God’s Compassionate Promises (54:1-17)
Neal Pollard
We are not told when the promises in this chapter would be fulfilled. The details of being forsaken for “a brief moment” (7) seems to fit best with the Assyrian incursion at the time the northern kingdom is taken captive and destroyed in the last part of the eighth century B.C. But in this section that highlights the Redeemer, there are implications of a time centuries after that when Jesus is born. Consider the beautiful promises contained in this chapter.
God promises richness (1-3). It is a reverse of fortune from a time of barrenness, travail, and desolation to a figurative “baby boom” that requires them to enlarge, stretch out, lengthen, strengthen, and spread abroad. Their descendants would expand and conquer.
God promises restoration (4). What had marked their past was shame, humiliation, disgrace, and reproach, from youth to widowhood. God says, “Fear not!” His promise was greater than the scars of their past or their apprehension about the future.
God promises relationship (5-6). The further hope of these promises is the intimacy of God’s relationship with them. Their husband is the Creator and master of everything. Their Redeemer rules the entire planet. Though they were a wife without anything to commend herself, still He desires her.
God promises redemption (7-10). Twice in this chapter, God calls Himself “Redeemer” (5,7). They had earned His rejection, but He likens His response to the way He responded after the flood in Noah’s day. His people deserve wrath and judgment for their iniquities, but He offers “everlasting lovingkindness,” “compassion,” and “peace.” Nothing on this earth can be counted on, but God’s promises can be.
God promises reward (11-13). He illustrates this by mentioning several precious stones by which He will reinforce them. Their dwelling places would be bejeweled with splendor and majesty. John will co-opt this kind of imagery in describing heaven and the church glorified (Rev. 21:19ff). They would have superior knowledge of God’s will (cf. John 6:45), which would lead them to the best life possible (John 10:10).
God promises resilience (14-17). Their foundation would be righteousness (14; Mat. 7:24-27). Since God is in control (15-16) and on their side, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me” (17). We sing that, don’t we? The battle belongs to the Lord! If we are on His side, we will win (1 John 5:4).
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