God is unyielding in His desire to showcase and uphold His law, revealing His righteous character as He invites His people to honor Him through faithful obedience.
Isaiah, who lived and prophesied in the southern kingdom of Judah around the 8th century BC (approximately 740-681 BC), declares in this passage the Lord’s delight in affirming and exalting His commands. He writes, “The LORD was pleased for His righteousness’ sake / To make the law great and glorious.” (v.21) This statement highlights God’s deep commitment to uphold what is right and just. Culturally and geographically, Isaiah operated in or near Jerusalem—one of the principal cities of ancient Judah, located in the heart of what we today refer to as the Middle East—calling the people to remember the divine principles God had established through His covenant.
By saying “The LORD was pleased for His righteousness’ sake” (v.21), Isaiah underscores that not only is God righteous in nature, but He also delights in extending that righteousness to His people. In many ways, this foreshadows the New Testament depiction of Jesus as the embodiment of God’s righteousness, fulfilling the very law that God made “great and glorious” (Matthew 5:17). The prophet implies that God’s statutes have a reputation that extends beyond their simple moral instructions; they are designed to reflect the perfect and loving nature of God Himself.
Furthermore, “To make the law great and glorious” (v.21) speaks of God’s intention to magnify His commands so that the world could see and recognize their beauty and power. This does not suggest that new rules are being created, but rather that the existing covenant and instruction are being given a new level of honor and respect. Isaiah’s message reminds believers that God’s purpose for the law transcends mere regulations—it is a reflection of God’s holiness and a pointer to humanity’s need for rescue, ultimately satisfied in the person of Christ (Romans 10:4).
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Isaiah 42:21 meaning
Isaiah, who lived and prophesied in the southern kingdom of Judah around the 8th century BC (approximately 740-681 BC), declares in this passage the Lord’s delight in affirming and exalting His commands. He writes, “The LORD was pleased for His righteousness’ sake / To make the law great and glorious.” (v.21) This statement highlights God’s deep commitment to uphold what is right and just. Culturally and geographically, Isaiah operated in or near Jerusalem—one of the principal cities of ancient Judah, located in the heart of what we today refer to as the Middle East—calling the people to remember the divine principles God had established through His covenant.
By saying “The LORD was pleased for His righteousness’ sake” (v.21), Isaiah underscores that not only is God righteous in nature, but He also delights in extending that righteousness to His people. In many ways, this foreshadows the New Testament depiction of Jesus as the embodiment of God’s righteousness, fulfilling the very law that God made “great and glorious” (Matthew 5:17). The prophet implies that God’s statutes have a reputation that extends beyond their simple moral instructions; they are designed to reflect the perfect and loving nature of God Himself.
Furthermore, “To make the law great and glorious” (v.21) speaks of God’s intention to magnify His commands so that the world could see and recognize their beauty and power. This does not suggest that new rules are being created, but rather that the existing covenant and instruction are being given a new level of honor and respect. Isaiah’s message reminds believers that God’s purpose for the law transcends mere regulations—it is a reflection of God’s holiness and a pointer to humanity’s need for rescue, ultimately satisfied in the person of Christ (Romans 10:4).