Isaiah 54:3

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. FOR THOU SHALT BREAK FORTH ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT - thou shalt burst forth with increase; thy offspring shall grow, answering to "thy seed" in the parallel clause. AND THY SEED - Israel and her children, as distinguished from "the Gentiles." SHALL INHERIT THE GENTILES, AND MAKE THE DESOLATE CITIES TO BE INHABITED - namely, those of Israel ()....

3._Because thou shalt be multiplied. _Now follows the reason why he commanded the cords to be lengthened for enlarging the tents. It is, that a moderate space would not contain a numerous people, whom the Lord will gather into one from every quarter. Now, because Judea was hideous on account of its ruins and desolation, he says that the forsaken cities shall be inhabited....

1-5 Observe the low state of religion in the world, for a long time before Christianity was brought in. But by preaching the gospel, multitudes were converted from idols to the living God. This is matter of great rejoicing to the church. The bounds of the church were extended. Though its state on earth is but mean and movable, like a tent or tabernacle, it is sometimes a growing state, and must be enlarged as the family increases. But the more numerous the church grows, the more she must fortify herself against errors and corruptions. Thy Maker is thy Husband. Christ is the Holy One of Israel, the Mediator of the covenant made with the Old Testament church. Long he had been called the God of Israel; but now he shall be called the God of the whole earth. And he will cleanse from sin, and cause every true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. We never can enough admire this mercy, or d...

FOR THOU SHALT BREAK FORTH - (See the notes at Isaiah 49:19). AND MAKE THE DESOLATE CITIES - (See the notes at Isaiah 44:26)....

SECTION IV.—A RENEWAL OF PROMISES TO ISRAEL, COMBINED WITH EXHORTATION (CH. 54-56:8). EXPOSITION ISAIAH 54:1 A PROMISE TO ISRAEL OF GREAT INCREASE, AND OF GOD'S PERSISTENT PROTECTION. There is no close connection between this chapter and the last, or even between this section and the preceding. Isaiah 54:1 take up the thought of...

FOR THOU SHALL BREAK FORTH ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT,.... To the south, and to the north, as the Targum, like an inundation of water, that breaks through and overflows the banks of the river, and spreads itself in the adjacent countries; or like a warehouse overstocked with goods, bursts the walls in which they are pent up; or rather as infants break forth from the womb at the time of birth, as Pharez did, from whence he had his name, Genesis 38:29 see Hosea 13:13, or as, when a country is become exceeding numerous, the inhabitants break out, and go forth beyond their borders, and seek new settlements, the place of their abode being too small for them; so it shall be in the latter day, through the vast number of converts that will be made; see...

Isaiah 54:1. _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._ This promise is made to the long-barren and desolate Gentile Church the may well sing, for God has visited her in mercy, and, at this day, her children are more numerous than those of the Jewish Church. We have waited, but we have been well repaid for our waiting, for we have a larger and richer blessing than God's ancient people ever enjoyed. Isaiah 54:2. 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 o

CHAPTER 54 ISRAEL CALLED TO SING 1. _The blessings of restoration (Isaiah 54:1) _ 2. _Mercy bestowed (Isaiah 54:7) _ 3. _The earthly glory of Jerusalem (Isaiah 54:11) _ 4. _Jehovah keeps and defends His people (Isaiah 54:15) _ After the cross the singing. What singing there will be in the earth when at last “they will look upon Him, whom they have pierced.” Israel will some day know the full meaning ofIsaiah 53:1-12 2, and when He is owned at last the glories and blessings of restoration will, through infinite grace, be bestowed upon them. Enlargement and faithfulness will be the results. The shame of Israel

LIV. ZION SHALL BE RESTORED TO HER PLACE AS YAHWEH'S WIFE, NEVER AGAIN TO BE REJECTED. The poet pictures Zion as a barren wife, left desolate by her husband. Let her break into transports of joy, for Yahweh promises that her children shall yet be more than the children of a wife not deserted so many that her tent must be enlarged. He bids her stretch forth her tent-hangings (so LXX), without stint lengthening the cords and strengthening the tent-pegs to support the larger tent. For Zion's inhabitants shall overflow south and north, overrunning other nations and peopling the deserted cities. Let Zion not blush for shame: the shame of her early days as Yahweh's bride the Egyptian captivity and her widowhood the exile, when her husband, Yahweh, forsook her shall be forgotten. For Yahweh has called her to Him, as a husband summons to his favour a wife neglected and dejected the Heb. forsaken...

GENTILES. nations....