Isaiah 46:13
I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.
I will bring My righteousness
The phrase "I will bring My righteousness" speaks to God's active role in delivering His people. The Hebrew word for "righteousness" is "tsedaqah," which encompasses justice, rightness, and deliverance. In the context of Isaiah, this righteousness is not merely a moral attribute but a divine intervention that brings salvation. Historically, this reflects God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, promising to restore them despite their failures. It is a reminder that God's righteousness is not passive but a dynamic force that transforms and redeems.

near
The word "near" indicates the imminence and accessibility of God's intervention. In Hebrew, "qarob" suggests proximity, both in time and space. This conveys the urgency and certainty of God's promise. For the Israelites, who were in exile, this was a message of hope that their deliverance was not a distant dream but a present reality. It reassures believers today that God's help is always at hand, ready to manifest in our lives.

it is not far off
This phrase reinforces the immediacy of God's action. The repetition of the concept of nearness emphasizes that God's plans are unfolding according to His perfect timing. Historically, this would have been a comfort to the exiled Jews, affirming that their period of suffering was nearing its end. Spiritually, it encourages believers to trust in God's timing, knowing that His promises are sure and will be fulfilled.

and My salvation will not delay
Here, "My salvation" refers to God's deliverance and restoration. The Hebrew word "yeshu'ah" is often associated with victory and rescue. The assurance that it "will not delay" underscores God's faithfulness and the certainty of His promises. In the historical context, this was a pledge to the Israelites that their return from exile was imminent. For Christians, it is a reminder of the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's timely deliverance.

I will grant salvation to Zion
"Zion" is a term rich with meaning, often symbolizing Jerusalem, the people of Israel, and the spiritual center of God's kingdom. The promise to "grant salvation to Zion" signifies God's commitment to His chosen people and His plan to restore them. This reflects the historical return of the Jews to their homeland and prophetically points to the spiritual restoration through the Messiah. It is a testament to God's unwavering love and His plan for redemption.

and My splendor to Israel
The word "splendor" in Hebrew is "tiph'arah," which denotes beauty, glory, and honor. By promising to bestow His splendor upon Israel, God is declaring His intention to restore their dignity and honor. Historically, this was fulfilled as the Israelites returned and rebuilt their nation. Spiritually, it points to the ultimate glorification of God's people through Christ. It is an assurance that God's plans for His people are glorious and filled with hope.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God (Yahweh)
The speaker in this verse, declaring His intention to bring righteousness and salvation.

2. Zion
A term often used to refer to Jerusalem, symbolizing the spiritual center of God's people.

3. Israel
The nation chosen by God, representing His covenant people.

4. Righteousness and Salvation
Divine attributes and actions that God promises to bring near to His people.

5. Isaiah
The prophet through whom God delivers this message, active during the 8th century BC.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
God's promises are sure and steadfast. He assures His people that His righteousness and salvation are near, emphasizing His faithfulness to His covenant.

Imminence of Salvation
The promise that salvation "will not delay" encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

Righteousness and Salvation in Christ
For Christians, the ultimate fulfillment of this promise is found in Jesus Christ, who embodies God's righteousness and brings salvation to all who believe.

Hope for the Present and Future
This verse provides hope not only for the immediate context of Israel but also for believers today, reminding us that God's deliverance is both a present reality and a future hope.

Living in Expectation
Believers are called to live in expectation of God's promises, actively participating in His work while awaiting the full realization of His kingdom.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of God's righteousness and salvation being "near" impact your daily walk with Him?

2. In what ways can you see the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel in the life and work of Jesus Christ?

3. How can the assurance that God's salvation "will not delay" provide comfort in times of waiting or uncertainty?

4. What practical steps can you take to live in expectation of God's promises, both in your personal life and in your community?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Romans 1:16-17 and Hebrews 10:37, deepen your understanding of Isaiah 46:13?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 51:5
This verse also speaks of God's righteousness being near and His salvation going forth, reinforcing the theme of God's imminent deliverance.

Romans 1:16-17
Paul speaks of the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel, connecting the Old Testament promise to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ.

Psalm 85:9
This verse highlights the nearness of God's salvation to those who fear Him, echoing the promise of deliverance and righteousness.

Hebrews 10:37
The assurance that God's promise will not delay, similar to the assurance given in Isaiah 46:13.
God's People are God's GloryR. Tuck Isaiah 46:13
Jehovah's Righteousness and Israel's SalvationR. S. Candlish, D. D.Isaiah 46:13
Justifying Righteousness Brought NearC. J. Brown.Isaiah 46:13
The Connection Between the Use of Means and the Accomplishment of Divine PurposesJ. R. Cooper.Isaiah 46:13
Two Aspects of SalvationProf. J. Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 46:13
The Religion of Jehovah Contrasted with IdolatryE. Johnson Isaiah 46:1-13
God's Call to the UnrighteousH. Melvill, B. D.Isaiah 46:12-13
God's Voice to SinnersHomilistIsaiah 46:12-13
The Ungodly WorldHomilistIsaiah 46:12-13
People
Isaiah, Jacob
Places
Babylon, Cush, Zion
Topics
Bring, Delay, Delayed, Deliverance, Free, Glory, Grant, Quickly, Righteousness, Salvation, Splendor, Tarry, Wait, Zion
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 46:13

     1125   God, righteousness
     1193   glory, revelation of
     7271   Zion, as symbol
     7949   mission, of Israel
     8825   self-righteousness, and gospel

Library
A Righteousness Near and a Swift Salvation
'Hearken unto Me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near My righteousness; it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall not tarry.'--ISAIAH xlvi. 12,13. God has promised that He will dwell with him that is humble and of a contrite heart. Jesus has shed the oil of His benediction on the poor in spirit. It is the men who form the exact antithesis to these characters who are addressed here. The 'stout-hearted' are those who, being untouched in conscience and ignorant of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The God of the Aged
THOSE will be peculiar circumstances under which I shall stand up to address the people next Tuesday; circumstances which perhaps seldom occur,--possibly may never have occurred before. It might have been more in order that the aged minister should himself address the people; but nevertheless, as it is his own choice, so it must be; and I shall draw my consolation from the third verse, where it is declared, that though God be the God of the close of our life, yet he is also the God of its beginning.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Whether the Seven Petitions of the Lord's Prayer are Fittingly Assigned?
Objection 1: It would seem that the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer are not fittingly assigned. It is useless to ask for that to be hallowed which is always holy. But the name of God is always holy, according to Lk. 1:49, "Holy is His name." Again, His kingdom is everlasting, according to Ps. 144:13, "Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages." Again, God's will is always fulfilled, according to Isa 46:10, "All My will shall be done." Therefore it is useless to ask for "the name of God to be hallowed,"
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Of Internal Acts
Of Internal Acts Acts are distinguished into External and Internal. External acts are those which bear relation to some sensible object, and are either morally good or evil, merely according to the nature of the principle from which they proceed. I intend here to speak only of Internal acts, those energies of the soul, by which it turns internally to some objects, and averts from others. If during my application to God I should form a will to change the nature of my act, I thereby withdraw myself
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Of Inward Silence
Of Inward Silence "The Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence before him" (Hab. ii. 20). Inward silence is absolutely indispensable, because the Word is essential and eternal, and necessarily requires dispositions in the soul in some degree correspondent to His nature, as a capacity for the reception of Himself. Hearing is a sense formed to receive sounds, and is rather passive than active, admitting, but not communicating sensation; and if we would hear, we must lend the ear
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Of Rest in the Presence of God --Its Fruits --Inward Silence --God Commands it --Outward Silence.
The soul, being brought to this place, needs no other preparation than that of repose: for the presence of God during the day, which is the great result of prayer, or rather prayer itself, begins to be intuitive and almost continual. The soul is conscious of a deep inward happiness, and feels that God is in it more truly than it is in itself. It has only one thing to do in order to find God, which is to retire within itself. As soon as the eyes are closed, it finds itself in prayer. It is astonished
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment," &c. There are different tempers of mind among men, some more smooth and pliable, others more refractory and froward. Some may be persuaded by love, who cannot be constrained by fear. With some a request will more prevail than a command. Others again are of a harsher disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. It would seem that the Lord hath some regard to this in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour, and are Wearied," &C.
Matth. xi. 28.--"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are wearied," &c. It is the great misery of Christians in this life, that they have such poor, narrow, and limited spirits, that are not fit to receive the truth of the gospel in its full comprehension; from whence manifold misapprehensions in judgment, and stumbling in practice proceed. The beauty and life of things consist in their entire union with one another, and in the conjunction of all their parts. Therefore it would not be a fit way
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both.
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration:
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Purposes of God.
In discussing this subject I shall endeavor to show, I. What I understand by the purposes of God. Purposes, in this discussion, I shall use as synonymous with design, intention. The purposes of God must be ultimate and proximate. That is, God has and must have an ultimate end. He must purpose to accomplish something by his works and providence, which he regards as a good in itself, or as valuable to himself, and to being in general. This I call his ultimate end. That God has such an end or purpose,
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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