In my last post, we learned about Isra’el’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience in Yesha’yahu 50:1-11. In this post, we learn about Everlasting Salvation for Tziyon in Yesha’yahu 51:1-8.
1 “Listen to me, you pursuers of justice, you who seek Adonai: consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were dug – 2 consider Avraham your father and Sarah, who gave birth to you; in that I called him when he was only one person, then blessed him and made him many.
Yesha’yahu called to the righteous among Adonai’s people and reminded them of their heritage. Avraham was the rock from which the people of Adonai were cut and Sarah the quarry from which they were dug. From the one, man Avraham came many descendants according to the promise of the Avrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3).
Here, Adonai is saying, “Look back and remember where you came from, the pit from which you were rescued.” If you think it’s hard to be a Believer, pause and remember what it was like before you invited Yeshua into your heart – the meaninglessness, the emptiness, the frustration and insecurity you felt before Yeshua took up residence.
3 For Adonai will comfort Tziyon, will comfort all her ruined places, will make her desert like ‘Eden, her ‘Aravah like the garden of Adonai. Joy and gladness will be there, thanksgiving and the sound of music.
On the foundation of the ancient promises to Avraham, Adonai will transform Tziyon’s suffering and devastation to joy and prosperity.
4 “Pay attention to me, my people! My nation listen to me! For Torah will go out from Me; I will calm them with My justice as a light for the peoples. 5 My righteousness is at hand; My salvation goes out. My arms will judge the peoples. The coastlands are putting their hope in Me, trusting in My arm.
According to the Avrahamic promise, his descendants were to be a blessing to the nations. The coastlands represent the distant nations. There is an implication that all the countries of the world will put their hope in Adonai.
6 “Raise your eyes toward the skies, look at the earth below. The skies will vanish like smoke; the earth will wear out like clothing. Those living on it will die like flies, but My salvation will be forever, and My justice will never end.
This is not an apocalyptic verse concerning the end of the earth. From a human perspective, the skies and the earth look permanent. People die, but the skies and earth endure. But Adonai’s salvation and righteousness make even the heavens and the earth appear temporary.
7 “Listen to me, you who know justice, you people who have My Torah in your heart: don’t be afraid of people’s taunts, don’t be upset by their insults. 8 For the moth will eat them up like clothing, the worm will eat them like wool; but My justice will be forever, and My salvation for all generations.”
If the skies and the earth are temporary, so are even shorter-lived human beings. Why then should anyone fear another? The only One who is the proper recipient of our fear is Adonai Himself. Those who revile the Word of Adonai, those who ignore the commands of Adonai shall be eaten up.
In my next post, we continue to learn about Everlasting Salvation for Tziyon ~ Par 2 in Yesha’yahu 51:9-16.
My Heart is for Israel 