Isa 54:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 54:1-55:13: 54:1–55:13 This is an invitation to participate in the restoration to God’s favor made possible through the ministry of the promised servant. Summary for Isa 54:1-17: 54:1-17 Salvation flows from the vindication of the suffering servant. The promises mentioned here go beyond the return from Babylonian exile and apply to the coming of Jesus Christ, the extension of the kingdom to the church, the benefits of the second coming of Jesus Christ as the bridegroom of the church, and the new Jerusalem. Summary for Isa 54:1-3: 54:1-3 The prophet encourages Jerusalem, likened to a barren woman, to rejoice because its fate was rapidly changing. She would have so many children that she would outgrow her home (see Gal 4:27 ). 54:1 In the ancient world, a woman who had never given birth after being married for a time would be ashamed. Isaiah compares Jerusalem to a barren woman who rejoices at the long-awaited blessing of children (see Gal 4:27 ).

Summary for Isa 54:1-55:13: 54:1–55:13 ^a This is an invitation to participate in the restoration to God’s favor made possible through the ministry of the promised servant.
Summary for Isa 54:1-17: 54:1-17 ^b Salvation flows from the vindication of the suffering servant. The promises mentioned here go beyond the return from Babylonian exile and apply to the coming of Jesus Christ, the extension of the kingdom to the church, the benefits of the second coming of Jesus Christ as the bridegroom of the church, and the new Jerusalem.
Summary for Isa 54:1-3: 54:1-3 ^c The prophet encourages Jerusalem, likened to a barren woman, to rejoice because its fate was rapidly changing. She would have so many children that she would outgrow her home (see Gal 4:27 ^d). 54:1 ^e In the ancient world, a woman who had never given birth after being married for a time would be ashamed. Isaiah compares Jerusalem to a barren woman who rejoices at the long-awaited blessing of children (see Gal 4:27 ^f).
54:3 ^g Israel’s descendants (cp. 53:10 ^h) would occupy other nations in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham (Gen 22:17 ⁱ) and to Jacob (Gen 28:14 ^j).

• As desolation took place (Isa 6:11 ^k; 14:21 ^l), the people of God would inherit the earth and resettle the ruined cities (51:6 ^m; 52:10 ⁿ; 65:17 ^o; see also Matt 5:5 ^p; Rom 4:13 ^q).
54:5 ^r Creator ... husband: The Lord committed himself to the abandoned woman (his people in exile) as her maker (44:24 ^s) and husband (see also 62:4-5 ^t; Hos 2:19-20 ^u).

• The Redeemer transforms misery into freedom and fulfillment (see also Isa 41:14 ^v).
Summary for Isa 54:7-8: 54:7-8 ^w The pain of separation would be brief compared to the depth of the renewal of love and compassion.

• The Lord abandoned Israel in exile for a little while because of the people’s sins.

• everlasting love: The Lord is eternally committed to his people, making the seventy-year punishment of exile seem short indeed (see 25:1 ^x; Hos 2:1 ^y).