BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Today, Isaiah tells the story of the world as though it’s a tale of two cities—the “lofty city” of the world versus the new Jerusalem.

The lofty city pridefully regards itself as greater than Yahweh, resulting in corruption and brutal injustice. Notice how Isaiah blends earlier images of Jerusalem, Assyria, and Babylon’s evil to present the lofty city as a poetic archetype of rebellious humanity overall.

It may seem confident and strong now. However, the lofty city’s gates will eventually dangle by their hinges, shattered in ruin. Once thriving neighborhoods will become lifeless wastelands of boarded-up houses. The lofty city’s fortified walls will crumble into dust.

Isaiah’s down-to-earth prediction connects to Israel’s historic moment. It also links to the larger story of Yahweh’s ultimate mission to end all injustice forever.

To make that deeper, all-encompassing connection, Isaiah uses cosmic imagery. The skies are caving in. The ground writhes. The sun averts its gaze. Even the leviathan, a primordial monster in the Hebrew Bible that, as you’ll learn in the video, symbolizes destruction and chaos, meets its end.

But corrective judgment is never the last word for Judah or its oppressors. As Isaiah glimpses the future, he sees another city: the new Jerusalem.

Unlike the lofty city, the new Jerusalem stands firm on a high mountain where Heaven meets Earth. Its strong gates open wide to welcome all who trust in Yahweh. Inside, they find joy, real security, and an extravagant feast hosted by Yahweh himself.

Is anyone hungry for justice, peace, and joy? Grab a seat, says Yahweh, and join the greatest dinner party of all time.

Reflection Questions

• As you read through today’s passage, keep an eye out for hyperlinks to earlier sections of Isaiah. What familiar phrases, images, and themes do you notice?
• Compare Isaiah’s description of the new Jerusalem in today’s reading to John’s description of the new Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22. What parallels do you see? Can you imagine what it would be like to walk the streets of this city?