The disjointed nature of prophecy can be frustrating to the reader, but I suppose it was written that way because that is the way it was revealed to the prophet. Isaiah likely didn’t write the book as a single project, but experienced his visions in snatches, just as they are presented in the book. Each one presents a different facet of the topic. These chapters do not repeatedly bounce back and forth between the ideas of salvation/restoration and Messiah, as I used to think they do. Rather, the alternate coverage develops these two ideas simultaneously, enlarging and fleshing each out to bring them together in the glorious climax. See what you can add to your understanding of salvation and Savior as you read these chapters.
Some of Isaiah’s prophecies about restoration are not given to us, but to Israel, and we cannot rightly claim them as promises. However, they should interest us because they give us a picture of what restoration to the natural state of man (sinless, pre-curse, as God intended us to be when He created us) looks like in God’s mind. For if this is what He intends restoration to look like, He will provide for that kind of restoration. And while He makes promises directly to Israel, He obviously intends for all people to enjoy full restoration. One indication of that intent is in Isaiah 49:1. In all the segments of today’s reading that talk about restoration, take note of what God’s idea of restoration includes.
While we don’t want to over-spiritualize the prophecies, we also don’t want to miss the revelations about restoration that are supposed to be realized today. As Isaiah reveals more about Messiah’s kingdom in coming chapters, let us not miss the truth that that kingdom has come in part with Jesus’ defeat of death (sin’s most horrific and very visible effect), and we are to be experiencing a measure of that kingdom’s coming now, in spiritual restoration, if we are truly saved from sin. So when Isaiah shares in verse 49:10 that the former captives will not only be freed, but “will neither hunger nor thirst,” we should seek to understand what that means. Jesus directly stated, “I am the bread of life….” So this is telling us that restoration looks like full satisfaction of our needs. Is that what your intimate knowledge of God looks like? That’s what God has provided for you. If you are living that, praise God for that great salvation from sin’s insatiety! If you aren’t living that, why not confess that to God and ask for Him to work that great salvation in you?
Isaiah says so much more about what salvation means; I encourage you to consider each facet revealed as you read (or perhaps just one or two more in a little depth, for the sake of time). The same is true about Isaiah’s descriptions of Messiah and His work. Appreciating the characteristics as they are revealed gives us cause to adore and praise our wonderful Savior, and will serve to gain us greater intimacy with Him.