All people, near and far, must acknowledge the Lord’s supremacy.
The prophet Isaiah (who served from about 740 B.C. to 681 B.C. in the southern kingdom of Judah) proclaims, “The coastlands have seen and are afraid; The ends of the earth tremble; They have drawn near and have come.” (v.5) This statement pictures distant regions—often maritime areas along the Mediterranean Sea or beyond—coming face-to-face with God’s display of power. The word “coastlands” in the Hebrew scriptures frequently refers to far-flung provinces or islands, emphasizing the global extent of God’s sovereign reach. In the larger context of Isaiah 41, the prophet speaks words of comfort to the nation of Israel while highlighting the futility of idols and the authority of the true God over everything from the nearby hills to the most remote shores.
By declaring “The ends of the earth tremble” (v.5), Isaiah underscores that there is no corner of creation exempt from the Lord’s dominion. Their trembling reflects both awe and fear, suggesting that once God’s greatness is observed, it evokes reverence even among those far away. This verse anticipates the idea that God’s purposes are universal—He protects and rescues His people, and the knowledge of His power extends well beyond Israel’s borders. In the New Testament era, this same concept of God’s power reaching all nations is proclaimed in the call to share the good news with everyone, echoing the intention that every distant land would draw near to the Lord (Acts 1:8).
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Isaiah 41:5 meaning
The prophet Isaiah (who served from about 740 B.C. to 681 B.C. in the southern kingdom of Judah) proclaims, “The coastlands have seen and are afraid; The ends of the earth tremble; They have drawn near and have come.” (v.5) This statement pictures distant regions—often maritime areas along the Mediterranean Sea or beyond—coming face-to-face with God’s display of power. The word “coastlands” in the Hebrew scriptures frequently refers to far-flung provinces or islands, emphasizing the global extent of God’s sovereign reach. In the larger context of Isaiah 41, the prophet speaks words of comfort to the nation of Israel while highlighting the futility of idols and the authority of the true God over everything from the nearby hills to the most remote shores.
By declaring “The ends of the earth tremble” (v.5), Isaiah underscores that there is no corner of creation exempt from the Lord’s dominion. Their trembling reflects both awe and fear, suggesting that once God’s greatness is observed, it evokes reverence even among those far away. This verse anticipates the idea that God’s purposes are universal—He protects and rescues His people, and the knowledge of His power extends well beyond Israel’s borders. In the New Testament era, this same concept of God’s power reaching all nations is proclaimed in the call to share the good news with everyone, echoing the intention that every distant land would draw near to the Lord (Acts 1:8).