Isaiah 54:1 says, "Sing, O 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 that of her who has a husband," says the LORD. This is a reference to God forsaking his chosen Jewish people (his Old Testament Church) for a while, but later the Church (New Testament) will have more spiritual "children" than ever.
This brings up for me one of the greatest gains I have gotten from reading the Bible fully through--this teaching about God's Church. I never used to really understand what the Jewish nation was exactly about. I kind of understood that Jesus would come about through them, but not really all the other interactions God had with this people. Now this understanding of God always having his Church in place--starting with the Jews and then expanding to all people (and Isaiah makes clear this was God's plan right away)--I find it very comforting.
When this understanding falls into place, a whole lot more of Isaiah opens up to you. Often the passages are about the fabulous restoration that would come to Israel and you'd think "Wait a minute, they really never have returned to their heyday like it was under David and Solomon. What's this talking about?" It's always talking about the Church, the New Testament Israel that we are a part of and that will last forever because, through Jesus, this Church is washed and made his bride for all eternity. In other words, the city of Zion will be a heavenly location inhabited by the redeemed, and it will last forever.
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