Isaiah 52:15, commentary and pictures

So shall he sprinkle many nations belongs to the prophecies pointing to Christ's first appearing and His true mission as Messiah. It directs attention to the humiliation of His first advent, which was overlooked while the glory and exaltation belonging to His second coming was expected. The chapters to which it belongs show that fallen, sinful humanity has been furnished with a life-giving Saviour. They reveal the only hope of a life that measures with the life of God.

The servant is Christ marred more than the sons of men, seen in His humiliation and suffering in the mock trial and scourging and on the cross with nails through His hands and feet while opposers mock Him. Many not yet identified with Him witnessed what happened, and the scene remained in the minds of those familiar with Scripture. To sprinkle many nations means to bring sacrificial cleansing and blessing to many nations, not to the Jewish people only. It fulfills the sacrificial type in which the high priest cast the sacrificial blood toward the sanctuary seven times to express perfection. As both High Priest and Victim, wearing spotless robes of righteousness, Christ gave His life for the world and presented the virtue of His offering toward the Holy Place, reconciling humanity to God through the blood of the cross.

The promise of reaching many nations was fulfilled as witnesses of the crucifixion told others what they had seen and reports of His death spread. The reports convicted even opposers and moved many to search the Scriptures and be converted, with converts carrying the account to others. The scene of Christ's suffering also reveals what humanity does under Satan's rule and what his government would produce. Kings shutting their mouths means rulers silenced in astonishment before Him. Nations and kings see and consider and understand what had not previously been told, heard, revealed, or understood, pointing to the wider revelation of Christ.

Reaching many nations means the conversion of souls, so the verse requires missionary work. It requires that no money be spent needlessly but be used to convert souls, because there is use for all means to that end. This includes earnest labor for cities close at hand which, if they receive that labor, will come to the knowledge of the truth. Because God's work in Christ was a gift and a freewill offering, the verse requires everyone to take right views of Scripture and not stand aside to let others do the work, but to come into line and act a personal part, with reward according as work is done.

As part of the prophecies of Isaiah 52, 53, and 54 regarding Christ's work, the verse is to be studied now as a help and blessing. At a time when the liberty of the church is endangered and oppression of the church by transgressors of the Sabbath threatens, it calls for true missionary work in public ministry and house-to-house labor with assurance of God's victory and nothing to discourage. If aroused to do this God-given work, the truth will be presented in neglected cities in clear, distinct lines and in the power of the Spirit. The efficacy of Christ's grace will be seen, selfishness will be separated from lives, watchmen on the walls of Zion will be wide-awake and arouse others, and workers will see eye to eye. The arm of the Lord seen in Christ's life will be revealed, decided changes will be made, confidence will be restored, and there will be unity in the churches.