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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
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2013 August 1



Triptych: The Holy Visage of Christ (1395-1410)
Master Bertram (c. 1345 - c. 1415)
International Gothic Style
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: The subject of Isaiah 52 is the redemption of his people by one (namely Christ - Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67-68; Matthew 27:27-30; Luke 22:64) whose visage (appearance) was marred beyond recognition. The chapter opens with a call to God's people to clothe themselves in purity and to shake off their captivity (1-2). The LORD tells them that they have sold themselves for nothing; and they will be redeemed without a ransom being paid to their blasphemous captors; and his people will know that it is the LORD who has prophesied these things (3-6). He tells them of his messenger whose feet are beautiful because he comes with good tidings of peace and salvation and of God's kingdom (7). Their watchmen will see it and announce it; and they will rejoice and sing; and all the nations of the earth will see God's salvation (8-10). So, again, they are told to depart from their unclean surroundings, but not with haste, because the LORD will be their rear-guard (11-12). And the LORD's servant (The Messiah) will be exalted; and, as many were astonished at his marred visage, so many will see, and hear, and consider him; and he will sprinkle (cleanse) many nations (13-15).


Isaiah 52

     1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
     3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money. 4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
     7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! 8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
     11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. 12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
     13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: 15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.




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