Prepare For Your Increase

Trevor S. Ferguson
July 8, 2010

Isaiah 54:1-5 (KJV)
1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.


Barrenness: The ancient curse
Barrenness in Hebrew culture was among the worst curses that could befall a woman. It was thought to symbolize a curse from God because of sin. A woman who was barren often faces severe inner turmoil, distress and is often characterized by weeping and sometimes rash outburst. This is seen for example in Rachel’s statement in Genesis 30:1, “Give me children, or else I die”. In 1st Samuel chapter 1 we see that Hannah was willing to give up her child after birth just to be relieved of this curse of barrenness. It would therefore be unexpected to find a barren woman in a state of joyous singing or shouting for joy.

Isaiah’s Challenge to the Barren
In today’s text however we see Isaiah issuing a paradoxical challenge to the barren, “Sing O barren … break forth in singing, shout for joy”. The second clause of verse 1 also contains another paradox, “… for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife”. A flashback to Isaiah 53 will help us to understand the context in which Isaiah gave this prophecy. We recall that Isaiah 53 reports the great vision of the Messiah as the suffering servant who would ultimately redeem Israel. As Isaiah sees the triumph of the Messiah he caught a vision of a new age. An age characterized by a restoration of Israel to her former glory; an age when the sufferings of the past are replaced by great blessings; an age when the barren bears children and the desolate wife is reunited with her husband. Isaiah therefore challenges all Israel to sing and shout for joy.

The Prophesy of Increase
What was it that Isaiah saw that led him to make these declarations? As we read on it becomes clearer why Isaiah sees such opportunity despite the negative situations. In verse 3 he declares: You shall break forth on the right hand and on the left! Your seed will inherit the Gentiles; your desolate cities shall be inhabited again. Isaiah had seen a vision of INCREASE! Despite the negative and desolate situation better days were coming. The vision of a brighter day was therefore the basis for Isaiah’s paradoxical challenge. Today, I want to issue a similar challenge to persons who are in desolate situations. YOUR INCREASE IN COMING! Despite the desperation of the times, look for something bigger, look for something better, look for something greater. This is the time of God’s favour, this is the time for your increase.

Note that this word is not focused only on material increase. Material increase will come, but more importantly let us look for increase in spiritual growth and productivity. Many have struggled under the oppression of the devil, but today we apply Isaiah 53 to our lives and our situation. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. The devil therefore has no dominion over us. We are no longer under bondage, but we are free through the blood of Jesus Christ. We now have access the throne room of God and Jesus stands as our Advocate. God is willing ready and able to forgive. With this forgiveness will come, restoration, blessing and INCREASE!!

Instructions – How to prepare for the Increase
Now that we are expecting a great increase what should we do? We need to make preparation! Verse 2 highlights 4 things to do in preparation for the increase: Enlarge the place of the tent; Stretch forth the curtains; lengthen thy cords; strengthen thy stakes. What does this mean? A few points are outlined below:
1. Enlarge the place of your tent: Make your tent larger; Create extra space – mental and physical; remove the limits off your concept of God’s blessing
2. Stretch your curtains: make the new space habitable and comfortable
3. Lengthen thy cords: ensure your support systems can handle the increased capacity though additional training and positive social and spiritual connections
4. Strengthen thy stakes: get deeper in God – shallow stakes can’t support a big tent so we will need to get closer to God – more prayer, more fasting more study of the word

With adequate preparation we will be able to sustain the increase rather than see it come and slip right out of our hands

APPLICATION
Today God has sent us word of restoration and blessing. We can expect to receive increase at the hand of the Lord despite the challenges of our time. We can only expect this however if we are in right standing with God. We can’t expect God to bless us if we walk in sin or walk contrary to his will. Let us therefore resolve to live according to God’s word as we prepare for our increase.