Isaiah 54 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We're spending 2024 with the prophet Isaiah. While we claim no expertise, we're excited to sit with you as we both learn at the feet of Jesus. Each month, we offer a calendar that outlines daily exercises (adapted from Jenn Wilkin's Women of the Word Bible study process) to progress through Isaiah. Download October's calendar to begin with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Notes" postings.

Contents:

1. Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between KJV & TLB.
2. Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
3. Research On when God turns His face away.
4. Summary An approximately twenty-word overview of the chapter.
5. Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 54:17.
6. Cross References Of Isaiah 54:17.
7. Respond Based on reflections on God's character and my own.

Different Versions

I read Chapter 54 in the King James Version (KJV) and the Living Bible (TLB). The KJV is a word-for-word translation while the TLB is a paraphrase.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):

Isaiah 54:2

• Comparisons:
• KJV: Enlarge the (1) place of thy tent, and let them (2) stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: (3) spare not, lengthen thy cords, and (4) strengthen thy stakes;
• TLB: Enlarge (1) your house; (2) build on additions; (3) spread out your home (4 - omitted) ! 
• Discrepancies: 
1. "Place of thy tent" in the KJV includes the idea of your land also, where as TLB just leaves it as house. 
2. Also, tent in KJV (including curtains, cords, and stakes) versus house in TLB (described as additions and spreading out) changes the feeling from temporary to permanent.
3. The KJV version aids in connecting other scriptures:
1. TENTS: Festival of booths, tents in the wilderness, and Psalm 61:4 TLB: I shall live forever in your tabernacle; oh, to be safe beneath the shelter of your wings.
2. CURTAINS: She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  Proverbs 31:22 KJV (See research on coverings.)
3. CORDS: Used on the priests clothes to remind them of the commandments of the Lord. (See Numbers 15:38-39.)
4. STAKES: 
1. Don't steal the land of defenseless orphans by moving their ancient boundary marks, for their Redeemer is strong; he himself will accuse you. Proverbs 23:10-11 TLB
2. She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. Judges 5:26 KJV
• Thoughts: God seems to use portable homes to remind us our ever after is not here; earth is our temporary home. 🎵All I know is I'm not home yet. / This is not where I belong.🎶("Where I Belong" performed by Building 429)

Isaiah 54:11-12

• Comparisons:
• KJV: O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will (1) lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy (2) windows of agates, and thy gates of (3) carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. 
• TLB: O my afflicted people, tempest-tossed and troubled, I will rebuild you on a foundation of sapphires and (1) make the walls of your houses from precious jewels. I will make your (2) towers of sparkling agate and your gates (3 - omitted) and walls of shining gems.
• Discrepancies: 
1. "Lay thy stones with fair colours" in the KJV makes me imagine a foundation of fair colours, but the TLB interprets it as "walls...from precious jewels".
2. "Windows" (KJV) seem decorative but "towers" (TLB) defensive.
• Clarification:
1. Commentators take more interest in the idea that the mortar used between the rocks is dark to amplify the beauty of the stones because the Hebrew actually says the stones will be set in "antimony", kohl used to amplify a woman's eyes.
2. Exact meaning is unknown. The Hebrew word is sun, so either would make sense as you can see the sun from both the window and a tower. 

Isaiah 54:14

• Comparisons:
• KJV: (1) In righteousness shalt thou be established: (2) thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
• TLB: (1) You will live under a government that is just and fair. (2) Your enemies will stay far away from you; you will live in peace. Terror shall not come near.
• Discrepancies: 
1. The KJV feels personal; the TLB corporate. The KJV feels like security is because of citizens’ good choices; the TLB like its an effect of good governance. 
2. The KJV focuses on freedom from negative emotions; the TLB focuses on security.

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.

Promise of Everlasting JOY (Isaiah 54:1-6)

1. Now is your time to sing, you who thought you were forsaken. You will see your blessings increase beyond those who you thought were blessed.
1. ! Yet they say, "My Lord deserted us; he has forgotten us." Isaiah 49:14 TLB
2. ! Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28 KJV (See our notes.)
3. ! But it was the Lord's good plan to bruise him and fill him with grief. However, when his soul has been made an offering for sin, then he shall have a multitude of children, many heirs. He shall live again, and God's program shall prosper in his hands. Isaiah 53:10 TLB (See cross references.)
2. Prepare yourself for them! 
3. You will take back what the enemy stole.
1. ! We are on the offense, not the defense.
1. When Jesus tells Peter the gates of hell will not prevail, we are on the offense, not the defense: gates don't move. (from Grant Agler. "Going Public: Your Life is the Message" ~ 54:10)
2. We're given armor for the front not the back because we're always advancing. Your job is to take ground back that the enemy has taken from you. (Short  or Full Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-24 delivered by Carl Sutter)
2. 🎵I'm calling the angels down / I'm storming the gates of hell / Tell the devil he don't own my soul / I'm taking back what the enemy stole.🎶 ("Take it all Back" performed by Tauren Wells and We the Kingdom)
4. You'll forget all your sorrow and shame.
1. ! And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. Isaiah 4:1 KJV (See reflection.)
2. ! Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed; therefore, I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I know that I will triumph. Isaiah 50:7 TLB (See cross references.)
5. God Himself commits to you.
1. *Let go of any false doctrine you're holding on to. Commit to Him fully.
6. When in the depths of your sorrow and shame, God called you out of it.
1. 🎵I won't forget the moment / I heard you You call my name / Out of the grip of darkness / Into the light of grace / Just like Lazarus / Oh, You brought me back to life.🎶("Back to Life" performed by Bethel Music
2. When did God "turn His face"? At the cross? In exile? During the flood? The 400 silent years? *R

A Moment of Grief (Isaiah 54:7-9a)

1. Yes, for awhile you were forsaken, but now know my tender mercies.
2. As people in the time of Noah needed restoration, so did you.

Promise of Peace (Isaiah 54:9b-17)

1. But also like Noah, now that your restoration is complete, I vow you will never again be forsaken.
2. You will dwell in my kindness, peace, and mercy eternally.
1. 🎶And though the mountains be shaken / And the hills be removed / Yet my unfailing love for you🎵 ("Unfailing Love" performed by Jimmy Needham)
3. Yes, you've undergone great distress and turmoil, but now you'll rest in luxury, all your children will know Me, and you will be strengthened because of your righteousness - no longer oppressed or attacked.
1. ! And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all matter of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, and emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius, the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. Revelation 21:19-20 KJV
2. The 12 Foundation Stones in pure light all turn into all colors of the rainbow. - David Pawson
3. ? Is oppression a byproduct of fear?
4. ! For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: "Wonderful," "Counselor," "The Mighty God," "The Everlasting Father," "The Prince of Peace." His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness and justice from the throne of his father David. He will bring true justice and peace to all the nations of the world. This is going to happen because the Lord of heaven's armies had dedicated himself to do it! Isaiah 9:6-7 TLB
4. When someone rises against you, they will fall because I protect you.
5. Afterall, I created even they who seek your destruction.
6. No weapon or deceit used against you will stand. You are my children; I defend you and your righteousness.
1. 🎵No weapon formed against me shall prosper / Don't tread on me🎶 ("Don't Tread on Me" performed by We the Kingdom)

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

What is the brief moment of grief in Isaiah 54:7?

Historically: 70 years of exile in Babylon.

Spiritually: Individual, churchwide, and global travesties.

Prophetically: Jesus on the cross.

Transitionally: God turning away from Israel for a time to introduce the church before returning to gather Israel together again.

The significance: Though it may feel like God's forsaken you, He will return to you shortly. Psalm 30:5 KJV: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but JOY cometh in the morning.

Sources: 

1. Bible Hub commentaries.
2. "The Book of Isaiah - Session 22" a commentary by Chuck Missler ~ 6:15

Summary

Though you know pain, you will dwell in unshakeable JOY, safeguarded by God.

Memorize

I chose to memorize Isaiah 54:17:

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

*This verse outlines the rights God bestows to me, His child. He defends me, cancels all arguments against me, testifies on my behalf, and sees Christ's righteousness in me.

Cross References

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Of  Isaiah 54:17.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;...

• Psalm 2:1-6 TLB: What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God! For a summit conference of the nations has been called to plot against the Lord and his Messiah, Christ the King. "Come, let us break his chains," they say, "and free ourselves from all this slavery to God." But God in heaven merely laughs! He is amused by all their puny plans. And then in fierce fury he rebukes them and fills them with fear. For the Lord declares, "This is the King of my choice, and I have enthroned him in Jerusalem, my holy city."
• Isaiah 31:4 KJV: For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. (See cross references.)
• Matthew 16:18 TLB: You are Peter, a stone; and upon this rock I will build my church; and all the powers of hell shall not prevail against it.
• John 10:28-30 KJV: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

...and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.

• Isaiah 50:8 TLB: He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to fight against me now? Where are my enemies? Let them appear!
• Job 2:4-5 KJV: And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
• Zechariah 3:1-4 TLB: Then the Angel showed me (in my vision) Joshua the High Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord; and Satan was there too, at the Angel's right hand, accusing Joshua of many things. And the Lord said to Satan, "I reject your accusations, Satan; yes, I, the Lord, for I have decided to be merciful to Jerusalem - I rebuke you. I have decreed mercy to Joshua and his nation; they are like a burning stick pulled out of the fire." Joshua's clothing was filthy as he stood before the Angel of the Lord. Then the Angel said to the others standing there, "Remove his filthy clothing." and turning to Joshua he said, "See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes."
• Colossians 2:14 KJV: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,...

• Luke 15:22 TLB: "But his father said to the slaves, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. And a jeweled ring for his finger; and shoes! (Sermon series on the robe, ring, shoes, and using them for our Godly W.A.L.K)
• Isaiah 58:14 KJV: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
• Daniel 3:26 TLB: Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the open door of the flaming furnace and yelled: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God! Come out! Come here!" So they stepped out of the fire.
• Romans 6:22-23 KJV: But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

...and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

• Isaiah 40:2 TLB: "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and tell her that her sad days are gone. Her sins are pardoned, and I have punished her in full for all her sins."
• Isaiah 61:10 KJV: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
• II Corinthians 5:21 TLB: For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God's goodness into us.
• Ephesians 2:4-5 KJV: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

*Conclusion: What a powerful verse! Each clause is steeped in promise and strengthened by relationship. First, you choose to be His servant. Then, God sees the righteousness of Christ in you and grants you the rights of His kingdom. We're defended adeptly by a God who has already won! We are safe, never to be lost or ruined. Don't let anyone make you question it for God himself attests to it.

Respond

God defends me. 

It's pointless for me to defend myself.

I can stand confidently in the righteousness and rights He's bestowed upon me as His beloved child.

In Closing

Father God, You truly are a good, good Father. You watch over us, defend us, and grant us access to Your kingdom which is built with precious stones. May I not forget it. May I stop living like a pauper and start living like the beloved princess of the Most High King that You enabled me to be. My heritage is of God, nothing on earth can satisfy! Thank You for making me part of Your family.

Learning with You,

Are you ready for Isaiah 55?

Sample these related posts:

October Study Guide

Suggested daily activities to guide you through Isaiah 51-54.

Isaiah 53

Research on Jesus being allotted a portion with man. Thoughts on God's grace.

Isaiah 22

Research on Eliakim and Shebna. Thoughts on God's elaborate plans.

Stay at Home Because You're Well Day

Connect with home wherever you are, even if it is in a tent. Includes facts, quotes, and activity suggestions.

International Day of Peace

Connect with training our minds to God to find peace. Includes facts, quotes, and activity suggestions.

 

 

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