◄ What Does Isaiah 54:5 Mean? ►

"For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.

Isaiah 54:5(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Isaiah, with it sixty-six chapters, has often been called a mini-bible. The first thirty-nine chapters correspond to the Old Testament and describe Israel's apostasy. These chapters warn of her impending punishment if she does not turn from her idolatrous ways, back to the Lord God of Israel. They also list the many warnings of judgement and destruction that will befall the different nations that have risen up in defiance of God, as well as impending judgement against His chosen people, Israel.

But the last twenty-seven chapters of Isaiah talk of Israel's comfort, deliverance, redemption, and future joy. These chapters prophesy of a Messiah Who is to be sent by God to seek and to save that which was lost. They go on to declare the future glory of Zion, when peace like a river will forge its healing stream throughout the whole earth, which will happen during the future millennial kingdom.

And in this verse, we hear an astonishing truth: that the afore-mentioned adulterous nation of Israel is in fact the wife of God, the Creator of all Whose name is the Lord of Hosts, and Whose glory stretches throughout the heavens. He is Israel's husband, and He is their Maker. He is their Redeemer, and He is the Holy One of Israel Who is God over all the earth.

The shame and slavery that Israel experienced in Egyptian captivity, was regarded by Isaiah as the time of Israel's youth. The generations of idol worship and spiritual apostasy that followed, was considered as the time of Israel's spiritual adultery, likening them to an unfaithful wife. The years they lived in Babylonian captivity was conceived as Israel's widowhood. And in this verse, we see Israel restored to her honoured place as the wife of Jehovah: "For your husband is your Maker Whose name is the LORD of hosts. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth."

What a beautiful picture Isaiah portrays of Israel being regathered, restored, and remarried by their gracious God, Who is depicted as a faithful and loving husband. He is merciful, kind, long-suffering, and of great goodness. His love never ends, and His compassion never fails. His promises are altogether true, and His name is the LORD of hosts, for He is the Redeemer of His people, the Holy One of Israel, the God over all the earth.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, what a great privilege it is to be Your child and to be called by Your name. Thank You for the long-suffering mercy You showed to Your people, Israel, despite their errant ways, and what a confidence I have in You that Your promises to the Church will similarly never fail. Thank You that You Who started a good work in me, will continue it until the day of Christ Jesus. In Jesus' name, AMEN.