Isaiah 54 reminds me of the bitterness of human relationships. Many have broken hearts from their youth that never get explained, in some cases deep wounds that never fully heal. First loves don’t often last. In this chapter Isaiah pictures a childless, bitter woman receiving the words she has longed to hear with explanation and assurance of the original promise. He begins, “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child… shout for joy“. He knows she looked at the other, less deserving women, with envy. He tells her, “Enlarge the place of your tent… lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes… spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations“. Knowing her hesitation, he assures her, this is a promise that will be fulfilled, “Do not be afraid… Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated“. This time it is different, “For your Maker is your husband the LORD Almighty is His name“. God’s words are unbreakable promises, “The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit“. This promise is to all who have felt the sting of rejection, “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back… I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you“. The hurtful words and numbing loss will be wiped away.
He compares this time to “the days of Noah” and the promise of the rainbow, God would never destroy the earth with water again. Now, to this broken hearted one, “I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again… My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed“. This covenant is for the Nation of Israel, but it is also personal to each individual. Do you need a new promise?
He will not just to rebuild our life, but He will make us new with ornate perfection. “Lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you… with stones of turquoise… rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones“. This is no prom night corsage, but a promise of the permanence of eternity. He continues, “All your children will be taught by the LORD… In righteousness you will be established… Terror will be far removed… whoever attacks you will surrender to you“. Listen closely as Isaiah hints there is also a day of judgment coming, “it is I who… fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work… I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc“. Clearly some will not accept God’s offer of forgiveness. But for His beloved, “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you… This is the heritage… this is their vindication from Me“. Friend, who is your accuser? Make no mistake, Jesus speaks to us the same words He said to the woman caught in adultery, “Where are those accusers of yours?” (John 8:10). And He adds, “Neither do I condemn you; go andsin no more“. Are ready for a new first love?