Just going from the bible. Not going outside "of that book". The context of the the verses in Chap 53 1-12 are speaking about the redemption ( possibly a future redemption of the nation of Israel )
Most kindly review the data below. I think you will find that there is good solid evidence below that the book of Isaiah is speaking about the nation of Israel.
My question to you is:
Why does there have to be 1 meaning to these verses? Why does it have to be either Israel **or** your Jesus Christ?
If Isaiah's audience is Jewish people that lived at the time when these words were spoken, then it makes sense that Isaiah is speaking about the nation of Israel.
If Isaiah's audience is future Christians, and Isaiah is speaking prophetically, then almost anything is possible. And I can imagine many messianic belief systems will find support in the book of Isaiah.
Why does it have to so black and white? Why can't the verses mean different things to different people?
(Note: if you want to continue the discussion of the verses which you presented that you claim disqualify Israel as the subject of these verses, please let me know.)
agreed.
the "outstretched arm" is a very common phrase used among Jewish people when speaking about the redemption from Egypt. I have attached the biblical sources to show that the word used in Isaiah matches the word used in Exodus and Deuteronomy.
If Isaiah's audience is Jewish people; then the "arm" anthropomorphism is likely a throw-back to the verses in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Isaiah is reminding the Jewish people how they became a nation. They became a nation from the Exodus. They were slaves; G-d redeemed them; They can be redeemed again.
If Isaiah's audience are future Christians and Isaiah's words have double meaning ( an idea which has merit, IMHO ) then anything's possible. There's a lot that can be inferred, especially after the fact, by what Isaiah is saying.
Exodus 6:6
View attachment 28213
Deuteronomy 26:8
View attachment 28214
Isaiah 52:10
View attachment 28215
Isaiah 53:1
View attachment 28216
View attachment 28218
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The above shows that the same word for "arm" used in Isaiah is used in Exodus and Deuteronomy referring to the redemption of the nation of Israel.
This is further supported by the previous chapter, 52, which is much more prophetic, IMHO, because the verses are written speaking about the future. See below:
Isaiah 52:1
"Awake, awake, O
Zion! Clothe yourself in splendor; Put on your robes of majesty,
Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall never enter you again.
Arise, shake off the dust, Sit [on your throne],
Jerusalem! Loose the bonds from your neck, O captive one, Fair
Zion!
For thus said the LORD: You were sold for no price, And shall be
redeemed without money.
For thus said the Lord GOD: Of old,
My people went down To Egypt to sojourn there; But Assyria has robbed them, Giving nothing in return.
What therefore do I gain here? —declares the LORD— For My people has been carried off for nothing, Their mockers howl —declares the LORD— And constantly, unceasingly, My name is reviled.
Assuredly, My people shall learn My name, Assuredly [they shall learn] on that day That I, the One who promised, Am now at hand.
How welcome on
the mountain Are the footsteps of the herald Announcing happiness, Heralding good fortune, Announcing victory, Telling
Zion, “Your God is King!”
Hark! Your watchmen raise their voices, As one they shout for joy; For every eye shall behold The LORD’s return to
Zion.
Raise a shout together, O ruins of
Jerusalem! For the LORD will comfort His people, Will
redeem Jerusalem.
The LORD will bare His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, And the very ends of earth shall see The victory of our God.
Turn, turn away, touch naught unclean As you depart from there; Keep pure, as you go forth from there, You who bear the vessels of the LORD!
For you will not
depart in haste, Nor will you
leave in flight; For the LORD is marching before you, The God of Israel is your rear guard.
Indeed, My servant shall prosper, Be exalted and raised to great heights.
Just as the many were appalled at him— So marred was his appearance, unlike that of man, form, beyond human semblance—
Just so he shall startle many nations. Kings shall be silenced because of him, For they shall see what has not been told them, Shall behold what they never have heard.”
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What is Isaiah speaking about?
Jerusalem.
Zion.
Past Redemption ( in haste, in flight ) from Egypt
A Future Redemption of the Jewish People
The context of 53 seems clear to me. Please correct me if I am wrong. Isaiah Chapter 53 is speaking about the nation of Israel.
It is hard for me to believe that Jesus Christ is a perfect fit for these verses. The Nation of Israel is a much better fit considering the verses immediately preceding it.
( note to
@rosends, thank you for pointing out that the chapter breaks were added after. This lends even more support that the verses I am speaking about labeled Chap 52 lead directly into the verses labeled Chap 53. )
Edit: the green box on the Deut 26:8 reference is not correct... the green box is surrounding the word "chazakah" in error... sorry...