Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Sing, O barren"
Text: Isaiah 54:1
EXHORTATION TO SING
A word of exhortation was given to the women who were not able to have children. Many of those who were barren mourned the fact that they were childless! This call to sing was extraordinary!
“‘Sing, O barren,
You who have not borne!
Break forth into singing, and cry aloud,
You who have not laboured with child!
For more are the children of the desolate
Than the children of the married woman,’ says the LORD.”
Isaiah 54:1
1. The Barren
a) Those who were barren faced many difficulties.
b) Many of them faced harsh criticism for not being able to bear children.
c) These struggled with deep sadness of heart.
2. The challenge to sing.
a) There was a call to “break forth into singing”.
b) To “cry aloud” joyously!
3. This word of exhortation was specifically given.
a) To “the barren”.
b) To those “who have not borne”.
c) To those “who have not laboured with child”.
4. A prophetic word given.
a) “The desolate” is another reference to “the barren”.
b) They feel desolate because they do not have children of their own.
5. A new dimension.
a) A new dimension was revealed.
b) There were many children to be cared for.
c) The challenge spelt out:
i) To be mothers of children who do not have parents.
ii) To become foster mothers.
iii) This is as meaningful as caring for biological children.
iv) Children need good mothers and fathers to care for them.
d) The number of children to be cared for:
i) They are numerous.
ii) They are more than the usual number of children in an ordinary biological family.
e) This word opened up a whole new horizon of ministry!