Isaiah 52 - Bible Study in 5 Minutes

Isaiah 52 Short Summary:

Isaiah 52 is a chapter of hope in which Isaiah prophecies the restoration of Jerusalem and God’s return to the city to reign in righteousness. The end of the chapter is extremely important and is the setup for the famous fifty third chapter of Isaiah, it reintroduces God’s special servant, prophesying his future glory and future suffering.

Isaiah 52 Bible Study

TIMELINE:

• The prophetic ministry of Isaiah spanned the reigns of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

• Isaiah’s ministry is thought to span from 739-681 BC.

KEY CHARACTERS:

• Isaiah – The son of Amoz (1:1). God commissioned Isaiah as His prophet to Judah.

• Citizens of Judah – God offered them hope, even as they were enduring the discipline He prescribed for them.

• God’s Servant – An unnamed servant of God who was selected by Him before birth. He was to be a light to the nations and gather the scattered people of God.

DEFINITIONS:

• Zion (52:1) - Zion refers to the hill/mountain where David’s palace was built in Jerusalem. This area was on the southeast side of the city. Zion is sometimes used to refer to the city of Jerusalem as a whole.

OUTLINE:

• AWAKE FOR JERUSALEM’S SALVATION (52:1-12):

  • Isaiah calls Judah to “awake” to a new day of restoration.

  • The “uncircumcised and the unclean” would be expelled from Jerusalem (52:1). This was a way of saying ungodliness would be purged from the city.  

  • A day was coming when the people of God could rise from the dust and loose the bonds that held them down (in part the bonds of Babylon).

  • They would be redeemed without money (45:13).

  • Egypt oppressed them, Assyria oppressed them, and Babylon oppressed them, but God was going to glorify Himself above those nations and make His people know His name.

  • Watchmen would announce God’s return to Jerusalem. Isaiah said, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns” (52:7).

  • This applied to those who would announce Judah’s return from Babylon and those who would preach the Gospel of the Messiah (Roman 10:15).

  • God would show His power, and all the nations would see His salvation.

  • God called Judah to put away unclean things and seek purity.

  • They would be released from Babylon, they would not flee the city or go out in haste, God would lead them in safety back to their land.

• GOD’S SERVANT (52:13-15):

  • God’s special servant is reintroduced in the final verses of this chapter (see Isa 49 and 50).

  • He would act wisely and be exalted, but He would endure great suffering.

  • “His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind” (52:14).

  • Something terrible would happen to him to mar his complexion into an almost inhuman form.

  • He would confound kings, sharing things with them they did not know, and helping them see things they would not have otherwise understood.

APPLICATION:

• When we share the good news of God’s deliverance with others, we partner with Him in the beautiful work of salvation.

• There is a lot of beautiful work in the world: philanthropy, healthcare, volunteer service, social work, counseling, etc… but there is no work as beautiful in helping souls be saved.    

• Whatever work you’re engaged in, find a way to weave God’s most beautiful work into your life.