Isaiah 49:24 - Meaning and Application

Here is, first, an objection raised against the promise that the Jews would be freed from captivity in Babylon. It seemed impossible, because they were a prey in the hand of the mighty, in the hands of the strongest rulers on earth, so rescue by force did not seem likely. But there was more. They were lawful captives, because they had offended against God and were justly handed over to captivity, and by the law of nations they were also rightfully held as prisoners of war until they were ransomed or exchanged.

This may be spoken either by the enemies or by the friends of the captives. The enemies may say it to excuse their refusal to let the people go. They claimed both strength and right, as proud people often do, thinking that whatever they can seize is their own, and that power makes title. Or it may be the voice of the friends, either in doubt, because they cannot see how anyone could deal with such captors, or in wonder, because they cannot believe such a rescue is possible. "Who would have thought that the prey could be taken from the mighty? Yet it has happened."

This fits our redemption through Christ. In relation to Satan, we were a prey in the hand of the mighty, yet we were rescued from the one who had the power of death by the One who has the power of life. In relation to God's justice, we were lawful captives, yet we were redeemed at a price beyond measure. Redemption means being bought back or set free by payment.

The objection is answered by a clear promise, and then by another promise that explains how God will do it. Since all God's promises are yes and amen, they fit together and strengthen one another. Here is the first promise, with a strong "even so" against the enemy's strength (Isaiah 49:25). "Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away," and it will do no good for the mighty to resist. "The prey of the terrible will be delivered," and they will not be able to stop it, either by force or by proud refusal. The Lord says this, and he has all power and all hearts in his hand, so he is able to keep his word.

Here is the further promise, showing how God will bring about the rescue. He will bring judgment on the oppressors, and by that he will save the oppressed. "I will fight against the one who fights against you, and I will plead your cause against those who justify themselves in oppressing you." Whoever it is, even one person, who opposes you will learn that he does so at his own peril, and in this way God will save your children. The captives will be delivered by leading captivity captive, that is, by sending into captivity those who had held God's people captive (Revelation 13:10).

More than that, they will have blood for blood (Isaiah 49:26). "I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they will be drunk with their own blood." The proud Babylonians will become an easy prey to one another, and even a willing one. God will send division among them, and their ruin, which began with foreign invasion, will be finished by their own fighting. They will bite and devour one another until they are consumed. They will greedily tear at their own flesh and blood.

God can make the oppressors of his church become their own tormentors and destroyers. The Babylon of the New Testament, having made herself drunk with the blood of the saints, will be given blood to drink, for she is worthy. See how cruel people can be to themselves and to each other. Those who are cruel to others often end up being cruel to themselves, because God's justice and human revenge will repay them what they gave. They do not just long for blood, they drink it so eagerly that they become drunk with it, as if it were sweet wine. If God did not show sinners more mercy than they would show one another when their passions are unchecked, the world would quickly become a field of slaughter, and even worse, a place of total ruin.

The effect of Babylon's fall will be this: all flesh will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior. God will make it clear to the whole world that, even if Israel seems lost and cast off, they still have a Redeemer. Though they are made a prey to the mighty, Jacob has One who is mighty, and able to deal with all his enemies. God means, through the deliverances of his church, both to make his name known and to make it great.