Isa 59 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 59:1-20: 59:1-20 The Lord alone can and will usher in his salvation. Like a warrior, he will break into the world to avenge himself on his enemies and to vindicate his holy people. Summary for Isa 59:1-8: 59:1-8 The people complained that the Lord could not rescue them, but the real problem was that they had not repented (59:20 ) and were still living in sin. 59:1 not too weak: The delay in their rescue could not be attributed to an inherent weakness in the Lord.

Summary for Isa 59:1-20: 59:1-20 ^a The Lord alone can and will usher in his salvation. Like a warrior, he will break into the world to avenge himself on his enemies and to vindicate his holy people.
Summary for Isa 59:1-8: 59:1-8 ^b The people complained that the Lord could not rescue them, but the real problem was that they had not repented (59:20 ^c) and were still living in sin. 59:1 ^d not too weak: The delay in their rescue could not be attributed to an inherent weakness in the Lord.
59:2 ^e your sins ... cut you off: The Israelites, like all people (Rom 3:15-17 ^f), had sinned, which resulted in alienation from God (he has turned away).
59:4 ^g being fair and honest: Israel did not practice these qualities that are part of God’s nature and that he expects from people (1:21 ^h; see 25:1 ⁱ).
Summary for Isa 59:5-6: 59:5-6 ^j The images of deadly snakes and spiders’ webs represent plans designed to destroy others’ lives and relationships.
Summary for Isa 59:7-8: 59:7-8 ^k Paul quotes from these verses in his description of the depravity of all people (Rom 3:15-17 ^l).

• Misery and destruction: The people lamented being victims of oppression (Isa 51:19 ^m), yet they were oppressors themselves.
Summary for Isa 59:9-15: 59:9-15 ⁿ Israel’s history of rebellion was well established. The prophet here confesses the nation’s sins and laments that they could not apprehend the light of God’s salvation.
59:10 ^o people without eyes: See 6:10 ^p; Deut 28:29 ^q.
Summary for Isa 59:11-14: 59:11-14 ^r The people growl and moan with longing for redemption, finally coming to terms with their sinfulness.
Summary for Isa 59:15-17: 59:15-17 ^s The Lord goes out as a warrior intent on achieving victory against the wicked (cp. Eph 6:14 ^t).
59:18 ^u repay his enemies: The Lord will dole out righteous retribution on the whole earth. His justice requires people to be judged for the evil they have done (see also 3:9-11 ^v; 13:9 ^w).
59:19 ^x In the west ... in the east: I.e., in all parts of the world.
59:21 ^y The members of the new community have the Spirit, and they know and practice God’s word (see also Ezek 36:24-28 ^z). The Lord promises to regenerate the children by his Spirit and bring them into the covenant of obedience and love for the Lord (Joel 2:28 ^aa; Acts 2:39 ^ab).