Chapters 63-66 conclude both Volume 2 and the entire book. Within this cycle of repetition, God in his own words reveals and explains his heart in a directly open and bluntly clear way. His words span the course of Israel’s entire history from its inception to its future, eternal end. Within this overview, God does not neglect to mention his inclusion of Gentiles within the community of Sion and Jerusalem, whom he chooses to bless. …
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Cycles of Repetition in Isaiah Volume 2: Devotional 2.86
Isaiah Volume 2 is not arranged chronologically. It contains three cycles of repetition, much as the book of Revelation repeats itself in cycles. Each cycle in Isaiah presents a somewhat different focus. Cycle one gives the most detail concerning the suffering Servant himself. Cycle two emphasizes God’s believing people, both among those of Israel and among the Gentiles. Cycle three contrasts the results for apostate Israel against results for believers, who live in the new Jerusalem. This group includes ethnic Israelites and Gentiles together. It shows the reader God’s end goal right into eternity. All three cycles deal with Israel’s past history, the first coming of God’s Servant, and the eternal results of the salvation he brings. …
One God, One Marriage: Devotional 2.84
The sanctified Zion, made holy by the Servant’s sacrifice of himself, will gladly submit herself to God. Argument and complaint, disobedience, and outright rebellion characterized Old Testament Israel’s relationship with their God. Occasionally, when hard-pressed by their enemies, Old Testament Israel turned to their God. But because of the work of God’s Servant and the outpouring of his Spirit, the newly created Zion will be completely different. Like a crown of beauty and a royal diadem in God’s hand, they will gladly submit themselves to him, as a satisfied woman to her own husband… God has joined believing Israelites with believing Gentiles. There is one God and Lord, one marriage of God to his people, and one bride in the holiest of all matrimonies. …
Septuagint Isaiah 62:1-2: Devotional 2.83
In this portion of Isaiah, the prophet writes mostly about God‘s relation with his people. Part of his great plan includes an influx of Gentiles. Zion will be different from the time of the Servant’s Advent forward. A new day is dawning. And with that new day, in honor of the Lord Servant, his christened one, God provides a new name.
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A Spiritual Hermeneutic: Devotional 2.82
Does God favor Israel? Absolutely. God chose the ethnic family of Abraham, narrowed to the children of Jacob, to be his “special” people. He chose them to be the showcase of his love, grace, and justice. Through their ethnic seed, the Servant/Messiah was born. Nevertheless, God’s ultimate plan for his people Zion centers on his Son, the singular seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). Ethnic Israelites, as well as every other ethnicity on the entire planet, will find their only permanent blessing in and through God’s anointed Servant/Christ. God’s spiritual blessing of eternal life in the very presence of God is primary. All concrete blessings, whatever they may be, are secondary. …
Septuagint Isaiah 60–Devotional 2.80
The focus of chapter 6o is Jerusalem. Chapter 60 tells the outcome of the Servant’s sacrifice as his victory affects God’s own people. The timeframe is now and forever. Verses 18-22 are poetically and spiritually extremely beautiful. For all who know and experience the Lord’s goodness upon their lives and souls daily, these verses apply to their current condition in the Lord’s Servant/Christ. …