Isaiah Chapter 54
1 "Sing, barren, you who didn't give birth; break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn't travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife," says the LORD.
2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations; don't spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left; and your offspring will possess the nations and settle in desolate cities.
4 "Don't be afraid, for you will not be ashamed. Don't be confounded, for you will not be disappointed. For you will forget the shame of your youth. You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of Armies is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of the whole earth.
6 For the LORD has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off," says your God.
7 "For a small moment I have forsaken you, but I will gather you with great mercies.
8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you," says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 "For this is like the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.
10 For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving kindness will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace will not be removed," says the LORD who has mercy on you.
11 "You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colours, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your children will be taught by the LORD; and your children's peace will be great.
14 You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid, and far from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by me. Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you.
16 "Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy.
17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgement. This is the heritage of the LORD's servants, and their righteousness is of me," says the LORD.
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Isaiah Chapter 54 Guide
We now come to the section which deals with the triumphant singing resulting from the work of the Servant of God, and this chapter is the song of assurance. It first sets forth the glorious fact of restoration. The people, forsaken on account of their own sin, are to be restored to the sacred relationship to Jehovah, in which He is the husband. The borders are to be enlarged in order that the growth of the people may find room, and all this because the end of forsaking has come. It must not be forgotten that this song of restoration follows immediately the description of the suffering and triumph of the Servant of God.
The second half of the song describes the glory of restoration. The city is to be rebuilt in material magnificence. Its life is to be conditioned in moral rectitude. The children are to be taught of Jehovah. The civic strength is to be righteousness, and all oppression is to be banished.
Finally, the reconstituted people are to be impregnable. No enemy will be able to gain an a vantage over them, and no weapon formed against them shall prosper.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Isaiah Chapter 54 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The increase of the church by the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles. -- (1-5)
- Its certain deliverance. -- (6-10)
- Its triumphant state is described. -- (11-17)
Verses 1-5
Observe the low state of religion in the world, for a long time before Christianity was brought in. But by preaching the gospel, multitudes were converted from idols to the living God. This is matter of great rejoicing to the church. The bounds of the church were extended. Though its state on earth is but mean and movable, like a tent or tabernacle, it is sometimes a growing state, and must be enlarged as the family increases. But the more numerous the church grows, the more she must fortify herself against errors and corruptions. Thy Maker is thy Husband. Christ is the Holy One of Israel, the Mediator of the covenant made with the Old Testament church. Long he had been called the God of Israel; but now he shall be called the God of the whole earth. And he will cleanse from sin, and cause every true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. We never can enough admire this mercy, or duly value this privilege.
Verses 6-10
As God is slow to anger, so he is swift to show mercy. And how sweet the returns of mercy would be, when God should come and comfort them! He will have mercy on them. God's gathering his people takes rise from his mercy, not any merit of theirs; and it is with great mercies, with everlasting kindness. The wrath is little, the mercies great; the wrath for a moment, the kindness everlasting. We are neither to despond under afflictions, nor to despair of relief. Mountains have been shaken and removed, but the promises of God never were broken by any event. Mountains and hills also signify great men. Creature-confidences shall fail; but when our friends fail us, our God does not. All this is alike applicable to the church at large, and to each believer. God will rebuke and correct his people for sins; but he will not cast them off. Let this encourage us to give the more diligence to make our calling and election sure.
Verses 11-17
Let the people of God, when afflicted and tossed, think they hear God speaking comfortably to them by these words, taking notice of their griefs and fears. The church is all glorious when full of the knowledge of God; for none teaches like him. It is a promise of the teaching and gifts of the Holy Spirit. All that are taught of God are taught to love one another. This seems to relate especially to the glorious times to succeed the tribulations of the church. Holiness, more than any thing, is the beauty of the church. God promises protection. There shall be no fears within; there shall be no fightings without. Military men value themselves on their splendid titles, but God calls them, "Wasters made to destroy," for they make wasting and destruction their business. He created them, therefore he will serve his own designs by them. The day is coming when God will reckon with wicked men for their hard speeches, Jude 1:15. Security and final victory are the heritage of each faithful servant of the Lord. The righteousness by which they are justified, and the grace by which they are sanctified, are the gift of God, and the effect of his special love. Let us beseech him to sanctify our souls, and to employ us in his service.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.