Ésaïe 54:1-9

1 Réjouis-toi, stérile, qui n'enfantais point! Éclate en cris de joie et d'allégresse, toi qui n'as pas été en travail! Car les enfants de la femme délaissée sont plus nombreux que les enfants de celle qui était mariée, a dit l'Éternel.

2 Agrandis l'espace de ta tente, et qu'on élargisse les tentures de ta demeure; ne resserre pas, allonge tes cordages, affermis tes pieux!

3 Car tu te répandras à droite et à gauche; ta postérité possédera les nations, et peuplera les villes désertes.

4 Ne crains point! Car tu ne seras pas confondue; n'aie point de honte, car tu ne seras pas rendue honteuse. Car tu oublieras la honte de ta jeunesse, et tu ne te souviendras plus de l'opprobre de ton veuvage.

5 Car ton créateur est ton époux; son nom est l'Éternel des armées; le Saint d'Israël est ton Rédempteur; il s'appelle le Dieu de toute la terre.

6 Car l'Éternel t'a appelée comme une femme délaissée, affligée d'esprit, comme une épouse de la jeunesse qui aurait été répudiée, dit ton Dieu.

7 Je t'ai abandonnée pour un peu de temps; mais je te recueillerai avec de grandes compassions.

8 Je t'ai caché ma face pour un moment, dans l'effusion de ma colère; mais j'ai compassion de toi, par une miséricorde éternelle, dit l'Éternel, ton Rédempteur.

9 Il en sera pour moi comme des eaux de Noé; comme j'ai juré que les eaux de Noé ne se répandraient plus sur la terre, ainsi j'ai juré de n'être plus irrité contre toi, et de ne plus te menacer.

Ésaïe 54:1-9 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.