Isaiah 58
The Lord evaluates His people's approach to Him with fasting. They 'seem' to want to serve and know the Lord, yet He is not responsive to them 1-3a. They, in fact are quarrelsome and are but going through the external ritual of fasting without a real change of heart and action before the Lord 3b-5. They were to fast as a means of focusing their attention and energy on doing those things which please the Lord; namely helping the oppressed and the needy 6-7. This would bring the presence and blessing of the Lord in ways known and seen 8-10. They would also enjoy guidance from the Lord 11a, His refreshment 11b, and purpose in building up and restoring others 12. The manner in which they kept the Sabbath was also an indication of where their heart was before the Lord 13. If they kept it properly they could experience the blessings of God and great ways 14. Note: This chapter would teach us that religious exercises (fasting and observing the Sabbath) only have value and a sure purpose if one's heart and motivation is right before God. Both of these are but means to focus one more clearly on the Lord and to set one's heart on the things that honor and please the Lord. I wonder how many of us do numerous 'external' religious exercises that have no real value because we just do it out of ritual or duty. Worse, that we think that just because we have done this or that, God is impressed, pleased, and obligated to bless.

Isaiah 59
Sin and iniquity is what separates us from the Lord and causes a barrier which results in prayer not being heard by Him 1-2. The sins mentioned are injustice, innocent blood shed, lies, and the devising of evil plans 3-7. Lack of peace is also characteristic of the people 8. Though they seek out justice and light, the only thing they find is darkness and no help or relief 9-11. Note: Does this not picture our country and culture today. People wonder why there are no solutions to the woes we face. The answer is in turning to the Lord and repentance from our sins. At lest some people here made the connection 12-14. Those who did stand for truth where ridiculed and became a target 15a. Man left to himself goes away from the Lord and His ways, so the Lord takes up and puts on the 'armor' and accomplishes salvation for the needy 15b-18. HE will repay His enemies, yet there will be those who will fear Him 18b-19. Jacob will one day be redeemed and will repent of  their sins 20. (Romans 11:26-27). God promises His word to them forever 21. This fulfillment of this is yet future. Note: Today is the day of salvation for all, who by faith, will turn to Christ and repent of their sins. The Lord will receive you and bring you into His favor as He forgives all your sins. He has already made provision through the sacrifice of Christ (see: Colossians 1:19-20; 2:13-14).

Isaiah 60
This chapter foretells the glory that will rest upon His people in time to come 1-2. Note: I take this to be literal and future for Israel as a nation and people that will be fully restored to the Lord at the return of Christ to this earth. The statements of nations and kings coming to Israel and to the Lord make perfect sense if we understand them as literally happening at a time known to the Lord 3-9. The foreign nations will rebuild the walls of the city and those who oppose will be ruined 10-12,14. The Lord will build up His sanctuary and make glorious the place where His feet rest 13.  They will one day be an everlasting pride and joy 15. The Lord will be acknowledged and He will provide material blessing 17, violence will end 18 and the glory of the Lord will be their light 19. All sorrow will end and the land will finally be their's forever 20-21. All this will be done by the Lord as a display of His splendor 21-22. Note: This is not 'better understood as spiritual'. In fact, this chapter and the details become very vague and confusing if we 'spiritualize the application'. What an amazing day it will be when the Lord comes and restores His people to the land He promised them. A land currently in turmoil, with His people in unbelief. When the Lord brings this to pass all will see it as His work and will glorify His name. He people will see it and believe in Him (v16).

Isaiah 61
Here the work of the Servant of the Lord is expressed 1-3. He is the One who will bring deliverance, relief, healing, and restoration. Ashes will turn to beauty and mourning into gladness. This will result in the splendor of the Lord being displayed 3. The city and all that had been devastated would be rebuild and restored 4-5. All of the Lord's people would be priests unto Him and the wealth of the nations would come to them 6. The Jewish people would finally inherit the land which God gave them long ago 7. The outworking of God's plan will cause all to acknowledge Him 8-9. Verse 10 is stated in personal terms of one who has experienced the salvation of the Lord. Note: In the New Testament we are told that believers are 'clothed with Christ' (Galatians 3:27). He is the One who is both the source and the means of salvation. The Sovereign Lord will see to it that His righteousness and praise will spring up before all the nations 11. Though not here yet, this will one day come to pass !

Isaiah 62
Zion and Jerusalem will once again have a place of prominence before the Lord and before all the nations. This was to be told as a message of hope in the Lord 1-2. Israel will be a crown of splendor in the hand of the Lord 3. In fact, they will be named as a nation that is loved and married to the Lord 4-5. This was to be the heartbeat and desired goal of the people 6-7. Note: Believers today should also pray to this end that God would bring to pass that which He has planned concerning Israel and Jerusalem. The Lord 'swears' that Israel would never again be over run by their enemies, but would enjoy the work of their hands 8-9. The people were to be built up and would be a banner for the nations 10. Note: This has not yet come to pass where Israel is the head of all the nations. It will be to the glory of God when He brings this to pass. Christians must be careful not to 'boast against the roots' (Israel and the Jews) for God still has a very real and prominent place for them in world events which are yet to come and ordained by God, Himself. (see: Romans 11:13-32). The Lord will accomplish this salvation for the Jews in both a national and spiritual sense 11. They will be called 'Holy people,Redeemed of the Lord, Sought after, and the City No Longer Deserted' 12. Amazingly and with great wonder, one day God will bring this to pass concerning His covenant people that are now in blindness and unbelief. When the Lord does fulfill His Word we will indeed proclaim 'the Lord is great' and 'His Word is true' !

Isaiah 63
Several questions are asked 'who is this ?' 1, and 'why are your garments red ?' 2.The One who responds says that the red is the blood that is shed in the judgment He executes 1b, 3-4. Only the Lord, Himself (Jesus Christ) can execute such judgment and also redemption 3-6. (see: Revelation 19:11-21). Note: We must keep in view both the justice and grace of God. We tend to shy away from the first and embrace the second. Both are equally true and both come from the same Lord.  At 63:7 through 64:12 is a prayer that is offered along with words of praise. We are not told who is the one 'speaking' here. Probably Isaiah is expressing his response to all that God had revealed to him and the nation concerning all that was to come. He begins by recognizing the goodness of the Lord and His mercy and love shown to them 7-8. The Lord was 'distressed' by what distressed them 9. Note: That is a thought to ponder a while ! The rebellion of the people, as their history shows is stated in 10-14. The people of old resisted  and grieved the Holy Spirit 10. The people were still in this same rebellious condition. The question (in prayer) is where is the Lord and His mighty power to save ? It was not seen among the people of Isaiah's day. They had a heritage back to Abraham 16. Appeal is made for the Lord to act on their behalf, now 17, for they had not yet come into the land and fullness of God's redemption 18-19. Maybe the 'word from the Lord' that they would experience the salvation and glory of God in fullness (previous chapters) is the motivation for Isaiah's petitions and prayer requests. Note: The next chapter would support this suggested interpretation.

Isaiah 64
Isaiah's prayer is reflective of so many who know the Lord and have an understanding of what He has planned for the future. 'Even, so come Lord Jesus' (Revelation 22:20) is the way we would express the rending of the heavens and the Lord coming to earth 1. Isaiah longs for the Lord to come in power, judgment, and glory so that He acts would be seen and so He would help His people 2-5. How can we be saved, considering are continued sin and corruption, even of the good that we claim, is the dilemma that is posed in  5b-7. The Lord is recognized as 'the potter with clay' and is appealed to for mercy and grace 8-9. The nation's current conditions were bad as the capital city (reflective of the whole) was under judgment and in ruins 9-12. Note: I wonder how many individual lives are like Israel of old. Suffering the results of sin and yet appealing the Lord for salvation and restoration. Do you long for the Lord and His work of salvation in your life ?

Isaiah 65
The Lord speaks (a response to Isaiah's prayer ?) and states that those who did not ask of Him or seek Him would find Him 1. Note: Could this be the people saved through the Gospel of Christ ? The Lord's own people refused to listen to Him 2 and continually rebel against the Lord with their sinful actions 3-4. They think they are holy people and separate from others 5a, yet they offend God 5b and will face God in judgment for their sins 6-7. This is the reason that the Lord was not working in mighty ways among His people (63:17). The Lord still had those who were responsive and served Him in truth 8-10,13-16. Those who had forsaken Him would be judged 11-12,15b. One day the Lord would bring a new heavens and a new earth 17, with Jerusalem restored and filled with joy 18-19. Life would be long 20 and the works of ones hands would also be able to be enjoyed 21-23. The Lord would answer prayer as it was spoken 24 and even the animal world would be at peace (the curse being reversed) 25. Note: This speaks of earth's golden age or the Millennium that is yet to come in which Jesus Christ will rule and reign (Revelation 20:1-6). Many other Old Testament prophets spoke of this time yet to come as well. It will be in that time that God will fulfill many of the promises He made to Israel, which have not yet come to pass, nor are they fulfilled in the church or by the Christian life.

Isaiah 66
The Lord is not confined to a temple or a location, but He dwells with the humble, who trembles at His word 1-2. Those who offer corrupt sacrifices will, themselves, suffer divine judgment 3-4. Those who seek to obey the Lord in truth are looked down upon and shamed 5. They, however will be upheld by the Lord and will see God's justice 6,24. The Lord challenges them to 'see' with faith in Him, that His plans will be brought to pass in an amazing way 7-9. Jerusalem has a part and place in what is future. It will have joy, peace, wealth, and the comfort of the Lord 10-13. When this is seen it will be seen as the work of the Lord 14. When is happens, the Lord's judgment will also be involved 15-18. Note: I do not know the meaning of verses 19-21. What the Lord will do on their behalf will be eternal and it will endure 22-23, including the final judgment of all wicked 24. Note: The Lord reveals to us throughout Isiah that HE has a plan that includes the judgment of His people and the nations. He also provides salvation from the problem of sin through His chosen servant. His plan includes the Jews, Jerusalem, and the land of promise. In fact, the entire world will one day be under the divine rule of God, through His Son Jesus Christ. This is the culmination of His plan made long ago and made known to us in this section of His Word.