Thanks to the Servant’s substitutional death for the nation of Israel and the “iniquity of us all” (53:6), Isaiah announces joyful news to the “afflicted, storm-tossed” Israelites. Because of the Servant’s vicious, victorious sacrifice, Jerusalem is called to “break forth into singing” (1).
Jerusalem, the city that embodies the experience of the Israelites, will go from barren to bountiful: “For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married” (1). The returning exiles will need an enlarged family “tent” (2). The Lord calls Jerusalem to “lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes” (2). Spreading out “to the right and to the left”, the offspring of the city will “possess the nations and will people the desolate cities” (3).
With comforting words of promise (40:1), Israel is assured she will no longer “be ashamed”, “confounded” or “disgraced” (4). This reversal—from being rejected to being redeemed—comes about because “your Maker is your husband” and “the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer” (5). The “Lord of hosts” who is also “the God of the whole earth” (5), has both the power and the purpose to restore His people.
Building on the imagery of Israel from Isaiah 50, Isaiah returns to the picture of Israel as a “wife deserted” and “cast off” (6: 50:2). While “for a brief moment” the Lord deserted His people, sending them away to exile (7; 50:2), those days are over: “’For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,’ says the Lord, your Redeemer” (7-8).
To assure His people this change will be permanent, the Lord cites His enduring promise to Noah; as He promised to never again flood the entire earth, so now He promises to never remove His “steadfast love” and “covenant of peace” (9-10; Gen 9:9-17). Once again the Lord refers to Himself as Israel’s “Redeemer” (גָּאַל ). Repeatedly, He comforts His people with the affirmation of His “great compassion” ( רָחַם—see verses 7,8, 10). The ramifications of the Servant’s substitutionary death are staggering!
The future is bright and calm for God’s people, even though the present seems “storm-tossed” (11). The Lord promises His “afflicted” people that their dwelling place—though decimated and disgraced now—will one day be stunningly glorious (11-12). The foundation stones, walls, and pinnacles of their city (Jerusalem) will be set with “precious stones” (12). Here is a promise that would seem hyperbole if not for the vision of the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21:19-20). The Lord has more than the solid work of Nehemiah in view!
More importantly than a physically rebuilt city, is a spiritually restored nation. So, God assures His people that “all their children shall be taught by the Lord” (13). Instead of responding with heavy ears and blind eyes (6:10), future Israelites will be teachable and responsive. As a result, the Lord can say, “great shall be the peace of your children” (13). They will live in the Lord’s enduring “covenant of peace” (10).
The stability the people long for will be realized; they will be “established” in righteousness (14). The fear and oppression they’ve known because of their transgressions (50:1), will be a distant memory. In fact, if trouble comes their way, it will not be coming from God’s hand: “If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me” (15). Troublemakers who attack, will “fall” in defeat (15). Because of God’s sovereign control over all people (including those who make weapons and cause destruction—16), “no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed” (17). Even verbal attacks will be refuted (17) and silenced. The chapter ends with the Lord’s emphatic declaration: “This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me” (17).
Behold Your God
The Lord’s anger with His people lasts for a moment but His favour endured forever. Israel experienced God’s “overflowing anger” for “a brief moment” (7-8). They received from the Lord’s hand double for all their sins (40:2). Now, the Lord promises them that with “everlasting love I will have compassion on you” (8). He affirms to them that “my steadfast love shall not depart from you” (10). His “covenant of peace will not be removed” (10). The truth of Psalm 30:5 is vividly portrayed; “For His anger is but for a moment, and His favour is for a lifetime.”
The Lord makes a “covenant of peace” with His people. Prior to Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Isaiah brings a message of a lasting covenant God promises His people. This “covenant of peace” will never be removed (10). This covenant of peace lines up with the “new covenant” spoken of by Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:24-29). Under this covenant all the children of Israel “will be taught by the Lord” (13; Jer. 31:34) and will “established” in “righteousness” (14; Ezek. 36:25-27). This is the covenant that Jesus instituted through His death as the Servant of the Lord and Lamb of God (John 1:29; Luke 22:20).
The Lord’s blessing enlarges and beautifies His people. Jerusalem is told to expand: “Enlarge the place of your tent. . . lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes”(2). Not only will the home for God’s people be bigger, it will shine with greater beauty. It’s foundation, walls, and pinnacles will sparkle with precious stones. This promise, fulfilled in the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev 21-22), reminds us that God can enlarge and enrich His people for His glory and their good. Don’t doubt His power or plan to build up His kingdom!
Here Am I
I can count on the great compassion and steadfast love of the Lord. The Lord disciplines His people but promises never to revoke His “everlasting love” (8). He has made a “covenant of peace” that will not be removed (10). As one who, because of Christ, has been made a “fellow citizen with the saints” (Eph 2:19), I am no longer a “stranger to the covenants of promise” (Eph. 2:12). What security and confidence this gives my heart. What love for God it inspires!
I will seek to lead God’s people to go “deeper and wider” in ministry. Knowing that our Lord promises to expand His kingdom and build us a beautiful, enduring city (heavenly Jerusalem—12-14; Rev. 21-22), I will “lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes” now. My outlook as a pastoral leader for God’s people is infused with hope and expectation of the Lord’s desire to see His kingdom expand.
Rick and Linda Reed 