Isaiah 54 (v4-8)

Having marvelously exalted the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 52:13-63:12) the prophet returns to the forlorn nation to encourage them with His grace.  The illustration of divorce was used earlier (50:1), though it is more than a mere illustration.  This is the relationship of God to Israel, as husband and wife.  Hosea 1-3 expands on this relationship, but nothing is more beautiful than the assurance, “your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name” (v5).  Consider the mercy and grace of God.

·        v1-3: The “forsaken” wife should not be discouraged but should sing.  Though her situation seems dire, the promise is that the woman now desolate (Israel) will have more children than the married woman (perhaps referring in the immediate sense to Israel’s enemies).  The Apostle Paul used v1 in the allegory of Sarah and Hagar in Gal. 4:27.  Isaiah promised salvation not only to Israel but through Israel to the nations.  Among those are the spiritual “sons of Abraham” in the Church (Gal. 4:28-31).

·        v4-8: These words of comfort are summed up in v7: “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you.”  Israel’s faithful Husband says, “with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you” (v8).  God will not go back on His word.

·        v9-10: Israel’s situation is illustrated by what happened in the days of Noah.  There was a flood resulting from God’s judgment.  But then, both in the flood and after, God showed kindness to Noah.  He will not break the covenant of peace by which He will be Israel’s God and Israel His people (Ezek. 37:26f).

·        v11-15: God promises a restoration for Israel that goes far beyond anything she can imagine.  This includes Israel’s material and spiritual blessings.

·        v16-17: No weapon will be able to stand against Israel, a heritage that belongs to the faithful remnant, the LORD’s servants.  

For Israel, what is promised here has not been fulfilled.  The post-exile days were not like this, nor is Israel today seeing this blessing.  For the Church, we have come to experience the spiritual blessings of this covenant of peace which is a reference to the New Covenant.  Later chapters in Isaiah will speak of this covenant which is explained even more fully by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel who prophesied in the actual time of the Babylonian ascendancy.

While Isaiah’s words are in the specific context of Israel, believers today should take great joy in meditating here.  We too know the blessing of the bride who is loved by the Lord (Eph. 5:22-33).  We also have the promise of a “place” prepared for us (John 14:1-3) where we will be able to enjoy fully a relationship with our Lord.  We who were once “children of wrath”, having been saved by grace through faith, know the rich mercy and great love of God (Eph. 2:1-10).  Let us live today in the hope of our faithful God who has given us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.