“It was the custom in ancient Israel for some creditors to take the children of their debtors and sell them as slaves … (Ex. 21:7–8; Neh. 5:1–5; Matt. 18:25). But the Lord has no creditors—he is in debt to no one—and he has not sold Israel into slavery. Ultimately, God and Israel are separated because of Israel’s choices, not God’s … .
“The children of Israel have sold themselves into the bondage of sin. And the mother has been set aside, or divorced, because of unfaithfulness. Perhaps the children here represent the sons and daughters of the covenant, and perhaps the mother represents the nation of Israel as a whole” (Parry et al., Understanding Isaiah, 440).