Isaiah 54 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Isaiah 54

The Eternal Covenant of Peace

54:1   “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
    break forth into singing and cry aloud,
    you who have not been in labor!
  For the children of the desolate one will be more
    than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD.
2   “Enlarge the place of your tent,
    and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
  do not hold back; lengthen your cords
    and strengthen your stakes.
3   For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
    and your offspring will possess the nations
    and will people the desolate cities.
4   “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
    be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
  for you will forget the shame of your youth,
    and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5   For your Maker is your husband,
    the LORD of hosts is his name;
  and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
    the God of the whole earth he is called.
6   For the LORD has called you
    like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
  like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
    says your God.
7   For a brief moment I deserted you,
    but with great compassion I will gather you.
8   In overflowing anger for a moment
    I hid my face from you,
  but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
    says the LORD, your Redeemer.
9   “This is like the days of Noah¹ to me:
    as I swore that the waters of Noah
    should no more go over the earth,
  so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,
    and will not rebuke you.
10   For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
  but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
    says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
11   “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,
    behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
    and lay your foundations with sapphires.²
12   I will make your pinnacles of agate,³
    your gates of carbuncles,⁴
    and all your wall of precious stones.
13   All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
    and great shall be the peace of your children.
14   In righteousness you shall be established;
    you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
    and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15   If anyone stirs up strife,
    it is not from me;
  whoever stirs up strife with you
    shall fall because of you.
16   Behold, I have created the smith
    who blows the fire of coals
    and produces a weapon for its purpose.
  I have also created the ravager to destroy;
17     no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
    and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
  This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
    and their vindication⁵ from me, declares the LORD.”

Footnotes

[1] 54:9 Some manuscripts For this is as the waters of Noah
[2] 54:11 Or lapis lazuli
[3] 54:12 Or jasper, or ruby
[4] 54:12 Or crystal
[5] 54:17 Or righteousness

Commentary

v1: Following the prophecies of Christ's death, we read of the growth of the kingdom of God; the verse is quoted in Gal 4.27, so we see a wonderful fulfilment beyond Israel, and through the church. The barren woman is made fruitful, like Hannah, 1 Sam 2.5; Elizabeth, Luke 1.36. Again, we see that God's plan and intention is that there be fruit.

v2-3: The desert nomad has to enlarge the place of his tent as his family grows. Here Israel is commanded to do the same, ready to receive God's blessing. Long after Isaiah's day, Israel would inherit the nations and their cities. Ultimately, the riches and glory of the nations will be brought to Christ (Rev 21.27).

v4: The past forgiven and forgotten. Shame and disgrace, reproach and humiliation are taken away.

v5: A new relationship with God, "your husband;" even as Boaz took away Ruth's shame, so the Lord will remove His peoples shame. Isaiah's words echo those of the prophet Hosea, his contemporary.

The Lord Almighty; he is the holy One of Israel, He is their Redeemer, and He is the God of all the earth.

v6: Called back to God, having suffered apparent rejection, Hos 3.3.

v7-8: Great mercies for Israel. The prophet speaks of judgment upon Israel, and this was clearly deserved, but those judgments are for a moment (a "mere moment", RAV). God's face was hidden from His people, His frequent warnings went unheeded, and they bore the consequences.

The contrast is God's everlasting kindness and deep compassion, to bring back His people; not just the removal and ending of judgment, but abundant blessings.

v9-10: The blessings promised for Israel were dependent upon God's "covenant of peace."

In the days of Noah, God promised never again to flood the earth, which promise is not dependent upon man, Gen 8.21; 9.11, 15.

The promise to end His anger against Israel is similarly unconditional;

mountains and hills may move, Ps 46.2, see Heb 12.26-27;
His love is unfailing;
His compassions never fail, Lam 3.22.

Using typically hyperbolic language, Isaiah speaks of God's unfailing love which will not be shaken. The emphasis is clear; here is comfort for His people.

v11: The city was afflicted, and not comforted, Jer 31.15; Lam 1.2; terrible times yet to be endured, as Babylon defeated and destroyed it. But the city will be rebuilt, with precious stones as foundations, as in Solomon's temple; such are unseen, but essential.

Literally, God says He will sent the stones in antimony. This was a dark coloured paint used by Hebrew women as eye-shadow, designed to set off their eyes, so that they shone. 'So God is saying that His chosen people are not just a large crowd; rather each one is a special, bought at a price and therefor evaluable, and it is His intention to see that each one shines!' (Goff Hope Hope Wins).

v12: Precious stones will also be visible, testifying to God's faithfulness to His promises.

v13: A renewed personal relationship with the Lord, the people enjoying His peace.

v14: God's people established in righteousness. The tyranny that Israel had suffered, and would still suffer, will be ended.

v15: Protection from enemies; previously God had brought Gentile nations upon Israel as a punishment, but this will end.

v16-17: God's hand upon even the manufacture of the weapon, yet such things cannot prevail.