6 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:6–7 (NKJV) 

6 Because the Lord Almighty says, ‘Once again I shall shake heaven and earth and sea and dry land. 7 And I shall shake all nations, and selected people of all nations shall come and fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:6–7 (LES2) 

This passage clearly illustrates how the MT seeks to elevate national Israel and the Old Covenant at the expense of Christ and the New Covenant.

Verse six in both translations agree, but in verse seven the MT changes the “elect from all nations” in the LXX to “the Desire of All Nations,” which is an uncertain term likely meaning either God himself, the temple, or Israel. It could also mean the Lord Jesus, who is desired by God, but by using an ambiguous phrase the meaning is left open to interpretation instead of being clear as it is in the LXX.

The idea in the MT is that the nations will come to whatever or whoever the Desire of All Nations is, and God will then fill the temple with glory. The LXX indicates that after or because of the shaking of the nations, God will draw from them an elect group who will fill his house. Interestingly, the Hebrew word that the MT translates as temple here means house, too.

The temple was intended to “house” God’s presence, but this was a temporary situation in the Old Covenant that served as a picture of what was coming. In the New Covenant, God would dwell in a temple or house made of people, who Peter calls “living stones.” 

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4–5 (NKJV) 

His eternal purpose has always been to dwell with and in his people. (Revelation 21:22-27)

We know that the Old Covenant scriptures point to Christ and the New Covenant. (John 5:39) Because of this, the New Testament teaches us how to interpret the Old, and not the other way around. The New Covenant “house” or temple is the church, the body of Christ, the new man in Christ, the Israel of God. Because the gospel has gone to the nations, God is drawing to himself his elect from every people group to be part of this “house.” This house is filled with the glory of God, the very presence of the Holy Spirit.

8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. 9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 2:8–9 (NKJV) 

8 ‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says the Lord Almighty. 9 ‘Because the latter glory of this house shall be great beyond the former,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I shall give peace,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘even peace of spirit for a possession to all those who build, so as to raise up this temple.’ ” Haggai 2:8–9 (LES2) 

In the last days, it will no doubt be important for us to understand that there is no financial shortage in God’s kingdom, especially if the evil world system seeks to control the flow of money based on allegiance to evil. 

The glory of the New Testament church, the temple or house made of people, will exceed the glory of the one made with stones in the Old Testament. 

Peace will fill the New Covenant house because all those who are part of it have been justified or made right with God, with peace being the natural result. (Romans 5:1) God gives his Spirit as a possession to those who belong to him via the new birth. 

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 (NKJV) 

God has promised to give peace to his New Covenant saints to be workers who build this new glorious temple through preaching the gospel and nurturing his born-again people.

The Holy Spirit is given to us as an eternal “possession” or companion. He is called the “Helper,” one called alongside us who indwells us. (John 14:16) More importantly, perhaps, the indwelling Spirit of God guarantees that we are God’s eternal possession. 

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13–14 (NKJV) 

This mutual possession is pictured in marriage which gives each spouse ownership of the other. (1 Corinthians 7:3-4) This is also pictured in the Song of Solomon, a foreshadowing of the love between Christ and his bride, the church.

2 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine, he who shepherds among the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:2 (LES2) 

1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Isaiah 55:1–2 (NKJV) 

1 You who thirst, go to the water, and whoever has no silver, go buy and eat wine and fat without silver or price. 2 For what purpose do you value silver, and your labor does not satisfy? And you will eat good things, and your soul will exult in good things. Isaiah 55:1–2 (LES2) 

Building upon my idea that the MT presents Isaiah in a way that generally elevates Israel and hides Jesus, the opening words of this chapter of Isaiah in the MT invite the thirsty and hungry to come, presumably to Israel. The LXX, however, exhorts us to go to the water, which is not found in Old Covenant or the nation of Israel, per se, or Judaism, but in Christ alone. He alone can satisfy the deepest longings and needs of our souls.

Jesus suffered outside the city of Jerusalem as something unclean. We must go outside the camp, outside the walls of Judaism, to find the Lord.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. Hebrews 13:10–13 (NKJV) 

3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. 4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. Isaiah 55:3–4 (NKJV) 

3 Pay attention with your ear and attend to my ways. Hear me, and your soul will live among good things, and I will establish an eternal covenant with you; the holy things of David are sure. 4 Look! I gave him as a testimony among the nations, a ruler and one who commands the nations. Isaiah 55:3–4 (LES2) 

The MT invites the hearer to come to God. The LXX says to attend to his ways. Both are good. Both promise that God will establish an eternal (New) covenant with such a person. The MT calls this covenant “the sure mercies of David.” The LXX says “the holy things of David (Christ) are sure.” Both are true.

It is important for us to understand that all scripture points to Christ. (John 5:39) David, in this case, is pointer to his descendant, the Messiah, our Lord Jesus. Jesus has been given as a testimony or witness among the nations, a ruler (Lord) over the nations. (Revelation 2:27)

5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.” Isaiah 55:5 (NKJV) 

5 The nations, which do not know you, will call upon you, and the peoples, who do not know you, will flee to you for refuge because of the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, because he has magnified you. Isaiah 55:5 (LES2) 

Here is another example, in my opinion, where the MT obfuscates a clear reference to Christ. It changed “the nations which do not know you will call upon you,” to “you shall call a nation you do not know.” The remainder of the verse shows agreement between the MT and LXX.

The verse clearly refers to Christ. The Gentile nations and elect Jews have run to him for refuge upon hearing the gospel because Jesus has been elevated to the position of Lord of lords.

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6–7 (NKJV) 

6 Seek out the Lord, and when you find him, call upon him. And if ever he approaches you, 7 let the ungodly abandon his ways and the man of lawlessness his counsels, and let him return to the Lord, and he will be shown mercy, because he will forgive your sins abundantly. Isaiah 55:6–7 (LES2) 

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV) 

8 “For my counsels are not like your counsels or my ways like your ways,” says the Lord, 9 “but as the heaven is far off from the earth, so my way is far off from your ways and your thoughts from my mind. Isaiah 55:8–9 (LES2) 

10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10–11 (NKJV) 

10 For as the rain or snow comes down from the heavens and does not return until it has drenched the earth and brings forth and sprouts and gives seed to the sower and bread for food, 11 so will be my word, which goes out from my mouth: It will not return until that which I want is completed, and I will cause your ways and my orders to prosper.” Isaiah 55:10–11 (LES2) 

12 “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” Isaiah 55:12–13 (NKJV) 

12 For you will go out with cheer, and you will be taught with delight, for the mountains and the hills will leap and welcome you with delight, and all the trees of the field will clap their branches. 13 And the cypress will grow up instead of the shrub, and the myrtle will grow up instead of the nettle, and the Lord will become a name and an eternal sign, and he will not come to an end. Isaiah 55:12–13 (LES2) 

Both the MT and LXX provide insight into God’s blessings on the evangelist and teacher of his Word. They will go out with joy, be led in peace, and taught with delight. Nature itself rejoices because of the gospel, which eventually, at Christ’s return, will result in its deliverance from the bondage initiated by Adam’s sin. (Romans 8:21)

The MT resorts to using a passive voice in verse 13. The LXX changes the subject and voice of the verb when it says, “the Lord will become a name and an eternal sign.” The only name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved is the name of Jesus. His resurrection is an eternal sign. The life he provides will never end.

1 Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. Psalm 12:1 (NKJV) 

2 Save me, O Lord, because the holy one has come to an end, because the truths have diminished from the sons of humans. Psalm 11:2 (LES2) 

I believe in the LXX  this is a prophecy about Jesus and the church; whereas, the MT is written from the perspective of natural Israel. This will inform how I approach it. 

I believe the “holy one” is Jesus, and this is a reference to his death on the cross. He is the Truth. When he perished, truth died, too.

2 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things, 4 Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?” Psalm 12:2–4 (NKJV) 

3 Each person spoke vanities to his neighbor. deceitful lips spoke in heart and in heart. 4 May the Lord destroy all the deceitful lips and a boasting tongue, 5 those who said, “We are powerful with respect to our tongue; our lips are from us. Who is our lord?” Psalm 11:3–5 (LES2) 

5 “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.” Psalm 12:5 (NKJV) 

6 “From the distress of the needy, and from the groaning of the poor ones, I will now stand up,” says the Lord. “I will set him in salvation; I will speak openly for him.” Psalm 11:6 (LES2) 

This verse declares the resurrection of Christ, which is our salvation. The Greek word for “stand up” in the LXX is the same one used for Christ’s being risen, which agrees with the MT. The LXX says that God will set the poor one in “salvation,” which is the Greek word soteria, from which Savior is derived. I believe God speaks openly for us, declaring that we belong to him, just as a bridegroom proudly declares that his wife is his by covenant (and vice versa). The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s seal proving his ownership. (2 Corinthians 1:22)

7 You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. 8 The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men. Psalm 12:7–8 (NKJV) 

8 You, O Lord, will guard us, and you will preserve us from this generation and for eternity. 9 The ungodly ones walk around in a circle. According to your height you treated with much care the sons of humans. Psalm 11:8–9 (LES2) 

The MT promises God will preserve “them,” but the LXX says he will preserve “us.” Perhaps this is because the MT is written from natural Israel’s perspective and knows that salvation is for “them,” the born again ones, but the LXX is written from the church’s viewpoint, for which salvation is for “us.” Just a thought.

In the New Covenant, our salvation and life is eternal. 

The LXX mentions the presence of evil ones who are going nowhere fast, but God treats us with much care.

1 “Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman,” says the LORD. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. 3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited. Isaiah 54:1–3 (NKJV) 

1 Be cheerful, O barren one who does not father! Break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor, because the children of the deserted woman will be more than those of the woman who has a husband, for the Lord has said it. 2 Enlarge the place of your tent and of your curtains; pitch it, do not spare; lengthen your borders and strengthen your tent pegs! 3 Spread out your dwellings even to the right and the left, and your seed will inherit nations, and you will settle wasted cities. Isaiah 54:1–3 (LES2) 

The LXX says the barren one should be cheerful. Since this is a woman, “father” is an odd choice of words, when the Greek word “tikto” means to bring forth, bear , or produce. The context is child birth; so, I prefer the LXX’s “break forth and cry aloud.” I also prefer the LXX’s use of the present tense, which seems to fit better. The use of the word “husband” by the LXX fits better with what follows, rather than using “married woman.”

The use of “lengthen your borders [portion or allotment]” in the LXX has more meaning than the MT’s “lengthen your cords.” 

The middle part of verse three requires us to decide if “seed” (singular) refers to natural Israel or to Jesus. The natural descendants of Abraham were promised a land located in Canaan, but Jesus, the Messiah, was specifically told he would inherit the nations. 

6 “But I was appointed by him in Mount Zion, his holy place, 7 announcing the ordinance of the Lord. The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have fathered you. 8 Ask from me, and I will give to you the nations as your inheritance, and as your possession the ends of the earth. Psalm 2:6–8 (LES2) 

The church is included in this promise since we are “in Christ” can will co-rule with him at the end. (2 Timothy 2:12)

26 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; 27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 2:26–29 (NASB95) 

As I have written elsewhere, this cannot apply to the modern nation of Israel because the natural man cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The natural nation of Israel will not receive what is promised to the “Israel of God,” the one new man in Christ.

The church has spread all over the world since Pentecost and inhabits desolate cities bringing new life to the inhabitants through the gospel.

4 “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. 5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. 6 For the LORD has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused,” Says your God. Isaiah 54:4–6 (NKJV) 

4 Do not be frightened because you were disgraced or feel shame because you were reviled, because you will forget the eternal shame and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood. 5 For the Lord who made you—the Lord Sabaoth is his name—and the God of Israel himself is the one who rescues you; so will he be called in all the earth. 6 “The Lord has called you not like an abandoned and discouraged woman or like a woman who was hated from her youth,” said your God. Isaiah 54:4–6 (LES2) 

This passage highlights some of the differences between the MT and LXX that appear very often, particularly the difference in the tenses of the verbs.

The MT tells the barren, desolate woman not to fear for she will not be ashamed. From the context we know that she has already experienced the shame of abandonment and barrenness. The LXX says it better by telling her not to be frightened because she has already experienced the shame and disgrace of her widowhood. Fear would have been real because society then depended on the family for support for the aged. A childless widow would likely have been in real trouble, unless other family members came to her aid. 

Both the MT and LXX say this woman will no longer remember this shame for the Lord himself will rescue her. Interestingly, the MT says she was called “like a woman forsaken,” but the LXX says the Lord has called her “not like an abandoned and discouraged woman.”

In the LXX, her abandonment is a thing of the past. The Lord is calling her to a new identity. We are required to try to try to identify this formerly abandoned woman. Is it Israel or another woman, perhaps the Bride of Christ? We know from other scriptures that the Gentile nations, who were not a people, in Christ are called God’s people. 

9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9–10 (NASB95) 

Peter’s quote is from Hosea 2:23, which Paul quotes in his letter to the Romans.

23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.” Romans 9:23–25 (NKJV) 

Ultimately, the Jewish people were cast aside for their rejection of the Messiah and the kingdom was given to the church, the Israel of God, the one new man in Christ composed of born again Jews and Gentiles, just as Jesus said would happen. (Matthew 21:43)

7 “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you. 8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” Says the LORD, your Redeemer. 9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:7–10 (NKJV) 

7 “I abandoned you for a little time, and I will show mercy to you with great mercy. 8 I turned my face back from you with a little wrath, but I will show mercy to you with eternal mercy,” said the Lord who rescues you. 9 “Since the water that was at the time of Noah, this is my oath, just as I swore to him at that time: to be no longer angry at the earth over you; nor in your terror 10 to remove the mountains; nor will your hills be moved away. So neither will my compassion for you come to an end, and the covenant of your peace will certainly not depart, for he has said, ‘Mercy be with you, Lord.’ Isaiah 54:7–10 (LES2) 

All people have experienced a time of God’s turning away due to the sin of Adam which has reproduced itself in every successive generation. God’s anger against sin burned against the entire earth in the time of Noah, resulting in his sending a flood as judgment. But in his mercy, God saved a remnant, Noah’s family. Even now, God’s anger against sin continues, but for those who put their faith in Christ, who took that righteous indignation upon himself at the cross, we experience God’s mercy, which will never end.

The MT says in verse ten that the “mountains shall depart,” but the LXX says that he will NOT remove the mountains. The certainty of his everlasting covenant is compared to the stability of the mountains. 

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain of Zion. The one who inhabits Jerusalem will not be shaken for eternity. 2 Mountains are in a circle around it, and the Lord is in a circle around his people, from now and until eternity. Psalm 124:1–2 (LES2) 

11 “O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, Your gates of crystal, And all your walls of precious stones. Isaiah 54:11–12 (NKJV) 

11 “Low and unsettled one, you have not been comforted. Look! I am preparing a ruby for you as your stone and sapphire as your foundations, 12 and I will make your bulwarks jasper, and your gates stones of crystal, and your wall choice stones.  Isaiah 54:11–12 (LES2) 

This must be a promise to the church, the Israel of God, because the setting is heaven, where the foundation or floor, which is the firmament, is made of a sapphire-like pavement. The New Jerusalem, which descends from heaven, is described in a similar fashion. 

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Revelation 21:9–11 (NKJV) 

After leaving heaven, this New Jerusalem would no longer have a foundation of sapphire, but would be set upon the recreated earth. 

13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV) 

13 And all your sons will be instructed by God, and your children will live in great peace. Isaiah 54:13 (LES2) 

In the New Covenant, everyone is personally instructed by God to know him. 

11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:11–13 (NKJV) 

The promise is to “you,” which is singular, which must refer to the church, from whom all believers are related through the new birth as a result of hearing and believing the gospel.

We receive God’s peace through being justified by faith in Christ. Romans 5:1

14 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. Isaiah 54:14–15 (NKJV) 

14 You will be built up in righteousness. Abstain from an unjust person, and you will not be frightened, and trembling will not approach you. 15 Look! Strangers will come to you through me and will dwell beside you and flee to you for refuge. Isaiah 54:14–15 (LES2) 

What a difference here! The MT says, “You shall be far from oppression,” but the LXX says, “Abstain or put off an unjust person.” Both promise that the “you” will not be frightened. Once again, I think this must refer to the church, not natural Israel, who cannot inherit the kingdom of God any more than our physical bodies can. (1 Corinthians 15:50) It is only through the new birth and resurrection that this is possible. Since this is so, the LXX makes more sense to me. Rather than being a promise that enemies will fall for our sake, the LXX says that “strangers,” those outside God’s New Covenant, will be drawn to Christ and the church and find refuge.

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11–13 (NKJV) 

16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. 17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:16–17 (NKJV) 

16 Look! I created you, not like a coppersmith blowing on coals and bringing forth a vessel fit for work; but I did not create you for destruction to destroy you. 17 I will not prosper any  artificial vessel against you, and every voice will rise up against you in judgment. You will overcome all of them, and they will be subject to you in it. There is an inheritance for those who attend the Lord, and you will be my righteous ones,” says the Lord. Isaiah 54:16–17 (LES2) 

What a divergence! The MT focuses on Israel’s enemies and promises she will defeat them. The LXX focuses on the church and his promise that she was not created for destruction. Both promise that weapons formed against us will not succeed, nor will condemning voices. 

Jesus promised both of these things to the church.

18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18–20 (NKJV) 

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NKJV) 

God’s protection and the authority he gives us cannot compare to the inheritance that awaits us in heaven, to which the LXX refers. Our inheritance is not the blessing of protection, as indicated in the MT, but our heavenly reward, which will be for God’s righteous ones, those justified by faith in Christ.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:10–11 (NKJV) 

10 The Lord is willing to cleanse him of the injury. If you give concerning sin, our soul will see long-lived seed, and the Lord wishes to remove him from the difficulty of his soul, 11 to show him the light, and to form him with understanding, to justify the righteous who serves many well; and he himself will bear their sins. Isaiah 53:10–11 (LES2) 

The Lord also is pleased to purge him from his stroke. If ye can give an offering for sin, your soul shall see a long-lived seed: 11 the Lord also is pleased to take away from the travail of his soul, to shew him light, and to form him with understanding; to justify the just one who serves many well; and he shall bear their sins. (Brenton, Sir Lancelot C. L.. English Translation of the Greek Septuagint, Including the Apocrypha . E.C. Marsh. Kindle Edition.

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This is a challenging passage to translate and understand. Interestingly, the great Isaiah scroll found at Qumran agrees with the LXX in verse 11.

In verse 10, the MT says that “it pleased the Lord to bruise him; He has put him to grief.” The LXX words it thusly, “The Lord is willing to cleanse [or purge] him of the injury” or “blow.” The interpretation of the MT would likely be that Abba Father allowed Jesus to suffer the penalty for our sin. The understanding of the LXX is that Abba was willing or pleased to deliver him from death via the resurrection. As with a good bit of Isaiah 53, both the MT and LXX seem to be true and give insight. 

The next part in the MT clearly refers to the justification and eternal life provided to those who trust in Jesus and his atoning work in the cross. It goes on to remark that God’s will will prosper under Jesus’ rule. The LXX veers away from the MT here, and as mentioned above, the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah agrees with the LXX here. It says that “the Lord wishes to remove (take away) him from the difficulty (great trouble or travail) of his soul, to show him the light, and to form him with understanding, to justify the righteous who serves many well; and he himself will bear their sins.”

Both speak of God delivering Christ from the throes of death and using his finished work on the cross and through the resurrection to justify those who put their faith in him.

12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 (NKJV) 

12 Because of this he will cause many to inherit, and he will apportion the spoils of the mighty, because his soul was given over to death, and he was reckoned among the lawless, and he himself bore the sins of many, and he was handed over because of their lawlessness. Isaiah 53:12 (LES2) 

 Here the MT speaks of Christ being rewarded with “the great” and “divide spoil with the strong.” This seems to put Christ on the same level as other mighty ones. The LXX, however, magnifies Christ by saying “he will will cause many to inherit,” meaning his people, and give us that which formerly belonged to the mighty who have been defeated, meaning Satan and his minions. I much prefer the LXX here.

The MT and LXX agree in remainder of the verse

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV) 

6 We all have been misled like sheep; each person was misled in his own path, and the Lord handed him over for our sins. Isaiah 53:6 (LES2) 

I find this verse extremely interesting. The MT says we sheep have “gone astray,” but the LXX says we have been “led astray” or “misled.” The Greek word used for “misled” is planao, which means to “deceive” or “wander.” We get our English word for “planet” from it. Originally what we call planets were called wandering stars or planetes asteres in Greek. Isn’t interesting that every time a person calls the earth a planet, it is the same as saying the earth is a deception? 

Satan appeared to Eve in the form of a talking serpent and misled her to disbelieve God’s Word and choose to give allegiance to him by obeying his voice instead of God’s. The essence of sin is going our own way instead of being loyal to God. And we do that as a consequence of being misled and believing a lie. All sin is rooted in deception.

The MT next says that “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” This could be also translated, “has caused him to encounter our sins.” The LXX says the “the Lord handed him over (Greek – paradidomai) tor our sins.”  Both are true.

The idea of our sins being “laid on” Jesus hearkens back to the Old Testament practice of laying hands on a sacrifice so that the sins of the offerer became identified with the offering. This also happened for our benefit to Jesus. Paul wrote:

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) 

Regarding the LXX, interestingly, the NT speaks of Jesus being “handed over.” The same Greek verb, paradidomai, is used in the following verses. In these cases the word is translated as “delivered.”

1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Matthew 27:1–2 (NKJV) 

15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. Mark 15:15 (NKJV) 

Isaiah’s prophecy, both in the MT and in the LXX, was perfectly fulfilled by Christ. In this case, both versions have something to tell us. 

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV) 

7 And because he was afflicted, he does not open his mouth; like a sheep is led to slaughter, and like a lamb is voiceless before the one who shears it, so he does not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (LES2) 

In the first part of this verse,  these two translations are essentially the same, except that the LXX and MT reverse the order of sheep and lamb. I tend to go with the MT on this one because John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb or God.” 

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 (NKJV) 

Jesus, the Lamb of God, was led to the slaughter on the cross for the sins of the world (Greek – cosmos), not just for the Jewish people. God’s plan included the nations from the start. Including the nations was not some after thought or “parenthesis.”

On the side of the LXX, we who believe in Christ are his “sheep.” We too may be “led to the slaughter”  for our testimony to Christ. (Romans 8:36) In this sense, the LXX could be a reference to the church’s laying down its life for Christ. Just a thought.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. Isaiah 53:8 (NKJV) 

8 His judgment was taken away in humiliation; who will describe his family? For his life was taken from the earth; he was led to death because of the lawless acts of my people. Isaiah 53:8 (LES2) 

The MT says, “He was taken from prison and judgment.” The LXX has, “His judgment was taken away in humiliation.” Once again, both seem to be true. Jesus may not have been literally in prison, but he was in the custody of the soldiers and the high priest. Righteous judgment was taken from him. He was publicly humiliated, according to the LXX, which is a recurring theme in that version of Isaiah. 

Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin was a travesty and a mockery. When he stood before Pilate, having been scourged, which was in itself extremely humiliating, the procurator said, “Behold the man.”  Jesus was paraded in front of the crowd in the most humiliating fashion. That same crowd demanded his crucifixion. They rejected our Lord as their Messiah preferring a murderer named Barabbas. Imagine the humiliation for the Creator – Redeemer – Sustainer – Lord ! 

Both the MT and LXX ask the question, “who will declare his generation” or “who will describe his family.” Because he was “cut off from the land or the living” or “his life was taken from the earth,” he had no natural progeny. This question will later be answered after the resurrection when those who believe on him are “born again” into God’s family, creating a new version of humanity. Jesus was the “second” or “last” Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:45)

The last part of the verse in the MT reads, “For the transgressions of my people he was stricken.” The LXX puts it this way, “he was led to death because of the lawless acts of my people.”  Luke records the following.

26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. Luke 23:26 (NKJV) 

In my estimation, this verse goes to the LXX.

9 And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Isaiah 53:9 (NKJV) 

9 And I will give the wicked in place of his tomb, and the wealthy in place of death, because he committed no lawlessness, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9 (LES2) 

The wording of the first part of this verse is difficult in the LXX. Brenton’s translation put it as follows: “And I will give the wicked for his burial, and the rich for his death…” The MT is not much better. 

The MT said that Jesus had “done no violence.” The Hebrew word translated as “violence” can also mean “wrong.” The LXX says that Jesus committed no lawlessness.  Both are right, but I tend to like the LXX better. Both agree that Jesus never lied or led people astray.

In conclusion, although both the MT and the LXX offer insights into Christ’s suffering and death in the above verses, I lean toward the LXX on this one, as I do in most instances. 

1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. Isaiah 53:1–2 (NKJV) 

1 O Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 We proclaimed as a child before him, as a root in a thirsty land. He has no appearance or glory. And we saw him, and he had no appearance or beauty. Isaiah 53:1–2 (LES2) 

The MT and LXX perfectly agree on how they translate the first verse, but that synchronicity is short lived. 

The MT says, “He shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground.” The LXX, however, says, “We proclaimed him as a child before him, as a root in a thirsty land.” I have already decided to go with the LXX as a rule, unless I have a good reason not to do so, because it was used by the early church and most often quoted in the NT.  So let’s see what we can make of it in this case.

The Greek word for “proclaimed” is anangello, which means to proclaim or announce. We see the word for angel woven into it. Angels were messengers. What comes to my mind is the announcement of the arrival of the Christ child by the angels the night Jesus was born. (Luke 2:8-12)

Both the MT and LXX speak of our Lord being a root out of dry ground or in a thirsty land. Paul later writes about Christ being the root.

16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11:16–18 (NKJV) 

It is apparent that the root to which Isaiah and Paul both refer is Jesus. Sadly, many Dispensationalists and Christian Zionists teach that the root is Israel, the natural offspring of Abraham, but that is simply another example taking what belongs to Christ and giving it to someone else, in this case to the nation of Israel.

In the MT, the Lord is described as having “no form or comeliness.” The Hebrew word for “comeliness” can also mean splendor, which is more in keeping with the LXX’s “glory.” For the remainder of verse 2, the MT and LXX are in agreement.

3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV) 

3 Instead, his appearance was dishonored and coming to an end among the sons of humans, a human who is in misfortune and who knows how to bear sickness, for his face has been turned back; he was dishonored and was not esteemed. Isaiah 53:3 (LES2) 

The MT, in my opinion, hits the nail on the head with its translation of the first part of verse 3. Jesus was dishonored and rejected because his appearance was not “comely.” His appearance, social status, political disconnectedness, and humility did not fit the profile of a highly esteemed person in the world.

The second part of the verse, which the MT translates as “a man of sorrows,” in the Greek literally means someone who has suffered blows and knows how to carry malakia, a word that means sickness, debility, weakness, or infirmity. The NT says that Jesus purchased our healing through the blows he received during his passion and death.

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV) 

The word for “stripes” in Greek is molops, which means bruise, wale, or wound that trickles with blood.

The MT next says that we hid our faces from him, but the LXX says that his face was turned back or away apparently from  those who observed or mistreated him, or, perhaps, from us in a spiritual sense. This would have been because of the dishonor and shame he endured during his passion and crucifixion. The suffering Jesus experienced was not simply physical. The Creator and Lord was humiliated and put to scorn as he suffered as God’s Lamb. Anyone who has experienced such treatment knows how painful it can be. Nevertheless, Jesus willingly endured it for our sake. His resoluteness and courage had been prophesied.

7 And the … Lord has become a helper to me; on account of this I was not ashamed, but I set my face like a solid rock, and I knew that I would surely not be ashamed. 8 Because the one who justifies me is approaching.  Isaiah 50:7–8a (LES2)

4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4–5 (NKJV) 

4 This one carries our sins and suffers pain for us, and we regarded him as one who is in difficulty, misfortune, and affliction. 5 But he was wounded because of our sins, and he became weakened because of our lawless acts. The discipline of our peace was upon him; by his bruise we were healed. Isaiah 53:4–5 (LES2) 

I have taught and written on the healing ministry of Jesus based on this passage in the MT. The Hebrew says that Jesus carried our sicknesses (Hebrew – choli) and carried our pain or suffering (Hebrew – makob). The verbs are the same ones used later to describe our Lord bearing our sins in verse 12. The divine logic is that Jesus procured our healing as surely as he did our forgiveness. Now let’s see if the LXX supports this view.

Verse 4 in the LXX says that Jesus carries our sins and suffered pain for us. This is quite different. What does the NT say? Matthew quoted Isaiah 53:4 to provide the theology for Jesus’ healing ministry.

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.” Matthew 8:16–17 (NKJV) 

Matthew’s quote agrees with a literal rendering of the MT, rather than the LXX or the traditional English rendering of the MT in many Bible translations, which seems to steer us away from Jesus’ healing ministry. The early church understood Isaiah 53 as the basis for divine healing, and so should we.

This is one of the few times the MT agrees more with the NT than does the LXX; so, what do we do with the LXX’s rendering of this verse? 

I already pointed out that verse 3 in the LXX testifies to Jesus’ healing ministry; so, that is not in question. Verse 5 also supports this – “by his stripes or bruise we were healed,” as corroborated by 1 Peter 2:24. 

Even though the NT usually follows the LXX, which it does 70-80% of the time, this time it does not. I can only conclude that Matthew had another source, perhaps a proto-Masoretic text such as the Great Isaiah scroll found at Qumran, that he chose and which the Holy Spirit confirmed is the word of God. It certainly agrees with the rest of Isaiah 53 and other scriptures. My general rule is to go with the LXX, except when the MT better points to Jesus or is quoted in the NT. 

Moving on, in the second part of verse 4, the MT says, “we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” The LXX reads, “we regarded him as one who is in difficulty, misfortune, and affliction,” making no mention of its being done by God. Nevertheless, I am sure Jesus’ persecutors thought that he was being justly punished by God for his blasphemy, something the Talmud continues to teach. The Greek words literally can also mean, “great trouble, blows, and oppression.”

Next, the MT says he “was wounded (or pierced through – NASB) for our transgressions. The LXX says he was wounded, (literally – traumatized) for our sins. The MT goes on to say that “he was bruised (or crushed) for our iniquities. The LXX says, “he was weakened because of our lawless acts.” Our sin traumatized and weakened our Lord on the cross!

Both the MT and LXX agree that Jesus was chastened or disciplined for our peace. His suffering and death followed by his resurrection earned our justification, which is the source of our peace. (Romans 5:1) This verse in Isaiah concludes with both the MT and LXX agreeing that his stripes or bruises earned our healing. This brings us back to the beginning of this passage and confirms that our physical, emotional, and spiritual healing was provided by what Jesus suffered while making atonement for us.

So far, it seems that this chapter can be best appreciated by combining the insights of the MT and LXX. To my knowledge, this one of the few times that this is the case in all the passages I have compared. Perhaps because this chapter is so pivotal in understanding Jesus’ Lamb of God ministry God did not allow anyone to tamper with or falsify it in any way.

13 Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. 14 Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;  Isaiah 52:13–14 (NKJV) 

13 Look! My child will understand and be raised up and be magnified very much. 14 The way many will be impressed by you, so your appearance will be despised by people and your glory by the people,  Isaiah 52:13–14 (LES2) 

The MT calls this one a servant or slave, but the LXX says he is God’s child. We know now that this passage refers to Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, who indeed served God, but was by identity, God’s beloved Son. (Matthew 3:17, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35, Matthew 17:5)

“Deal prudently” and “understand” mean essentially the same things in Hebrew and Greek, but were translated using different English words.

The MT’s “astonished” means “desolated or appalled.” This is very different from the LXX’s “impressed,” which means “amazed” or “confounded.” Perhaps amazed and confounded could be taken together, but the translator thought impressed worked best. 

The MT says “his visage was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men,” but the LXX says “your appearance will be despised by people and your glory by the people.” Most people who apply this passage to Christ, as it should be, think that the MT refers to the severe beating and other damage done to Christ’s face and body during the scourging and crucifixion. There are numerous references in the gospels to the beating Jesus endured, but I do not know of any NT quotes of this passage from the MT. Perhaps there is one of which I am unaware.

The LXX, on the other hand, focuses on his being despised, something that continues to this day. His name is still used as a common vain expression by those who do not revere him as Lord. His glory as the risen Lord is not recognized or appreciated by the vast majority of humanity.

Another difference in this passage is that the MT talks about Christ in the third person; whereas, the LXX addresses him directly. This is significant. I imagine that as Jesus read these verses, he understood them as a message to him from his Father, not simply a third person description. These seemingly slight changes that the MT makes to the text all add up to a significant tampering with God’s Word, in my opinion. As I wrote before, it might be compared to death by a thousand cuts instead on by one thrust of the sword.

The MT says, “so shall he sprinkle many nations,” which has always been applied to the blood Jesus shed on the cross, which is applied to us for the forgiveness of sins.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 1 Peter 1:1–2 (NKJV) 

The LXX, however, translates this segment as “thus many nations will be “impressed” with him.” The Greek word for impressed means to “wonder” or “marvel.” Whatever causes this wonder and marveling, probably the resurrected glory of our Lord, will cause kings and those in authority to shut their mouths. 

Eventually, at the Second Coming, all people will come to understand who Christ is, the Lord of Glory. 

Perhaps Paul derived the following verse from this verse in Isaiah.

9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10 (NKJV) 

The Greek word that is translated “admired” is thaumazo, the same word used in the LXX, which is translated as “wonder” or “marvel.”  Paul did not pull his theology out of thin air. He was very familiar with the gospel according to Isaiah. The Second Coming will be the event that will cause kings and all people of the earth to be quiet and bow their knee to our Lord.

11 For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:11–12 (NKJV) 

This is a most interesting passage to use to compare the MT to the LXX. Either way we go, both seem to point to Christ, but in a different way. The MT focuses on the Lamb of God ministry; whereas, the LXX focuses on the Lordship of Christ. Both are true, but Christ’s lordship is the claim that is most offensive to the world and which is essential to the gospel message. (Romans 10:9-10)

1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall no longer come to you. 2 Shake yourself from the dust, arise; Sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion! 3 For thus says the LORD: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, And you shall be redeemed without money.” Isaiah 52:1–3 (NKJV) 

1 Awake! Awake, O Zion! Put on your strength, O Zion, and you, Jerusalem, put on your glory, holy city. The uncircumcised and the unclean will not pass through you any longer. 2 Shake off the dust and arise! Sit, Jerusalem! Release the chain from your neck, captive daughter of Zion. 3 Because this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without silver.” Isaiah 52:1–3 (LES2) 

The LXX commands Jerusalem to put on her glory, as opposed to the MT’s “garments.” If garments are taken to mean the righteousness of Christ, the meaning is essentially the same. Instead of saying the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer come to you, the LXX says they will pass through you no longer. Christ calls sinner to come to him and be saved and transformed. When they leave him they are not the same.

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NKJV) 

Jesus would never tell the unsaved to stay away.

31 Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:31–32 (NKJV) 

However, it is true that the unsaved cannot find salvation in old covenant Judaism or the Law. It is only available in Christ. Therefore, sinners will not be drawn to old covenant Israel. Those who are drawn to her are bewitched by legalism. (Galatians 3:1)

The MT says that Jerusalem sold herself, but the LXX says she was sold, presumably by God, as a consequence for her sins. (Isaiah 50:1)

4 For thus says the Lord GOD: “My people went down at first Into Egypt to dwell there; Then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore, what have I here,” says the LORD, “That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail,” says the LORD, “And My name is blasphemed continually every day. Isaiah 52:4–5 (NKJV) 

4 This is what the lord Lord says: “Formerly my people went down into Egypt to dwell there, and they were led to the Assyrians by force, 5 and now why are you here?” This is what the Lord says: “Because my people were taken for nothing, be impressed and wail.” This is what the Lord says: “Because of you my name is always blasphemed among the nations. Isaiah 52:4–5 (LES2) 

There is a big difference between the Assyrians oppressing the Jews without cause and being led them to them by force. I am not quite sure what to make of this. The unsuccessful Assyrian attack upon Jerusalem during Isaiah’s lifetime was in 701 BC. The northern kingdom was defeated and led into captivity before Isaiah’s lifetime. Perhaps that is the reference.

The captivity in Egypt was part of God’s plan to eventually bring them out as a special nation called by God. The later captivities with regard to Assyria and Babylon were due to Israel’s sinful rebellion against God, because of which God’s name was being continually blasphemed among the nations. The MT omits the direct blame on the Jews for this blasphemy. Paul quoted verse 5 as it is written in the LXX.

23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. Romans 2:23–24 (NKJV) 

The way the MT handles this verse is in keeping with other places where it seems to understate Israel’s sin.

6 Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’ ” 7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:6–7 (NKJV) 

6 Because of this, my people will know my name in that day, that I myself am the one who speaks. I am present 7 as an hour upon the mountains, as the feet of one who brings the good news of peace, as the one who brings the good news of good things; for I will make your salvation heard, saying, ‘O Zion, your God will reign!’ ” Isaiah 52:6–7 (LES2) 

The only name under heaven whereby we may be saved is the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12) That day refers to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus the Lord, who liberates sinners from the tyranny of the devil, sin, disease, and death. It could also refer to the day of his resurrection. I believe that verses 6 and 7 refer to Christ bringing the good news of salvation at God’s appointed hour or time, which was beautiful in so many ways. 

11 All things which he made were beautiful in his season… Ecclesiastes 3:11a (LES2) 

When Christ was born at God’s appointed time, the angel announced to the shepherds.

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10–11 (NKJV) 

God’s salvation in Christ has been heard all over the world through Christian evangelists who announce the reign of Christ the Lord. Paul interprets this passage to apply to them.

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” Romans 10:14–16 (NKJV) 

This shows that the Holy Spirit intends for us to apply this passage from Isaiah to Christ and his church. Paul segued into the opening verse of Isaiah 53 at the end of the above passage, which confirms we are not taking this passage out of context.

8 Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, With their voices they shall sing together; For they shall see eye to eye When the LORD brings back Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD has made bare His holy arm In the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:8–10 (NKJV) 

8 For the voice of those who guard you will be lifted up, and with their voice they will be cheerful together, for eyes will look to eyes, when the Lord shows mercy to Zion. 9 Let the deserted places of Jerusalem break forth together with cheer, because the Lord has shown mercy to her and has rescued Jerusalem. 10 The Lord will reveal his holy arm before all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation that is from our God. Isaiah 52:8–10 (LES2) 

The mercy God ultimately showed to Zion was by sending the Messiah and Savior, Jesus. He would have rescued Jerusalem, but the Jews, for the most part, rejected their Messiah, bringing terrible judgment upon them in 70 AD.

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ” Luke 13:34–35 (NKJV) 

As a result of the Jewish rejection of the Messiah, the door of salvation was opened even wider for the nations to avail of what Israel snubbed.

22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.” 26 “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.” 27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. 28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.” 29 And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the LORD of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.” 30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9:22–33 (NKJV) 

Now, some 2000 years later, the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of God in Christ. God will glorify himself in the Israel of God, the church, which is composed of both Jews and Gentiles who have confessed Christ is Lord. (Ephesians 3:21)

4 “Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest As a light of the peoples. 5 My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust. Isaiah 51:4–5 (NKJV) 

4 Listen to me, listen to me, my people, and you kings, give ear to me, because the law will go forth from me, and my judgment as a light to the nations. 5 My righteousness approaches quickly, and even my salvation will go forth as a light, and nations will hope in my strength. Islands will wait for me and will hope in my strength. Isaiah 51:4–5 (LES2) 

Once we understand that the Old Testament scriptures point to Christ rather than to a resurrection of old covenant Israel, our grasp of what they mean will increase. 

God’s people have always been those who relate to him by faith, going all the way back to Abraham and continuing into the New Covenant. (Galatians 3:9) Therefore, when God speaks to his people, he is speaking to those who are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4) The elect in Christ is a nation of kings and priests (1 Peter 2:9). God announces to his people that his justice or judgment will be a light to the nations. We know that refers to Christ, about whom it was said he would be a light to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:47)

The MT gets it wrong by emphasizing judgment instead of salvation. God’s judgment fell on Christ so that those who believe in him will be justified. Instead of the MT’s “My arms will judge the peoples,” the LXX says, “nations will hope in my strength.” The gospel has reached the nations bringing hope to the lost.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished. Isaiah 51:6 (NKJV) 

6 Lift your eyes up to the heavens and look at the earth below, for the heavens will become solid like smoke, and the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who inhabit it will die just like these things, but my salvation will be for eternity, and my righteousness will certainly not come to an end. Isaiah 51:6 (LES2) 

7 “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. 8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation.” Isaiah 51:7–8 (NKJV) 

7 Listen to me, you who know judgment, people of whom my law is in your heart. Do not fear the reproach of humans, and do not be overcome by their contempt. 8 For like a garment it will be eaten up by time, and like wool it will be eaten up by a moth; but my righteousness will be for eternity, and my salvation for generations of generations. Isaiah 51:7–8 (LES2) 

Once again, it is important to discern to whom this passage is addressed. The key is the phrase, “people of whom my law is in your heart.” This can only mean New Covenant believers, about which Jeremiah wrote:

33 “For this is my covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord. “In giving, I will give my laws into their mind, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will become a God for them, and they will become a people for me. Jeremiah 38:33 (LES2) 

To us, God warns and encourages us not to fear reproach and contempt that will come our way from those whose hearts are closed to the gospel. Death will put an end to our persecutors, but God’s salvation never ends.

9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD! Awake as in the ancient days, In the generations of old. Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart, And wounded the serpent? 10 Are You not the One who dried up the sea, The waters of the great deep; That made the depths of the sea a road For the redeemed to cross over? 11 So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 51:9–11 (NKJV) 

9 Awake, awake, Jerusalem, and put on the strength of your arm! Awake as at the start of the day, as the eternal generation. Are you not 10 the one who laid the sea waste, the abundant water of the abyss? Are you not the one who put a way of passage at the bottom of the sea for those who are rescued 11 and for those who are ransomed? For they will be returned by the Lord, and they will come to Zion with cheer and eternal rejoicing, for praise will be upon their head, and cheer will seize them; grief and sorrow and sighing have fled. Isaiah 51:9–11 (LES2) 

Here Jerusalem is called to put on the strength of her arm, which is Christ, who is identified in Isaiah 53 as the “arm of the Lord.”

1 O Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Isaiah 53:1 (LES2) 

The exhortation is to awaken through the new birth, by which believers become part of the “eternal generation,” the new edition of mankind that the Holy Spirit engenders via the new birth – the day that started when Christ rose from the dead, the day of the Lord.

The Israel of God, the church, the one new man in Christ, is this eternal generation, who will be filled with joy because of God’s mercy and love poured out on us.

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:3–5 (NKJV)