Further prophesy of Judah once they have been taken into Babylonian captivity and then released by the hand of God to return to their land.
Isaiah prophesies for the captive children of God to awake and cloth themselves in strength and beauty. He foresees that there will come a time when no more unclean will invade the city.
Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
Isaiah 52: 2
In verse 3 Isaiah informs them that the Lord said they were sold for nothing and would be redeemed without money.
To me, that means that the Lord is in control. He didn't pay the Babylonians to do His will and He won't pay a ransom to end the captivity. Nations do what He wants because He wants it.
The Lord reflects on Egypt, Assyrian, and now Babylon as oppressors and blasphemers. This is also reflected in Revelation 13.
Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, 'Here I am.'
Isaiah 52: 6
How lovely on the mountains
Isaiah 52:7
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
In this case, immediately, the good new is the fact that the exiles will return to Jerusalem. But Paul refers to this passage in Romans 10 as the good news of the gospel.
This celebration continues in verse 8. the watchmen on the wall in Jerusalem will see them return and shout with joy. Zion will be restored. In verse 9 those in the wastelands of Jerusalem are told to shout with joy at the comfort and redemption of Jerusalem. Verse 10 closes out this paragraph with a summary that the Lord showed His strength in the sight of all nations that the whole world would see his salvation.
Verses 11-12 encourage the remnant to leave Babylon while remaining clean. They won't need to hurry or act as fugitives because the Lord will be their rear guard. (In practical terms, He moved Cyrus to oversee and protect them.)
I'm going to end this post here, and leave 52:13-15 to introduce the next chapter, which is the famous passage on the Suffering Servant.