The city that awaits God’s children
O storm-battered city, troubled and desolate! I will rebuild you with precious jewels and make your foundations from lapis lazuli. I will make your towers of sparkling rubies, your gates of shining gems, and your walls of precious stones. I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace... But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken! Isaiah 54:11-17 NLT
From the text, Isaiah was describing the city that God will rebuild. The captives will be set free and the nation restored. The rebuilding describes an image of extravagance; “I will rebuild you with precious jewels and make your foundations from lapis lazuli. I will make your towers of sparkling rubies, your gates of shining gems, and your walls of precious stones.” The reason why it is lavish is because of the builder who is God will create it that way. There were already several tasks of rebuilding that took place under the leadership of Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, Ezra the scribe, Nehemiah the wall-builder, and the Prophets Haggai and Zechariah. But the one described here by Isaiah was nothing compared to what will be seen in the ultimate and final fulfillment (see Revelation 21:18-21). This will be the beautiful city that we must wait until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishing of His kingdom. “I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace” (Isaiah 54:13). The city will be free from fear and war (v. 14). This is not a dreamy denial of reality but a promise from God that He will fulfill. God’s resources are limitless. God’s promise is not survival but unending blessings that will make every generation thrive. Though we do not deserve them but God made it possible for us that trusted our lives in Him. “These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 54:17).
Blessings,
