Isaiah 52

“‘So now what have I here’ – the Lord’s declaration – ‘that My people are taken away for nothing? Its rulers wail’ – the Lord’s declaration – ‘and My Name is continually blasphemed all day long. Therefore, My people will know My Name; therefore they will know on that day that I am He who says: Here I am.’  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”  Isaiah 52:5-7 (HCSB)

Chapter 52 begins with a repetition of the cry to awaken. God throws back at Israel her own cry (51:9), repeating the same words. Zion, God’s people, is in danger. She is drunk with her sins. Foreigners (the uncircumcised) are at present occupying the streets of Jerusalem. But all of this will change. (52:1)  She is to arise and sit up in a dignified royal manner. (52:2)  Zion will be redeemed; God has promised it.  They have not been sold for money. God owes no one anything in Zion’s redemption. (52:3)  He is a debtor to no one. (50:1)  God’s saving work is to glorify his own name.

“Therefore My people will know My Name; therefore they will know on that day that I am He who says: Here I am.”  Isaiah 52:6 (HCSB)

Peter uses the same analogy:

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

Or how about the words of Paul?

“They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24 (HCSB)

Put simply, Israel did not fall into captivity because God owed some foreign god a debt. They were taken into captivity because they transgressed against the Lord. Furthermore, nobody has helped God in His act of deliverance. God does not owe any mention to the merits of men: He alone saves!

The way of salvation is being made clear, and all mankind should take note of it. It is not exclusive to any particular ethnic group; it is free to all who will believe and follow. But it comes exclusively through God’s “Servant” Messiah Jesus.