Further Reassurance

Jehovah further reassures his people:  "I -I myself am the One that is comforting you people.  Who are you that you should be afraid of a mortal man that will die, and of a son of mankind that will be rendered as mere green grass?  And that you should forget Jehovah your Maker, the One stretching out the heavens and laying the foundation of the earth, so that you were in dread constantly the whole day long on account of the rage of the one hemming you in, as though he was all set to bring you to ruin?  And where is the rage of the one hemming you in?" (Isaiah 51:12, 13)  Years of exile lie ahead.  Still, there is no  reason to fear the rage of Babylon. Although that nation, the third world power of Bible record, will conquer God's people and seek to 'hem them in,' or block their way of escape, faithful Jews know that Jehovah has foretold the fall of Babylon at the hand of Cyrus.  (Isaiah 44;8, 24-28) In contrast to the Creator-the everlasting God, Jehovah -the inhabitants of Babylon will perish as grass that withers under the sun's intense rays  during the dry season.  Then where will their threats and rage be?  How unwise it is to fear man and forget Jehovah, the one who made heaven and earth! 

Although Jehovah's people will be captive for a while , "stooping in chains," as it were, their release will be sudden.  They will not be exterminated in Babylon or die of starvation as prisoners-rendered lifeless in Sheol, the pit.  (Psalm 30:3; 88:3-5) Jehovah assures them:  "The one stooping in chains will certainly be loosened speedily, that he may not go in death to the pit and that his bread may not be lacking." -Isaiah 51:14. 

Still comforting Zion, Jehovah continues:  "But I, Jehovah, am your God, the One stirring up the sea that its waves may be boisterous.  Jehovah of armies is his name.  And I shall put my words in your mouth, and with the shadow of my hand I shall certainly cover you, in order  to plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth and say to Zion, 'You are my people.' " (Isaiah 51:15, 16) The Bible repeatedly mentions God's ability to extend his power over the sea and to control it.  (Job 26:12; Psalm 89:9; Jeremiah 31:35)  He has total control  over the forces of nature, as he displayed when he delivered his people from Egypt. Who can be compared, even in the smallest way, to "Jehovah of armies"? -Psalm 34:10.

The Jews remain God's covenant people, and Jehovah assures them that they will return to their homeland, to live once more under his Law. There they will rebuild Jerusalem and the temple and resume their responsibility under the covenant that he with them through Moses. When the land begins to be repopulated  with the repatriated  Israelites and their domestic animals, "a new earth" will come into existence. Over it will b placed  "new heavens," a new government system.  (Isaiah 65:17-19; Haggai 1:1, 14) Jehovah will again say to Zion: "You are my people."

Next time: A Call to Action

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001