August 19, 2023: Haftorah - Isaiah 51:12-52:12
This week's Haftorah reading is from Isaiah 51:12-52:12. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers as he dives into the Word ELOHIM gives His people; That though present circumstances are bleak, the future is bright for those who trust in ELOHIM. They are to look back to Abraham and Sarah, the “rock from which you were cut” and remember Elohim’s faithfulness to His promises!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftorah Portion:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftorah Portion – Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Isaiah 51 is part of the 2nd major section of Isaiah and deals less with Judah’s immediate plight than its future deliverance from Babylonia exile and ultimate glory. Isaiah 51:1 says, “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.” Isaiah 51:6 says, “Look up to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die in like manner. But My salvation will last forever and My righteousness will never be shattered.”
Having introduced the Servant, Isaiah now reassures the Jewish captives that one day they will be free. This message also foreshadows the coming of Messiah and the final liberation of the faithful in Elohim’s Kingdom. Isaiah urges them to “listen”, “hearken to Me”, meaning “to wake up or listen up.” He was addressing those who follow after righteousness and seek Adonai. His true followers are to not only “listen up” but to obey the Word of Adonai—they were to respond by immediately leaving sinful Babylon. Isaiah is calling on Adonai to bring about a second exodus as the nation He had led out of Egypt would now be led out of Babylon. He also looked further into the future, to the ‘everlasting joy’ of the Millennium.
So, we see that Elohim was commanding His people to hear. He wanted them “to listen up” and remember the past (Isaiah 51:1-3). The believing remnant are to remember Abraham and receive encouragement. Though present circumstances are bleak, the future is bright for those who trust in Elohim. They are to look back to Abraham and Sarah, the “rock from which you were cut” and “the quarry from which you were dug.” Abraham is but a single person when Elohim calls him, yet he becomes the father of the Jewish race and the one through whom the promised Messiah comes. Why is it important to remember the past? Because of Elohim’s faithfulness to His promises in the past, proved not only to them, but validates to us that Elohim could be trusted to bless His people, and restore the land He had given Israel as an inheritance. He will turn Judah’s waste homeland into a blossoming treasure once again.
We are also encouraged to look forward (Isaiah 51:4-6). It is here, in the Millennial Kingdom, that the law shall proceed from Him, and His judgment will serve as “a light for the people.” Adonai’s righteousness will be fixed or established and the earth and nations will trust Him. In that day, the world that had been corrupted by sin will perish and those who have placed their faith in Adonai will know His salvation forever…Amen! This is the grace of Elohim, doing for His people what they did not deserve and what they could not do for themselves.
Elohim again encourages His people to “look within,” where they will find either fear or faith. Those who knew and walked in the way of righteousness, and according to the law and commandments were admonished: “Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their reviling’s (abuses).” Isaiah, throughout the book, calls on the people to trust Elohim who overcomes their fears. Man’s taunting and cursing are temporal like moth eaten garments. Moths and worms do their work slowly and secretly but effectively nonetheless. While the Jews couldn’t see it, the seeds of destruction already were being sown in Babylon, and the pagan nation that Elohim would use to chasten His people one day would be punished for their rebellion against Elohim and His chosen ones. Meanwhile, Adonai’s salvation and righteousness will endure forever!
Isaiah 51:9-11 is a prophecy about the Jews who would cry to Adonai for deliverance saying, “Awake, awake (wake up), put on strength, O arm of Adonai; Awake, as in the ancient days (Isaiah 51:9). Isaiah prophesied the “redeemed of Adonai” would return “singing unto Zion” and with “gladness and joy”, and “sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).
Adonai responds with compassion in Isaiah 51:12-16. His promise of comfort gives the people no reason to be afraid of man. He will protect them! He provides comfort now, even though His people are on the cusp of divine discipline, and urges them to remember that the Yah who laid the foundation of the earth is able to carry them through exile in Babylon and restore them to their homeland. He is on their side!
Though they deserve the chastening they are about to receive, Elohim has not abandoned His purpose for them. They are His unique people! He invested His Word in them. He promised to bless all mankind through them with the coming Messiah. He will not forget His promises or forsake His people.
There is a message for us personally for today. We the redeemed will obtain joyful deliverance from every enemy. In this world of changes, it is a short step from joy to sorrow, but in that world, sorrow shall never come in view. Happy is the man that fears Adonai always. We have his security by the power and providence of Yah Almighty.
In Isaiah 51:17-23, He is bringing their calamity to a close. Even though there was great destruction and devastation we know there are several biblical truths to keep in mind. 1. Elohim knows everything; including what would happen if He didn’t put a stop to an entity’s evil.
2 Elohim’s wrath falls only after His mercy has been soundly and repeatedly rejected. 3.Elohim will judge every individual one day.
Isaiah 52 predicts the stirring of the Jewish people to return to their land and the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem. It is prophesied the Jews will rejoice as they leave Babylon and return home.
Isaiah 52:13-14 is a portrait of not only the character of the Messiah fulfilled in Yeshua HaMashiach, but also the horrific physical suffering He would face for us. He would bring us our salvation! Thank you, Elohim!
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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May the Kingdom of Elohim rule and reign in your life as you submit to His Word and will. May your Sabbath be sweet and prosperous. May His glory fall fresh on you on this appointed day. See you at the altar!
Shalom Aleichem