Isaiah 54

2 lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. This beautiful metaphor is taken from the pastoral life of the East. As more room is needed by a growing family, the whole tent must be enlarged, the cords extended, and the pegs strengthened.

4 the shame of thy youth. i.e., of the Egyptian bondage: “the reproach of thy widowhood,”

i.e., of the Babylonian captivity in which Israel was left like a widow.

6 a wife of youth. One of whom there was early and constant love, which had not been destroyed even by her sins.

when thou wast refused. R.V., “when she is cast off”: a continuance of the description, a wife, for a time separated and unhappy, but now recalled.

8 in a little wrath. Rather, as R.V., “In overflowing wrath”; or, better still, with Cheyne, “in a gush of wrath.”

9 the waters of Noah. Whatever may be the troubles of the Church, it shall never be swept away and perish. The promise recorded (Gen. viii. 21; ix. 11), here appears as an oath.

11 with fair colours. Rather, “in stibium”; a paint formed from antimony, with which the Hebrew women tinged their eye-lashes. This seems designed to suggest the costliness and beauty of the building. The black stibium would richly set off the splendour of the sapphires, the agates (or “rubies,” R.V.), and the carbuncles (or diamonds): comp. the description of the New Jerusalem, Rev. xxi. 19, 20.

13 all thy children shall be taught of the Lord. Our Lord quotes this prediction in proof of the necessity of that Divine teaching by which the Holy Spirit both enlightens the mind and influences the heart (John vi. 45).

15 shall fall for thy sake. Or, “shall fall (i.e., come over) to thee” comp. R.V. marg.