Yeshayahu 54 | "For These Are the Waters of Noach to Me"

This prophecy of consolation aims to encourage the people dwelling in Zion. The nation feels despondent due to the small population in Jerusalem, the dire material conditions, and the local enemies interfering the returnees. The prophet assures them that all these challenges will be resolved: the population will grow, the economic situation will improve, and their enemies will fail.

Through the metaphor of a barren woman without children, the prophet urges Jerusalem to rejoice as if the children she is destined to have, have already been born: "Barren woman, never a mother, rejoice… for the children of the forsaken woman will outnumber those of the wife, so says the Lord" (Yeshayahu 54:1). The consequence of the multitude of children is the command: "Broaden the site of your tent" — the expansion of Jerusalem, a prophecy being fulfilled in our days.

The despair from redemption can stem from two main causes. The people of Israel might doubt God’s ability to deliver them, believing He lacks the power, or they might question God’s intentions, thinking He is unwilling to save them.

Some prophecies we have seen address the first concern, demonstrating God's greatness and His dominion over nature, humanity, and idols. This prophecy, along with the following one, addresses the second concern. The people of Zion remember the punishments inflicted upon them by God in the past and struggle to believe that this time will be different. From their human perspective, they cannot understand why redemption would come now.

The prophecy responds to these doubts with an unwavering promise: "For these are the waters of Noach to Me, and I swore that the waters of Noach would never sweep again over the earth. And so did I swear no more to be furious with you, no more to rebuke you" (54:9). There will no longer be anger or wrath; the only requirement is to return to God, and all will be well. In the following chapter, the prophet further assures them that they should not doubt redemption based on human reasoning: "For My thoughts, they are not your thoughts" (55:8). He pledges that the promises of salvation will not return empty but will be fulfilled.