Isaiah 45 - 59: Black sheep & papooses

Isaiah is a loooonnnggg book! At this point, it seems to be veering away from pronouncements of judgment and instead there is a focus on Messianic prophecy and God's goodness.
- Not always obvious:  It's not always clear what God is doing. Sometimes we'll only understand years down the line. "You are a God who works behind the scenes" (Isaiah 45:15).
- Did you know you're a little papoose?  God said, through Isaiah, "I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born" (Is. 46:3-4).
- Why was Israel chosen?  "I'm setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global" (Is 49:6). God's plan is for all people, not just the nation of Israel.
- A promise:  "The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard" (NKJV, Is 52:12).
- Love this:  God compared to a nursing mother in Is 49:15-16. A tender image.
- The man of sorrows: Chapter 53 is probably the most well known and powerful of the OT prophecies about the Messiah. In it, Jesus is called "The Servant."
- Black sheep:  Jesus loves sinners. "He took up the cause of all the black sheep" (Is. 53:12).
- Another promise:  "Salvation is just around the corner!" (Is 56)
- For all people:  "My house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people" (Is 56:6-8). Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is a beautiful Episcopal church and this verse in inscribed in the doorway.
- What matters to God? Is 58:6-9 spells it out.
- The armor of God:  This idea was not unique to the apostle Paul. Isaiah uses this image here, with Jesus donning the armor (Is 59:15-19). "He dressed in Righteousness, put it on like a suit of armor, with Salvation on his head like a helmet, put on Judgment like an overcoat, and threw a cloak of Passion across his shoulders."