Isaiah 54:1-17 Sing, O barren, you that did not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you that did not travail with child… is peculiarly a missionary chapter. After the death and resurrection of the Saviour has been foretold, the great results that would follow thereon are appropriately described. In vers. 1-3, she that was "barren" (whether a reference is made to the Jews on their return from captivity, or to the Gentiles to whom the Gospel began to go forth on the day of Pentecost, or to the enlargement of the true Church by the gathering in of souls from Jews and Gentiles alike) is exhorted to rejoice in the increase of her offspring. God's mercy in gathering this Church and bestowing upon her His favour is described (vers. 4-10); the attractiveness of this Church follows (vers. 11, 12); and lastly (vers. 13-17) her establishment in righteousness and her permanence are set forth. (W. H. Barlow, B.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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