Isaiah 48:20
Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just a historical directive for the exiles; it's an ecstatic announcement that the earth itself is meant to witness God's power. The command to "declare this with a shout of joy" and "proclaim it to the end of the earth" highlights that Israel's redemption isn't a private matter but a global declaration of the LORD's faithfulness and might.
This passage marks a shift from God's critique of Israel's unfaithfulness to a declaration of His power and faithfulness. After detailing their stubbornness and the resulting exile in Babylon, God now proclaims their impending release and commands them to broadcast this news with great joy throughout the world. This announcement serves as a powerful testament to God's redemptive power, not just for them, but as a preview of the future salvation He will bring.
Imagine the scene: an entire people, weary from exile, are given a startling command. It's not just an order to leave, but an invitation to celebrate their departure!
The prophet Isaiah doesn't just tell the exiles in Babylon to leave; he commands them to do so 'with a voice of singing' and to 'proclaim' it.
A Promise Fulfilled
This wasn't just a suggestion; it was a divinely orchestrated exodus. The command to 'go out' and 'flee' is deeply rooted in the promise of their liberation from Babylonian captivity. It's a moment that calls for exultation because God's faithfulness is on full display.
More Than Just Freedom
The emphasis on 'singing' and 'proclaiming' highlights that this wasn't merely a physical escape, but a spiritual celebration. It’s about shouting God's goodness from the rooftops, declaring that their deliverance is a monumental act of divine power. This joy signifies a turning point, a return to God's favor and their homeland.
Why would a declaration meant for the exiles need to be shouted 'to the end of the earth'? This verse reveals a scope of God's work that transcends national borders.
The command to 'proclaim it' and 'send it out to the end of the earth' is extraordinary. It means that the news of God's redemption of Jacob is not just for the Israelites, but for all nations to hear.
A Global Announcement
This isn't just about a historical event; it's a testimony of God's power and faithfulness that impacts the entire world. It foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, a salvation intended for every tribe and tongue.
The Core Message
The heart of the proclamation is simple yet profound: 'The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob.' This declaration affirms God's sovereign choice and His loving action on behalf of His people. It’s a reminder that God's redemptive plan is active, powerful, and ultimately, universal.
Understand the original words
Babel · Hebrew Proper Noun
A place historically symbolic of idolatry, pride, opposition to God, and the captivity of His people, representing the kingdom of darkness or the world system separated from God.
padah · Hebrew Verb
The act of rescuing or purchasing someone out of bondage, used most significantly to describe God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and later from Babylonian exile, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption in Christ.
This verse is a triumphant call to the exiles to celebrate their imminent or actual return from Babylon. It highlights God's power to deliver His people, even from the mightiest empires, and declares that this salvation is a testament to His faithfulness.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar deports members of the Judean nobility and skilled workers to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the First Temple, and deport a larger segment of the population, intensifying the exile.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Persian tribes and begins his conquests, eventually setting his sights on the Babylonian Empire.
539 BC
Conquest of Babylon by Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, incorporating its vast empire into the burgeoning Persian Empire.
538 BC
This passage also calls for the people to flee from Babylon, highlighting the city's impending judgment and the need for God's people to escape its destruction.
1 Peter 1:18This verse echoes the theme of redemption, emphasizing that believers were redeemed not by temporary things but by the precious blood of Christ, which is a fulfillment of the redemption proclaimed in Isaiah.
Revelation 18:4This passage in Revelation issues a direct command to 'come out of her, my people!' echoing Isaiah's call to flee Babylon, pointing to a future, spiritual redemption from a similar oppressive system.
Psalm 126:2This psalm describes the return from exile with joy and singing, mirroring the 'voice of singing' commanded in Isaiah as the people proclaim their redemption.
Exodus 14:30-31The miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt, resulting in their salvation and fear of the Lord, serves as a foundational example of God's redemptive power that Isaiah's message to 'redeemed Jacob' invokes.
barnesIsaiah 48:20: "Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob."
Go ye forth of Babylon - The prophet now directly addresses those who were in exile in Babylon, and commands them to depart from it. The design of this is, to furnish the assurance that they should be delivered, and to show them the duty of leaving the place of their long captivity when the opp…
wesleyIsaiah 48:20: "Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob."
48:20 Singing - With joy and songs of praise. Declare - Publish God's wonderful works.
This verse isn't just a historical directive for the exiles; it's an ecstatic announcement that the earth itself is meant to witness God's power. The command to "declare this with a shout of joy" and "proclaim it to the end of the earth" highlights that Israel's redemption isn't a private matter but a global declaration of the LORD's faithfulness and might.
This passage marks a shift from God's critique of Israel's unfaithfulness to a declaration of His power and faithfulness. After detailing their stubbornness and the resulting exile in Babylon, God now proclaims their impending release and commands them to broadcast this news with great joy throughout the world. This announcement serves as a powerful testament to God's redemptive power, not just for them, but as a preview of the future salvation He will bring.
This passage marks a shift from God's critique of Israel's unfaithfulness to a declaration of His power and faithfulness. After detailing their stubbornness and the resulting exile in Babylon, God now proclaims their impending release and commands them to broadcast this news with great joy throughout the world. This announcement serves as a powerful testament to God's redemptive power, not just for them, but as a preview of the future salvation He will bring.
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Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking the end of the Babylonian exile. This verse directly addresses this anticipated or actual return.
"Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!”" — This verse isn't just a historical directive for the exiles; it's an ecstatic announcement that the earth itself is meant to witness God's power. The command to "declare this with a shout of joy" and…
