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The Scriptorium

A New City

God is building a new city for His people, and we are it.

A Covenant of Peace: Isaiah 54, 55 (2)

Pray Psalm 125.4.

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.

Read Isaiah 54.9-17. 

Reflect.
1. How is Israel’s captivity in Babylon “like the waters of Noah” to the Lord?

2. How would you describe the city God promises His people?

Meditate.
In the first part of chapter 54, Isaiah described the work God would do for His people in terms of its extent. It is like a barren woman bringing forth many children; like a tent being enlarged and reaching to all the nations, and God, the LORD of the whole earth, fulfilling His promised kindness to His people.

In the verses for today, the work of God is described in terms of its beauty. Though the judgment His people must endure in Babylon will seem like an overwhelming flood, yet God will sustain them through it, as He did Noah through the waters of the great flood (v. 9). His kindness and covenant will never fail (vv. 9, 10). God promises to build a new city for His people, with a foundation of precious gems, gates of crystal, walls made of precious stones, and pinnacles of rubies (vv. 11, 12). His city will be beautiful, like the garden of Eden was before the fall. John drew on this promise to describe the Bride of Christ – His Church – as it comes on earth and into the new heavens and new earth in Revelation 21.9-27.

The city will be beautiful not only in externals, but in righteousness, boldness, and strength against all foes (vv. 14-17). This is because the inhabitants of this city will all know the LORD (v. 13), and shall be established in peace and righteousness (vv. 13, 14). All who assemble against them will do so not to worship the LORD (the verb assemble suggests a sacred gathering), but to be defeated by Him for His people’s sake (vv. 13, 14). No enemy will be able to stand against the city God will build for His people, where the righteousness of the LORD abounds according to His promises and Word (vv. 16, 17).

This is the city Isaiah prophesied about in Isaiah 2.1-4, where the servants of the LORD (v. 17) know Him and live in righteousness before Him. This is the city which has come and is coming “in the last days” as Jesus builds His Church (Matt. 16.18; Eph. 4.11-16).

Prepare.
1. Compare the verses for today with Revelation 21.9-27. Both are describing the Church. Are our churches fulfilling this vision?

2. The coming city will be beautiful in righteousness, peace, joy, and strength against all foes because the people there know the Lord. What does it mean to know the Lord? How does knowing the Lord relate to the beauty of the Church?

3. How should Isaiah’s vision in chapter 54 affect us as we think about what our churches should be?

The marks of the saints are various. But all are equally pleasing in God’s sight. For that reason he calls them all precious stones, even if they have various characters. By coal is symbolized God’s burning love. Sapphire represents the person who hides his virtue, for the hue of sapphire is a deep one. By “jasper” … is designated, I think, the luster of miracle working.… Then Isaiah leaves the figurative way of speaking to put things more clearly: “All your sons shall be taught of the Lord.” He has called figuratively “stones,” the appearance of virtue. The peace of God is here promised. Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 17.54.11-14

Lord, I pray for my church today, that You would…

Pray Psalm 125.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have already come to the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12.22-24) and our permanent dwelling with Jesus. Give thanks to God for all the blessings that accompany the salvation of the Lord.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 125 (St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Like the hills surrounding safe Jerusalem, 
Christ surrounds His Church and holds her in His mighty Hand!
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

Wickedness shall rest not on this holy land; 
sinfulness shall never come forth from their hand.  
Trusting in the Savior, firm in His caress, 
ever shall His favor on this holy city rest. 
Refrain

Lord, do good and care for those upright in heart. 
All who turn to evil shall from You depart. 
Sinful men may increase, on their way to hell!
Save Your people, let your peace abound in Israel!
Refrain

T. M. Moore

How great is the salvation which is ours in Jesus Christ? Download the three installments of our free study, Such a Great Salvation, and learn for yourself (click here).

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.


If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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