Isa 51 | MHM | STEP | Encouragement to the Disconsolate. This section offers hope to those who seek God and desire to live righteously, especially when they feel small or discouraged. God reminds his people to look back at how he started their nation with just one man, Abraham, and his wife, Sarah. He encourages them that, even if they feel few or forgotten, God is able to bless and multiply them again. The Lord promises comfort, fruitfulness, and joy to his people, no matter how dry or empty their situation may seem. v. 1 : God speaks to those who want to live rightly and are searching for him. Hearken to me, you that follow after righteousness, you that seek the Lord . He tells them to remember where they came from: Look to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence you were digged . This means they should remember their humble beginnings and understand that God’s grace has brought them this far.

‏ Isaiah 51

Encouragement to the Disconsolate.

This section offers hope to those who seek God and desire to live righteously, especially when they feel small or discouraged. God reminds his people to look back at how he started their nation with just one man, Abraham, and his wife, Sarah. He encourages them that, even if they feel few or forgotten, God is able to bless and multiply them again. The Lord promises comfort, fruitfulness, and joy to his people, no matter how dry or empty their situation may seem.

v. 1: God speaks to those who want to live rightly and are searching for him. Hearken to me, you that follow after righteousness, you that seek the Lord . He tells them to remember where they came from: Look to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence you were digged. This means they should remember their humble beginnings and understand that God’s grace has brought them this far.

v. 2: God points to Abraham and Sarah as examples. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah that bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him . Abraham started with nothing, but because he trusted God, he became the father of many. This encourages God’s people to trust him, even when they feel small or alone (Romans 4:11 ^a).

v. 3: God promises to comfort his people and restore their land. The Lord will comfort Zion: he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord . God will turn sorrow into joy, and his people will experience gladness and thanksgiving. There will be songs and praise, because God will bless his people and their land, making them fruitful and happy again.

Encouragement to the Disconsolate.

In these verses, God brings comfort to his people, reminding them of the lasting power of his righteousness and salvation. Even when God’s people feel weak or face ridicule, they can be sure that God’s promises through the gospel will never fail. The message of salvation is not only for Israel but for all people, and it will continue forever, even when everything else in the world passes away.

v. 4: God speaks to his people and his nation, those who truly belong to him. Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people . God promises to send out his law—his gospel—to all nations, and it will bring light and understanding to everyone (Isaiah 2:3 ^b).

v. 5: God says, My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust . God’s salvation and righteousness are close at hand. He will judge all nations, and people everywhere—even those far away—will trust in him. God’s power to save will be revealed to everyone (Romans 10:8; Isaiah 53:1 ^c).

v. 6: God tells his people not to put their hope in the world, because it will not last. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished . Everything in this world will pass away, but God’s salvation and righteousness will last forever (Daniel 9:24; Hebrews 5:9 ^d; Matthew 28:20 ^e).

v. 7: God encourages those who know his righteousness and have his law in their hearts. Hearken unto me, you that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilings . Even if others mock or insult God’s people, they should not be afraid. God’s approval matters more than the opinions of people.

v. 8: God promises that those who oppose his people will fade away. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation . The enemies of God’s people will pass away, but God’s righteousness and salvation will remain forever. Those who trust in God can be confident that his truth and promises will outlast any trouble or attack.

Prayer for the LORD’s Power and Comfort for Zion

This section is a prayer asking God to show His power again, just as He did in the past. The people remember God’s mighty works and ask Him to save them now. God answers with words of comfort, promising that His people will return with joy. The passage teaches us to trust God’s strength and His promises, even when things seem difficult.

v. 9: The people pray, “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord!”They remember how God defeated the sea monster Rahab and wounded the dragon in the past . This shows they trust in God’s power to save.

v. 10: They remind God, “Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?”. This is about God’s miracle at the Red Sea, saving Israel from Egypt.

v. 11: God’s promise is that the people He saves will return with singing. “Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away”. God’s people will have joy and peace when He brings them back.

v. 12: God speaks comfort, “I, I am he who comforts you.”He tells them not to be afraid of humans, who are weak and will not last long .

v. 13: God asks why they forget Him, their Maker, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth. He says they do not need to be afraid of their enemies .

v. 14: God promises that the suffering prisoners will soon be set free. They will not die in the pit or lack bread .

v. 15: God says, “I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar.”He reminds them of His great power .

v. 16: God promises to protect His people and give them His words. He says, “I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand.”God is always with His people and will keep them safe .

Jerusalem's Affliction.

This passage describes Jerusalem’s time of deep suffering and despair. God calls his people to wake up from hopelessness, reminding them that their troubles are not forever. Although Jerusalem had experienced God’s anger and had no one to help her, God promises that this will change. He will comfort his people, take away their suffering, and bring justice to those who oppressed them.

v. 17: God calls Jerusalem to wake up from despair. Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury . Jerusalem had suffered greatly, like someone who has drunk a bitter cup of punishment. The people were overwhelmed, feeling hopeless and unable to help themselves (Luke 22:45; Ezekiel 37:9 ^f).

v. 18: Jerusalem had no one to guide or comfort her. There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she has brought forth . Even her own children and leaders could not help. She was left alone in her suffering, with no one to support her (Psalm 74:9; Psalm 87:5 ^g).

v. 19: Two disasters had come upon Jerusalem—destruction and famine. These two things are come unto thee... desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword . There was no one to comfort her in this misery. The city was helpless and had no one to help carry the burden of her troubles.

v. 20: Her people were weak and desperate. Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net . The people were full of God’s anger, struggling without hope or patience. Instead of seeking God’s purpose in their suffering, they became frustrated and made their situation worse (Lamentations 1:12 ^h).

v. 21: God speaks tenderly to afflicted Jerusalem. Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine . Though Jerusalem was overwhelmed by suffering, God has hope and comfort for her.

v. 22: God promises to take away the cup of suffering. Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling . God reminds his people that he is their Lord and protector. He will remove their pain and no longer let them drink from the cup of his anger.

v. 23: The cup of suffering will be given to their enemies instead. I will put it into the hand of them that afflict you; which have said to your soul, Bow down, that we may go over (Isaiah 51:23 ⁱ). Those who bullied and oppressed God’s people will suffer instead. God will judge those who were cruel, while his people will be restored and comforted.