Jesaja 52

1 Mache dich auf, mache dich auf, Zion! Zieh deine Stärke an, schmücke dich herrlich, du heilige Stadt Jerusalem! Denn es wird hinfort kein Unbeschnittener oder Unreiner zu dir eingehen.

2 Schüttle den Staub ab, stehe auf, du gefangenes Jerusalem! Mache dich los von den Banden deines Halses, du gefangene Tochter Zion!

3 Denn also spricht der HERR: Ihr seid umsonst verkauft; ihr sollt auch ohne Geld gelöst werden.

4 Denn so spricht der HERR HERR: Mein Volk zog am ersten hinab nach Ägypten, daß es daselbst Gast wäre; und Assur hat ihm ohne Ursache Gewalt getan.

5 Aber wie tut man mir jetzt allhier! spricht der HERR. Mein Volk wird umsonst hingerafft; seine Herrscher machen eitel Heulen, spricht der HERR, und mein Name wird immer täglich gelästert.

6 Darum soll mein Volk meinen Namen kennen zu derselben Zeit; denn ich bin's, der da spricht: Hier bin ich!

7 Wie lieblich sind auf den Bergen die Füße der Boten, die da Frieden verkündigen, Gutes predigen, Heil verkündigen, die da sagen zu Zion: Dein Gott ist König!

8 Deine Wächter rufen laut mit ihrer Stimme und rühmen miteinander; denn man wird's mit Augen sehen, wenn der HERR Zion bekehrt.

9 Laßt fröhlich sein und miteinander rühmen das Wüste zu Jerusalem; denn der HERR hat sein Volk getröstet und Jerusalem gelöst.

10 Der HERR hat offenbart seinen heiligen Arm vor den Augen aller Heiden, daß aller Welt Enden sehen das Heil unsers Gottes.

11 Weicht, weicht, zieht aus von dannen und rührt kein Unreines an; geht aus von ihr, reinigt euch, die ihr des HERRN Geräte tragt!

12 Denn ihr sollt nicht mit Eile ausziehen noch mit Flucht wandeln; denn der HERR wird vor euch her ziehen; und der Gott Israels wird euch sammeln.

13 Siehe, mein Knecht wird weislich tun und wird erhöht und sehr hoch erhaben sein.

14 Gleichwie sich viele an dir ärgern werden, weil seine Gestalt häßlicher ist denn anderer Leute und sein Ansehen denn der Menschenkinder,

15 also wird er viele Heiden besprengen, daß auch Könige werden ihren Mund vor ihm zuhalten. Denn welchen nichts davon verkündigt ist, die werden's mit Lust sehen; und die nichts davon gehört haben, die werden's merken.

Jesaja 52 Commentary

Chapter 52

The welcome news of Christ's kingdom. (1-12) The humiliation of the Messiah. (13-15)

Verses 1-12 The gospel proclaims liberty to those bound with fears. Let those weary and heavy laden under the burden of sin, find relief in Christ, shake themselves from the dust of their doubts and fears, and loose themselves from those bands. The price paid by the Redeemer for our salvation, was not silver or gold, or corruptible things, but his own precious blood. Considering the freeness of this salvation, and how hurtful to temporal comfort sins are, we shall more value the redemption which is in Christ. Do we seek victory over every sin, recollecting that the glory of God requires holiness in every follower of Christ? The good news is, that the Lord Jesus reigns. Christ himself brought these tidings first. His ministers proclaim these good tidings: keeping themselves clean from the pollutions of the world, they are beautiful to those to whom they are sent. Zion's watchmen could scarcely discern any thing of God's favour through the dark cloud of their afflictions; but now the cloud is scattered, they shall plainly see the performance. Zion's waste places shall then rejoice; all the world will have the benefit. This is applied to our salvation by Christ. Babylon is no place for Israelites. And it is a call to all in the bondage of sin and Satan, to use the liberty Christ has proclaimed. They were to go with diligent haste, not to lose time nor linger; but they were not to go with distrustful haste. Those in the way of duty, are under God's special protection; and he that believes this, will not hasten for fear.

Verses 13-15 Here begins that wonderful, minute, and faithful description of the office, character, and glory of the Messiah, which has struck conviction to many of the most hardened unbelievers. Christ is Wisdom itself; in the work of our redemption there appeared the wisdom of God in a mystery. Those that saw him, said, Surely never man looked so miserable: never was sorrow like unto his sorrow. But God highly exalted him. That shall be discovered by the gospel of Christ, which could never be told in any other way. And Christ having once shed his blood for sinners, its power still continues. May all opposers see the wisdom of ceasing from their opposition, and be made partakers of the blood of sprinkling, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost; obeying him, and praising his salvation.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 52

This chapter is a prophecy of the glorious state of the church in the latter day, typified by the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon. The church, under the names of Zion and Jerusalem, is exhorted to awake and clothe herself with strength, and with beautiful garments, to shake off her dust, and loose her bands, since she should become a pure and separate people, Isa 52:1,2 and whereas the Lord's people had been afflicted formerly by the Egyptians, and more lately by the Assyrians, a free redemption is promised them; and the rather they might expect it, since the Lord was no gainer by their affliction, but a loser in his name and honour, as well as they distressed, Isa 52:3-5. And it is suggested, that the knowledge of the Lord should be spread, the good tidings of peace and salvation be delightfully published, and that the ministers of the Gospel should have clear light, and be harmonious and unanimous in the publishing of it, Isa 52:6-8. Upon which the waste places of Jerusalem are called upon to rejoice, both because of the restoration of the Jews, and the conversion of the Gentiles, Isa 2:9,10. And the people of God are called to go out of Babylon, the manner of their departure is directed, and something said for their encouragement, Isa 52:11,12. And the chapter is concluded with some account of the Messiah, of his humiliation and exaltation, and of his work and office, Isa 52:13-15, and which are enlarged upon in the next chapter, which ought properly to begin with these last verses.