The Eschatological Sabbath (Isa. 56-57)

Having promised the return from Exile, Isaiah deals with the problem that will follow from the Restoration. Israel – even the righteous remnant – does not have the strength to overcome their enemies. The Restoration is not going to change the basic character of the Exiles.

Therefore Isaiah promises that a Messiah will come – an anointed one – through whom God will establish his kingdom. If Isaiah 1-37 is the Book of the King, and Isaiah 38-55 is the Book of the Servant, then Isaiah 56-66 is the Book of the Messiah, the anointed conqueror who will bring salvation to his people and vengeance to his enemies.

And the Sabbath functions as one of the central themes of this section. Isaiah 56 opens with a blessing upon Sabbath-keepers, and chapter 58 concludes with a call to delight in the Sabbath.

Chapter 61, at the center of the book, proclaims the Jubilee–the year of the Lord's favor –
(the ultimate Sabbath year, according to Leviticus 25).

And chapter 63 speaks again of the "year of redemption," before the whole section concludes in chapter 66:18-24 with the glory of the eschatological Sabbath...