Isaiah 54:1-17
Q.1. Was Judah’s destruction permanent? What did God promise Israel? How would He treat His people in future? What would they be to Him? How did God describe Himself? – (Isa.54:1-8)
The northern kingdom of Israel had been sold into slavery. The southern kingdom of Judah would soon be taken captive to Babylon (Isa.51:17-20; 52:3-5). However, after their chastening, God would restore them again – “For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you. 8 “In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer (Isa.54:7-8). He promised to restore them to their land, and to make them numerous again – your descendants will possess nations and will settle the desolate cities (Isa.54:3). They should break forth into shouts of joy – for the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman (Isa.54:1). They will then no longer need to feel humiliated – 5 For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth. 6 For the Lord has called you, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even like a wife of one’s youth when she is rejected, Says your God (Isa.54:5-6).
Q.2. What message from the Flood should Israel take to heart? What will change their fortunes? How is this possible? To what future event was God referring? – (Isa.54:9-17 c.f. Isa.2:1-5)
After the Flood, the Lord gave the rainbow as a sign of a Covenant with Noah, that He would never again destroy the earth by a world-wide Flood (Gen.9:8-17). Here God applied this promise – 9 “For this is like the days of Noah to Me, when I swore that the waters of Noah would not flood the earth again; I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor will I rebuke you. 10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the Lord who has compassion on you (Isa.54:9-10). God described the exiled nation as afflicted, storm-tossed, and not comforted (Isa.54:11). However, this would be spectacularly reversed, and the adornments of their cities would outshine anything the nation had ever experienced (Isa.54:11-12 c.f. Lk.21:5; Rev.21:10-21). Even better – 13 All your sons will be taught of the Lord; And the well-being of your sons will be great. 14 In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you (Isa.54:13-14). It will be a new day, in which God’s people will be able to hold their heads high – “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord (Isa.54:17). Wickedness will not always prosper.