Isaiah 50 & 51

I was reading from Isaiah this morning 50 and 51. It talks about Israel's sin and the servant's obedience. 51 is about an everlasting salvation for Zion. 50:6 is a verse that seems to be ahead of its time. Like an idea of the new testament...

I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.

This verse shows God's unchanging heart. God reveals Himself differently through the new and old testament, but Scripture says that He is unchanging. He is just and loving and faithful and that does not change. Here are a few verses from 51: 3-7

The LORD will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the LORD.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

4 "Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
The law will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.

5 My righteousness draws near speedily,
my salvation is on the way,
and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
and wait in hope for my arm.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
my righteousness will never fail.

7 "Hear me, you who know what is right,
you people who have my law in your hearts:
Do not fear the reproach of men
or be terrified by their insults

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Of everything I read this morning, this is my most favorite verse:

The ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away. -Isaiah 51:11