How does Isaiah 42:21 reveal God's commitment to His law's greatness? Setting the Scene Isaiah 42 sits within a section where God introduces His Servant who will bring justice to the nations (vv. 1-4). Verse 21 zooms out for a moment, spotlighting the Lord Himself and His passion for His own standard. Isaiah 42:21 “The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to magnify His law and make it glorious.” Key Phrase Breakdown • “The LORD was pleased” – God takes personal delight in what follows; it is not reluctant maintenance but joyful purpose. • “for the sake of His righteousness” – His character drives His actions. Because He is perfectly righteous, He must uphold what is right. • “to magnify His law” – “Magnify” means to make great, enlarge, lift up. The Torah is not sidelined; God actively elevates it. • “and make it glorious” – The law shines with weighty splendor, reflecting God’s own glory (cf. Psalm 19:7-9). God’s Delight in His Law • The verse shows that God’s righteousness and His law are inseparable. • Upholding the law is not merely judicial—it is relational. God loves what mirrors His nature. • Magnifying the law ensures that every generation sees its relevance and authority (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Law: Magnified and Glorious 1. Clarifies God’s Standards – The commandments expose sin and reveal holiness (Romans 7:7). 2. Guards Covenant Blessings – Obedience leads to life and peace (Leviticus 26:3-13). 3. Points to the Servant-Redeemer – By exalting the law, God also exposes humanity’s need for the Messiah who fulfills it (Isaiah 53:5-6; Matthew 5:17-18). New Testament Echoes • Matthew 5:17-18 — Jesus affirms that not “the smallest letter” of the law will pass until all is accomplished. • Romans 3:31 — “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.” • 1 Timothy 1:8 — “We know that the law is good if one uses it legitimately.” Takeaways for Believers Today • Celebrate the law’s greatness—study it, memorize it, let it shape conscience and conduct (Psalm 119:97). • See Christ more clearly—every precept points to the One who perfectly embodies God’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Live with confidence—God’s unwavering commitment to His law guarantees the stability of His promises (Psalm 111:7-8). |
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