Isaiah 65:23-25

²³ They will not struggle for nothing, nor bear children for disaster; because they will be progeny blessed by Yahveh– and their descendants with them. ²⁴ Before they call I will answer, while they are still speaking I will hear. ²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together, the lion will eat crushed stalks like the ox; but the snake– its food will be dust! They will not injure or destroy on all my holy mountain, says Yahveh.

progeny blessed by Yahveh

There is no heartache like that of a parent who has no hope for his children. Year after year, a father sees his son make mistakes which set the stage for further pain and disappointment. Isaiah promised a future where the children would be blessed by their God. The change in them would produce a protected society, where no harm came to the innocent. The most important change will be in the people’s relationship with God. He will not seem distant. As soon as they start praying the sons of Israel will start receiving their God’s answer.

Let us not be too quick to relegate all of these promises to some ultimate heavenly destiny. Isaiah is speaking of a time when evil still exists, struggling still exists, and the saints are still marrying and bearing children. So, let us not be too quick to ignore this text’s promise as if it only applied to a future time. Isaiah’s purpose for sharing these words was to encourage his people to raise children who are so blessed. I know the joy of children who are raising their children in the LORD. I pray that you will know that joy as well. In a fallen world, we will never gain utopia. But we can know that joy.

LORD, we pray for our children and grandchildren. Show them your light, that they may walk in it, and defy the darkness of their generation. Bless them, LORD.