Isa 54-55 | 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).
54:9 ^z The Exile was similar in both drama and trauma to the flood in the time of Noah. In both instances, people sinned grievously against the Lord, but the Lord renewed his commitment to creation (after Noah’s flood) and to his people (after the Exile).
54:10 ^aa God’s faithful love for his people endures despite their unfaithfulness.

• God’s covenant of blessing was the assurance of his presence, resulting in wholeness, blessing, and protection. It replaces the shame and disgrace of the Exile (see Ezek 34:25 ^ab; 37:26 ^ac).
Summary for Isa 54:11-17: 54:11-17 ^ad This is a vision of the renewed Jerusalem as a city under God’s protection, a place of peace and righteousness (see 59:21–60:22 ^ae). This section forms the background of John’s vision of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:10-21 ^af). 54:11 ^ag The Lord himself would rebuild the city (see Heb 11:10 ^ah).

• Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious stone.
54:13 ^ai I will teach: Jesus alluded to this verse in John 6:45 ^aj.

• They will enjoy great peace, the benefits of God’s presence and protection (Isa 53:5 ^ak; see 48:17-18 ^al; 54:10 ^am).
54:14 ^an Jerusalem would again be a righteous city, secure under a government that is just and fair (see 1:26 ^ao).
54:15 ^ap God gives assurance that no nation can defeat his people . The Lord has promised to protect them, just as he had promised Abraham (Gen 12:3 ^aq; see Isa 49:25 ^ar).
54:17 ^as no weapon ... will succeed ... accuse you ... vindication: God will protect his people in war and in the courtroom.

• These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord: Only the true children of God—people who come out of Israel and the nations—will enjoy the promised blessings of the age to come that God establishes.

‏ Isaiah 55

Summary for Isa 55:1-13: 55:1-13 ^at This final chapter of the prophecies of comfort (chs 40–55 ^au) summarizes the section’s prominent themes: blessing, covenant, witness, word, nations, glory, forgiveness, and joy. 55:1 ^av thirsty ... wine or milk: The invitation to eat and drink is similar to Wisdom’s call in Prov 9:5 ^aw. The image promises the slaking of thirst not only by water but also by more costly items such as wine and milk. John applied a similar theme to Jesus Christ (John 4:14 ^ax; 6:27 ^ay, 35 ^az; 7:37 ^ba; Rev 21:6 ^bb; 22:17 ^bc).

• it’s all free: Reconciliation with God is for anyone and has no cost.
55:2 ^bd Listen to me ... eat what is good: Responding positively to God satisfies one’s spiritual, social, and physical being (see 1:19 ^be; 58:13-14 ^bf; Prov 4:10 ^bg).
55:3 ^bh Come to me. ... Listen ... find life: Those who respond obediently to God’s word find eternal life (see also 55:11 ^bi).

• an everlasting covenant ... I promised to David: King David received a special covenant from God, a promise to preserve his kingly line (see 2 Sam 7:15-16 ^bj). David’s dynasty was eternally confirmed in the kingship of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (see Isa 9:6-7 ^bk; 11:1-16 ^bl; Acts 2:22-36 ^bm; 13:34 ^bn).
Summary for Isa 55:6-9: 55:6-9 ^bo The prophet calls for a response while the time is right. 55:6 ^bp while you can find him: When God graciously extends an invitation to salvation, people must respond (65:1 ^bq; Jer 29:13-14 ^br; Hos 5:6 ^bs; 10:12 ^bt). Those who do not seek him at such times risk never having the opportunity again.
55:7 ^bu Let the wicked change ... turn to the Lord: True conversion demands a change of how we live in favor of God’s requirements (see 1:16-17 ^bv; 30:15 ^bw; 59:20 ^bx).

• have mercy on them: God’s compassion reaches out to the needy and finds them where they are.

• he will forgive generously: Forgiveness of sin is foundational to the good news of redemption (see Eph 1:7 ^by; Col 1:14 ^bz; see also Pss 32:1 ^ca; 86:5 ^cb; 99:8 ^cc; 103:2-5 ^cd).
Summary for Isa 55:8-9: 55:8-9 ^ce My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts: God’s plans are marvelous (Ps 92:5 ^cf; cp. Ps 94:11 ^cg). God’s creatures, including humans, can never fully understand the Creator’s thoughts, but his revelation through his messengers gives great insight and knowledge of some of the things he will do.
Summary for Isa 55:10-11: 55:10-11 ^ch The Creator not only sends rain and snow but also his word (Hebrew dabar). In this context, dabar means his will or plan (see 14:24 ^ci; 40:8 ^cj). God’s written word, as an expression of God’s plan, accomplishes his purposes. God is effective in whatever he does (see 14:26-27 ^ck; 46:10 ^cl).
Summary for Isa 55:12-13: 55:12-13 ^cm The prophet encourages his people to forget the past, to leave Babylon, and to accept the perspective of the coming age. 55:12 ^cn Joy is found in being redeemed from bondage.

• Godly people experience an inner peace not known to the wicked (48:22 ^co).

• mountains and hills ... trees of the field: Creation participates in the freedom of the children of God (44:23 ^cp; 49:11 ^cq, 13 ^cr; see Rom 8:19-23 ^cs).
55:13 ^ct Redemption is like the transformation from desert to forest (see also 35:1 ^cu; 41:19 ^cv; 60:13 ^cw).

• great honor to the Lord’s name: God’s glory will be more and more visible to humanity as his redemption takes effect.