Isaiah 52
The Lord gives words of hope and comfort to Zion and Jerusalem, whose people had suffered greatly at the hands of others. In this there seemed to be no purpose 1-5, yet the Lord would make His name known out of this 6. Their restoration and deliverance is the message to be proclaimed 7-10. Note: The descriptive words with which this salvation is stated; the Lord who 'lays bare His holy arm'. God, if you would 'rolls up His selves' (to use a human expression, with no disrespect intended) and HE would accomplish this salvation. He would even be their 'rear guard' 11-12. God would accomplish this through His wise, obedient servant 13-15. Yet His servant would be rejected and suffered greatly 13-14. His servant would impact kings and nations alike 15. Note: Beginning here and throughout chapter 53 this is a portrait of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The next chapter expresses the meaning and basis of the salvation God's servant would undertake.

Isaiah 53
This chapter is one of the clearest Old Testament passages which reveals the person and work of Jesus Christ. Here we have a set before us the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ who died in the place of guilty sinners, like you and me. All the OT sacrifices foreshadowed His ultimate and perfect sacrifice that would deal with the sin problem of mankind. We clearly see in this words the fact that 'the one who would suffer' would not be suffering for His own wrong or sin, but for others who were guilty and deserving of punishment 9. Read this passage with reverence and gratitude for the God's grace and mercy to us in Jesus Christ.
The chapter opens with disbelief in the message about to be told 1. An individual is being spoken of throughout the chapter. HE is set as a contrast to the many and all others. He is rejected and given little thought 2-3. HE would take up our (note the personal nature of His work) infirmities and be seen as smitten by God 4. It was our transgressions and iniquity that caused His pain and suffering as the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all 5-6. We are all guilty (universally as a race and individually as humans) 6. Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world 7-8 (John 1:29). He would suffer death, be 'cut off' 8 and be buried 9. This was the Lord's will, which He would fulfill 10a. He would be a 'guilt offering' for sin 10b. After death, He would 'see light' (resurrection) 10b-11. He would justify many as He would bear their iniquities 11. (see: Romans 3:21-25, & 5:1-11). There is also a purpose and a plan for the future as well 12, the basis being His sacrificial death. Truly, 'in my place condemned He stood' ! Hallelujah, what a Savior !

Isaiah 54
The solemn and somber tone of the previous chapter turns to joy and a call to celebration 1 as the people are told to ready for enlargement and growth 2-3. Fear and shame was to be removed 4 for the Lord would again turn to His people in love and compassion as He restores and redeems them  5-8. The Lord's judgments were temporary 7a but His kindness is everlasting 7b-8. Like the sure promises made to Noah, the Lord gives absolute assurance to His people that He will give them His covenant of peace and compassion 9-10. The Lord would rebuild 'the city' with precious stones and He would be the One to establish them in righteousness 11-14. Note: While this is spoken by of the Lord on an earthy city and people the principle and application is the same to us who know Christ is Savior. He will establish us individually and collectively as His people who will one day inhabit the city He is now preparing ! (Revelation 21-22). God is sovereign in giving skills to each (the blacksmith is mentioned here 16). Even though they may use what they make against God, His people and His plans, they will not succeed 16-17. The Lord will vindicate His people 17b. Note: This is a great truth and comfort to us as we see the injustice that the true people of God suffer and endure throughout the world. The Lord does and will 'set the record straight' and will uphold His people. This, in the end will be to His glory and to the praise of His name !

Isaiah 55
An invitation to the 'thirsty' is extended by the Lord in verse 1. This speaks of something more than physical water. The context suggests that the Lord desires to fill one's life and be that satisfaction which can not be found anywhere, apart from Him 2-5. David is mentioned as an example and illustration of God's faithfulness and promises one can know in this life 3b-4. There is a call to seek the Lord, to repent (turning to Him from one's own ways), and forsake sinful lifestyles 6-7. The Lord is willing and ready to forgive and to pardon 7b. This may seen too good to be true, but the Lord works in ways higher than what we know 8-9. In fact, His Word (here and the entire Bible) will always accomplish the purpose of God as it is told, spoken, shared, preached, proclaimed, read, heard, and taught 10-11. Joy, peace, and celebration are indicators that the Lord's Word has been received and acted upon by faith in Him 12. Restoration is also an indicator of the Word's effectiveness 13.

Isaiah 56
The Lord commands the people to be do justice and what is right, including keeping the Lord's Sabbath. The one who would do this would be blessed of the Lord 1-2. The foreigner and the eunuch were two kinds of individuals who were excluded from full fellowship with the Lord's people. This may even be the perception that they had of themselves. 'I do not belong' or 'The Lord will not accept me' may be in their thoughts. The Lord addresses them in verse 3 commanding them not to hold this view of themselves. The eunuchs would sought the Lord by keeping His covenant and the sabbath would be given a name before the Lord that would be better than the heritage of children 4-5. The foreigner who sought the Lord, to serve, love, and worship Him would also find a place in God's temple and have the privilege and joy of prayer 6-7. The Lord's house was to be a house of prayer for all nations 7b. The Jews had wrongly excluded many from being a part the worship of God, because of their own perceived 'special status' as God's chosen people. The Lord would gather exiles from all over and restore them to Himself 8. In God's greater plan of salvation through Christ and the Gospel, He would gather from among all the nations of the world a people for His name before He comes to restore Israel to the place of privilege and fullness of the promises made throughout the Scriptures (see: Acts 15:1-21). Note: In this age of grace, God is calling out to all, regardless of status or sinfulness, to turn to Him and be saved (Isaiah 45:22). This is the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope of the Gospel. God will save all who look to Him faith to save them. Whosoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

Isaiah 57
This chapter is set in the 'present day' of when Isaiah was writing and is God's indictment of His people for their various sins. Some are taken in death to be spared from evil 1-2. The Lord does not 'hold back' as He describes the people in scathing terms 3-4. Lust, idolatry, and immorality were characteristic of their actions and attitudes of the heart 5-8.Their actions were vile and corrupt. Note: Can verse 8 be the modern counterpart of pornography and the sins that come from its use ?  They forsook the Lord to worship the false god, Molech, even practicing rituals for this 'god' and seeking help from far away (to learn more of this 'god') 9 ? Such actions lead to death 9b and despair 10. The Lord questions the motive behind their forsaking Him and going in this direction 11. They had not learned the ways of the Lord and the result would be that they would suffer 12-13a. The one who looked the Lord would find refuge 13b. The Lord promises to dwell with one who is contrite 14-16, which was (and is) all call for those living in sin to turn to the Lord in humble repentance. Even though they persist in their ways, the Lord will punish and yet restore them 17-19. The effect of the Lord's work in them will be both praise to God and mourning over their sin 19a. His peace will be their portion and His healing will be their lot 19b. The wicked, by way of contrast will not have peace, but are like the sea, which is never at rest 20-21. Note: Which is descriptive of your life before the Lord ? Do you know Him and His peace ?