In this chapter, we read of Jerusalem, and the servants of God glorified. Here we read of the new Jerusalem, the church of the Lord. Jerusalem was barren, living apart from her husband while Israel was captive, Isaiah 54:1, but now she was to rejoice because she would produce more children than the wife living with her husband, Isaiah 54:1.
Paul used these opening words in Galatians 4:26-27, and applied them to the church but it had its root in physical Jerusalem and here we have to look to get the proper understanding.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The church is often in the Bible compared to a female, and the connection between God and his people is often compared with that between husband and wife, Isaiah 62:5 / Ezekiel 16 / Revelation 21:2-9 / Revelation 22:17.’
Jerusalem would need to be enlarged, Isaiah 54:2, and she finds her antitype in the church, which is universal in scope, Matthew 28:19-20. Her seed, spiritual Israel, Romans 2:28-29, would be through all the nations and cities, Isaiah 54:3.
Here, Jerusalem is pictured as a widow. The encouraging promise is continued, but is applied to Jerusalem while she is in captivity. She was a widow, with no husband, at that time, Isaiah 54:4. It was no real widowhood but only an apparent one, Jeremiah 51:5, because God was still alive.
If we take a closer look at the words ‘Creator’, Ecclesiastes 12:1, ‘Maker’, Isaiah 54:5 / Job 35:10, and Husband, Isaiah 54:5, in the Hebrew, you will find that they are actually plural.
If we take a closer look at the Old Testament, we find that the Hebrew word for ‘Presence’, Exodus 33:14 / Deuteronomy 4:37, and ‘Person’, Job 13:8, are actually plural. In relation to the Trinity, we see that this refers to a multi-personal being. Israel must never forget that God isn’t the God of Israel alone; He is God of the whole earth, Isaiah 54:5.
God now renews His relationship with Jerusalem. Israel was God’s ‘wife of youth’, Isaiah 54:6, until the bride, the church, was brought forth. God’s displeasure toward Jerusalem passed quickly, and the love which manifested itself later was more intense and lasting, Isaiah 54:7.
God had not divorced Zion, though He allowed her to be punished with temporary captivity. Though for a short time God hid His face from her while she was in captivity, Isaiah 54:8, that time would pass, and she would remember it no longer, 2 Corinthians 4:17.
Here we read the reason for God’s kindness to Israel. The present turning point resembles in God’s mind the days of Noah, Isaiah 54:9.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘God appeals to this not only because the oath and promise had been made but because it had been kept, Genesis 8:21-22.’
As the flood left a small remnant, so did the exile, Isaiah 54:9. As the righteous were saved by the flood from sin, so were the righteous Jews saved from idolatry by the exile, Isaiah 54:9.
As Noah was saved by grace and mercy, so was Jerusalem, Isaiah 54:9. He promised redeemed Israel that He would never again allow her to be taken into captivity, Genesis 9:12-17. God’s love is more enduring than the hills and mountains, Isaiah 54:10.
Rawlinson, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Much as the Christian Church has suffered from the world, it has never been with them like it was with captive Jews in Babylon. Here, the prophet views the Jewish Church as absorbed and continued in the Christian Church, into which all the better and more spiritual members passed at the first preaching of the Gospel.’
We read here that the restoration of Israel is to be glorious. In exile, Jerusalem is desolate and afflicted, Isaiah 54:11, but the restoration will be glorious for her, Isaiah 54:11-12. The outward glory of the city is only the manifestation of the spiritual glory of those who dwell within. The final application is the Gospel age, John 6:44-45.
De Hoff, in his commentary, says the following.
‘One cannot become a child of God unless the Gospel is preached to him. He is informed, reformed, and made conformable to the death of our blessed Lord. Then all of his life he is transformed as he treasures the truth of God’s Word in his heart and in his everyday life.’
The children will be taught by God, and there will be great peace, Isaiah 54:13. Jerusalem will stand against all enemies, Isaiah 54:15, which finds its final application in the church, Daniel 2:44 / Matthew 16:18 / Hebrews 12:28.
In the new Jerusalem, the church, God will always be present wherever the church exists. His presence wouldn’t be identified by a physical structure, John 4:19-24. His presence would be identified by those with whom He dwelt, Isaiah 54:16 / Luke 17:20-21. The church will be kept so long as she remains pure.
Those who fight against the servants of God will not prosper, Isaiah 54:17. God’s servants may be exposed to the attacks and false accusations of evil men, Isaiah 54:17, but as someone once said, ‘In the end, everything will be alright’. Safety is the heritage of God’s servants.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following concerning Isaiah 54:17.
‘This is the righteousness, or the justification which they obtain of me, this is that which I impart to them as their justification.’ The idea is not that their righteousness is of him but that this justification or vindication from him is a part of their inheritance and their portion.’
Isaiah himself surely didn’t understand what he was saying and writing, 1 Peter 1:10-12.