How does Isaiah 65:20 reflect God's justice and mercy in the new creation? The Text Itself “Isaiah 65:20: ‘No longer will a nursing infant live but a few days, or an old man not live out his years. For a youth will die at a hundred years—and he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.’ What We’re Seeing in the Verse • Earthly life-spans stretch dramatically—no infant funerals, no lives cut short. • A “youth” is still considered young at one hundred. • Yet sin is still possible; a person forfeiting a full century is “considered accursed.” Mercy: God’s Gift of Lengthened Days • Protection of the most vulnerable—infants—speaks of tender care (cf. Isaiah 40:11). • Longevity restores what sin stole in Genesis 3 (cf. Romans 5:12). • Extended life provides amplified opportunity to enjoy God’s good creation (Isaiah 65:17-19). • The picture anticipates Revelation 21:4, where death itself is finally removed; Isaiah’s language hints at that trajectory. Justice: Sin Still Has Consequences • Even amid blessing, moral accountability remains; cutting life short at less than one hundred shows God’s consistent standard (cf. Ezekiel 18:4). • The term “accursed” reminds us God will not overlook rebellion (cf. Galatians 6:7). • Justice here is measured, proportionate—swift destruction is absent, yet sin is unmistakably discouraged. How Justice and Mercy Intertwine • Mercy dominates—life abounds, curses recede, joy rises (Isaiah 65:18-19). • Justice safeguards mercy; the threat of curse preserves communal righteousness (cf. Isaiah 11:4-5). • Together they foreshadow the final state when mercy is perfected and justice fully satisfied through Christ (Revelation 22:3-5). Living in Light of Isaiah 65:20 • Confidence: God will literally renew the earth and remove the sting of premature death. • Sobriety: Even now, sin still carries real consequences; holiness matters. • Hope: The balance of justice and mercy guarantees a future both safe and joyous for all who trust Him (Psalm 145:17). |
    |