Yesterday, we began with a look at Isaiah 54 as I began to reveal the wondrous mystery of the scripture. It is new each and every time we read it which is why we can never just set it aside like other books and after one or maximum of two readings we never pick them up again. Instead, the scripture is fresh and new with God revealing through it ever deeper understanding as to who He is and His plan for our life with each new reading being fresh and alive. This is certainly true of Isaiah 54. Yesterday, I revealed how this chapter had very special meaning to me. As we relook at these scriptures (I hope you read them yourselves), let us look next at what these prophetic words meant to the Israelite nation, then let’s look at their meaning to the all those who would follow Christ and make up God’s church; and finally we will take a look at what this wonderful chapter means to each of you who know Christ as your Savior.The nation of Israel had been taken captive by the Babylonians. God had allowed or ordained this captivity due to the idolatry of the nation and their disobedience to God. This chapter is a chapter of hope pointing toward their future release from Babylonian rule and is written in a very poetic form as God calls forth for His people to sing and rejoice for His mercy will save them. But this chapter goes much deeper than just the release from the Babylonians; it also is foretelling of the future restoration of the Jewish Nation in the final fulfillment of the second covenant with the “new heaven, the new earth and the rebuilding of a New Jerusalem”.
Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws.
This is a chapter of love, hope, mercy, and boundless grace; as God proclaims that He will accomplish this. He will take that which has been left barren to restore and multiply the nation. He will remove all their shame and be a husband to them—symbolic of His protection, love, devotion and His covenant to them. Think how marvelous this is
—God who sees the whole picture-is never confined by time and space. When He addresses our problems and our lives, He sees the whole eternal picture as clearly as He sees this moment in time. When He wrote His redemption plan in Genesis and throughout the scripture, He saw you and me. It was for us He did it all. When Isaiah 54 was written and the people read it—they saw initially the
immediate answer-their release from Babylonian rule. Yet, there was also the promise of the full restoration that is yet to come. Far beyond that, there is the application where these scripture are speaking of the church of all those who would accept Christ and there is the application to each and every one of us who believe. So, next I wish to begin to break down the verses into sections that will take us a few days to cover. For now let me leave you with these incredible verses of comfort and love from God:
Isaiah 54: “10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.”
As we await the return of "King of All the Earth" let us sing.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws. If you desire copies please go to:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/ultimate-inspiration-gods-plan-of-love-ronald-barba.html
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book and song. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”