Isaiah 51:9-16
The Redeemer who acted before will act again.
9 Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh! Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster?
10 Isn’t it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?
11 Those ransomed by Yahweh will return, and come with singing to Zion. Everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who will be made as grass?
13 Have you forgotten Yahweh your Maker, who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth? Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he prepares to destroy? Where is the fury of the oppressor?
14 The captive exile will speedily be freed. He will not die and go down into the pit. His bread won’t fail.
15 For I am Yahweh your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar. Yahweh of Armies is his name.
16 I have put my words in your mouth and have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and tell Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”
The Redeemer who acted before will act again.
To answer the cry for divine intervention by reaffirming the LORD’s past deliverance and present covenant authority.
In the context of exile and longing for deliverance, the people appeal to God's past acts as the basis for hope in present circumstances.
The LORD Comforts Zion and Calls His People to Awake
The LORD comforts Zion by grounding her future restoration in his covenant faithfulness, eternal salvation, sovereign power, and removal of wrath from his afflicted people.