Isa 26.1-21 describes the kingdom of the Messiah and the messianic reign of Yeshua. But it also alludes to the birth-pains in a chiastic structure from Isa 26.1 through 27.13. It gives us a picture of the theme of the entire book of Isaiah. It will be very similar to Rev 14 and Rev 19 in its eschatological implications. We will present Isa 26 and 27 in its prophetic sense which will give us an overview of the concepts related to Rosh Ha Shanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
v 1…In that day (the day of the Lord when Messiah comes) this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city (Jerusalem-Psa 149.1; Rev 21.2); he sets up walls and ramparts for security (Hebrew “Yeshua” or salvation).
v 2…Open the gates (an idiom for Rosh Ha Shanah-John 14.1; Zeph 2.1-3; Psa 27.5; Rev 4.1. God is “open” for repentance on Rosh Ha Shanah) that the righteous nation (Israel/kahal/assembly) may enter (this alludes to the Natzal/rapture/gathering on Rosh Ha Shanah, year 6001 from creation), the one that remains faithful (Hebrew “emunim” and related to “emunah” or faith, confidence, action).
v 3…The steadfast of mind thou wilt keep in perfect peace (shalom) because he trusts in thee (the first three verses here are similar to Isa 57.1-2 when compared).
v 4…Trust in Yehovah forever, for in God (Yah) the Lord (Yehovah), we have an everlasting rock (the Targum reads, “Through the awesome might of Yehovah you will find salvation”).
v 5…For he has brought low those who dwell on high (spiritual wickedness in high places-Eph 6.12), the unassailable city (can allude to spiritual Babylon-Rev 17-18; the stronghold of those who oppose God); he lays it low, he lays it low to the ground, he casts it to the dust (utter destruction).
v 6…The foot will trample it, the feet of the afflicted, the steps of the helpless (the righteous-Mal 4.3).”
v 7…The way of the righteous is smooth (no obstacles); O upright One (God), make the path of the righteous level (so as not to stumble-Jer 31.9).
v 8…Indeed, the way of thy judgments, O Lord (Yehovah-Rosh Ha Shanah is also a Yom Ha Din or day of judgment), we have waited for thee eagerly; they name (his nature, perfections, will), even thy memory (Rosh Ha Shanah is also called Yom Ha Zikkaron or “day of remembrane”) is the desire of our souls.
v 9…At night (literal or spiritual) my soul longs for thee, indeed, my spirit within me seeks thee diligently (eagerly); for when the earth experiences thy judgments (especially in the birth-pains) the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (the people are Torah observant; the purpose of the birth-pains).
v 10…Though the wicked is shown favor (in this life for now), he does not learn righteousness (he doesn’t turn and repent), he deals unjustly in the land of unrighteousness, and does not perceive the majesty of Yehovah (his mind is corrupt).
v 11…O Lord, thy hand is lifted up yet they do not see it (that it is his hand-Psa 28.5). They see the zeal for the people and are put to shame (envious, disgraced). Indeed, fire (wrath) will devour thine enemies.
v 12…Lord, thou wilt establish peace for us, since thou hast also performed for us all our works (by sanctification in a believer’s life).
v 13…O Lord our God (Yehovah eloheynu), other masters (“baalim” meaning Assyria, Babylon, and later Greece, Rome and eventually the False Messiah) besides thee have ruled over us; but through thee alone we confess thy name (make mention of it, be subject to you).
v 14…The dead will not live (to their former power), the departed spirits will not rise (in this life to rule); therefore thou hast punished and destroyed them (what happens to God’s enemies), and thou hast wiped out all remembrance of them (they are utterly destroyed, especially when Yeshua returns-Rev 19.18).
v 15…Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord (Israel/kahal/assembly of God), thou hast increased the nation, thou art glorified (by this mercy); thou hast extended all the borders of the land (of the righteous nation in the Messianic Kingdom).
v 16…O Lord, they sought thee in distress (a term for the birth-pains and time of Jacob’s trouble-Hos 5.15; Jer 30.1-8; Zeph 1.15-17; Pss 27.5; 1 Thes 5.1-3; Matt 24.8); they could only whisper a prayer (in secret, dejected), your chastening was upon them (not punishment, but a fatherly correction).
v 17…As the pregnant woman approaches the time to give birth (the birth-pains), she (Israel) writhes and cries out in her labor pains (Isa 13.6-9; Rev 12.2; 1 Thes 5.3; Isa 66.7-9; Mic 4.10), thus we were before thee, O Lord (Yehovah).
v 18…We were pregnant (in trouble, with hope and expectations), we writhed in labor, we gave birth, as it were, only to wind (they expected something and got nothing), we could not accomplish delivery (salvation) in the earth nor were inhabitants of the world born (without the power of God nobody can be saved or born again).
v 19…Your dead shall live (Israel/kahal as a nation by the power of God in the birth-pains. This also alludes to the resurrection of the dead), with my dead body their corpses will arise (by the power of Yehovah they will be delivered-1 Thes 4.13-18; 1 Cor 15.50-51; Job 14.11-15, 19.25-26). You who lie in the dust, awake (a Rosh Ha Shanah term and associated with that festival. Paul quotes this verse and this can apply spiritually-Isa 51.9, 17, 52.1; Eph 5.14-17) and shout for joy, for your dew (alludes to the resurrection and teaching-Deut 32.1-2; Mic 5.7) is as the dew of the dawn (on the herbs bringing them to life again), and the earth will give birth (resurrection) to the departed spirits (this also alludes to the Natzal/rapture on Rosh Ha Shanah. The believers who are alive will join those who have died to go to the coronation and wedding of the Messiah in heaven. These two issues are major themes of Rosh Ha Shanah. This festival is also called Yom Ha Zikkaron or “remembrance) and the “last trump”-1 Thes 1.10; Psa 27.3; Zeph 2.1-3; 1 Thes 4.13-18; 1 Cor 15.50-51).
v 20…Come my people, enter into your rooms (Hebrew “chedar” and a wedding chamber-this is the Natzal/rapture/gathering-Psa 27.5; Isa 26.2; Zeph 2.3; Isa 57.1-2; Isa 13.2; 2 Thes 2.1-3; Rev 4.1) and close your doors behind you (the door has been opened to let the righteous nation enter heaven on Rosh Ha Shanah-Rev 4.1; hide for a little while (seven years) until indignation (the birth-pains) runs its course (“passes over”-a specific time period of 2520 days).
v 21…For behold, Yehovah is about to come out of his place (heaven-the believer went in on Rosh Ha Shanah-Hos 5.15 through 6.3) to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; and the earth will reveal her bloodshed (murders) and will no longer cover her slain (everything will now be laid open before Yehovah. Isa 26.20-21 clearly teaches the natzal or “rapture” in the day of the Lord and before the birth-pains begin).
Leave a Reply