Isaiah 51:13
And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
Forgetting the Lord thy maker leads to fearing continually every day because of a mortal oppressor as if ready to destroy. The verse names that Maker as the One who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, marking Him as Creator. His creating power is greater than any human enemy, and its closing question shows the oppressor to be mortal and his fury to be temporary and unable to prevail. It comforts God's afflicted people with the promise that captivity will not last and that He will release the captive exile as when He divided the sea. It therefore assures them in a final time of trouble, when they face death by violence and deprivation from earthly powers, that He will deliver them.
Forgetting Maker, Fearing Oppressor
Living in fear continually every day of a mortal human oppressor as if ready to destroy is forgetting the Lord thy maker. That forgetfulness brings reproof, for the fear is fixed on man while the Maker is forgotten. The Lord is named as the Maker who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, which identifies Him as Creator. That description grounds the Bible's account of creation in His power.
His power as Creator is greater than the power of any mortal enemy. The closing question, where is the fury of the oppressor, shows the oppressor is mortal and his fury is temporary, limited, and will not last or prevail. It therefore sets a limit to the threat, so that apparent power in the oppressor should not eclipse trust in Him who made heaven and laid the earth's foundations. Israel belonged to God by both creation and redemption, and remembering His mighty works and warnings would have kept Israel from this forgetfulness and reproof.
Forgetting the Lord is seen in spiritual indifference and turning toward the world. It appears in conformity to the world's customs and selfishness, in indulgence of appetite, and in spending money for selfish pleasure. It also appears in neglecting to proclaim the third angel's message and in failing to feel concern for people who are perishing. Such forgetfulness dishonors God and leaves people unable to understand their duty.
Comfort, Deliverance, and Faithfulness
God comforts His afflicted people by reminding them of their Maker who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, so that fear of a mortal oppressor comes from forgetting Him whose power is greater than any human enemy. He promises that captivity will not last and the oppressor's fury will not prevail, but will be cut short and come to nothing. He acts to release the captive exile, as He did when He divided the sea, so His people need not live in continual fear.
The verse applies to God's people in a final crisis and time of trouble when, like the captive exile facing earthly powers, they may fear death by violence and by starvation and deprivation. It assures them of promised deliverance, for the same God who divided the Red Sea will show His power and bring them out of captivity.
The chapter to which the verse belongs is precious for assurance and hope, and the verse itself is exceedingly precious in tedious affliction and bodily pain. It teaches that the Lord bears all His people's burdens, strengthens them by His grace, and watches over the sufferer in the night through Jesus. Affliction borne in this trust is for the glory of the Lord and is no cause for murmuring, but for strong assurance while continuing to work and counsel others.
In the time of general departure from truth and righteousness and the pressing on to the final conflict, God's remnant people are not to forget their Maker nor fear continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor. They are to remember Him, hold the banner of truth firmly, and proclaim the law of God connected with the faith of Jesus. They are to build the old waste places and raise up the foundation of many generations, maintaining allegiance without compromise and bearing testimony for God and for truth to the very close of this earth's history.
The verse belongs to the encouraging Word of God that reveals God as humanity's Maker and Christ as the life-giving Saviour and only hope of life like God's. It stands against the human spirit of oppression and destruction and directs people to trust in Christ and the Saviour God has provided.
The verse is one of the plain scriptures bearing on the Sabbath question that makes clear and plain that God has made no change in His day of rest. It is to be gathered with other Sabbath scriptures into tract form and put prominently before the people. With Isaiah 58 it is to be brought to the front to do its important work in hearts while every worker draws nigh to God by faith.