Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 54
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 54
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 54
"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith Jehovah. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not: lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. For thou shalt spread aboard on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall possess the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth; and the reproach of thy widowhood shalt thou remember no more. For thy Maker is thy husband; Jehovah of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called." — Isaiah 54:1-5 (ASV)
Observe the low state of religion in the world for a long time before Christianity was brought in. But by preaching the gospel, multitudes were converted from idols to the living God. This is a matter of great rejoicing to the church.
The boundaries of the church were extended. Though its state on earth is merely humble and movable, like a tent or tabernacle, it is sometimes a growing state and must be enlarged as the family increases. But the more numerous the church grows, the more she must fortify herself against errors and corruptions.
Thy Maker is thy Husband. Christ is the Holy One of Israel, the Mediator of the covenant made with the Old Testament church. Long he had been called the God of Israel; but now he shall be called the God of the whole earth.
And he will cleanse from sin and cause every true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. We can never admire this mercy enough, or duly value this privilege.
"For Jehovah hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In overflowing wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Jehovah thy Redeemer. For this is [as] the waters of Noah unto me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my lovingkindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee." — Isaiah 54:6-10 (ASV)
As God is slow to anger, so he is swift to show mercy. And how sweet the returns of mercy would be when God comes and comforts them!
He will have mercy on them. God's gathering his people arises from his mercy, not from any merit of theirs; and it is with great mercies, with everlasting kindness.
The wrath is little, the mercies great; the wrath for a moment, the kindness everlasting. We are neither to despond under afflictions nor to despair of relief.
Mountains have been shaken and removed, but the promises of God have never been broken by any event. Mountains and hills also signify great men. Creature-confidences will fail; but when our friends fail us, our God does not.
All this is equally applicable to the church at large and to each believer. God will rebuke and correct his people for sins; but he will not cast them off.
Let this encourage us to be all the more diligent to make our calling and election sure.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will set thy stones in fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy pinnacles of rubies, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy border of precious stones. And all thy children shall be taught of Jehovah; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 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. Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall because of thee. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and bringeth forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness which is of me, saith Jehovah." — Isaiah 54:11-17 (ASV)
Let the people of God, when afflicted and tossed, consider that God is speaking comfortingly to them through these words, taking notice of their griefs and fears. The church is entirely glorious when filled with the knowledge of God, for no one teaches like Him. It is a promise of the teaching and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
All who are taught by God are also taught to love one another. This seems to relate especially to the glorious times that will follow the tribulations of the church. Holiness, more than anything, is the beauty of the church. God promises protection.
There will be no fears within; there will be no fighting without. Military men value themselves on their splendid titles, but God calls them, "Wasters made to destroy," for they make wasting and destruction their business. He created them; therefore, He will use them to accomplish His own purposes. The day is coming when God will reckon with wicked men for their hard speeches (Jude 1:15). Security and final victory are the heritage of each faithful servant of the Lord.
The righteousness by which they are justified, and the grace by which they are sanctified, are the gift of God and the effect of His special love. Let us implore Him to sanctify our souls and to employ us in His service.
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