Isaiah 52:12

“For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight, &c.] As persons afraid of their enemies, of being pursued, overtaken, and detained by them; privily or by stealth, like fugitives, as the Oriental versions render it; in like manner as the Israelites went out of Egypt: but it signifies, that they should go out openly, boldly, quietly, and safely, and without fear of their enemies; yea, their enemies rather being afraid of them. So the witnesses, when they shall rise, will ascend to heaven in the sight of their enemies; which will be followed with a great slaughter of some, and the terror of others, (<661112>Revelation 11:12,13): for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will…”

“not . . . with haste--as when ye left Egypt (Exo 12:33, Exo 12:39; Deu 16:3; compare Note, see on Isa 28:16). Ye shall have time to cleanse yourselves and make deliberate preparation for departure. Lord--Jehovah, as your Leader in front (Isa 40:3; Exo 23:20; Mic 2:13). rereward--literally, "gather up," that is, to bring up the rear of your host. The transition is frequent from the glory of Messiah in His advent to reign, to His humiliation in His advent to suffer. Indeed, so are both advents accounted one, that He is not said, in His second coming, to be about to return, but to come.”

“For ye shall not go out with haste - As if driven out, or compelled to flee. You shall not go from Babylon as your fathers went from Egypt, in a rapid flight, and in a confused and tumultuous manner (see Deuteronomy 16:3). The idea here is, that they should have time to prepare themselves to go out, and to become fit to bear the vessels of the Lord. It was a fact that when they left Babylon they did it with the utmost deliberation, and had ample time to make any preparation that was necessary. For the Lord will go before you - Yahweh will conduct you, as a general advances at the head of an army. The figure here is taken from the march of an army, and the image is that of Yahweh as the…”

“Not by flight - But securely, and in triumph, being conducted by your great captain the Lord of hosts. Rereward - So that none shall be able either to oppose you in your march, or to fall upon you in the rear. Isaiah 52:13”

“52:12 not leave in a hurry: At the time of the Exodus the people had to leave quickly (see Exod 12:11, 31-36). Isaiah drew this contrast to emphasize the newness of God’s plan. • protect you from behind: See Exod 13:21; 14:19-20.”

“ye shall: Isa 28:16, Isa 51:14; Exo 12:33, Exo 12:39, Exo 14:8 for: Isa 45:2; Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Exo 14:19, Exo 14:20; Deu 20:4; Jdg 4:14; Ch1 14:15; Mic 2:13 the God: Isa 58:8; Num 10:25 be your rereward: Heb. gather you up Isaiah 52:13”