Isaiah 54

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.