Isaiah 51: Better Times Ahead

Isaiah 51 is a chapter full of good news.  Whereas the prophet foresees that the chosen people will be punished by Babylon for their unfaithfulness, Isaiah also knows that the time will come for the severity to end.  He reveals that a day will appear when the oppressed will be set free and the oppressors will face judgment themselves.  It is a good word for Israel.

Here are some of the passages that promise hope and restoration:

• "For the Lord will comfort  Zion; he will comfort all her waste places...joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song" (vs. 3).

• "I will bring my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out..." (vs. 5)

• "My salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended" (vs. 6).

• "So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (vs. 11).

• "The oppressed shall speedily be released; they shall not die and go down to the Pit, nor shall they lack bread" (vs. 14).

The chapter ends with the hopeful promise of a reversal of roles between Judah and her oppressors: "Thus says your Sovereign, the Lord, your God who pleads the cause of his people: See, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; you shall drink no more from the bowl of my wrath.  And I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, 'Bow down that we may walk on you'; and have made your back like the ground and like the street for them to walk on" (vs. 22-23).

Thank God for Isaiah's message that there are better times ahead!