Isaiah 54 - Introduction

The Future Felicity of Zion, reunited to Jehovah in an Everlasting Covenant

The chapter continues the series of oracles of consolation which commences at Isaiah 49:14, and is broken by the two passages on the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah 50:4-11 and Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12. The direct influence of the latter passage on ch. 54 is less obvious than might have been expected from the singularly profound conceptions there unfolded of the work of Jehovah's Servant. The points of contact adduced by some commentators are few and unessential, and they fall into insignificance by the side of the fact that "it cannot be shown that any of the characteristic ideas of ch. 53 are clearly referred to in ch. 54." (Cheyne.) Yet the supposition that this chapter was originally the sequel to Isaiah 52:12 and that the intervening prophecy was inserted by an afterthought is neither necessary nor altogether natural. The summons to depart from Babylon (Isaiah 52:11-12) marks a pause in the development of the prophet's thought, and (just as after the similar apostrophe in Isaiah 48:20-22) a fresh point of departure is found in the idea of the Servant of the Lord. Moreover, although it may not be possible to trace the direct dependence of ch. 54 on ch. 53, we may nevertheless suppose a real connexion between the two in the prophet's mind. The two Chapter s deal with the same subject from two distinct standpoints. Whatever view be held as to the Servant's personality, there is no doubt that his exaltation implies the restoration of Israel, and that his work is the indispensable condition of that restoration being accomplished. Thus while ch. 54 describes the inward process of conversion by which the nation is made righteous, ch. 53 describes the outward deliverance which is the result; and the impression is probably correct that the glowing hopes here uttered are sustained in the last resort by the contemplation of the Servant's mission as described in ch. 53.

The chapter consists of two sections:

i. Isa 54:1-10. (1) Zion, addressed as a barren and desolate woman, is comforted with the assurance that her children are more numerous than those she formerly had as the "married wife" of Jehovah. She is bidden to extend her tent so as to receive them, for they shall spread abroad on every side, peopling the deserted cities and taking possession of the territory of the Gentiles (Isaiah 54:1). (2) The shame of her youth and the reproach of widowhood are wiped out by her reconciliation to Jehovah, her Husband and her Maker (Isaiah 54:4). (3) It will be seen that her rejection was but a brief withdrawal of Jehovah's favour for her; her restoration now is final, resting on a covenant as unchangeable as the oath to Noah, or the everlasting mountains (Isaiah 54:7).

ii. Isa 54:11-17. Jerusalem shall be rebuilt in lavish magnificence (Isaiah 54:11); her citizens, being all disciples of Jehovah, shall enjoy perfect peace, undisturbed by the thought of oppression (13, 14); her enemies shall be confounded, and no weapon forged against her shall prosper (15 17).