Exposition by Max A Forsythe
Now, I don’t care which version or translation or study Bible you have to read this text. The thing that you have to remember is that only the words of Scripture are inspired. None of the verse or chapter divisions, none of the notes, outlines or comments are part of the text and especially today, neither are any of the titled headings printed for the convenience of confused readers.
We will consider our Scripture portion today in three sections: Verses seventeen to nineteen, then verses twenty to twenty-three and close with verses twenty-four and twenty-five. From the original Hebrew, we may translate the first few verses in this manner:
17 Indeed, behold me creating heavens, new ones and earth anew.
Former things will be remembered not, nor will they come to mind.
18 Be glad and rejoice forever of forever in my creating,
what I see: Jerusalem a delight and her people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and in my people.
No more will be heard the sound of weeping and crying.
We should well note the use of the word “bara” which implicitly details the creation of something brand new. Hearkening back to Genesis where the word is fundamental to our understanding of God’s effortless creation of all that is, here we may understand that the new heavens and the new earth will be something entirely different from the current order. How could we separate the majestic declaration of verse seventeen from the expected praise and delight enjoined in verse eighteen, and then the happiness of God in verse nineteen.
Calvin notes here that “So great is his love toward us, that he delights in our prosperity not less than if he enjoyed it along with us”. Dr Young encourages us to understand the reference of these verses to not only to the first advent of our Lord, but also the second.
Now, the second section seems difficult in the context of what we have said so far. In spite of the “Never again” statement of verse twenty, some persist in interpreting this passage apart from the blessed state of the New Creation. Dr Young observes that the implication of the text is on the longevity of those who belong to the Messianic Kingdom. After all, how many hundred year old children are there? In the Messianic Kingdom, like the original paradise, age will not be an issue. Time will be no more; were it possible for one to die at a hundred, it would be counted young.
In verses twenty-one through twenty-three, we are reminded of the Old Testament prophecies that disobedience would forfeit the labors and houses of a lifetime. In the New Creation, the Lord’s people and their descendants will be blessed as they enjoy the fruits of their labor.
In the last two verses we see a certain indication of the blessed nature of the final state in heaven. The original state of paradise, where God and man converse directly, will be reinstated. Even before we call, He will answer us; while we are still speaking He will hear. Certainly, until He comes again we can know the blessed nature of that experience in prayer.
And yet, how much more will that mere foretaste be heightened in the New Order? Years ago, when I was in Seminary I picked up the phone and dialed the number. The phone never even rang, but my friend just happened to pick up the phone as the connection was made. The really strange thing was that my friend had picked up the phone to call me. So we were both pleasantly surprised by the providential nature of the connection.
To a much greater extent will be our heavenly experience. In verse twenty-five we see the new order of the heavenly Jerusalem. The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion and the ox as well. Only the serpent will be unhappy. The great Satan will be eating dust and he and all his minions will neither harm nor destroy anywhere in heaven. In fact, we can even go back to verse one to appreciate that the serpent and all the disasters, sickness and woe may even be forgotten. Have you ever tried to forget some tragic experience?
It is indeed difficult, and some of the common experiences of life may even bring that experience back time and time again. Very many men my age, came back home to America from a year’s tour in Southeast Asia. Unlike former wars, when soldiers had several months aboard ship to deal with the terrible nature of their experiences, they boarded planes and within a week, were home in a completely different environment.
While I did not go east, I well remember coming back from Europe in 1968. On a Friday, I had been on maneuvers waiting for the Soviets to finish off Czechoslovakia; on Tuesday I was on campus at Ohio Northern University. I almost believed that the Russians would have been friendlier than the draft dodgers back home. A wrestling coach took it upon himself to make my life miserable. Ever since then I have had absolutely no use for any member of the jockocracy who believes his sport is more important than getting an education. Who knows, in the eternal state, perhaps I might even be able to enjoy a sport of some kind? I know, for some of you that seems trivial indeed. Well, what do you need to forget?
Information is easily forgotten, emotions however, seem to be more difficult. Well, be content with knowing that, One Day all the hurts, all the tears and emotions of this life will be left behind. So will all of our sins and we like the material world will have our resurrection minds and bodies. Like Paul, may we learn to be anxious for His coming and yet content for a little while as we are.
Resources Used:
Ellis, Charles..
The Wells of Salvation.
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentary Series: God Delivers.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America) -
Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c) 2001
12 March 1995
Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.