YOUR MAKER IS YOUR HUSBAND

Isaiah 54:1-8 / Keywords 54:5

For your Maker is your husband- the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

 

The Future Glory of Zion

54:1 “Sing, barren woman,

    you who never bore a child;

burst into song, shout for joy,

    you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

    than of her who has a husband,”

says the Lord.

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,

    stretch your tent curtains wide,

    do not hold back;

lengthen your cords,

    strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

    your descendants will dispossess nations

    and settle in their desolate cities.

4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.

    Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth

    and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband—

    the Lord Almighty is his name—

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

    he is called the God of all the earth.

6 The Lord will call you back

    as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—

a wife who married young,

    only to be rejected,” says your God.

7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,

    but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

8 In a surge of anger

    I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness

    I will have compassion on you,”

    says the Lord your Redeemer.

1. Sing, enlarge the place of your tent, and fear not! These are the commands of God for the people of Israel. In the Old Testament, the relationship between God and the nation Israel is compared to that of a husband and wife. Unfortunately, though, Israel had cheated in this marriage by worshiping other gods. As a result, they would be sent into captivity in Babylon and experience much shame and disgrace. However, God commanded them to sing because this was not the end of their relationship. They could sing because he promised to multiply their offspring. God commanded them to enlarge the place of their tent because he would restore their inheritance and expand their territory. They would possess the nations and populate the desolate cities. Furthermore, they were to fear not because God would completely remove their shame and disgrace. Their situation was hopeless, but God was their husband and he would redeem them. Israel suffered His wrath and anger for a brief time, but his love and compassion are forever.

 

2. What a tremendous reversal of fortune! If the Lord is your husband, what do you have to fear? What do you have to be ashamed of? You can rest in the hands of your Maker and Redeemer. It is time for you to sing and rejoice in him as well.

 

Prayer Father, your love and mercy never end.

One Word The LORD is your Redeemer