Isaiah 54

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:1-10

The restored wife 54:1-10The prophet emphasized the gracious character of Yahweh as the source of restoration for His people. Returning to the metaphor of the Lord’s people as his wife (Isaiah 51:17-20), Isaiah presented the joyful prospect of reconciliation due to the Servant’s work. Significantly, the name "Zion," which has been prominent in Isaiah 49:14 to Isaiah 52:8, does not appear again until Isaiah 59:20. Zion is the personification of Israel. In the present passage, however, the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:2

Women were responsible to erect and maintain the family tents in the ancient Near East, so it was appropriate for the Lord to call this formerly barren woman to enlarge her tent. She should prepare for a larger family with urgency and exuberance (cf. Jeremiah 10:20). The figure is an old one reaching back into the patriarchal period of Israel’s history and the wilderness wanderings. Most Israelites did not live in tents in Isaiah’s day. This type of living recalls, therefore, the Lord’s... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:3

The number of God’s people would increase, as God promised Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 12:7; Genesis 28:14). Future generations, from Isaiah’s perspective, would dispossess the nations (cf. the conquest of the land, Deuteronomy 9:1; Deuteronomy 11:23; Deuteronomy 12:2; Deuteronomy 31:3). Believers would take over what had belonged to unbelievers (cf. Matthew 5:5)."Many Gentiles will undoubtedly be surprised and even chagrined to find that Israel is to have the leading place in the earth."... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:4

God’s third command (cf. Isaiah 54:1-2) was not to fear. These were not idle promises; God would stand behind them and bring them to pass. Sarah initially felt ashamed because she did not believe the Lord would give her a child (Genesis 18:12-14; cf. Genesis 16:4; 1 Samuel 1:6; 1 Samuel 1:25; Luke 1:25). Nevertheless, God stood by His promise, gave her a child, and she had no reason to feel ashamed. The relative barrenness of God’s people throughout their lifetime would end, and their reproach... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:5

The cause of this reversal of fortunes is the husband of this woman, God. He created her and redeemed her. Since He made her, He could remake her. He took up the role of the kinsman-redeemer to provide children for this barren wife (cf. Boaz). He is the Almighty Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel (the transcendent yet immanent God), the God over the whole earth. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:6

The Lord called His people back to Himself, even though they had been unfaithful to Him (cf. Hosea). He would transform their attitude from that of an abandoned and brokenhearted wife, because her sins had separated her from her God, to that of a new bride whose relationship with her husband was unstained. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:7

The Lord’s brief separation from His people, because of their sins, was short compared to the long relationship of intimacy that lay ahead for them (due to the salvation that the Servant provided). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:8

God did not lose control of Himself when His people sinned, but He became very angry because sin destroys people and breaks the fellowship that He desires to have with them. He had to turn away from sinners (hide His face from them) because He is holy. But that separation was short-lived compared with the everlasting compassion that His loyal love (Heb. hesed) requires. Hesed is "the unfailing love that is ever loyal to its pledge, love as a settled disposition . . ." [Note: Motyer, p. 448.]... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:9

Yahweh’s restoration of His people to Himself would be permanent; they would never again experience estrangement from Him. As the Lord kept His promise to spare humanity from another universal flood, so He would keep His promise to spare humankind the judgment of separation from Him again. He would neither flood them with His anger nor rebuke His people. This looks toward an eternal change in the relationship between the Lord and His people. One covenant premillennialist wrote the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:10

Even the most substantial and immovable of things do not compare with the firmness of God’s promise. The Lord will again reshape the surface of the earth, as He did with the Flood, only the next time it will be with a great earthquake (cf. Revelation 16:17-21). Even global changes would not alter this promise to preserve His people in intimate relationship with Himself. This promise is so firm and formal that it constitutes a covenant, a covenant guaranteeing peace with them and for them (Heb.... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:1-10

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:6

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:7

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:8

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:9

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 54:10

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