17 "For behold , I create new heavens and a new earth ; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind . 18 "But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create ; For behold , I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness . 19 "I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people ; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying . 20 "No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days , Or an old man who does not live out his days ; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed . 21 "They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit . 22 "They will not build and another inhabit , They will not plant and another eat ; For as the lifetime of a tree , so will be the days of My people , And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands . 23 "They will not labor in vain , Or bear children for calamity ; For they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord , And their descendants with them. 24 "It will also come to pass that before they call , I will answer ; and while they are still speaking , I will hear . 25 "The wolf and the lamb will graze together , and the lion will eat straw like the ox ; and dust will be the serpent's food . They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain ," says the Lord .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 65:17-25
Commentary on Isaiah 65:17-25
(Read Isaiah 65:17-25)
In the grace and comfort believers have in and from Christ, we are to look for this new heaven and new earth. The former confusions, sins and miseries of the human race, shall be no more remembered or renewed. The approaching happy state of the church is described under a variety of images. He shall be thought to die in his youth, and for his sins, who only lives to the age of a hundred years. The event alone can determine what is meant; but it is plain that Christianity, if universal, would so do away violence and evil, as greatly to lengthen life. In those happy days, all God's people shall enjoy the fruit of their labours. Nor will children then be the trouble of their parents, or suffer trouble themselves. The evil dispositions of sinners shall be completely moritified; all shall live in harmony. Thus the church on earth shall be full of happiness, like heaven. This prophecy assures the servants of Christ, that the time approaches, wherein they shall be blessed with the undisturbed enjoyment of all that is needful for their happiness. As workers together with God, let us attend his ordinances, and obey his commands.