This section of Isaiah describes a time in Babylon when the Persian ruler Cyrus is about to conquer the Babylonians and fortunately Cyrus’ policy is to allow exiled populations to return home. Cyrus is the “anointed one” and “whose right hand he will empower.” I, the Lord, “will rise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose and will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people - without seeking reward!”

Isaiah is encouraging the people that Babylon will fall and assuring the people. “At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you... Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again.”

Isaiah then foretells of Jesus’ coming. “Yet it was our weakness he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep have strayed away. We have left God’s path to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all”

Isaiah then goes on again to encourage the people by telling them “For the Lord has called you back from your grief... For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back. In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while. But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you”. God once again will allow his people to live in “joy and peace”.

Oh what encouragement that must have been for the people who had been exiled from their land and homes, and watched the temple be destroyed along with everything else they had!

Have a blessed week!