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Isaiah 59 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
In a beautiful example of what it is like for the Lord to work in a person’s heart, Isaiah speaks directly to the blindness of Israel. In reality, it is the blindness that all of us have experienced. Early in Isaiah 6, before the introduction of Jesus (The Servant), Isaiah is told by God that his message will only contribute to the blindness of his people. There was no spiritual awakening without Christ.
“The people say, “Now we know why God does not save us from those who oppress us. We hope for light to walk by, but there is only darkness, [10] and we grope about like blind people. We stumble at noon, as if it were night, as if we were in the dark world of the dead.”
Isaiah 59:9-10 GNB
Earlier in the chapter, Isaiah stated that God is not powerless to save his people as some might suggest. This question gets asked so often in our modern culture, “How can God allow bad things to happen to good people.” The truth of the Bible is that those “bad things” were caused by sin which is why there aren’t any “good people” (outside of Christ, of course.) And who was it who sinned? It was us.
“In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins.”
Ephesians 2:1 GNB
“So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin.”
James 4:17 GNB
It is sin that has always been the problem. Isaiah lands on the same conclusion here in Isaiah 59.
“LORD, our crimes against you are many. Our sins accuse us. We are well aware of them all. [13] We have rebelled against you, rejected you, and refused to follow you. We have oppressed others and turned away from you. Our thoughts are false; our words are lies.”
Isaiah 59:12-13 GNB
This is the collateral damage of sin. Going back to our sin is like the Israelites wanting to go back to Egypt after the Exodus!
As believers, when we are unrepentant and continue to habitually commit the same intentional sins, the face of God becomes dim. This was illustrated perfectly at the cross. While Jesus was taking the place of sinners and taking on the sin of the world, He cried out, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” The Father’s face was hidden as Jesus became sin.
However, the power to defeat sin is not found in willpower or knowledge. It is found in grace. You and I were destined to be separated from God for eternity and by His grace, He gave His Son in our place. The power of Christ’s love propels us to live in our new identity. We are no longer sinners! We are saved — and now, through the Holy Spirit, we can live like it!
Kinsman-Redeemer
The chapter ends with a look into the future role of Jesus Christ.
““The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression.” This is the LORD’s declaration. [21] “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of your children’s children, from now on and forever,” says the LORD.”
Isaiah 59:20-21 CSB
The Redeemer is sometimes translated as kinsman-redeemer. It’s a deeper topic so if you want to study it more, you can visit GotQuestions.org. Basically, the kinsman-redeemer could act on behalf of a family member who was in trouble or in need. For example, he could buy an Israelite out of slavery, be the “avenger of blood” for a murdered family member, or buy back land that had been taken from the family. In the case of Boaz, he filled the role of kinsman-redeemer in the book of Ruth by taking Ruth as his wife. This was yet another role of the kinsman-redeemer as outlined in Deuteronomy 25.
Christ is the fulfillment of this prophecy. He is our kinsman-redeemer. He has bought us from slavery. He is the only One who can bring justice to the wrongs done to us. The kinsman-redeemer restored what was lost. Jesus did the same.