Isaiah 51:4

¶ Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

Hearken {H7181} unto me, my people {H5971}; and give ear {H238} unto me, O my nation {H3816}: for a law {H8451} shall proceed {H3318} from me, and I will make my judgment {H4941} to rest {H7280} for a light {H216} of the people {H5971}.

"Pay attention to me, my people! My nation, listen to me! For Torah will go out from me; I will calm them with my justice as a light for the peoples.

Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly.

Attend unto me, O my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples.

Isaiah 51:4 (KJV) delivers a powerful declaration from God, calling His people, Israel, to attentive listening. It unveils God's unwavering commitment to establish His divine law and justice, not merely for His chosen nation, but as a guiding light and standard for all humanity.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-55), addressed to a people who have experienced exile and are longing for restoration. Following assurances of God's enduring power and His faithfulness to His covenant, this section specifically calls upon those who "follow after righteousness" (Isaiah 51:1) to listen. It contrasts the temporary nature of human oppression with the eternal nature of God's salvation and righteousness, preparing the way for future hope and emphasizing God's steadfastness amidst national despair.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Call to Listen: God's direct address, "Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation," emphasizes His sovereign authority and the necessity of obedient attention from His covenant people. This call underscores the foundational importance of receiving divine instruction.
  • The Steadfastness of God's Law and Justice: The phrase "a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest" highlights God's unchanging nature and His commitment to establishing His perfect standards. This isn't just about rules, but about God's righteous character manifesting in the world, providing a stable foundation for all.
  • Universal Scope of God's Plan: Crucially, this law and judgment are destined to be "a light of the people." This prophetic declaration points beyond Israel, indicating that God's truth and justice will eventually enlighten and guide all nations. This theme is foundational to the broader biblical narrative of God's salvation extending to the Gentiles, culminating in the person of the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used here are significant:

  • "Law" (תּוֹרָה - Torah): More than just legal statutes, Torah encompasses divine instruction, teaching, and guidance. It refers to God's revealed will, which is meant to shape life and lead to flourishing.
  • "Judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט - Mishpat): This term signifies justice, righteousness, and divine decree. When God's mishpat "rests," it implies its firm establishment, providing a stable foundation for equitable living and moral order.

Practical Application

Isaiah 51:4 encourages believers today to:

  1. Prioritize Listening to God: Just as ancient Israel was called to listen, so too are we to diligently attend to God's Word through Scripture and prayer. Our lives should be shaped by His divine instruction and righteous standards, recognizing His Word as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
  2. Trust in God's Unchanging Character: In a world of shifting values and moral relativism, this verse reminds us that God's law and justice are steadfast and eternal. We can build our lives on the certainty of His character and His righteous decrees, finding stability and truth.
  3. Embrace the Global Mission: The vision of God's truth as "a light of the people" challenges us to participate in carrying the message of God's salvation to all corners of the earth. The Gospel, stemming from God's law and justice, is indeed a light for a dark world, echoing Jesus' call for His followers to be the light of the world.
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.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Isaiah 2:3

    And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:21

    To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

  • Isaiah 42:6

    I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

  • Isaiah 49:6

    And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

  • Micah 4:2

    And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

  • Psalms 78:1

    ¶ Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, [to] my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

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