Introduction: In this chapter, Isaiah 52, God assures Israel that He will redeem them from oppression. He challenges them to awake (verse 1), put on their garments (verse 1), shake themselves from the dust (verse 2), sing together (verse 9), and depart from evil (verse 11). The Lord will soon make them know His name (verse 6). He will make bare His holy arm (verse 10). He will go before Israel and be their rereward (verse 12). Definition: Rereward: is another spelling for rearward and is related to rear guard. Ward is congruent to guard (Acts 12:10). Found six times in scripture: Numbers 10:25; Joshua 6:9, 13; 1 Samuel 29:2; Isaiah 52:12, 58:8. Acts both as a rear guard and as reserve forces. Application: The promise that the Lord will fight for us does not mean that we do not fight (Deuteronomy 3:21-22; 20:1-4). We are in a warfare (1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:18). However, we rest assured that the Lord is our rereward.
What God Does / What a Rereward Does:
- He Guards From Hidden Danger: It protects from attack in the rear Amalek (Deuteronomy 25: 17-19)
- He Supports in Times of Defeat: It enables an orderly retreat Paul (2 Timothy 4:9-17)
- He Strengthens Our Points of Weakness: It plugs up holes in the line The working of Satan (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)
- He Restores Us When We Are Weary: It replaces weary frontline troops (Psalm 23:3; Isaiah 41:10; Galatians 6:9)
- He Turns the Tide of Battle: It gives a push in the heat of the battle (Romans 8:31; 2 Corinthians 2:14)
Conclusion: What kind of battle are you in today? The Lord is your rereward. Will you trust in Him?
