Isaiah 54:1-10

1 Jerusalem, you have been like a childless woman, ¹ but now you can sing and shout for joy. Now you will have more children than a woman whose husband never left her.

2 Make the tent you live in larger; lengthen its ropes and strengthen the pegs!

3 You will extend your boundaries on all sides; your people will get back the land that the other nations now occupy. Cities now deserted will be filled with people.

4 Do not be afraid - you will not be disgraced again; you will not be humiliated. You will forget your unfaithfulness as a young wife, and your desperate loneliness as a widow.

5 Your Creator will be like a husband to you - the Lord Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you - he is the ruler of all the world.

6 Israel, you are like a young wife, deserted by her husband and deeply distressed. But the Lord calls you back to him and says:

7 "For one brief moment I left you; with deep love I will take you back.

8 I turned away angry for only a moment, but I will show you my love forever." So says the Lord who saves you.

9 "In the time of Noah I promised ² never again to flood the earth. Now I promise not to be angry with you again; I will not reprimand or punish you.

10 The mountains and hills may crumble, ³ but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace." So says the Lord who loves you.

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

• 1. 54.1Galatians 4.27.
• 2. 54.9Genesis 9.8-17.
• 3. +254.10Jude 16.15.