Prepare for the Blessing

Second in a series of studies in Isaiah 54
 
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
And let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations;
Do not spare;
Lengthen your cords.
And strengthen your stakes.
For you shall expand to the right and to the left,
And your descendants will inherit the nations,
And make the desolate cities inhabited” (Isaiah 54:2-3).
 
Furthering the assurance of the great increase in numbers that God has promised Israel, He tells her to make extensive preparation. The metaphor here goes back to the days of Israel as a nomadic tribe when she lived in tents.
 
The “tent” is a symbol of her dwelling place; and the “curtains,” “cords,” and “stakes” are items used to make the tents functional and keep them stable. Having more tents will automatically require more curtains, cords, and stakes.
 
The primary level of this prophecy continues to promote optimism. The prophet assures Israel that she will come out of the numerically depressed state she experienced in captivity and will rise to surpass those around her who do not have a relationship with God. She is to prepare for her blessing.
 
The secondary level of this prophecy is its reference to the Christian Age when, not only Jews but also Gentiles, would be together in obeying the gospel and in planting the Lord’s church. Literally thousands left their former ways—some from Judaism and many from idolatry—and were born again as true children of God.