October 31, Isaiah 54
“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the
curtains of your habitation be stretched out; do
not hold back; lengthen your cords and
strengthen your stakes. For you will spread
abroad to the right and to the left; and your
offspring will possess the nations and will
people the desolate cities.” - Isaiah 54:2-3
After Isaiah’s breathtaking description of Messiah’s saving work in Chapter 53, he turned in Chapter 54 to the glorious result of that suffering. He made consoling promises to the remnant of the people who were devoted to him, and promised that their number would grow. Under the rule of Messiah, their kingdom would be a place of righteousness and peace.
Paul quoted from this chapter in Galatians and said that it referred not to fleshly, national, racial Israel, but to the spiritual children of Abraham by their faith in Christ. Citizenship in this kingdom was not on the basis of physical kinship to Abraham, but through trusting faith in Jesus Christ as the promised One and Lord. Gentiles will join those Jews who turn to Christ in the vast number of God’s people, citizens of the kingdom and heirs of the Abrahamic promises.
God promised to bless those who had been barren with many children. He told them to enlarge their tents to accommodate their many descendants. Their families would spread abroad and populate cities, and the years of their barrenness would be forgotten. All this looked ahead to spiritual Israel, Messiah’s kingdom. The remnant believers were the faithful few in the days of captivity and return, but their spiritual family would grow far beyond their ability to comprehend.
The Lord described the beauty of the new Jerusalem (Messiah’s kingdom) in terms similar to how it’s described in the New Testament book of Revelation. If we know our struggling selves and our fellow church members, we may wonder how the beautiful description fits a group of people like us. But this is God’s view of his people, sanctified and glorified in Christ. They enjoy internal peace and secure safety. They reflect and partake of the righteousness they have in Christ.
These promises were secured by God’s faithfulness and steadfast love. He would keep every promise. He promised to never revoke his covenant of peace with Messiah’s people. So this remnant that would answer the call to go home to rebuild Jerusalem would be the forefathers in faith of future believers who would share their glory as believers who trusted in Christ. Their heirs would be cleansed by Christ and partakers of his righteousness. True to their spiritual ancestry in Abraham and not just their physical descent, they could rest assured that God would bless them and their heirs, meeting all their needs by his grace. No enemy or weapon could prevail against them, and no accuser could convict them in judgment.
The closing verse says, “This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.” If you and I belong to Christ, we too are partakers of that rich heritage of faith and sure vindication by the grace of God that makes us partakers of the righteousness of Christ. This story is much bigger than just you and me, but we are included in the big story of God’s everlasting kingdom. It ought to encourage us in our struggles just as it did those faithful believers in the ancient nation of Israel. How will thinking these thoughts about your blessings and heritage in Christ affect your words, thoughts and devotion to the Lord today?
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—October 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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