Isaiah 51:1-23

51:1-2 | The prophet sought to convince his fellow exiles of the coming deliverance. The reference to Abraham and Sarah recalls the covenant promises that God made to Abraham, including His promise to give Abraham’s descendants the land (Gen. 12:1-2) by releasing His people from exile. Just as God gave life to Sarah’s barren womb and produced a great nation of Abraham’s seed (increased him), now He would perform a similar miracle with the forlorn exiles (Heb. 11:11).

51:9-11 | While Israel was in exile, it appeared that God was asleep (Ps. 44:23). This verse describes Him as awaking and putting on His strength (the arm of the LORD) in preparation for releasing His chosen people from captivity (Ex. 6:6; Deut. 4:34; 5:15). Most importantly, God has delivered all of His people in sending His Son to redeem them from the captivity of sin.

51:9-10 | The ancient days refers to the exodus from Egypt. This passage asks God to clothe Himself with the same power that delivered His people from wicked Pharaoh.

51:12-16 | Instead of looking to human deliverers, Israel should look to its Maker. He alone would deliver His beloved from the oppressor.

51:22-23 | God would remove His cup of wrath (trembling and fury) from Israel and place it in the hands of Israel’s tormentors. The Lord was indignant over the way the haughty Babylonians had abused and degraded His people.