1 "Sing, barren, you who didn't bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife," says Yahweh. 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of your habitations; don't spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you shall spread out on the right hand and on the left; and your seed shall possess the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 4 "Don't be afraid; for you shall not be ashamed: neither be confounded; for you shall not be disappointed: for you shall forget the shame of your youth; and the reproach of your widowhood you shall remember no more. 5 For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6 For Yahweh 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 have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you. 8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting loving kindness will I have mercy on you," says Yahweh your Redeemer. 9 "For this is like the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I 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 shall not depart from you, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed," says Yahweh who has mercy on you. 11 "You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, and your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. 13 All your children shall be taught of Yahweh; 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 be afraid; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whoever shall gather together against you shall fall because of you. 16 "Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and brings forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and their righteousness which is of me," says Yahweh.
This chapter, probably closely connected in sense with the preceding, and growing out of the great truths there revealed respecting the work of the Messiah, contains a promise of the enlargement, the moral renovation, and the future glory of the kingdom of God, especially under the Messiah. Like the preceding and succeeding chapters, it may have been primarily designed to give consolation to the exiles in Babylon, but it was consolation to be derived from what would occur in distant times under the Messiah, and in the spread of the true religion. Few and feeble as they were then; oppressed and captive; despised and apparently forsaken, they were permitted to look forward to future days, and had the assurance of a vast increase from the Gentile world, and of permanent glory. The design of the whole chapter is consolatory, and is a promise of what would certainly result from the purpose of sending the Messiah to die for the world.
The chapter may be regarded as divided into the following portions:
I. An address to the people of God, or to Jerusalem, regarded as then feeble, and promising great enlargement Isaiah 54:1-6.
1. Promise of a great increase, under a two-fold image; first, Of a woman who had been barren, and who subsequently had many children Isaiah 54:1; and, secondly, Of a tent that was to be enlarged, in order to accommodate those who were to dwell in it Isaiah 54:2-3.
2. The foundation of this promise or assurance, that Yahweh was the husband and protector of his people Isaiah 54:4-6.
II. The covenant which Yahweh had made with his people was firm and immovable Isaiah 54:7, Isaiah 54:10.
1. He had indeed forsaken them for a little while, but it was only to gather them again with eternal and unchanging favor Isaiah 54:7-8.
2. His covenant with them would be as arm as that which he had made with Noah, and which he had so steadily observed Isaiah 54:9.
3. It would be even more firm than the hills Isaiah 54:10. They would depart, and the mountains would be removed; but his covenant with his people would be unshaken and eternal.
III. A direct address to his people, as if agitated and tossed on a heaving sea, promising future stability and glory Isaiah 54:11-14.
1. They were then like a ship on the stormy ocean, and without comfort.
2. Yet there would be a firm foundation laid. These agitations would cease, and she would have stability.
3. The future condition of his people would be glorious. His church would rise on the foundation - the foundation of sapphires - like a splendid palace made of precious stones Isaiah 54:11-12.
4. All her children would be taught of Yahweh, and their peace and prosperity be great Isaiah 54:13.
5. She would be far from oppression and from fear Isaiah 54:14.
IV. She would be safe from all her foes. No weapon that should be formed against her would prosper. All they who made any attack on her were under his control, and God would defend her from all their assaults Isaiah 54:15-17.
Some suppose this chapter to have been addressed to the Gentiles; some, to the Jewish Church; and some, to the Christian, in its first stage. On comparing the different parts of it, particularly the seventh and eighth verses, with the remainder, the most obvious import of the prophecy will be that which refers it to the future conversion of the Jews, and to the increase and prosperity of that nation, when reconciled to God after their long rejection, when their glory and security will far surpass what they were formerly in their most favored state, vv. 1-17.
INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 54
As the former chapter is a prophecy of the humiliation and exaltation of Christ, of his sufferings and death, and the glory that should follow; this is a prophecy of that part of his glory which relates to the flourishing estate of his church, as the fruit of his death, and explains and enlarges upon the promise of his having a numerous seed. The prophecy reaches from the death and resurrection of Christ to his second coming; and describes the state of the church during that time, which had been like a barren woman, but now fruitful, which was matter of joy; and would increase, and have yet a more numerous issue, through the conversion and accession of the Gentiles; and therefore is bid not to fear, since she should not bear the shame and reproach of widowhood, Isaiah 54:1, the reason confirming which is, because Christ was her husband, who was her Maker and Redeemer, the God of Israel, and of the whole earth, Isaiah 54:5, and though she might for some time be under some dark providences, and seem to be forsaken of God, and lie under his displeasure; yet she is assured of the love of God towards her, that it is constant and perpetual; which is illustrated by the oath and covenant of God with Noah, and by its being more immovable than mountains and hills, Isaiah 54:6, and though she would sometimes be in a very afflicted and uncomfortable condition, yet should be raised again to a state of great honour and splendour, of spiritual knowledge, peace, and safety, Isaiah 54:11 and that all her enemies, that gathered together against her, should perish, and all their attempts be unsuccessful, since the Lord was on her side, and would defend her cause, and protect her, Isaiah 54:15.
(Isaiah 54:1-5) The increase of the church by the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles.
(Isaiah 54:6-10) Its certain deliverance.
(Isaiah 54:11-17) Its triumphant state is described.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.