26. Isaiah Chapter Twenty-Six
Isaiah Chapter 26 The first eighteen verses of this chapter consist of the song of the delivered remnant in Israel as they enter upon Millennial peace and blessedness. The whole land is called the land of Judah, in view of the concentration of power and domination in Jerusalem. The strong city is set in contrast to “the city of the nations” (Isaiah 25:3). Israel, redeemed and converted to their Messiah, is “the righteous nation” (Isaiah 26:1-2).
Isaiah 26:3 primarily applies to the members of the redeemed nation. They in their great deliverance will realize the assurance, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace [lit., peace, peace], whose mind is stayed on Thee [or firmly established in Thee]: because he trusteth in Thee.” This is to be enjoyed at all times by those who, instead of being overcome by difficulties or by yielding to the pressure of spiritual foes and human antagonism, put their trust in the Lord, staying their mind upon Him. The peace possessed is not the outcome of mere selfdetermination, it is ministered by the keeping power of the Lord Himself. It is that peace which essentially characterized Christ, and of which He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace [lit., the peace which is Mine] I give unto you.” The experience of this leads the possessor to utter the exhortation, “Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is the rock of ages” (Isaiah 26:4; cp. Isaiah 17:10; Isaiah 30:29, margin: Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:15).
Isaiah 26:5 provides a reason for trusting Him and a proof of His strength, and Isaiah 26:6 tells how He will impart it to His people. Isaiah 26:7 is a further comment on Isaiah 26:4.
God makes smooth the path of His people. Not only so, He imparts His character to them. He is upright; so are they. This is not mere moral rectitude, it is fellowship with Him. This is confirmed in Isaiah 26:8. Israel will have learned to wait for God in the way of His judgments. God rewards the patience of those who, discerning His counsels and purposes, await His time. Their desire is not simply for deliverance, but for the honor of His Name, that is to say, His character, and toward the remembrance of what He has done in the past.
Isaiah 26:9 continues the song of the redeemed remnant. In the night of their tribulation they had desired Him. They had learned to seek Him early, that is, earnestly. This is ever the response of the trusting soul in times of affliction. In the coming judgments of the Day of the Lord the nations that are left will learn righteousness. Yet there will be many who refuse to do so (Isaiah 26:10), and will retain their animosity against the Jews (Isaiah 26:11). The Lord will deal with them in person, and fire will devour the adversaries. The bestowment of peace upon His people will be the consummation of His mercies in accomplishing all their works for them (the same word “for” as in the preceding clause), Isaiah 26:12. In Isaiah 26:13 they review the various tyrants who have oppressed them throughout “the times of the Gentiles,” but the intervention of Christ on their behalf will call forth their praise in ascribing the glory to His Name. While the enemies are overthrown God’s people will be increased. The r.v. gives the correct rendering of the end of Isaiah 26:15 : “Thou hast enlarged all the borders of the land”; (cp. Isaiah 54:2-3). The land allotted to Israel in the Millennium will be extended.
Isaiah 26:16-18 depict the agonies and supplications of the godly in Israel during their time of trouble under the Antichrist, in the realization and acknowledgment of their utter helplessness to deliver themselves or others. Isaiah 26:19 gives the divine promise of the revival of the nation. The word rendered “My dead body” is used in a collective sense (some would therefore render it “my dead bodies”). Israel will, so to speak, be brought to life, as from the dead. At the close of the pouring out of the wrath of God upon the nations under the Antichrist (Revelation 6:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17; Revelation 8:1-13; Revelation 9:1-21; Revelation 10:1-11; Revelation 11:1-19; Revelation 12:1-17; Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 14:1-20; Revelation 15:1-8; Revelation 16:1-21) during the great tribulation, the Lord is coming forth in person to visit the iniquity of the inhabitants of the earth upon them (Isaiah 26:21) for the fulfillment of which see especially Revelation 19:11-21. A place of refuge will be provided for the godly remnant, who will form the nucleus of the redeemed nation (Isaiah 26:20).