39:21-24
The nations will receive punishment from God. The nations will also understand what God was doing with Israel. They went into exile because God was punishing them for their sins against Him. It was not because of their military strength that Assyria and Babylon were able to triumph. God deals with people and nations according to their deeds. That was why He hid his face from them, i.e. He did not answer their cries of distress.
39:25-29
But now He would restore the fortunes of Jacob. He would show compassion to Israel and be zealous for His Name. Note that the two go together. Israel had been sinful and faithless, but she would forget these times. There will be a transformation. Indeed God will be proved holy through them, in the sight of the nations. They would be the witness that they were always meant to be. They will realise their sinfulness, they will know that the Lord is God, they will be completely restored by the Lord, and He will pour out His Spirit upon them. Here we have a pretty good summary of the gospel.
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