Isaiah 44:21-28·~1 min

Jerusalem to Be Restored

Jacob is told to remember that as God's servant he has been formed and will not be forgotten. The LORD announces that He has blotted out transgressions like a cloud and redeemed His people, and on that basis heaven, earth, mountains, forests, and trees are all summoned to sing because the LORD has acted gloriously in Israel.

R²¹emember these things, O Jacob, ²²I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, ²³Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this;

The LORD identifies Himself as the one who made all things alone and then contrasts His faithful word with the collapse of false divination and human pretension. He confirms the message of His servants, declares Jerusalem and Judah will be rebuilt, commands the deep to dry up, and finally names Cyrus beforehand as His shepherd who will carry out His purpose by ordering the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple.

²⁴Thus says the LORD, ²⁵who foils the signs of false prophets ²⁶who confirms the message of His servant ²⁷who says to the depths of the sea, ²⁸who says of Cyrus,

Section summaryThe closing section calls Jacob to remember these truths because the LORD has formed and not forgotten him. He has blotted out Israel's transgressions like a cloud, calls heaven and earth to rejoice in redemption, and then speaks as the Maker who frustrates false prophets, confirms His own word, commands Jerusalem's rebuilding, dries the deep, and names Cyrus as the shepherd who will accomplish His pleasure and order both Jerusalem and the temple to be rebuilt.

Role in the chapterThis section turns from exposing idol futility to declaring the concrete shape of restoration under God's sovereign direction.