And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. This verse shifts from physical beauty (vv. 11-12) to spiritual blessing—education and peace. "All thy children taught of the LORD" (kol-banayikh limude YHWH, כָּל־בָּנַיִךְ לִמּוּדֵי יְהוָה) emphasizes universal, direct divine instruction. Not some elite but all covenant children receive God's teaching. The passive participle "taught" (limud, לִמּוּד) indicates they are God's disciples, students of divine wisdom.
The result: "great peace" (shalom rav, שָׁלוֹם רַב). Shalom encompasses wholeness, prosperity, security, well-being—comprehensive flourishing. The connection between divine instruction and peace suggests that knowing God produces tranquility; ignorance breeds anxiety. Jesus quotes this verse in John 6:45: "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God." This establishes that those who come to Christ are fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
From a Reformed perspective, this describes effectual calling and illumination by the Holy Spirit. External teaching is insufficient; God must internally teach for salvific knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:12-14, 1 John 2:27). The new covenant promise that "they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest" (Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 8:11) fulfills this. The peace comes from justification and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1), not merely cessation of conflict but positive well-being rooted in divine favor.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's education system centered on fathers teaching children Torah (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Professional scribes and priests provided advanced instruction. Yet Isaiah promises universal, direct divine teaching—a democratization of spiritual knowledge that the Old Testament prophets anticipated and the New Testament fulfills.
Jesus' quotation of this verse (John 6:45) applies it to those who come to Him in faith. The early church's experience at Pentecost, when the Spirit enabled understanding (Acts 2:4, 11), demonstrated this teaching. Church history shows tension between clerical mediation and direct access—the Reformation's recovery of sola scriptura and priesthood of all believers affirmed that all God's children can and should be taught directly by Him through Scripture and the Spirit, not dependent on ecclesiastical intermediaries.
Questions for Reflection
How have you experienced being 'taught of the LORD' beyond mere human instruction?
What connection do you see in your life between knowing God and experiencing peace?
How can the church better facilitate members being directly taught by God through His Word and Spirit?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. This verse shifts from physical beauty (vv. 11-12) to spiritual blessing—education and peace. "All thy children taught of the LORD" (kol-banayikh limude YHWH, כָּל־בָּנַיִךְ לִמּוּדֵי יְהוָה) emphasizes universal, direct divine instruction. Not some elite but all covenant children receive God's teaching. The passive participle "taught" (limud, לִמּוּד) indicates they are God's disciples, students of divine wisdom.
The result: "great peace" (shalom rav, שָׁלוֹם רַב). Shalom encompasses wholeness, prosperity, security, well-being—comprehensive flourishing. The connection between divine instruction and peace suggests that knowing God produces tranquility; ignorance breeds anxiety. Jesus quotes this verse in John 6:45: "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God." This establishes that those who come to Christ are fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
From a Reformed perspective, this describes effectual calling and illumination by the Holy Spirit. External teaching is insufficient; God must internally teach for salvific knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:12-14, 1 John 2:27). The new covenant promise that "they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest" (Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 8:11) fulfills this. The peace comes from justification and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1), not merely cessation of conflict but positive well-being rooted in divine favor.