52:11
Salvation is coming has been the theme of this chapter, but that has consequences. “Depart, depart, go out from there. Touch no unclean thing.” They had to leave Babylon. Now Babylon is used as a symbol of the world system, this been most clear on Revelation.Too often people want the benefits of the gospel but want to remain part of the world (we, of course, do remain in the world!). Most obvious example today is people wanting to be Christians, but not wanting to abandon sexual immorality (hetero and homo sexual). Other examples include wanting to continue to be materialistic. The world’s ways are utterly destructive, the gospel call is to turn from our worldly ways, from our own ways, and to turn to God. Unless we do that we cannot know the salvation that is in Christ.
52:12
But how can we leave the world? For the Israelites in Babylon this would seem to present real practical problems. Looked at in the modern context difficulties similar problems can present themselves. What if ones relationship have been all messed up and hideously complex. \What if someone has been involved in some dodgy financial dealings? God promises the Israelites that they will not leave in haste. This would be in contrast to the flight from Egypt. Moreover, this is what happened.Cyrus, who conquered Babylon, allowed the nations to return to their homelands. More generally, the Lord promises to go before us, and to be our rear guard. The Lord is our complete provider and saviour.
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