Chapter 54

1 The prophet, for the comfort of the Gentiles, prophesieth the amplitude of their church, 4 their safety, 6 their certain deliverance out of affliction, 11 their fair edification, 15 and their sure preservation.

1. Sing, O barren. A note of sublime joy characterizes chs. 54–62, which describe the glorious triumph of the gospel: throughout the earth. Israel, thus far “barren” of results (see pp. 30–32; cf. Isa. 5:1–7; John 3:3, 5; Gal. 5:22, 23), was to succeed in her appointed task. Her own sons and daughters would be “taught of the Lord” (Isa. 54:13), the Gentiles would be converted (ch. 56:6), and the Temple in Jerusalem would become “an house of prayer for all people” (v. 7). For a discussion of Israel’s role as a nation and of God’s plan to make her His instrument for the conversion of the world, see pp. 26–30. For Israel’s ultimate failure and the transfer of her privileges and responsibilities under the covenant relationship to the Christian church, see pp. 30–36.

2. Enlarge the place. Figuratively speaking, the land of Canaan was “the place” of Israel’s “tent.” But “as the numbers of Israel increased, they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world” (COL 290) and Jerusalem should be “established as the mighty metropolis of the earth” (DA 577; see also pp. 29, 30).

Spare not. Or, “hold not back” (RSV). Israel was to go forward in faith and make preparations for the great ingathering of souls here promised. Today, God’s people should expect great things of Him and attempt great things for Him. God is never pleased, and His work on earth can never be finished, until the church rises in faith to unite with divine agencies in proclaiming to the world the knowledge of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour.

3. Break forth. If Israel would but rise in faith to meet her destiny as a nation, success would exceed her fondest expectations. Thus it will be in our day when the people of God are ready to receive the power God waits to impart to them.

Inherit the Gentiles. Or, “take possession of the nations” (see on v. 2).

The desolate cities. The cities of Israel that had fallen into ruin when their inhabitants were slain by the sword or carried into captivity would be needed once more to absorb the increase in population.

4. Shame of thy youth. Jehovah brought Israel out of Egypt to become His bride, but she had played the harlot by serving other gods (Jer. 3:1–11; Eze. 16:8–16; Hosea 2:5–13). This was her disgrace and shame. Her ugly past would be given and forgotten, and she would be restored to the privileges and honor originally promised her (see pp. 28–32).

Thy widowhood. This alludes to the captivity in Babylon, when because of infidelity to her Husband Israel was permitted to go into exile (Lam. 1:1; 2:5, 6; cf. Hosea 2:6–13).

5. Thine husband. Although Israel had forsaken her “husband,” He would bring her back to Himself and again be her husband (see Eze. 16:8; Hosea 2:14–20; 3:1–5).

God of the whole earth. See on ch. 56:7. The time was to come when all the inhabitants of earth would submit to His wise and just rule and all the earth would again come under His jurisdiction (see pp. 28–30; see on ch. 45:23). All who refused to yield allegiance to the God of heaven would perish (see Zech. 14:9–19). Jehovah is not God of the Jews alone, but also of the Gentiles (Rom. 3:29). Isaiah beheld the whole earth “full of his glory” (Isa. 6:3). Habakkuk spoke of the time when “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

6. Lord hath called thee. When Israel left the Lord, God still loved her and called her to return. Compare Hosea’s experience with his faithless wife, Gomer (Hosea 2:2–23; 3:1–5).

Refused. Or, “rejected,” that is, from being a “wife.”

7. For a small moment. During the 70 years of the Babylonian captivity Israel seemed to be cast off and forgotten. In reality, however, that bitter experience was permitted by God to reveal to Israel the folly of her ways and to persuade her of the wisdom of being true to Him (see Hosea 2:6–23). Often, amid the difficulties and disappointments of life, it is our privilege to hear the tender voice of God calling us back from our own willful ways to walk with Him.

Gather thee. The gathering of Israel is one of Isaiah’s favorite themes (see chs. 11:12; 27:12; 43:5, 6; 56:8; 60:4; 66:18). The literal return of the Jews to their homeland after the Babylonian captivity, here foretold, prefigured the greater gathering of all God’s people into the heavenly Canaan.

8. A little wrath. This verse repeats the thought of v. 7. Concerning the wrath of God, see on 2 Kings 13:3.

9. Waters of Noah unto me. Several ancient manuscripts and versions read, “the days of Noah unto me.” Following the Deluge God promised that He would not again destroy the earth with a flood (Gen. 9:11, 15). A similar promise was now given the people of Judah, if they would only remain loyal to God once He had gathered them to their homeland.

10. Mountains shall depart. Through Isaiah, God affirms the reliability of His promises. Compare Christ’s affirmation of the enduring quality of all God’s will as revealed in the Scriptures (Matt. 5:18).

Covenant of my peace. That is, His covenant that results in peace (see Num. 25:12; Eze. 34:25; 37:26). When Messiah came to this world the angelic multitude proclaimed God’s message of “peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14), and when He returned to the Father He left a promise of peace (John 14:27).

11. Fair colours. See on 2 Kings 9:30, where the same Hebrew word is rendered “painted.”

Lay thy foundations. The Lord foretells what Jerusalem will be like in its restored state. Compare John’s description of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14–20).

Sapphires. See on Job 28:6.

12. Windows. The LXX reads “battlements,” and the RSV, “pinnacles.”

Thy borders of pleasant stones. Or, “your wall of precious stones” (RSV; see Rev. 21:18).

13. Children. Literally, “sons,” a common Hebrew expression for progeny, irrespective of age. It includes those who are young in years but does not refer to them exclusively. Here it refers to all Jews, as “children” of their mother, Jerusalem.

Taught of the Lord. Heretofore, in their waywardness, the Jews had refused to heed the instruction of the Lord (see on ch. 1:2). Henceforth, in the restoration, they would be willing to learn of Him. In John 6:45, Christ applies these words of Isaiah to Himself and to His own teaching. Under the new covenant God would write the principles of His law within men’s hearts (see Jer. 31:33, 34; John 14:26, 27; 1 Thess. 4:9; Heb. 8:10, 11; 1 John 2:27). For the importance of heeding the revealed will of God, see on Matt. 7:21–27.

Peace. That is, complete well-being—of heart, mind, body, and environment.

14. In righteousness. Only that which is right is permanent. God’s revealed will is the only sure thing this world knows.

Not come near thee. See Ps. 46:1–7; cf. on Ps. 91:7.

15. Surely gather together. Or, “surely attack.” The wicked have often united against the people of God, but such efforts are doomed to fail. Had the Jews proved faithful to God upon their return from captivity, they would have been the recipients of marvelous blessings (see pp. 29, 30). Their enemies would have conspired to take these blessings from them by force, but in so doing they would “fall” (see Eze. 38:8–23; Zech. 12:2–9; 14:2, 3). In the last days also there will be, on the part of all the hosts of evil, a united, but unsuccessful, effort for the destruction of the saints (see Rev. 16:14–16; 19:11–21). See pp. 30, 35, 36.

16. The waster. That is, the one who lays waste, or ravages. God asserts His sovereign control over the powers of earth. No forces may operate except as He shall permit (see on Dan. 4:17). No enemy may pass the bounds God has set for him.

17. No weapon. See on v. 16. God will care for His own and vindicate them before their enemies. Neither evil men nor demons can prevail against them (see Isa. 50:8, 9; Zech. 3:1, 2).

Servants of the Lord. That is, the people of Israel (see on ch. 41:8).

Their righteousness. More exactly, “their vindication.” God will vindicate the cause of His servants. When the enemy accuses them and fights against them He will pronounce them innocent and deliver them.

When confronted with forbidding circumstances in which it appears that suffering and injury at the hands of scheming men are about to be experienced, it is the privilege of the faithful Christian to say with the psalmist, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Ps. 118:6).

Ellen G. White comments

2    7T 9

2, 3 PK 374

2–56T 23

4, 5 MB 64

5     MH 202

8     MH 123; TM 519

9, 10    Ed 115; PP 107

10   DA 483; MB 100; MH 72; PP 342, 657; 4T 328

11–14CT 454

11–17PK 724

13   COL 27; DA 387; ML 33

14   Ed 182

14, 15, 17        FE 478

17        Ed 155; GC 288; MB 18, 35; 5T 601