Isaiah Chapter 54 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 54:1–2
"Sing, barren woman who has never had a child! Burst into song, shout for joy, you who have never been in labor! For the deserted wife will have more children than the woman who is living with her husband," says ADONAI. Enlarge the space for your tent, extend the curtains of your dwelling; do not hold back, lengthen your cords, make your tent pegs firm.
Throughout the Bible, children are seen as a blessing from the Lord but, here, we see God telling a woman (Israel) to shout for joy which does not really make sense as a barren woman is not usually joyful. God goes on to explain that the barren woman (Israel) is going to have more children than the woman who is not barren. God has already said this in this past and calls Israel to go ahead and make room in the house for these new children. This speaks of the fact that, in the last days, the territory of Israel is going to be expanded and it is going to happen supernaturally through the power of God.
Isaiah 54:3–4
For you will spread out to the right and the left, your descendants will possess the nations and inhabit the desolated cities. Don't be afraid, for you won't be ashamed; don't be discouraged, for you won't be disgraced. You will forget the shame of your youth, no longer remember the dishonor of being widowed.
This passage speaks of the covenant that God made with Avraham and the concept of Israel expanding was spoken of in Genesis 28:14. The shame and fear that is spoken of is the fact that the people had been disobedient and far from God but that is going to change.
Isaiah 54:5–6
For your husband is your Maker, ADONAI-Tzva'ot is his name. The Holy One of Isra'el is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of all the earth. For ADONAI has called you back like a wife abandoned and grief-stricken; "A wife married in her youth cannot be rejected," says your God.
God is bringing about this change as his redemption is made known and God will be recognized throughout the earth. God is going to proclaim that Israel is his people because he keeps the covenant that was made with Avraham.
Isaiah 54:7–10
"Briefly I abandoned you, but with great compassion I am taking you back. I was angry for a moment and hid my face from you; but with everlasting grace I will have compassion on you," says ADONAI your Redeemer. "For me this is like Noach's flood. Just as I swore that no flood like Noach's would ever again cover the earth, so now I swear that never again will I be angry with you or rebuke you. For the mountains may leave and the hills be removed, but my grace will never leave you, and my covenant of peace will not be removed," says ADONAI, who has compassion on you.
This passage reminds us that there is nothing about the people of Israel that earned them this position of being God's people and it is only because of the mercy and grace of God that he is calling them back into their relationship with him. Just as God promised after the flood that the waters would not be used again in judgement, he has also sworn here that his wrath will not be poured out on Israel again. This is speaking of a time to come and Israel refers to the remnant of the people that accept his redemption through Yeshua Messiah. God has kept his promise to Noah and so we can be sure that this promise will be kept as well. The earth is going to be changed in the last days but we can be sure that God's grace and mercy will not change.
Isaiah 54:11–14
"Storm-ravaged, unconsoled, I will set your stones in the finest way, lay your foundations with sapphires, make your windows shine with rubies, your gates with garnet, your walls with gemstones. All your children will be taught by ADONAI; your children will have great peace. In righteousness you will be established, far from oppression, with nothing to fear; far from ruin, for it will not come near you.
This passage speaks of the suffering of Israel and the fact that they had not been comforted but, in the future, they will find comfort through Yeshua Messiah. We see that Israel is going to be prepared for the kingdom and they are made beautiful through the acceptance of the salvation that was made available through Yeshua Messiah. We see that peace will come through their understanding and acceptance of the things of God. This restored relationship with God means that they are protected and preserved from all enemies by the power of God.
Isaiah 54:15–17
Any alliance that forms against you will not be my doing; whoever tries to form such an alliance will fall because of you. It is I who created the craftsman who blows on the coals and forges weapons suited to their purpose; I also created the destroyer to work havoc. No weapon made will prevail against you. In court you will refute every accusation. The servants of ADONAI inherit all this; the reward for their righteousness is from me," says ADONAI.
God promises that the enemy is not being sent by God and the efforts of the enemy will fail because of our worship of God. God created both the craftsmen who build things as well as the destroyer who tears down things so we do not need to fear the weapons or words of the enemy. All of this is promised to those who serve the Lord and they are made righteous through Yeshua Messiah.