Read & explore together
Rejoice with Jerusalem
Isaiah 66:7–14 uses birth and family pictures to describe something astonishing that Yahweh will do. The passage invites people to rejoice with Jerusalem because Yahweh speaks of satisfaction, peace, comfort and joy for his servants.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, the words move from surprising birth imagery to Yahweh’s own questions about bringing birth to completion. Then the passage calls those who love and mourn over Jerusalem to rejoice, using pictures of nursing, carrying and motherly comfort, before ending with rejoicing, flourishing and Yahweh’s hand being known.
Isaiah 66:7–14Main takeaway
This prophecy teaches that Yahweh brings about a surprising birth, calls people to rejoice with Jerusalem, and promises peace, comfort, joy and the knowledge of his hand among his servants.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A surprising birthThe opening words describe a birth that comes before labour pains. Then the prophet asks who has ever heard of a land being born in one day or a nation at once.
Explanation
The opening words describe a birth that comes before labour pains. Then the prophet asks who has ever heard of a land being born in one day or a nation at once. Zion is pictured as giving birth to her children, stressing how sudden and astonishing this is.
02Yahweh’s questions about birthYahweh then speaks with two searching questions. Would he bring to birth and not cause delivery?
Explanation
Yahweh then speaks with two searching questions. Would he bring to birth and not cause delivery? Would he cause birth and then shut the womb? The wording points to Yahweh’s own action in bringing birth about, not leaving it unfinished.
03Rejoice with JerusalemThose who love Jerusalem, and those who mourn over her, are told to rejoice with her. The pictures are of nursing, satisfaction and delight.
Explanation
Those who love Jerusalem, and those who mourn over her, are told to rejoice with her. The pictures are of nursing, satisfaction and delight. Jerusalem is described in warm, life-giving terms, and her glory is something from which people may drink deeply and be glad.
04Peace, comfort and joyYahweh says he will extend peace to Jerusalem like a river and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will extend peace to Jerusalem like a river and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream. The images of being carried and dandled continue the family theme. Yahweh compares his comfort to a mother’s comfort and says this comfort will be found in Jerusalem.
05A visible resultThe ending describes what people will see. Their hearts will rejoice and their bones will flourish like tender grass.
Explanation
The ending describes what people will see. Their hearts will rejoice and their bones will flourish like tender grass. Yahweh’s hand will be known among his servants, while indignation remains for his enemies. The passage closes with both joy for some and judgement for others.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What makes the opening birth picture so surprising?
Look at the birth happening before pain, and the questions about a land or nation being born all at once.
02What do Yahweh’s questions in verse 9 say about his action?
Stay with the verse’s wording about bringing to birth, causing delivery and not shutting the womb.
03Which pictures show Jerusalem’s comfort and joy in this passage?
Notice the words about nursing, satisfaction, peace like a river, being carried, comfort, rejoicing hearts and flourishing bones.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 66:7–14
7“Before she travailed, she gave birth. Before her pain came, she delivered a son.
8Who 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.
9Shall 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;
11that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”
12For 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.
13As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14You 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.