Isaiah 54:1-10

Sing, barren woman

1 Sing, barren woman who has borne no child; break forth into singing and cry out, you who were never in labor, for the children of the wife who has been deserted will be more numerous than the children of the married, says the LORD.

2 Enlarge the site of your tent, and stretch out the drapes of your dwellings; don't hold back. Lengthen your tent ropes and strengthen your stakes.

3 To the right and to the left you will burst out, and your children will possess the nations' land and settle their desolate cities.

4 Don't fear, because you won't be ashamed; don't be dismayed, because you won't be disgraced. You will forget the shame of your youth; you'll no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.

5 The one marrying you is the one who made you— the LORD of heavenly forces is his name. The one redeeming you is the holy one of Israel, the one called the God of all the earth.

6 As an abandoned and dejected woman the LORD has summoned you; as a young wife when she is rejected, says your God.

7 For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great mercy I will bring you back.

8 In an outburst of rage, I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting love I have consoled you, says your redeemer, the LORD.

9 These are like the days of Noah for me, when I promised that Noah's waters would never again cover the earth. Likewise I promise not to rage against you or rebuke you.

10 The mountains may shift, and the hills may be shaken, but my faithful love won't shift from you, and my covenant of peace won't be shaken, says the LORD, the one who pities 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 1

[a]. Or for the waters