Chapter 54
This chapter comes right after the fourth of four "Servant Songs", all Messianic.
vss 1-4, Encouragement to the barren, the downtrodden, the lowly. One day they will be so taken care of that they won't recall the bad times at all. The wording seems to be addressed specifically to women, and then this in vs 5 seems to confirm that:
5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. [Isa 54:5 ESV]
No, that's not what it means. Israel as a nation is the "woman" and these words about how Israel has been laid low for so long, but will rise and repopulate following the destruction of the Tribulation period.
2022 - Note also that it is completely clear in this verse that "Maker", "Lord", "Holy One of Israel", "Redeemer" and "God" are ALL in this same verse. Your Maker's name is Lord (Jehovah). Your Redeemer is "The Holy One of Israel", and ALSO the God of the whole earth. Once again we see Jesus as creator in the OT. This is also equating two of the three members of the Trinity.
2021, These verses:
6 For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. 7 For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. [Isa 54:6-7 ESV]
Here is the distinction between the "bill of divorcement" that God gives to Ephraim, and the "temporary putting off" of Judah. God "deserted" - that is the word - His people Israel because of their transgressions, but he did not divorce them. The contract is still in effect.
This verse is an encouragement also. A good verse for when we sin, and are in repentance, and are suffering through the consequences of that sin:
8 In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer. [Isa 54:8 ESV] I think the "moment" is the church age. Brief from God's point of view, but very long in human terms. This would indicate that this chapter is talking about the time after the church age, and is likely referring to the Millennial as the verses above did.
vs 9 is pretty interesting, and another that I never really noticed before:
9 "This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. [Isa 54:9 ESV]
This seems to promise that Israel will never be conquered and taken into captivity again as punishment from God. Yet there is WWII and the holocaust. Surely that time in Israel's history was as bad as the Babylonian captivity? Not to mention 70 AD and following, and God's anger with them at that time. WWII could all have been Satan attacking them, trying to wipe them out, as in Daniel, so not a result of God's anger. But surely 70 AD was about God's anger? Ahh...MSB says this promise not to be angry will be fulfilled after their final restoration. The Millennial. So it would be saying that the blinding and deafening and the double punishment that has lasted 2000 years so far will not come to Israel again. That was a one time thing. Or...could be referring to Trib and Great Trib and all that Israel must endure while that is in progress....but church age seems more likely.
The promises of peace and righteousness and God's benevolent presence continue. vs 15:
15 If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. [Isa 54:15 ESV] Hitler did...but if we stick with these prophecies being of the Millennial, then this is not about him.
This last part of the last verse of 54:
17 ...This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." [Isa 54:17b ESV] Israel finally vindicated before the entire world, set in the top place, ruler of all nations. That is vindication indeed.
2023 - Adding more the passage that ends with vs 17:
16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." [Isa 54:16-17 ESV]. Read this verse in light of events in Israel beginning October 7, 2023. The ravager brought his weapons and came to destroy all that he could. But they didn't win. Every tongue - every word - spoken against Israel will be refuted. Think U Penn, MIT, Harvard presidents. Think demonstrators on campuses. Think Taylor Swift. All these who rise against Israel will one day be refuted. Vindication of Israel will come, and it will come directly from God. I don't want to be one of them. I will pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
2024 - This whole chapter is about God's promises to elevate Israel to the highest place. He makes THEM, and only THEM, His favorites. This is not about the return from Babylon. None of these things has ever existed for Israel. This is all still future. As such, it has to be Millennial.