Isaiah 65:17-18

KayAnn Wetherington

"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy."
Isaiah 65: 17,18 is a message of hope. The concept of the creation of "new heavens and a new earth" recalls the concept of creation. However, the passage focuses on the newness, joy and delight that the new creation will bring rather than the concept of creation itself.

We often hear of, and unfortunately occasionally experience, distress, injustice and evil deeds done by others. These verses assure us that in time all that is evil will be seen for what it is, and all that is hurtful will be abolished. Those who are faithful will delight in the new relationships, physical, spiritual and social.

We cannot amputate our history from our destiny, however. "Former things" which involve suffering and death are real. We must learn from and be humbled by our past. However, joy and delight will prevail for all who trust in Him and have hope.

New creation does not cause the former things to be forgotten. There is still anguish, death and senseless destruction in the World. These things persist alongside the "new." However, Isaiah gives us hope by virtue of the promise that God has rejected those "former things" which have caused pain and destruction.