Isaiah 66:7-14
God swiftly births restored Zion and tenderly comforts her children.
7 “Before she travailed, she gave birth. Before her pain came, she delivered a son.
8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she gave birth to her children.
9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says Yahweh. “Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?” says your God.
10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”
12 For Yahweh says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones will flourish like the tender grass. Yahweh’s hand will be known among his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.
God swiftly births restored Zion and tenderly comforts her children.
To announce the sudden birth and flourishing of Zion as a sign of the LORD’s restoring power and maternal compassion.
The imagery speaks into a context of loss and longing, promising unexpected and rapid restoration of the people.
The LORD’s Final Word: The Humble Who Tremble, the Birth of Zion, the Gathering of Nations, and the Judgment of Rebels
The LORD, whose throne is heaven and whose footstool is earth, rejects self-directed religion, looks with favor on the humble who tremble at his word, comforts Zion, gathers the nations to see his glory, establishes enduring new creation worship, and judges rebels with final severity.