Isaiah 54:11-17

11 “Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,^[a]your foundations with lapis lazuli.

12 I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.

13 All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.

14 In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.

15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you.

16 “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 54:11-17 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. S Isaiah 14:32
• 2. Isaiah 28:2; Isaiah 29:6
• 3. S Isaiah 51:19
• 4. 1 Chronicles 29:2; Revelation 21:18
• 5. S Isaiah 28:16; Revelation 21:19-20
• 6. S Exodus 24:10; S Job 28:6
• 7. Revelation 21:21
• 8. S Isaiah 28:9; Micah 4:2; John 6:45*; Hebrews 8:11
• 9. S Leviticus 26:6; S Isaiah 48:18
• 10. S Isaiah 26:2
• 11. Jeremiah 30:20
• 12. S 2 Samuel 7:10; S Isaiah 9:4
• 13. Zephaniah 3:15; Zechariah 9:8
• 14. S Isaiah 17:14
• 15. Isaiah 41:11-16
• 16. S Isaiah 44:12
• 17. S Isaiah 10:5
• 18. S Isaiah 13:5
• 19. S Isaiah 29:8
• 20. S Isaiah 41:11; Isaiah 45:24-25
• 21. Isaiah 56:6-8; Isaiah 63:17; Isaiah 65:8,9,13-15; Isaiah 66:14
• 22. S Psalms 17:2; Zechariah 1:20-21

Footnotes

• [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.