Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 65:17-25

Matthew Henry Commentary

Isaiah 65:17-25

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry Commentary

Isaiah 65:17-25

1662–1714
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent`s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith Jehovah." — Isaiah 65:17-25 (ASV)

In the grace and comfort believers have in and from Christ, we are to look for this new heaven and new earth. The former confusions, sins and miseries of the human race will no longer be remembered or renewed. The approaching happy state of the church is described under a variety of images.

He will be thought to die in his youth, and for his sins, who only lives to the age of a hundred years. The event alone can determine what is meant; but it is plain that Christianity, if universal, would so do away with violence and evil as to greatly lengthen life. In those happy days, all God's people will enjoy the fruit of their labours.

Nor will children then be the trouble of their parents, or suffer trouble themselves. The evil dispositions of sinners will be completely mortified; all will live in harmony. Thus the church on earth will be full of happiness, like heaven. This prophecy assures the servants of Christ that the time approaches in which they will be blessed with the undisturbed enjoyment of all that is necessary for their happiness.

As workers together with God, let us attend his ordinances, and obey his commands.