Isaiah 54

CHAPTER 54

The Future Glory of Zion (54:1–17)

1–3 In Isaiah 53:10–12, we have been told about the servant’s victory and about the completion of his work; now in this chapter we see the outworking of that victory: a restored Jerusalem, both physically (in the post-exilic age) and spiritually (in the Messianic age to come). This is cause to burst into song and shout for joy (verse 1).

In this chapter Jerusalem (Zion) is portrayed as a woman, barren and alone, the result of the exile of her people. And yet God promises her that one day she will have many children. God tells her: “Enlarge the place of your tent . . . lengthen your cords . . . For you will spread out” (verses 2–3).

This is a picture of Jerusalem overflowing with returning exiles (Isaiah 49:19–20). But it is much more a picture of the “spiritual Jerusalem,” the Church of Christ, which has been spreading to the right and to the left all over the world. The Apostle Paul quoted verse 1 and applied it to the Jerusalem that is above, God’s true Church, which is based on the covenant of promise (see Galatians 4:24–28). Yes, the little post-exilic community of Jews did grow and spread out somewhat, but this prophecy of Isaiah is only now being fulfilled as Christ’s servants go out and dispossess nations (verse 3)—dispossess the spiritual authorities and powers of this dark world (Ephesians 6:12).

4–8 In these verses, the Lord continues to encourage Jerusalem; here Jerusalem represents Israel and, by extension, the Church. In verse 4, God says that Jerusalem will forget the shame of [her] youth (bondage in Egypt) and the reproach of [her] widowhood (abandonment during the Exile). For she is not truly a widow; she has a husband—her Maker . . . the LORD Almighty (verse 5). Yes, she was like a wife deserted (verse 6); she was abandoned for a brief moment because of her unfaithfulness. But God says, “I will bring you back from exile” (verse 7). “I will have compassion on you” (verse 8). Here again we see God’s great power and great love working together to redeem His people. They have been unfaithful, but He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

9–10 Just as God swore to never again destroy the earth by a flood (Genesis 9:11), so He swears here to never again rebuke or abandon Jerusalem—the faithful remnant of Israel. He promises that His covenant of peace will never be removed (verse 10). This “covenant of peace” is God’s covenant with Israel, wherein He has promised to be Israel’s God forever (Genesis 17:7). This covenant of peace also includes the promise of protection and security, the promise that the spiritual enemies of God’s people will not prevail against them. Today this same promise is given to us, who make up the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18).

11–15 In verses 11–12, Isaiah gives a figurative description of Jerusalem following the Exile. But it is even more a description of the new Jerusalem, which will come down from heaven at the end of history; this heavenly Jerusalem will be prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband, the Lord Himself²⁰⁴ (Revelation 21:2,10–11,18–21).

In verse 15, God says to Jerusalem—and to the Church: “If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing.” We are to expect attacks from Satan and the spiritual forces of evil, but the Lord has provided us with the means to withstand them (Ephesians 6:10–18). Because of God’s loving care for His people, Jerusalem’s children will have peace (verse 13), and Jerusalem will then be true to its name—“city of peace.”

16–17 In that day the people of Jerusalem will not need to fear a destroyer,such as Assyria or Babylon; because it is God, after all, who creates the destroyer and his weapons (verse 16). And what God creates, God controls. Since God controls Jerusalem’s enemies, the city will be safe. This promise is for all the servants of the LORD (verse 17)—all true believers, both Jew and Gentile. This promise is for us today: our God is greater than all our enemies and He will vindicate us.