Good News!: Isaiah 51.1-52.12 (5)

Pray Psalm 96.1-3.
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

Read Isaiah 52.1-6.

Reflect.
1. The sense of this opening “Awake, awake!” is different from what we saw in 51.17. In what way?

2. What will be the outcome of God’s redeeming His people? 

Meditate.
Now God rouses His people to prepare for salvation. They must put on strength and “beautiful garments” (v. 1). No longer will uncleanness be among the people of God, but they must shake off the dust of their sinful past, and prepare to go free from their captivity in Babylon (vv. 1, 2).

Israel’s captivity was their own fault; they will be able to take no credit for their redemption (v. 3). It will all be by the grace of their covenant-keeping God. He delivered them from Egypt and Assyria (v. 4), and now He will destroy those who have taken them to Babylon (v. 5).

The result will be that God’s people will know Him, truly know Him; and they will remember the Word He has spoken to them in the past and now, through the prophet Isaiah (v. 6). And this will be very important because of the words God has spoken – and will speak – to them about the greater salvation yet to come.

Prepare.
1. Redemption is all of grace, as God insists. Then why do the people have to strengthen themselves and put on beautiful garments? What does this say to us about the nature of salvation?

2. It is good to review the mighty works of God which He has accomplished for His people. This applies to us as well. What mighty works of redemption and deliverance has God accomplished for you? 

3. Why is it so important that the people of God should know Him? What is involved in knowing the Lord?

The name of God is in its nature holy, whether we say so or not; but since it is sometimes profaned among sinners, according to the words, “Through you my name is continually blasphemed among the Gentiles,” we pray that in us God’s name may be hallowed; not that it comes to be holy from our being holy but because it becomes holy in us, when we are made holy and do things worthy of holiness. Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 AD), Mystagogical Lectures 5.12

Help me to know You better, Lord, so that every day I…

Pray Psalm 96.
As you pray, ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to share His goodness and salvation with someone today.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 96 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above)
Sing to the Lord! O, bless His Name! All nations tell His glory! 
Salvation’s tidings loud proclaim; let earth rehearse His story! 
For God is greatly to be praised; His throne above all gods is raised – 
Fear Him, and sing His glory! 

All other gods are idols vain – the Lord created heaven.
Splendor and strength with Him obtain; to Him be glory given! 
All fam’lies, praise this mighty Lord! Give strength and glory to His Word; 
exalt the Lord of heaven. 

Bring off’rings sweet to Him, our Lord, in holy garments praise Him! 
Tremble before Him, all the earth; among the nations raise Him! 
The earth is fixed, it will not move; the peoples will His justice prove – 
exalt the Lord and praise Him. 

Let heaven sing with lusty voice; let earth and sea sing sweetly! 
Let fields and trees in Him rejoice, for He is coming swiftly 
to judge the world in righteousness, the peoples in His faithfulness – 
He comes; exalt Him greatly!

T. M. Moore

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Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.

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