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Overview

Isaiah 54 highlights YHWH’s covenantal relationship with Israel, but through the lens of a marriage relationship. YHWH is the husband. Israel is the wife. Israel has been a wandering wife. Restless. Unfaithful. But ultimately, YHWH is faithful to His covenant. 

Isaiah 54:5-8

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. 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.

It is interesting the marriage relationship described off and on throughout the Old Testament. It is obviously a reference to the covenant, originally made to Abraham, centuries before. YHWH is faithful, but in verse 7 He does make it clear that He did desert Israel for a time. Though this has the language of abandonment, that is not what happened. God certainly did hand Israel over to its enemies. He warned them of impending judgment for years, and finally, sadly, since Israel would not come back to God—they went back into captivity. 

God is just. But His patience does run out. This reminds us to continue going after those who are not walking with the Lord. YHWH is compassionate, slow to anger. He wants all to repent and come to Him. But the day of judgment will come. Everyone will stand before God. 

Isaiah 54:16-17

Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” 

These verses are interesting. The sovereignty of God is propped up again. YWWH is in control, using even the enemies of God to serve His purposes, but never staining His holiness and always through the lens of their human responsibility. Only the Almighty can exist in that tension. 

And yet, no nation, no weapon can ultimately hurt the people of God. 

Furthermore, verse 17 states “you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment”. Though it is hard to know what exactly this meant in Isaiah’s context, in our context—it is still Satan who loves to accuse the brethren of current and past sins. He loves to bring up our sins to derail us, causing us to not see the blessings God has for us. But greater is He who is in us, then he who is in the world. 

This reminds us to listen to the right voice. The voice of the evil one is deceiving. We need the Spirit of God to help us discern what is true and what is false. The closer we walk in the Spirit, the easier it is to expose the lies of Satan. Stay close to God friends. Remember, Satan doesn’t sleep. He is always prowling around, seeking someone to devour.