June 22: Isaiah 54

Deuteronomy 27:1–28:19; Psalm 119:1–24; Isaiah 54; Matthew 2

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

In chapter 53, the Servant of God gives up himself to bear the sin of God’s people. And when he did this, in that moment he “saw his offspring” (53:10). Who are those offspring?

The first of three “offspring” are mentioned here in chapter 54. It is a “barren one” (1). Up until this point in redemption history, the people of God multiplied primarily by physical birth. But no longer. Now the “barren one” - God’s people, Israel - will have more children than she who gives physical birth (1b).

So get ready, Israel (2). For you, God’s people, will produce offspring who will “possess the nations” (3). The former shame of prior times will be forgotten (4), for God will be to Israel like a Husband to a Bride, when God’s Servant gives himself to bear the sins of God’s people (5-8).

God’s working in the world changes here, in a profound way. We are still talking about Israel; that has not changed. What does change is how Israel multiplies - no longer by physical new birth, but spiritual new birth.

This new birth produces peace for the offspring of this Servant, and for their offspring (13; cf. Romans 5:1). The shalom that Israel always wanted is found only in the work of this Servant, this singular Israel. The cause of this peace is God’s unbreakable love (8), given in perfect righteousness (14), and implemented with sovereign power (16-17). Romans 8:31-39 comes to mind.