49:8-26

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Israel rebuilt (Isa 49:8-50:3)

Once more God promises the return of the captive Jews to their homeland. God will protect them along the journey and help them as they rebuild their ruined country (Isa 49:8-10).

Whether exiled in Babylon or scattered in other places, the people will return home amid much rejoicing (Isa 49:11-13).

Some of the Jews thought God had forgotten them. God now shows that for him this is impossible (Isa 49:14-16).

Israel will return and rebuild its homeland. Opponents who try to ruin Israel’s work will not be successful and will leave in shame and defeat (Isa 49:17-18).

People born in exile will flock to the rebuilt Jerusalem. The land previously uninhabited and in ruins will become well populated and prosperous again (Isa 49:19-21).

Scattered Jews in other countries will also return, helped by generous aid from the nations among whom they have lived (Isa 49:22-23).

Among the exiles were some who apparently doubted the prophet’s promise of restoration, for Babylon seemed unconquerable. How can a captive people possibly be freed when they are in the grip of such a powerful tyrant (Isa 49:24)?

God replies that he can do it. He reminds the doubting exiles that he is the all-powerful God and Israel’s covenant redeemer. He will crush the Babylonians in a judgment suited to the cruel oppression that they inflicted on their helpless victims (Isa 49:25-26).

Other Jews blamed God for their troubles, as if he had cast them off like a husband who divorces his wife or a father who sells his children to pay off his debts. God replies that they have no evidence to support such an accusation, for he has neither ‘divorced’ them nor ‘sold’ them. Rather their sins are the cause of their troubles (Isa 50:1).

They ignored God when he spoke to them through his servants the prophets. But he still loves them and has the power to save them. Nothing in all creation can withstand his power (Isa 50:2-3).