This year I am studying the book of Isaiah through BSF.  It has been an awesome study and I have a learned a lot (although that first section was pretty tough to get through!).  This week the following verses really stuck out to me. 

Isaiah 54:1-8: 

“Sing, barren woman,

   you who never bore a child;

burst into song, shout for joy,

   you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

   than of her who has a husband,”

            says the LORD.

“Enlarge the place of your tent,

   stretch your tent curtains wide,

   do not hold back;

lengthen your cords,

   strengthen your stakes.

For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

   your descendants will dispossess nations

   and settle in their desolate cities.

  “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.

   Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth

   and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

For your Maker is your husband—

   the LORD Almighty is his name—

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

   he is called the God of all the earth.

The LORD will call you back

   as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—

a wife who married young,

   only to be rejected,” says your God.

“For a brief moment I abandoned you,

   but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

In a surge of anger

   I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness

   I will have compassion on you,”

   says the LORD your Redeemer.

In this passage Isaiah is using the imagery of a barren woman to describe how although Israel has been held captive for a long time (and thus has been "barren") God will eventually come to their rescue (and provide "children")!  The verses speak of "bursting into song" and "shouting for joy"--I am embracing this right now!  I don't have to be sad anymore!  I love the part that talks about "enlarging your tent" and "stretching your tent curtains wide".  God is telling his people--get ready, I'm coming!  Although I am a barren woman God still has promised me children, through adoption!  I am to get ready and prepare for this child's arrival--just as the Israelites were to prepare and get ready for God to rescue them and lead them out of captivity.  Although God's word was written and inspired thousands of years ago He still uses it to speak to his people today--love it!