Mid-chapter, Isaiah 52, the Prophet has written this little Piece of Beauty: “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!” Verse 7
Israel, after much tribulation, is about to get some good news!
A runner (the pronoun is singular) approaches, bearing news of peace, victory … and (metaphorically) he is said to have “beautiful feet!”
“Good tidings” in Hebrew, the “Gospel” in Greek!
The verb “publisheth” (occurring twice in our little verse, translates a single verb, “shama.” Meaning “to show forth, to sound out, to report, to tell,” even “to noise abroad!”
And “salvation,” spelled “yeshuah” in Hebrew, means “help, deliverance, welfare, health,” but here eternal soul salvation is in view.
The ultimate fulfillment of the verse is, I suspect, during the Millennium. Look at that last clause: “THY GOD REIGNETH!” He is King!
What a precious Passage today.
Earth-shaking, for future Israel, that little remnant in the last days!
The Apostle Paul, also preaching salvation (not for the Jews only this time, but for the Gentiles as well) quotes our Text, as shown below:
“12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? AS IT IS WRITTEN, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:12-15
See the formula? “It is written,” always meaning an Old Testament allusion or quotation is “on the way.”
Then he uses Isaiah 52:7, nearly word for word: “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Wow!
By the way, thank God this morning for the one (or ones) who brought YOU the Message of Salvation!
Their feet too, in the same way, are beautiful!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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