Isaiah 52:13-15 - Exposition

PRELUDE TO THE " GREAT PASSIONAL ." It is generally allowed by modern commentators that this passage is more closely connected with what follows it than with what precedes. Some would detach it altogether from Isaiah 52:1-15 . and attach it to Isaiah 53:1-12 . But this is not necessary. The passage has a completeness in itself. It is a connecting link. The exaltation of Israel, the collective "Servant of the Lord" ( Isaiah 44:1 , Isaiah 44:21 ), brings to the prophet's mind the exaltation of the individual " Servant " ( Isaiah 42:1-7 ; Isaiah 43:10 ; Isaiah 49:1-12 ), through which alone the full exaltation of Israel is possible. He is bound to complete his account of the individual " Servant " by telling of his exaltation, and of the road which led to it. This is done in Isaiah 53:1-12 ; in what has been called the " Great Passional. " But the " Great Passional " needs a " prelude ," an "introduction,'' if only as indicative' of its greatness. And this prelude we have here, in these three verses, which briefly note