Israel Will Be Restored and Enlarged

Isaiah 54:1-17

“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 the LORD.  Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.” (Isaiah 54:1-3)

Many women who have been unable to get pregnant using natural means turn to in vitro fertilization as a last resort.   Israel is like a woman who tries in vitro fertilization and becomes pregnant.  When she goes in for an ultra sound, she learns that she is carrying septuplets.  She will need to  have additional rooms added to her house because suddenly she will have more children than her neighbors who got pregnant naturally.  The land of Israel will have to be expanded when the Lord returns to accommodate all the people who join them. 

“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 shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.  For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.  For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” (Isaiah 54:4-8)

Israel has been like a woman who constantly fights with her husband until, in frustration, he goes somewhere else to get away from the conflict.  She is embarrassed to admit her husband walked out on her because she was so hard to get along with and blames him for all the problems.    He still loves her and will gladly return and work things out if she is willing to try.  God has called out to her like as woman wanting to make real changes in her life.  Like that loving husband, he will eagerly come back and forget about what caused the conflict as if it were only a minor matter.  The marriage can be even better than it ever was.   

“For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.  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.” (Isaiah 54:9-10)

Just as God limited the time the flood was upon the earth and protected Noah and his family, God will limit how far and long things will affect Israel and will protect her.  Even though the hills and mountains will be shaken out of place or flattened out during the Tribulation, God will not forsake ofr forget his promise to Israel. 

“O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.  And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; 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.” (Isaiah 54:11-14)

Though they were experiencing some terrible things at the time feeling homeless and unloved, God promised them a beautiful house one day, decorated with sapphires.  Their windows did not have glass and were covered with a lattice to keep out the birds.  God promised to place agate stones in the windows to let in the light while blocking the wind and rain.  The door would be covered with precious jewels and the gardens outlined with beautiful stones.  God would teach her children righteousness will become their way of life.  As a result, they will not have people controlling them or have to wory about being attacked, as Revelation 20 describes. 

“Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument 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 the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:14-17)

People will unite to fight against them, but it will not succeed.  God created the blacksmith and gave him the ability to make tools and weapons.  In a similar way, he created those who wicked to destroy.   When they turn against God’s people, their failure is guaranteed.  Even the accusations against them will be proven false and God will bless them.  That is just what he does for his people.