Building the city (Isa 61:3-61:4)

“They will be called

Oaks of righteousness.

They will be called

The planting of Yahweh,

To display his glory.

They shall build up the ancient ruins.

They shall raise up the former devastations.

They shall repair the ruined cities.

They shall repair the devastations

Of many generations.”

The goal of this mission was to rebuild Israel. Yahweh would plant trees of righteousness and justice to display his glory. They were to rebuild these ancient ruins. They would repair the many ruined cities. They would repair the former devastations that had been there for many generations.

Good conduct (Isa 58:9-58:12)

“If you remove the yoke

From among you,

Then your light shall rise in the darkness.

If you remove the pointing of the finger,

Then your light shall rise in the darkness.

If you stop speaking of evil,

Then your light shall rise in the darkness.

If you offer your food to the hungry,

Then your light shall rise in the darkness.

If you satisfy the needs of the afflicted,

Then your light shall rise in the darkness.

Your gloom will be

Like the noonday.

Yahweh will guide you continually.

He will satisfy your needs in parched places.

He will make your bones strong.

You shall be

Like a watered garden,

Like a spring of water,

Whose waters do not fail.

Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt.

You shall raise up

The foundations of many generations.

You shall be called

The repairer of the breach,

The restorer of streets to live in.”

Third Isaiah points out how the Israelites could become the light in the darkness. They had to remove the yoke from those around them. They had to stop pointing their fingers in a derisive contemptuous way. They had to stop speaking evil. Instead they should offer their food to the hungry and help the afflicted. Gloom could be turned to a noonday sun. Yahweh would guide them continually as their needs would be satisfied. Their bones would grow strong. They would become like watered gardens or unfailing spring waters. They were to rebuild the ancient ruins, thus becoming the foundation for many generations to come. They will be known as those who repaired the streets after the Exile in Jerusalem.

Eternal salvation (Isa 51:7-51:8)

“Listen to me!

You who know righteousness!

You people!

You have my teaching in your hearts!

Do not fear the reproach of others!

Do not be dismayed

When they revile you!

The moth will eat them up

Like a garment.

The worm will eat them

Like wool.

But my deliverance will be forever.

My salvation is to all generations.”

Again, Second Isaiah asks people, especially the righteous who have his teaching in their hearts, to listen to Yahweh. They should not be afraid of the reproach of others when they are reviled. Forget about that! These revilers would be eaten up like a moth destroys a garment or worms ruin wool. Never fear, the deliverance and salvation of Yahweh is forever into many generations to come.

Long live the king (Ps 72:5-72:7)

“May he live

While the sun endures!

May he live

As long as the moon,

Throughout all generations!

May he be

Like rain that falls on the mown grass!

May he be

Like showers that water the earth!

In his days

May righteousness flourish!

In his days

May peace abound,

Until the moon is no more!”

There is a hope that this king would live as long as there was a sun and a moon in the sky. They wanted the king to live through many generations, much like the English queens, Victoria and the 2 Elizabeth’s. This idealistic king was to be a gentile fertilizer, like rain on freshly cut grass or a shower on the dry earth. He was to flourish with peace until the moon went out of existence. He almost had divine powers, which led to the latter belief in the diving right of kings. They wanted a long life for the king.