This text is about God's promise of redemption from oppression and captivity. The prophet proclaims that God will not turn away from God's people.  "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" Powerful words of comfort and promise.
 

 

 

Verse 13 provides the key for this passage: "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." This verse provides a glimpse into the kind of compassion that characterizes God's nature.  God cannot bear to see his people suffering forever. God promises to put a stop to the afflictions.  Because this compassion is deeply seated in God's nature, these words likely extend beyond the immediate audience they are meant for.  In this passage we catch a glimpse of God's universal nature which gives hope to all oppressed people near and far.

  

You may want to consider mentioning some current examples of people that are oppressed on account of their religion, ethnic background, gender, or sexual orientation. What may God want them to know in light of Isaiah's prophesy? And what is our role in God's promises to those who are oppressed? We are called to show the same compassion to God's children that God dispays.