Blessing of The Restored Nation
October 5, 2020
Commentary
This chapter portrays the results of the atoning work of the Servant of the Lord and adds a further description of the previous chapter. The gentile nations are depicted as a barren and desolate woman who breaks forth into songs of praise because of her recent (assumed) marriage and children (vv. 1-4). To be childless at that time was a woman’s great shame, a disgrace. Israel was unfruitful like a childless woman, but God would permit her to have many children and would change her mourning into singing.
God said that He had abandoned Israel for a brief moment, the nation was like a young wife rejected by her husband (vv. 5-8). But God still called Israel His own. The God we serve is holy, and He can’t tolerate sin. When His people blatantly sinned, God in His anger chose to punish them. Sin separates us from God, but if we confess our sin and repent, then He will forgive us. God makes a covenant with Noah that He has never broken (Gen. 9:8-17); Likewise, God made a covenant of peace with the people of Israel that the time would come when He would stop rebuking them, would restore their wealth, and would personally teach their children (vv. 9-13).
The Lord has said that in the millennial kingdom no nation will be allowed to defeat Israel (v. 14-17). Nations rise and fall on the basis of His Word. In the past He allowed Babylon to overcome His people, but this will never happen again. Peace and safety are coming for those who trust in the Lord.
Application
Sin will separate me from God and may bring pain and suffering. I want to always be ready to quickly repent and experience the joy of walking with Him.
Isaiah 54:1– 17 (NET)
1 âShout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! Give a joyful shout and cry out, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one are more numerous than the children of the married woman,â says the Lord.
2 Make your tent larger, stretch your tent curtains farther out! Spare no effort, lengthen your ropes, and pound your stakes deep.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities.
4 Donât be afraid, for you will not be put to shame. Donât be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. You will forget about the shame you experienced in your youth; you will no longer remember the disgrace of your abandonment.
5 For your husband is the one who made youâ the Lord of Heavenâs Armies is his name. He is your Protector, the Holy One of Israel. He is called âGod of the entire earth.â
6 âIndeed, the Lord will call you back like a wife who has been abandoned and suffers from depression, like a young wife when she has been rejected,â says your God.
7 âFor a short time I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In a burst of anger I rejected you momentarily, but with lasting devotion I will have compassion on you,â says your Protector, the Lord.
9 âAs far as I am concerned, this is like in Noahâs time, when I vowed that the waters of Noahâs flood would never again cover the earth. In the same way I have vowed that I will not be angry at you or shout at you.
10 Even if the mountains are removed and the hills displaced, my devotion will not be removed from you, nor will my covenant of friendship be displaced,â says the Lord, the one who has compassion on you.
11 âO afflicted one, driven away, and unconsoled! Look, I am about to set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundation with lapis lazuli.
12 I will make your pinnacles out of gems, your gates out of beryl, and your outer wall out of beautiful stones.
13 All your children will be followers of the Lord, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.
14 You will be reestablished when I vindicate you. You will not experience oppression; indeed, you will not be afraid. You will not be terrified, for nothing frightening will come near you.
15 If anyone dares to challenge you, it will not be my doing! Whoever tries to challenge you will be defeated.
16 Look, I create the craftsman, who fans the coals into a fire and forges a weapon. I create the destroyer so he might devastate.
17 No weapon forged to be used against you will succeed; you will refute everyone who tries to accuse you. This is what the Lord will do for his servantsâ I will vindicate them,â says the Lord.
Illustration: Do You Mean That I am Selfish
A neurotic sickly girl, suffering from insomnia, consulted a physician. After examining her and finding no physical cause, he bluntly said, ââŹĹYou have ingrown feelings.” She looked puzzled, so he made it plainer. ââŹĹYou think too much about yourself. What you need to do is to get away from yourself, get out among others, think of their troubles, and work to relieve them.” ââŹĹDo you mean that I am selfish?” she asked. ââŹĹNot exactly selfish,” the doctor said, ââŹĹbut you are self-centered.” The girl went home, thought over carefully what the wise physician had said, took his advice, and soon was restored to health. (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).