This chapter is a prophecy of sorts – the prophecy that will be sung when the Lord has triumphed and has provided a way of salvation for His people. Within this chapter is the indirect reference to Jesus, because through Jesus does God establish the church and save men and women from their sins.
Remember, at the time of Isaiah’s writing this, Jesus’s birth, death and resurrection were hundreds and hundreds of years in the future. No one knew Christ, His teachings or how He would leave the deepest impression the world has ever known. Reading these prophecies of His coming and the resultant glory is all the more profound when we consider the context of the time.
This song of salvation is broken up into three parts:
Part 1
Verses 1-6: A pilgrim’s message celebrating their arrival to the City of God
The city of God represents God’s kingdom, or the church, and is suggestive of salvation. The Lord has delivered his faithful into a safe city, or in this sense, the saved state of salvation. God had humbled those who think themselves great; He has brought them down to their actual size. Before God, no man can stand.
Part 2
Verses 7-19: A declaration of trust in God’s promises, abilities and Word
God’s judgment brings goodness and righteousness. But yet, despite even some men being faithful to God, they have worked and labored only to bring forth nothing. This statement in verse 18 shows that it is not by man’s doing that God has granted us salvation. Indeed, it is God and God alone who has mercy and love enough to create our absolute escape from sin.
Part 3
Verses 20-21: Coming judgment and punishment
The righteous are encouraged to be safe and hide themselves from the coming judgment. For just as God will reward the righteous, He will also punish those that have been ruthless to the poor and needy. God is a righteous and faithful judge.
May we all, as lost pilgrims, make our way to His kingdom through Jesus and find the living water that only has one source.
May we live and love daily with the surety that God is watching and protecting us, even in the midst of our troubles.
May we all have confidence and trust in His supremacy of judgment.
There is no path to God except through Jesus. How wonderful that we get to enjoy the full knowledge of Jesus Christ in our day and age.
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” John 8:12
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”” John 6:51
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
Monday Night Bible Study 