Isaiah 42:14 - “I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
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What does "Isaiah 42:14" mean?
Isaiah 42:14 uses vivid imagery to describe a shift in God's behavior. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself." This indicates a period where God has held back, not intervened dramatically, or seemingly been passive. Some interpret this as God patiently waiting for his people to repent or waiting for the right time to act. He hasn't been actively showing his power or judgment.
"Now I will cry out like a travailing woman." This marks a change. The image of a woman in labor is powerful. It conveys intense pain, urgency, and the unstoppable force of bringing forth something new. God's "cry" here symbolizes a sudden, forceful intervention.
"I will both gasp and pant." This amplifies the intensity and uncontrollability of the change. The gasping and panting emphasize the effort and urgency involved in this action, highlighting God's active engagement and the dramatic shift from his earlier silence.
In summary, the verse suggests:
God had been holding back.
Now, a turning point has arrived.
God will act powerfully and decisively, with an energy that is intense, unstoppable, and akin to the pains of childbirth.
The context of Isaiah 42 helps clarify what God is bringing forth. The chapter speaks of the coming of a servant who will bring justice and light to the nations. The imagery in verse 14 suggests that God's intervention will be associated with this new era of salvation and judgment.
Isaiah 42:14 - “I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
What does "Isaiah 42:14" mean?
Isaiah 42:14 uses vivid imagery to describe a shift in God's behavior. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself." This indicates a period where God has held back, not intervened dramatically, or seemingly been passive. Some interpret this as God patiently waiting for his people to repent or waiting for the right time to act. He hasn't been actively showing his power or judgment.
"Now I will cry out like a travailing woman." This marks a change. The image of a woman in labor is powerful. It conveys intense pain, urgency, and the unstoppable force of bringing forth something new. God's "cry" here symbolizes a sudden, forceful intervention.
"I will both gasp and pant." This amplifies the intensity and uncontrollability of the change. The gasping and panting emphasize the effort and urgency involved in this action, highlighting God's active engagement and the dramatic shift from his earlier silence.
In summary, the verse suggests:
God had been holding back.
Now, a turning point has arrived.
God will act powerfully and decisively, with an energy that is intense, unstoppable, and akin to the pains of childbirth.
The context of Isaiah 42 helps clarify what God is bringing forth. The chapter speaks of the coming of a servant who will bring justice and light to the nations. The imagery in verse 14 suggests that God's intervention will be associated with this new era of salvation and judgment.