Double Duty
Isaiah sees Zion as a grieving “widow” (Isaiah 54:4). But Yahweh is her husband. Yahweh must have died if she is left in her widowhood.
Then he comes back as her ba’al (54:5), her lord and husband, making her a Lady, a be’ulah (54:1). This isn’t merely a separation and reconciliation. It is a death and resurrection.
When He returns to her, Yahweh comes as her “redeemer,” her go’el (vv. 5, 8), the one charged with responsibility to raise up children for a dead brother (Deuteronomy 25:5-10; cf. Ruth 4:1, 6, 8).
Yahweh does double-duty: He is the first Husband, who dies and leaves Zion a widow; and He is the near kinsman, the brother to the first husband, who takes grieving Zion into His keeping and fills her house with children.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
In Medias Res
Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.