Read Isaiah 54.
Having presented the Suffering Savior who paid the price for our sins in the
previous chapter, here the focus turns to His second coming. He will
reign as King of Kings.
Israel suffered the shame and punishment of God's judgment. This chapter
is a call for singing and rejoicing as they look forward to their national
future. Yes, for a "brief moment" (v.7) God had to severely
deal with their sin. But that did not change His promises to Abraham.
How long will God have compassion on Israel and love them as His chosen people?
"'In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with
everlasting love I will have compassion on you,' says the LORD, your
Redeemer." (v.8)
"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast
love shall not depart from you and my covenant of peace shall not be removed.'
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.'" (v.10)
Was not this fulfilled with their return from captivity five centuries before
Christ?
Notice God's promises.
1. The Jewish population will increase to far exceed their ability to all live
on that land. (v.3)
2. Everyone will know the LORD and all their children will be taught to know
Him. (v.13)
3. The nation will be safe from all threats. (v.14)
4. No enemy will succeed against them. (v.15-17a)
While these promises are prophetic and will be fulfilled literally one day, in
the meantime God is at work today. The spiritual family of God has been
widened with the grafting in of believers from all nations. See Romans
11:11-24. God's character and treatment of His servants is the same, Jew
and Gentile alike. He loves us with an everlasting love and that will not
change.
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