Barren Woman – Isaiah 54:1

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Barren woman, sing for joy because your husband is your Maker and Redeemer, from Isaiah 54:1-5. What song was she to sing? Was she to sing with someone? Were the musical bars this barren woman was to sing new or old? Is there a time frame for this song? If you get the feeling I may be all over place with this one you could be right. Now for my verse 1.

Father God has been singing a Song of Salvation since the Garden, not many wanted to hear it. Abram heard the tune and danced with God to Cannan. This brings in another singer for the song, Sarai. She was ‘ă·qā·rāh or barren and is the first one to sing that part of this song. That word describes five women and is used in Isaiah 54:1. Hebrew Concordance: ‘ă·qā·rāh — 8 Occurrences  Strong’s Hebrew: 6135. עָקָר (aqar) — barren, barren one, barren womanzzz Sarai was the first, but others joined her:

  • Sarai – Genesis 11:30
  • Rebekah – Genesis 25:21
  • Rachael – Genesis 29:31
  • Samson’s mother – Judges 13:2
  • Hannah, Samuel’s mother, in her prayer – 1 Samuel 2:5

Notable “covers” were given by the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:14 and John the Baptist’s mother, Elizabeth – Luke 1:7.

I would like to add a personal note about this part of the Song. I have read Isaiah 54 many times, but the scale of how important this ‘ă·qā·rāh woman singing has alluded me until now. Eve was the first to hear about this Song, her descendants Sarai and Rebekah started singing their part to bring salvation into our world.

The attention getter in Isaiah 54 is it being address to a barren woman. Verse 11 refers to the afflicted city, which may put this around the time of Hezekiah and the Assyrian conquest of Judah. There are many references to Daughter Zion or Virgin Daughter Jerusalem and other daughters in Isaiah. So, this introduction seems very important. Isaiah also refers to other barren things in his lines, mostly geographic areas. Father God’s measured verses here are the anacrusis to Isaiah 60 and 61. I need to point out that our translators use the word “will” many times in this part of the Song.

When Isaiah contributed his lines to the Song, he did not write in chapters and verses, but that is our lot in life. As I have read this part of Isaiah, I have wondered about how his words bridged his time over the kings of Judah and when they were penned. Our Chapters 54, 55, and 56 talk about a barren woman, those who are thirsty, foreigners, and Rest Keepers. He composed his lines for then and for us and for a time we have not yet seen. That chorus of chapters sounds like the Song of the Kingdom to my ear.

Paul repeated 54:1 in Galatians 4:27 and draws a comparison of earthly Jerusalem (Hagar a slave) to heavenly Jerusalem (Sarah a free woman). He wrote this letter to get the Galatian Church back into the rhythm of the Song after they heard men who were out of tune with Jesus sing their own song. Paul highlighted the part of the Song about being a slave to sin and being free in Jesus. Yes, I do see that in Isaiah’s words in Chapters 54, 55, and 56, and beyond.

Being barren was a curse under the Law, yet ‘ă·qā·rāh are still a part of the song. God composed His Song to include members of His Body that were overlooked and mistreated (1 Corinthians 12:23). There was a lot in this study. The links below are some areas that harmonize with Isaiah 54:1.

Luke Joined the Team

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Well, a paradigm was pushed from my palisade today. In the last several weeks I heard several people (I do not remember who) talking about Luke. I have also read many legends about our Greek doctor and his backstory. So, I followed Paul’s paths in Acts to see (I studied) for myself.

Acts 16 has been labeled Paul’s second missionary trip. At the end of Chapter 15 he has quarreled with Barnabas and picked-up Silas. In 16 he finds Timothy and goes to Troas in the region of Mysia. Luke at this point-in-time does something interesting in his grammar. Before verse 8 (NIV) his word tenses are third person and show previous action; the translations use “they”. (No, I am not that good at Greek, but I used Mounce in Bible Gateway.) In verse 10 Luke changes to first-person words and continues including himself from then on by using “we”.

That is a major change and would indicate that Luke joined Paul’s traveling party at Troas. Okay, now you can start asking all sorts of questions and putting out many possibilities about Luke, but by his own writing it looks like Luke joined Paul in Troas and went with him to Macedonia.   

Luke had a true baptism-by-fire in that trip and saw firsthand Paul’s pale. He stayed with him and the Lord as Paul traveled on his mission to preach the Gospel. Luke studied his new faith and talked with firsthand participants and wrote. He proved himself a reliable workman for the Lord and included things Matthew and Mark did not put in their Gospels.

Aah, I love this sort of minutia. Thanks for reading the post.

Luke, Jesus, and the Songs of Ascent

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Luke, Jesus, and the Songs of Ascent is a strange title, but I believe I can tie them together in this post. The Songs of Ascent are Psalms 120 – 134; the links below cover the history and background of these Songs very well and are worth the time comparing and contrasting the information.

As I have read through the Psalms this year, 2026, I have been noting which Psalms are referenced in the New Testament and the life of Jesus. Psalms are usually separated from the prophetic books and that is a shame. They are an integral part of the song Father God has been singing over us and for us since the Garden. David, Asaph, and the others were used by the Spirit to speak about contemporary things and future things. (I am working to upgrade a list I made of when I think they were written.) As a Christian, I can see Jesus in so many Psalms even if they are not quoted in the New Testament. This is why I am doing this post; the words of the ones I will site just blend into God’s song so well. In this post I will not use or reference all of them. The other part of this is Luke 21-24 and Isaiah 33, which I read at the same time as the Songs.

  • Psalm 120 – Think of it as part of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden. Verse 4 may be a reference to Jerusalem’s destruction from Jesus’ Two Sermons on Two Mounts.
  • Psalm 121 – My note here was read it with Luke 21 and Isaiah 33.
  • Psalm 122 – David had two important trips into Jerusalem: when he brought the Ark to himself and when he rode back in after fleeing from Absolom. This also speaks to Jesus’ ride on Palm Sunday.
  • Psalm 123 – Think about the results of His trial. 2b is why you keep praying.
  • Psalm 124 – Focus on the Resurrection.
  • Psalm 125 – The result of His death.
  • Psalm 126 – Pentecost and the call to go to the nations.
  • Psalm 130 – This could have been part of the Garden pray, especially verse 8.

Explore these sights

I do post like this to challenge myself. If you see something different that is fine, just take the time to be with Jesus and the Father and hear Them.

Cleopas and the Third Day

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This is my second Third Day post and the reason for this one is Cleopas and his statement in Luke 24:21. It is Holy Week 2026, and I have been reading the last Chapters in Luke and the Songs of Ascent, more on that in another post. Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him and had been telling His disciples for some time. Cleopas heard and had his doubts so he was leaving Jerusalem and going the wrong direction; not towards Galilee. Jesus went and got him.

Cleopas, in his conversation with Jesus, reveals the perfect mix of knowledge, emotions, and paradigms that all of the disciples were dealing with. If I remove our well-written Bible, 2,000 years of study, and the Holy Spirit I can say I would be in the same position as His disciples were in. I believe Jesus wanted the disciples in Galilee so they would be safe and feel safe. Did the disciples have to stay in Jerusalem for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, no. Yes, Passover was a different story, but even the Children in Egypt were changing location after eating the lamb.

In doing this study I found another group of people who knew about the “Third Day”. The chief priest had gone to Pilate in Matthew 27:64 and had fears for the third day after He was sacrificed. Even with the story from the guards, they did not change.

The links make a good study for Jesus telling His disciples (all of them not just the Twelve) about His death and Resurrection. He also used the story of Jonah, check “three days” for that reference. These are NIV, so change the translation preference at the top, but they seem to share the same verses.

BibleGateway – Keyword Search: third day Luke

BibleGateway – Keyword Search: third day Matthew

He has risen! He has risen indeed!

John Recorded – See, Believe

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John’s purpose in this Gospel was to show Jesus as the Son of God by presenting His miracles. Somehow, well-meaning people picked just seven out of the many John recorded. See and Believe comes from 1:50 and 20:29. Both of these stories have a “miracle” in the story and two unique lessons about seeing and believing.

Nathanael – John records this man as Nathanael, else where he is referred to as Bartholomew. (See Matthew 10:2-4 and Acts 1:13) In John 1 he is just meeting Jesus and is very skeptical of Him. Because of a miraculous vision (Jesus saw) Nathanael recognizes (believes) Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. (That sounds like what Peter said a few years down the road.)

After many Muse Moments, this is my take. There was a miracle, Nathanael believes because of the miracle, and is told he will see more. Jesus’ reference to Jacob’s vision in Genesis 28:12 still has me thinking, but for sure it refers back to verse 47 and Nathanael being a “true Israelite”.

Thomas – John is the only writer to call Thomas, Didymus or The Twin. No, I do not think it has anything to do with his statement in John 20; he had a twin. There is so much not recorded in the gospels:) By John 20, Thomas has seen many miracles, so this see/believe is a little different. This a good place to remember 11:16 and Thomas’ statement of fact that going with Jesus would be the death of them all.

My take for 20:29 – Thomas had seen many miracles, he sees another miracle with a challenge, and he believes. Jesus then speaks to Thomas’ “future fruit” as being blessed without having seen Jesus. That fruit is still in India in the form of active churches.

Agendas

Did Thomas touch or not. I was surprised to see this as a thing, and yes, some people have made a thing about something that is not recorded in the Bible. I think the touch was a happy hug.

Doubting Thomas. He has been labeled as a doubter. The Ten doubted the women. Peter and John doubted the women and had to run to the tomb instead of taking off for Galilee. Cleopas doubted and left for Emmaus instead of Galilee, Mark 16:13 and Luke. Some were still doubting at the ascension, Matthew 28:17. Luke 24:11-14 covers all kinds of doubt. I could say something about the love and faith of the women, and who was at the cross, and who went to take care of the Body of Jesus, but I hope you get the idea.

“See it to believe.” OR “Believe and you will see.” Jesus did miracles and commissioned ALL of His disciples to do them. I read that Jesus used both ideas in the Gospels, because both have their place in the life and faith of believers. Some people saw and acted on what they saw, but others did not.

An Extra – John used the words/ideas of seeing and believing more than the other Gospel writers. About 70 times for see and 80 times for believe. Check your favorite translation.

BibleGateway – Keyword Search: see

ὁράω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com see

BibleGateway – Keyword Search: believe

πιστεύω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com believe