Isaiah 54

Isaiah 54:1-5

Rejoice greatly, ye Gentiles, who have hitherto produced few converts to Christ; for now greater multitudes of you shall be born again than ever were in the Jewish church: greater multitudes shall be converted to Christ, after his departure to heaven, than while his church enjoyed his bodily presence. The gospel church, that tabernacle of God, shall be greatly enlarged by the conversion of Gentile nations on every side. No more shall they be reproached, as rejected by and strangers to God: for now shall the divine Jesus, and his Father, espouse to himself a peculiar people in all places of the world

Isaiah 54:6-10

And, however destitute and wretched in themselves, despicable in their first appearances, or distressed and persecuted in utter ages, as the Jewish church was during the captivity at Babylon and the Syro-grecian persecution, yet will I never cast them off, nor withdraw my affectionate regard, but, after occasional frowns, still manifest new tokens of my favour

Isaiah 54:11-17

Notwithstanding her terrible distress, persecution, and inward perplexities, I will render her glorious in oracles, ordinances, gifts, and graces, officers, and members, and in spiritual knowledge, peace, and holiness; and, in due time, will grant full deliverance, and destroy all her enemies, spiritual and temporal, heathen, popish, or Mahometan; and that graciously, through my own righteousness imputed or displayed on them

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. LIV.—Wretched was the state of religion in the world, for many ages, before Christianity was established. And great power in God, and care in men, are necessary for spreading the gospel and enlarging the church. But surely it is much to be lamented that some, who have most of the means, have least of the power, of grace. It is great matter of joy to the long-rejected Gentiles, that Jesus, our Maker, is now our God and our Husband, able to save us to the uttermost. May we ever walk as his bride, loving, cleaving to, and trusting in, him! He condescends to our wretchedness in dealing with our souls. And wisely he mingles his favours and frowns, that we may neither be proud under the one, nor despair under the other. But there is great matter of joy, and sure ground of faith, in the absolute unchangeableness of his love and covenant of peace. Graciously he remarks his people’s distresses, and balances them with his mercies unnumbered. His instructions effectually render us pious and peaceful. And safe are those, amidst millions of enemies, who have Jesus’ righteousness imputed to their conscience, and JEBOVAH, the Manager of the world, in him, their Protector, and the Revenger of the injuries done to them