This chapter comes after many chapters of God’s people meandering through life and even disobeying Him. Thus, it is important to read this passage in context, otherwise we will just think that it is uplifting. This transitions to show us grace and glory and is a picture of love that acts
(A) God’s steadfast love will not depart (ISa 54:9-10)
We begin this section with a promise from God that is also likened to a previous promise, one made to Noah (Isa 54:9). In Genesis 9:11, God promised that there will not be another flood as judgment. Thus, in Isaiah, God is basing His promise on a prior promise and testifies to His enduring faithfulness.
God also says that His steadfast love will not depart from them and His covenant of peace shall not be removed (Isa 54:10). Thus, we are to remember that his discipline is also not desertion. They were disciplined for their sin and disobedience. The only place where God truly deserted anyone is on the cross, with Christ.
In Isaiah 54:10, the writer points to permanent fixtures like the mountains and hills and is saying that even if these things that we think are permanent can be moved, God’s love will not depart from them. His love is steadfast and will abide. What results from it? This love is not just a feeling. The people will be in covenant of peace. This is not something that God makes up along the way. He is not fickle to remove it randomly.
If we are honest, our lives are volatile. Things come and go — jobs, trends and fads. If we build our identity and security on these things, we will find ourselves easily shaken and anxious. Isaiah 54 here shows us something else that is steadfast, eternal and unshakeable. We might wonder why, but let’s hold that thought.
How are you feeling today? Maybe you feel like you are overwhelmed and hanging by a thread, at the end of yourself. Know that there are things that change in life, but God’s love doesn’t.
(B) God’s love that establishes (Isa 54:11-14)
Earlier in Isaiah 51:19, we read that God’s people that were in exile faced devastation and destruction, famine and sword. In Isaiah 54:11, we pick up this idea and see them being described as “afflicted”, “storm-tossed and not comforted”. They are out of the promised land, in flux and unsettled. God knows their suffering and situation. He knows that they are not comforted and He speaks into their situation with His knowledge of them.
To this people, God has a promise of restoration. God speaks of building for them a city and notice the materials of this place. The stones are set in antimony, their foundations are laid with sapphire, their pinnacles of agate and their gates of carbuncles (Isa 54:11). These are not materials that one will use for a city and seems over-the-top. Why? It is conveying a sense of glory. Living in God’s presence is more than just going back to life before this exile. God is promising to be in the city and this is more than they can imagine, and this is the promise we have in the final chapter of the Bible, in Revelation.
This is the promise to a people that feel like their lives are off-kilter because they are not living the life God designed for them to live. This is not just about where they will live, but also about the relationship that they have with Him. Their safety is found in His presence, with Him and with His love. God’s people are restored to look forward to being with Him in the new Jerusalem, and this is also our hope.
We see another imagery in Isaiah 54:13. God says that they children will be taught by the LORD (Isa 54:13). They know this God! In Isaiah 54:2, we read of God promising to give them children and here, this has come to pass.
What is the fruit? As a result of this teaching, they will get peace (Isa 54:13b). This might surprise us because teaching usually results in knowledge and skills but here, peace is spoken of. Jeremiah 31:33-34 tells us that the law of God will be taught and put in their hearts. The law is not something that we can keep in our own strength, and God’s people know it. What Jeremiah is saying here is different — that the law is being written on our hearts. We will have new desires to obey and live out the law. This side of the cross, we know that this is enabled by the Spirit! The Spirit gives us the new desires and also enables us to obey.
But, how do we know God today? Jesus Himself quotes this passage in John 6:44-45. The fulfilment of Isaiah 54:13 is in Christ. Jesus, God Himself, teaches us. He softens our heart and prepares it to receive His word and to obey Him. As we come to Christ, we are hearing God speak through Him. And all of God’s word is breathed out by Him!
How do we respond to God’s word daily? What do we go to in our anxiety and when we’re feeling off-balance? Do we turn to things that help us to destress and take our mind off things? But ultimately, where do we anchor our sense of peace in? God has sent us the most personal Saviour and we know Him through His word. Do you turn to His word for your comfort and security? God uses His word to anchor, establish us, and gives us a sense of security through His word. Our foundations are not in this life, but we have something that is eternal and long-lasting!
(C) God’s love that defends (ISa 54:15-17)
There are internal and external dangers that await God’s people. Isaiah 54:15 speaks of strife (internal), conflict among God’s people. It could take the form of questioning God’s truth. Here, we are not promised a life without strife, and its presence is not surprising. The result though, is that those who stir up strife with be dealt with. He leave us with no room to question where this comes from — this is not from God! It is not a part of His plan.
God prepares His people for such problems. There will be strife for us too, even in church. I don’t know if you have experienced this, but hear Gods’s promise that He is the Chief Shepherd of His church and will work to ensure that the gospel message continues. If you struggle with this, hear the words of encouragement in this passage. From Isaiah, we are confident that as we face these things, we know that these people will not prevail. God has promised that they will not succeed!
Isaiah goes into great detail into describing the external threat that they face (Isa 54:16). God created the creator of the weapon and also the ravager who wields the weapon to destroy. Both the ravager and the weapon creator were created by God. What are we to see from here? All of it is created by God. He is sovereign over both. He is not caught off-guard by this fearsome threat. Both are created by God for His purposes.
The story of Esther is an instance where God’s word is partially fulfilled in their time. We see how God’s people were under threat of being destroyed by Haman, but God faithfully preserved them. This is also an encouragement for us, as we can be assured that God’s word is true.
What are some of our struggles today? Perhaps we struggle with tongues that refuge our gospel message. Or are you battling thoughts that question your salvation — thinking that you are too depraved or far from God. Friends, see that what God has done in Christ is enough! Isaiah 54 assures us that God’s steadfast love will not depart. His love is one that establishes and defends, even when we face difficulties. In a world were so much is in flux, how does God’s love that will not depart encourage you? How is God establishing you through the restoration of brokenness and the revelation of himself?