A Parent's Heart, God's Heart · Day 3
Isaiah 66:10-14 — a devotion
Isaiah 66
- 10예루살렘을 사랑하는 자여 다 그와 함께 기뻐하라 다 그와 함께 즐거워하라 그를 위하여 슬퍼하는 자여 다 그의 기쁨을 인하여 그와 함께 기뻐하라Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;
- 11너희가 젖을 빠는 것 같이 그 위로하는 품에서 만족하겠고 젖을 넉넉히 빤 것 같이 그 영광의 풍성함을 인하여 즐거워하리라That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”
- 12여호와께서 이같이 말씀하시되 보라 내가 그에게 평강을 강 같이, 그에게 열방의 영광을 넘치는 시내 같이 주리니 너희가 그 젖을 빨 것이며 너희가 옆에 안기며 그 무릎에서 놀 것이라For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.For the LORD 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.
- 13어미가 자식을 위로함 같이 내가 너희를 위로할 것인즉 너희가 예루살렘에서 위로를 받으리니As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
- 14너희가 이를 보고 마음이 기뻐서 너희 뼈가 연한 풀의 무성함 같으리라 여호와의 손은 그 종들에게 나타나겠고 그의 진노는 그 원수에게 더하리라And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones will flourish like the tender grass. The LORD’s hand will be known among his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Isaiah 66 is the final chapter of the book of Isaiah, proclaiming God's ultimate salvation and restoration. Isaiah prophesied future restoration to the people of Judah as the Babylonian exile drew near. In 66:10-14, the restoration of Jerusalem is portrayed through the relationship of a mother and her nursing child. In the ancient Near East, a mother's comfort was the deepest and most instinctive expression of love. Bringing the whole book of Isaiah to a close, this passage delivers the message that God's comfort is as warm and abundant as a mother's love. Coming after the earlier prophecies of suffering, this word of comfort moves us all the more deeply.
Reflection questions: 1. What does it mean to me that God comforts like a mother? 2. In what area of my life do I need God's comfort right now? 3. Recall a moment when you experienced God's comfort, and think of a way you could share that comfort with someone around you.
Today's reflection
In this passage, God compares Himself to a mother — one of the rare scenes in Scripture where God is expressed through the image of a mother. As a mother holds her child in her arms, nursing and soothing, God says He comforts us in the same way. The image of nursing and delighting at the breast of Jerusalem's glory shows both God's abundant provision and His intimate care at once.
The Hebrew word for "comfort" here, nacham, means not merely soothing with words but deep empathy joined with action — truly being present. When a mother picks up a crying child, she embraces the child before saying a word. God's comfort is like that. Before giving explanations or answers, He holds us first.
The passage also says they will be comforted in Jerusalem. The joy of restoration after suffering is like being wrapped in a mother's embrace after a long separation. The image of bones flourishing like grass speaks of a complete restoration of life and strength. If your heart is weary and you are in a season that needs comfort, remember that God is holding you in His arms with a mother's heart. His comfort is not far away.
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