Isaiah chapter 54 - 1st Timothy

What is the subject of the entire book of 1st Timothy? The subject is the Church. From beginning to end, 1st Timothy is Paul’s instruction to his disciple in the faith. The Church is the subject, nothing else.

So, how is that subject connected to chapter fifty-four of Isaiah? Chapter fifty-four is a song of joy for the people of God. Isaiah was prophesying concerning the people of God in his day, Israel. The book of 1st Timothy concerns the people of God in Paul’s day, the Church.

Does this mean that Israel became the Church and the Church is Israel. Absolutely NOT! They are two separate people groups in two distinct periods of time. Israel had God’s full attention first, from Abraham’s day to Jesus’ day. God turned His full attention to the Church with Paul, and the Church still has His full attention. There is coming a day when Israel will again be the recipient of God’s full attention, and that day is coming soon at this writing.

It is noteworthy to point out the message of Isaiah 43:17.

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

Have there been weapons formed that have prospered against Israel. Yes, but not in the eternal perspective. Have there been weapons formed that have prospered against the Chruch. Yes, but not in the eternal perspective. The words to notice in this verse are these:

“This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD”

Of course, the God is speaking through Isaiah concerning Israel, but in 1st Timothy, the God is speaking through Paul about His servants, the Church. Take a close look at Isaiah 54:3. God speaking to Israel says:

“thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles”

Does this mean that Israel was going to become Gentile? No. Does it mean that the Gentiles were going to be an inheritance gift from God to Israel? No. What ‘seed’ of Israel was going to inherit the Gentiles? The Messiah of Israel was going to inherit the Gentiles.

Israel calls him their Messiah, and Israel does not believe that He has come yet. Israel is still waiting for Him. The Church calls Him Christ, who came in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Christ, the Messiah of Israel, the ‘seed’ of Israel has inherited the Gentiles, and they are the Church.

The subjects of each of these two texts are clear and unmistakable. Again, we can take a quick note of the fact that the fifty-forth chapter of Isaiah is connected with the fifty-forth book of the Bible. And on we go.