26:13
There were many times when Israel was ruled by other nations. Isaiah says “lords other than You have ruled over us”. This is perhaps a reflection of the belief that there were “principalities and powers” associated with nations. So when another nation ruled over them, they were being ruled over by another “god”. Despite being ruled over by others, they remembered God’s name alone. These other gods never won the allegiance of Israel. Isaiah here is talking on behalf of the faithful, for much of Israel sought to worship any god but the one True God.
26:14
All Israel’s enemies would be completely destroyed, never to rise again. Not even to be remembered again. We need to realise that the complete destruction of the wicked, of the enemies of God, is an essential part of the gospel, of the Biblical revelation. We find this throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
26:15
Isaiah is looking ahead into the distant future. While Israel was often belittled, and belittled by the Lord Himself, the ultimate destiny is that she will be increased, she will be enlarged. and it is the Lord who enlarges her. Often she had brought disgrace upon the Lord by her idolatry, but in the end the Lord will be glorified within Israel. We can apply the same to the church. So often we have been a disgrace to the Lord, but it is within the church that the name of the Lord will be glorified.
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