence of iniquity eliminates righteousness.
59:15 makes himself a prey. In an environment where evil prevailed, anyone who departed from it became a victim of his environment because he did not fit in.
59:15, 16 the LORD saw…no intercessor. The Lord was aware of Israel’s tragic condition and of the absence of anyone to intervene on His behalf. The Lord took it on Himself to change Israel’s condition through the intervention of His Suffering Servant (53:12).
59:17 righteousness as a breastplate…helmet of salvation. Figuratively speaking, the Lord armed Himself for the deliverance of His people and for taking vengeance on enemies who would seek His destruction. Paul drew on this terminology in describing a believer’s spiritual preparation for warding off the attacks of Satan (Eph. 6:14, 17; 1 Thess. 5:8).
59:17, 18 garments of vengeance…recompense to His enemies. In the process of delivering the faithful remnant of Israel, the Lord executes decisive judgment against all rebellious nations (“coastlands”) as well as the wicked Israelites (63:1–6).
59:19 shall they fear. All surviving peoples throughout the world are to have added reason to worship the Lord, seeing how He defeated all enemies by the power of His Spirit in bringing salvation to His people Israel. All over the earth, submission to Him is to be the only path to survival in the coming kingdom.
59:20, 21 The Redeemer will come. The Messiah, the Suffering Servant, will redeem Zion and all faithful Israelites. This unalterable promise to the nation was the basis for Paul’s reassurance of the future salvation of Israel (Rom. 11:26, 27).
59:21 My covenant…forevermore. Because God’s New Covenant with Israel is “everlasting” (55:3; cf. Jer. 31:31–34), God’s Spirit and His words are to remain objects of their attention continually.
Isaiah 60
60:1, 2 glory of the LORD…darkness…deep darkness…His glory. Addressing Zion (59:20; 60:14), Isaiah told the city and thus the nation Israel that her light has come, putting her in contrast with the rest of the darkened world. This expressed the glory of Jerusalem during the millennial kingdom.
60:3 Gentiles shall come. Jerusalem’s light will attract other nations seeking relief from their darkness (2:3). Only believing Jews and Gentiles will enter the earthly kingdom after the Day of the Lord, but as the 1,000 years goes along children will be born and nations will become populated by those who reject Jesus Christ. The glory of the King in Jerusalem, and His mighty power will draw those Gentiles to His light.
60:4 gather…sons…daughters. Another promise of the regathering of Israel’s faithful remnant (49:18, 22).
60:5 joy…wealth. Two more benefits of Israel’s future kingdom will be rejoicing and an abundance of material possessions as symbolized in vv. 6, 7 (23:18; 24:14; 61:6).
60:7 Kedar…Nebaioth. The descendants of Kedar, a son of Ishmael (Gen. 25:13), lived in the desert between Syria and Mesopotamia. The Nabateans, inhabitants of the Arabian city Petra, were probably the descendants of Nebaioth, the oldest son of Ishmael (Gen. 25:13). acceptance on My altar. Animal sacrifices brought by other nations during the millennial kingdom will glorify the house of God’s glory even more (v. 13). See notes on Ezek. 40–48 for the description of the operation of sacrifices in the millennial temple.
60:8 fly like a cloud…doves. Figurative language to describe the rapid influx of Gentiles into Jerusalem.
60:9 coastlands…ships of Tarshish…your sons…silver…gold. Because of the Lord’s favor toward Zion, the city will attract worldwide attention (23:1; 41:1). Trading vessels will return Israel’s faithful remnant as they bring rich treasures to Jerusalem.
60:10 build up your walls. The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, helped by Persian kings, was merely a foretaste of the final rebuilding of the city assisted by Gentiles when Christ returns to earth. in My wrath…in My favor. God’s past dealings with Israel have been largely in wrath, but His future merciful work will demonstrate His favor.
60:11 gates…open continually. Unrestricted access to Jerusalem will prevail in the future kingdom (26:2; 62:10; Rev. 21:25, 26).
60:12 nation…perish. Survival in the future kingdom will be impossible for those nations who do not come to terms with Israel (11:13, 14; 14:2; 49:23). The Lord will rule the nations with a rod of iron (cf. Ps. 2:7–12).