Many believe Isaiah’s description is an Old Testament
representation of the New Jerusalem depicted in the vision of John the Apostle
described in Revelation. This interpretation may be correct. One must consider,
however, that such an interpretation would relieve one of any responsibility to
work to make it happen. That said, before Isaiah begins, he says, “whoever
invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an
oath in the land will swear by the God of truth” (v.16). Isaiah seems to
suggest that the invocation of a blessing, or a pledge to the God of truth,
will be an important factor in the creation of this new (city) society.
ISAIAH
65:18-25 (NIV)
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THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’S IDEAL CITY
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18But be glad
and rejoice forever in what I will create … I will create Jerusalem to be a
delight and its people a joy.
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God’s city will be a joy - and all people will
rejoice in God’s urban creation.
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19I will
rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of
crying will be heard in it no more. 20"Never again will an
infant live but a few days, or an old man not live out his years; he who dies
at a hundred will be thought a mere youth…
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God’s city will be known for the health and
longevity of its inhabitants. They will be free of natural, environmental and
stress-related illness, infant mortality will end. Human existence and longevity
will be enriched and enhanced.
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21They will
build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their
fruit. 22No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat. As the days of a tree, so will be the days of my
people…
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The exploitation of laborers will cease -
adequate housing and food will be justly distributed to all the city's
citizens, so that all may long enjoy the work of their hands – and experience
job satisfaction.
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23They will not
toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune. They will be a people
blessed by the LORD, and their descendants with them.
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Economic prosperity and employment for all - a
secure, well-balanced economy, not subject to the whims of the marketplace,
or pressure to conform.
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24Before they
call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
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God wants to bless and be in constant and
intimate dialogue with everyone in the city, and be receptive to them.
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25The wolf and
the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but
dust will be the serpent's food. They will not harm or destroy on all my holy
mountain," says the LORD.
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Justice and reconciliation will bring peace -
ensuring that no person or organization has an advantage. Each person will live
at peace with his or her neighbor.
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I invite you to consider, for a moment, that this passage may
also be a picture of how God sees city's potential in the Kingdom of God.
Augustine and Calvin were both captivated by the power of the idea of the “City
of God.” Allow me to suggest that the Church does faithful service to the
Kingdom of God when it works to make Isaiah’s vision in 65:18-25 a reality in
today’s world.
What do you think?
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