By Eugene Garner

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 54

THE RESTORATION OF ZION THROUGH MESSIANIC
SUFFERING

    INTRODUCTION: This chapter abundantly illustrates a problem that one constantly faces in the interpretation of biblical Prophecy - that of distinguishing between Israel and Israel. The term is used in six various ways: 1) Of the father of the Hebrew nation; 2) Of the nation itself; 3) Of the northern kingdom, with its capitol in Samaria; 4) Sometimes of the southern kingdom, 5) At other times of a holy remnant within the nation, and 6) Of a spiritual heritage - "the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 12:17) - which appears to be identical with the New Testament "Israel of God" (the church) which is the house and dwelling-place of God (among His People) in the present age, also called the Bride of Jesus Christ, Jn. 3:28, 29; Rev. 19:5-9.
    The present writer claims to possess no special formula for clearly distinguishing the various identities of this people. He would submit that, whatever view one holds, it should be held tentatively - with a heart and mind that are open for clearer illumination by the Holy Spirit. Any set of dogmatic rules or regulations are apt to prove such a hindrance as will ultimately undermine the very super-structure of one's theological house. The attitude of an humble, inquiring student is far more becoming of our present, imperfect humanity than that of a high-minded authoritarian; nor will such an one have nearly so far to fall!
    Furthermore, one must ever bear in mind Paul's allegory. In Galatians 4, which contrasts the bondage of the nation in the flesh with the liberty of those who, through the Spirit, are not regarded as children of Abraham - clearly suggesting the pro-eminence of the New Testament church in God's present purpose.
    This chapter basically sets forth the benefits of the Servant's Sufferings as applied to the covenant nation.

   Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

    1. She who has been "barren" - not travailing with child - is here called to joyful singing and shouting, (vs. la)
    2. The children of "the desolate" (vs. 1 b; 62:4; comp. I Sam. 2:5) will eventually outnumber those of the "married wife" (the church?).     3. Thus, she must enlarge the place of her dwelling - extending her borders (vs. 2; 33:20; 49:19-20); on the right hand, and on the left, shall she break forth, (vs. 3a; 43:5-6; 60:3-11; comp. Gen. 28:14).
    4. Her seed will "Inherit the Gentiles" - so as to rule over them, (14:1-2; 43:14, 49:22-23).
      a. Israel's restoration is the restoration of A NATION among nations - a nation in the flesh (just as when her rebellion brought the age-long wrath of God upon her).
      b. But, restored to divine favor, she will be placed as the chief of nations - ruling over her former oppressors during the millennial era, (Mic. 4:1-3; Ezek. 36:24-38; Mic. 4:6-8; 7:15-20; Zeph. 3:14-20; Isa. 49:22-23; 60:11-12; 61:8-11; 66:12; Zech. 8:23; 10:6; 14:12-19).
    5. So will her desolate cities be filled with inhabitants.

   Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

    1. Zion is no longer to be afraid, for she will never again be brought to shame or confusion, (45:17).
    2. The shame of her youth - when she rebelled against her divine husband (Jer. 31:19) - and the reproach of her widowhood will all be relegated to the past, (4:1; 25:8; 51:7).
    3. Henceforth, her Maker is her husband (Jer. 3:14; Hos. 2:19-20); she is restored to fellowship (vs. 5) - the very SAME NATION that was cut off because of the willful disobedience of her unbelief!
      a. Her husband (Lord, King, and divine Provider) is "Lord of Hosts".
      b. Her Redeemer is "the Holy One of Israel", (43:14; 48:17).
      c. Henceforth, He shall be known, not only as ISRAEL'S GOD, but, as "the God of the WHOLE EARTH"! (comp. 6:3; 11:9).
    4. The Lord calls her back to Himself who was forsaken and grieved in spirit, (vs. 6; 49:14-21; 50:1-2; comp. 62:4).
    5. It was due to her malicious rebellion that He forsook her "for a small moment" (vs. 7a; 26:20; comp. Psa. 30:5); but, with great mercy He will gather and restore her, (vs. 7b; 11:12; 43:5-7).
    6. In overflowing wrath Jehovah momentarily hid His face from her, (vs. 8a; 60:10); but, with everlasting kindness, He will have mercy on her, (vs. 8b; 63:7).
      a. The word rendered "kindness" is again "hesed" - a word which strongly proclaims divine fidelity to the covenant as anciently set forth, (Deut. 7:9, 12; Neh. 1:5; 9:32; Dan. 9:4; Psa. 25:10).
      b. Nor for a moment has He forsaken His covenant, nor ceased to love her who has so flagrantly violated it!
    7. Jehovah is her REDEEMER! (49:10, 13).

   For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

    1. God will not fail to fulfill the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the prophets concerning the nation, (Jer. 31:35-36; 33:17-26; Psa. 89:36-37).
      a. Its fulfillment is as certain as the covenant to Noah of which the rainbow is a perpetual reminder, (Gen. 9:11-17).
      b. So, the Lord will not, forever, be wroth with His once-rebellious people, (vs. 9; 12:1; Ezek. 39:25-29).
    2. Mountains may depart, and hills be removed - symbolic language, suggesting the fall of mighty kingdoms and nations (Psa. 46:2; comp. Isa. 51:6); yet, God's faithfulness toward Israel will not fail.
      a. He will not withdraw His loving-kindness, (comp. Psa. 89:33-37).
      b. Nor will His covenant of peace be removed from her, (55:3; 59:21; 61:8-9).
      c. Jehovah is EVER MERCIFUL toward His beloved people (49:10, 13)!

   O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
   No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

    1. Paul's allegory, in Galatians 4, would indicate that this passage is addressed to the people represented by Hagar and Mt. Sinai - the "Jerusalem which now is, and, is in the bondage with her children", (Gal. 4:25).
      a. Wretched, storm-tossed and disconsolate, she will be restored to a place of honor and to such a state of beauty as will reflect the glory of her Lord, (vs. 11-12; 51:18-19, 21; 29:6; 14:32; 28:16; comp. Rev. 21:19).
      b. Her children will be taught of the LORD (vs. 13a; Jer. 31:34; comp. John 6:45; I Thess. 4:9), and great will be their undisturbed peace, (vs. 13b; comp. 48:18; 66:12-13).
    2. Her establishment will be "in righteousness", (vs. 14a; 1:26-27; 9:7; 62:1).
      a. Far from oppression (vs. 14b; comp. 9:4; 14:4-7), she will have no need to be afraid, (vs. 4).
      b. And terror shall never again come near to her, (vs. 14c; 33:18-20).
    3. Though foes attempt to stir up strife against her, it will not be of the Lord, (vs. 15a); they will be subdued to her service, (vs. 15b; 41:11-16).
    4. The creative power of Jehovah will be used in the defence of His people, (vs. 16-17).
      a. No weapon that is formed against her will function in that unholy cause, (vs. 17a; comp. 17:12-14; 29:8).
      b. And every tongue that rises against her in judgment she will ultimately judge, (vs. 17b; 50:8-9; comp. Rom. 8:33-34).
    5. Marvelous is the heritage that Jehovah, in righteousness, has provided for His saints! (vs. 17c; 45:24; 46:13; Rom. 4:24-26).