Isaiah 51:13

And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

And forgettest {H7911} the LORD {H3068} thy maker {H6213}, that hath stretched forth {H5186} the heavens {H8064}, and laid the foundations {H3245} of the earth {H776}; and hast feared {H6342} continually {H8548} every day {H3117} because {H6440} of the fury {H2534} of the oppressor {H6693}, as if {H834} he were ready {H3559} to destroy {H7843}? and where is the fury {H2534} of the oppressor {H6693}?

You have forgotten ADONAI, your maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. Instead, you are in constant fear all day because of the oppressor's rage, as he prepares to destroy! But where is the oppressor's rage?

But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?

and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

Isaiah 51:13 is a powerful rhetorical question from God to His people, challenging their misplaced fear and forgetfulness of His supreme power. It contrasts the fleeting terror inflicted by human oppressors with the eternal might of the Creator of the universe.

Context

This verse is situated within a section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55) often referred to as the "Book of Consolation," where God addresses His exiled people, Judah, during their captivity in Babylon. The prophet Isaiah delivers messages of comfort, hope, and reassurance, reminding them of God's covenant faithfulness and His ultimate plan for their deliverance. Despite these promises, the people are depicted as living in constant fear of their captors, leading them to forget the Lord who had demonstrated His power throughout their history. God's message here is a direct rebuke of their fear and a call to remember His unparalleled greatness, especially in light of the seemingly insurmountable challenges of exile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omnipotence vs. Human Frailty: The verse vividly contrasts God's boundless power as the one who "stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth" with the limited, temporary "fury of the oppressor." It underscores that no human power can ultimately thwart God's plans.
  • The Peril of Forgetfulness: The core accusation is, "And forgettest the LORD thy maker." This spiritual amnesia leads directly to overwhelming fear of man, demonstrating how a lack of remembrance of God's character and past faithfulness can paralyze believers.
  • Misplaced Fear: The people's constant fear of the oppressor, "as if he were ready to destroy," is highlighted as irrational when viewed against the backdrop of God's sovereignty. The rhetorical question, "and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?", implies that the enemy's power is transient and ultimately inconsequential in God's grand design.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "maker" (עשׂךְ - 'osehka) emphasizes God as the active, intentional Creator, the one who forms and sustains. This highlights His intimate connection and ongoing care for His creation and His people.
  • The term for "oppressor" (מֵצִיק - metziq) denotes one who causes distress, vexation, or siege. It accurately describes the intense and persistent torment the exiles faced, making God's challenge to their fear even more poignant.

Practical Application

Isaiah 51:13 offers a timeless lesson for believers facing daunting circumstances. It calls us to:

  • Remember God's Sovereignty: In times of anxiety, we must intentionally recall who God is – the all-powerful Creator and Sustainer of the universe. This perspective diminishes the perceived power of our problems and adversaries.
  • Confront Misplaced Fear: This verse challenges us to examine what we truly fear. Is it the temporary "fury" of human systems, economic downturns, or personal struggles, or is it a reverence for the One who holds all things in His hands? The fear of man is a snare, but trust in the Lord brings security.
  • Find Comfort in God's Presence: Just as God comforted Israel, He assures us that His power is far greater than any opposition. Our focus should be on His eternal strength and faithfulness, not on the fleeting threats of this world.

The core message is a profound call to trust in God's immutable power and to allow that trust to cast out the paralyzing fear of any earthly "oppressor."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 104:2

    Who coverest [thyself] with light as [with] a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

  • Isaiah 45:12

    I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

  • Isaiah 17:10

    Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:

  • Isaiah 40:22

    [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

  • Isaiah 48:13

    Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: [when] I call unto them, they stand up together.

  • Isaiah 44:24

    Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

  • Daniel 3:19

    ¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

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