Text: Isaiah 54:1-14
Theme: A Little While
"For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.” (Isaiah 54:7).
I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord is good, and His love endures forever. Happy Labours day.
Introduction:
In this chapter, Prophet Isaiah talks about the relationship between Israel and Yahweh. The God of the Hebrews who called Abraham and blessed him to be the source of blessing to the entire universe left his descendants abandoned because of their disobedience, arrogancy, and unfaithfulness.
As we are aware, that God has enslaved Israel under Egyptians for 430 years. He sold them to the nations, and the enemies ruled over them (Psalm 106:41). Their continuous disrespect to God brought complete devastations on the nation of Israel and Judah in the years of 722 and 586 BC. They were scattered among the Assyrians and finally among the Babylonians.
God raised King Cyrus and ordered him to release Israel to go back to their nation. The first step was to rebuild the Temple and the City to habitat the captives on their return.
Text:
At this juncture Word of the Lord came to Prophet Isaiah. God inspired Isaiah to bring words of comfort to his people and to encourage them to trust in the Lord and on his grace. They were like a forsaken woman, cast out young wife, deserted by the life partner. They were mourning in spirit (Isaiah 54:6).
Prophet Isaiah reveals that Yahweh is their redeemer, go’el. His is Lord of Hosts, Holy of Israel, and God of all earth. Yahweh is their Lord and their God. He owns them and redeems them (Isaiah 54:5).
Therefore, he calls them to sing and praise God (Isaiah 54:1). The words of hope came to them to enlarge their tents, stretch out their tabernacles, make their ropes long, and firm their nails (Isaiah 54:2).
God promised their children would build the abandoned cities and occupy them (Isaiah 54:3). Then he prophesied the fortunes of the deserted young wives and widows to have blessed and prosperous life (Isaiah 54:4).
Promise (Isaiah 54:7)
God has acknowledged their present plight. They are in a forsaken state. They are forgotten by God but for a little while. It was a short duration, though it was known for years, 430, then, multiples of 40 years and finally 70 years during the Babylonian exile.
He punishes three to fourth generations for sin, rebellion, and wickedness but loves for thousand generations (Exodus 34:6-7). So, he promised that he has great merciful doings for them. He shall gather them again to bless them. He has hidden his face from the presence of people because of his indignation against them. But now, he would bless them and keep them under His mighty hands. He has shown them everlasting mercy.
This new era will be without curse, without destruction, and without pain. He shall not get angry but will show mercy for everlasting. Hence, the days of Noah will not be repeated. The forgiveness, love of God will surpass the anger and frustration of God (Isaiah 54:9).
He compares his love, mercy, and grace to the unshaken hills and un-moved mountains of the earth. Even though they may be moved but not his mercy from the redeemed and loved ones. He has made this new covenant of Love through Christ. (Isaiah 54:10).
Then the blessings are added on:
1. I shall set and strew your stones in order. I will build your life in proper order founded on Sapphires. Though you were drawn out by tempest and pulled back and forth, running here and there (Isaiah 54:11).
2. I shall set jasper thy towers, and thy gates into planned stones, and all the ends into desirable stones. These are firestones with boundary stones that will be in jewels (Isaiah 54:12).
3. Your children shall be taught by Lord. They shall live in peace which passes all understanding (Isaiah 54:13).
4. 4. You will be founded on Truth and freed from oppression, all fears, terrors, and troubles. Nothing shall come near to you (Isaiah 54:14).
5. Lamentations 3:31: For the Lord will not cast us off forever. James 4:6: But He gives us more grace. That is why it says "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Psalm 30:5 For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.
