God’s Grace in Christ Makes Zion Glorious

Of course, the return of the exiles from Babylon to rebuild the rubble-filled city of Jerusalem was an immediate fulfillment. But it is insufficient. Only forty-two thousand Jews returned with Ezra. And though the resumption of Israel’s history in the promised land was significant, it was merely the setting of the stage for the real drama to come: the atoning death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ as predicted in Isaiah 53. So the outpouring of the Spirit on the church in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost unleashed the forces that would result in the fulfillment of Isaiah 54:2-3. Missionaries have been taking that gospel to the most distant reaches of the earth, and the church of Jesus Christ numbers now in the hundreds of millions.

Isaiah 54:5-10

The second image of this chapter is of a formerly rejected wife, now restored to her husband in covenant love. God’s complex relationship to Israel is reflected in the many names God gives himself: (1) Husband, (2) Maker, (3) Lord of Armies, (4) the Holy One of Israel, (5) Redeemer, (6) the God of the whole earth. Each of these names reveals a certain aspect of God’s love relationship with Israel in the old covenant and with the church in the new covenant. No one image captures all aspects. But the predominant theme in verses 5-10 is of a formerly enraged husband who now tenderly calls his sinful wife back into his arms.

The prophet Hosea was tasked with marrying a prostitute and living out in his own marriage what God felt like when Israel strayed into idolatry. God’s jealousy was kindled, and “in a surge of anger” he “deserted” and hid his face from his bride (vv. 7-8). But now, that “brief moment” (seventy years—a blink of an eye in God’s time) has passed. God the husband was tenderly bringing her back, forgiving her, restoring her in covenant love, like the day the rainbow proved to Noah that God’s wrath had been spent (vv. 9-10).

So Israel’s restoration after the exile lines up with these words. But how can these words relate to Gentile converts to Christ? Well, in a way Israel in the promised land represented all nations, similar to the way Adam represented all individuals in the garden of Eden. So all nations should feel ashamed of Israel’s idolatries and betrayal of her Maker/Husband, for we were no different. We were all lusting after idols (Rom 1:25), and so Israel’s spiritual adulteries are ours, her shame is ours, and so is her redemption.

Isaiah 54:11-17

The final image in this chapter is of a formerly devastated city now spectacularly rebuilt, with a beauty that far exceeds its former glory. Jerusalem was storm-tossed (v. 11) by her Gentile invaders and destroyers, left as a smoldering pile of rubble. But in the sovereign plan of God, this troubled city will be rebuilt, with foundations set in lapis lazuli, battlements of rubies, gates of sparkling stones, and all her walls of precious stones (v. 12). These are the very images seen in Revelation 21 of the new Jerusalem that will descend gloriously from heaven, ready for her wedding day—a beautiful bride, a glorious city, the same vision in Isaiah 54.

This radiant city will be filled with the children verses 2-3 mentioned (v. 13), and they will all be taught by the Lord and will know him intimately (Jer 31:34). They will be stunningly prosperous, perfectly secure, established in the righteousness of Christ (Isa 54:14). The city will never again be terrified by invasion or siege, for all her enemies will be destroyed (v. 15). The new Jerusalem’s perfect security is the church’s final destination, when the gates of the walls will always stand open, for there is no threat at all. But the implication of triumph over an enemy who might assault, an enemy who might forge a weapon against Zion, speaks also to the present church age, when the “church militant” advances to win the lost, overcoming the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil. God is well aware of the skill of Zion’s enemies, for there is no skill, no power, no weapon that God did not first conceive (v. 16). So God knows their limitations as well. No accusation will succeed, for all will be answered by the imputed righteousness of Christ. As Paul writes, “Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns?” (Rom 8:33-34).

The best two applications we can take from this chapter come from William Carey: (1) expect great things from God; (2) attempt great things for God. This chapter is indeed about the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth, beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). For us to live our lives indifferent about missions, ignorant of what God is doing among the unreached peoples of the earth, excited instead about sports or hobbies or food or careers, is to open ourselves up to great shame on judgment day. We should live daily expectant of God doing great things to redeem his elect from every tribe, language, people, and nation. Second, we should attempt bold things for the spread of the gospel. For immature Christians who have been living the secular dream in the pampered West, it begins with great repentance at former indifference and sinful indulgence. It moves on from there to whatever God may call you to attempt for his glory in missions. It might be to reach out in your own city to some marginalized urban poor or to find an unreached people group that has settled in your city and begin to befriend them. Attempt great things for God in terms of intelligent prayer and sacrificial giving to missions. And if you are feeling pulled to go overseas, whether short or long term, do not quench the Spirit! Attempt something you never thought you would do—get on a plane and go to some uncomfortable place and see how God might choose to use you.