Isaiah 54:1-10

The Future Glory of Zion

1 “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
5 For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
6 The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit— a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God.
7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

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Isaiah 54:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

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, Isa 54:1-4, 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, Isa 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, Isa 54:6-10, 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, Isa 54:11-14 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, Isa 54:15-17.

Cross References 45

  • 1. S Genesis 30:1
  • 2. S Genesis 21:6; S Psalms 98:4
  • 3. Isaiah 66:7
  • 4. Isaiah 49:20
  • 5. S Isaiah 49:19
  • 6. S 1 Samuel 2:5; Galatians 4:27*
  • 7. S Genesis 26:22; Isaiah 26:15; Isaiah 49:19-20
  • 8. Exodus 35:18; Exodus 39:40
  • 9. S Genesis 13:14; S Isaiah 48:19
  • 10. S Job 12:23; S Isaiah 14:2; Isaiah 60:4-11
  • 11. S Isaiah 49:19
  • 12. Jeremiah 30:10; Joel 2:21
  • 13. S Isaiah 28:16; S Isaiah 29:22
  • 14. S Genesis 30:23; S Psalms 119:39; S Isaiah 41:11
  • 15. S Psalms 25:7; S Jeremiah 2:2; S Jeremiah 22:21
  • 16. S Isaiah 51:7
  • 17. S Isaiah 47:8
  • 18. S Psalms 95:6; S Psalms 149:2; S Isaiah 51:13
  • 19. S Song of Songs 3:11; Jeremiah 3:14; Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:7,16
  • 20. S Isaiah 1:4; Isaiah 49:7; Isaiah 55:5; Isaiah 60:9
  • 21. S Isaiah 48:17
  • 22. S Isaiah 6:3; S Isaiah 12:4
  • 23. Isaiah 49:14-21
  • 24. ver 6-7; Isaiah 1:4; Isaiah 50:1-2; Isaiah 60:15; Isaiah 62:4,12; Jeremiah 44:2; Hosea 1:10
  • 25. S Exodus 20:14; Malachi 2:15
  • 26. S Job 14:13; Isaiah 26:20
  • 27. S Psalms 71:11; S Isaiah 27:8
  • 28. S Psalms 51:1
  • 29. S Isaiah 49:18
  • 30. Isaiah 9:12; Isaiah 26:20; Isaiah 60:10
  • 31. S Isaiah 1:15
  • 32. ver 10; S Psalms 25:6; Psalms 92:2; Isaiah 55:3; Isaiah 63:7
  • 33. S Psalms 102:13; S Isaiah 14:1; Hosea 2:19
  • 34. S Isaiah 48:17
  • 35. S Genesis 8:21
  • 36. S Isaiah 14:24; S Isaiah 49:18
  • 37. Psalms 13:1; Psalms 103:9; Isaiah 12:1; Isaiah 57:16; Jeremiah 3:5,12; Ezekiel 39:29; Micah 7:18
  • 38. S Deuteronomy 28:20
  • 39. Revelation 6:14
  • 40. S Psalms 46:2
  • 41. S Psalms 6:4
  • 42. S Isaiah 51:6; Hebrews 12:27
  • 43. S Genesis 9:16; Exodus 34:10; Psalms 89:34; S Isaiah 42:6
  • 44. S Numbers 25:12
  • 45. ver 8; S Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 55:7
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