Isaiah 54:1

Sing, O barren. A note of sublime joy characterizes chs. 54-62, which describe the glorious triumph of the gospel: throughout the earth. Israel, thus far “barren” of results (see pp. 30-32; cf. Isa. 5:1-7; John 3:3, 5; Gal. 5:22, 23), was to succeed in her appointed task. Her own sons and daughters would be “taught of the Lord” (Isa. 54:13), the Gentiles would be converted (ch. 56:6), and the Temple in Jerusalem would become “an house of prayer for all people” (v. 7). For a discussion of Israel’s role as a nation and of God’s plan to make her His instrument for the conversion of the world, see pp. 26-30. For Israel’s ultimate failure and the transfer of her privileges and responsibilities under the covenant relationship to the Christian church, see pp. 30-36.