The Restoration of Zion

The Servant of YHWH called out to Jerusalem yet future, foretelling the tragedy that would befall it, but also revealing that would not last forever. The sin of Israel would and had lead to exile according to the calamities promised by the Law of Moses. The Word of God always comes to pass exactly as He says it will. And this promise of future release and restoration will also be fulfilled in like manner. Those who afflict Jerusalem will discover the cup of God’s wrath poured out on them in full measure.

’Awake, Awake! Clothes yourself in strength, O Zion! Clothe yourself in beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the Holy City. For the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you. Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; lose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.’ For this says YHWH, ‘You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.’ 

Israel had went down to Egypt during the days of Joseph, and were oppressed there until God brought them out with a mighty hand with Moses. Then in Isaiah’s days, Assyria came and oppressed them without cause. ‘Now therefore, what do I have here,’ declares the LORD, ‘seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?’ Again the LORD declares, ‘Those who rule over them howl, and My Name is continually blasphemed all day long. Therefore My people shall know My Name ; therefore in that day I Am the One Who is speaking, ‘Here I Am.’’

This continues the thought being communicated by the LORD Himself to Isaiah. No man can save Israel, Judah, or Jerusalem, so God Himself will do it. Jerusalem would face bondage and captivity until God Himself comes and calls His people to Himself. He would come to Jerusalem and call his people to Himself. ‘How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him who bring good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces Salvation (Yeshua), and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’  The watchmen of Jerusalem will lift up their voice and shout together, for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restore Zion, ‘Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.’ 

YHWH has bared His arm in the sight of all nations that the ends of the earth may see the Salvation (Yeshua) of our God. God has always wanted to bring the entire world, every nation and every people, to Himself. God sent Israel to Egypt, to Assyria, and to Babylon so they would know there is a God in heaven who saves. He will call His people forth from those places, and He will bring them out Himself. They will no go out in haste, or as fugitives, for the LORD will go before them and the God of Israel will be their rear guard.

The Servant of YHWH will prosper. He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as Jerusalem was destroyed beyond recognition to the astonishment of the peoples, so also the Servant will be marred in His appearance more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men. Thus He will sprinkle many nations with His blood. Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him, for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand. 

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus was the first step towards the full and final restoration of Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel. Their rejection of Him caused a longer desolation to come, and sets up the scene for His return. Only The Servant - Jesus - can save and deliver His people. They cannot save themselves, nor will they be able to stop their enemies, but their God can and will. Destruction will come again, but then Jesus will return and turn the cup of wrath out on the heads of those who afflict Israel. All nations will know that YHWH is the One True God as Jesus saves the remnant of Israel, returns to rule and reign in Jerusalem, and crushes His enemies underfoot.