Isaiah 51:1-11 runs roughly through the creation week.
The chapter begins with an exhortation to hear the word of Yahweh, the God who spoke the worlds into existence. He reminds Israel of their miraculous birth from the dead rocks, Abraham and Sarah (51:1-2). Evening and morning are the first day.
He promises to comfort Zion and turn her wastelands into gardens that stand between heaven and earth like a firmament (51:2). Evening and morning are the second day.
He calls on Israel again to hear because He sends out His law and justice to the coastlands, to the lands over the sea (51:4-5). For the first time, a section includes with a refrain about Yahweh’s justice and salvation (51:5a). Evening and morning are the third day.
Yahweh points Israel to the sky that will vanish like smoke (51:6), again ending with a refrain about justice and salvation. Yahweh’s salvation will disburse the smoke of the sky and change the frayed garments of the earth. Evening and morning are the fourth day.
Yahweh assures His people that their opponents are not fearsome. They are like garments of wool, food for moths and grubs (51:7-8), swarming things made on the fifth day. Evening and morning are the fifth day.
Yahweh is the divine warrior who slays the dragon and dries the sea, making a way of escape for His new Adamic people, the redeemed who cross from death to life (51:9-10). Evening and morning are the sixth day.
And the seventh day never ends, because the ransomed of the Lord, crowned with joy, shout with everlasting gladness, and chase away sorrow forever (51:11).
