Book of Isaiah - Chapter 48 - Verse 18

This verse from the book of Isaiah in the Bible expresses the longing of God for His people to obey His commandments. The imagery used in this verse paints a vivid picture of the blessings that come from following God's instructions. The phrase "thy peace been as a river" symbolizes a sense of tranquility and serenity that flows endlessly, much like a river that is constant and unwavering. Similarly, "thy righteousness as the waves of the sea" conveys the idea of righteousness and goodness spreading out in every direction, just as the waves of the sea stretch out endlessly. Thus, the verse highlights the correlation between obedience to God's commandments and the abundance of peace and righteousness in one's life.

In this verse, the speaker is expressing a deep longing for the recipients to have listened and obeyed the commandments that were given. The use of the word "oh" demonstrates a sense of regret and sorrow for the missed opportunity to walk in obedience. The image of peace as a river and righteousness as waves of the sea paints a vivid picture of abundance and ceaseless flow. This imagery could be interpreted as God's desire for His people to experience a continuous and overflowing sense of peace and righteousness if they had followed His commandments. The comparison of peace to a river highlights the lasting and steady nature of the peace that comes from obedience to God's will. Similarly, the comparison of righteousness to waves of the sea suggests the vastness and power of righteousness that comes from living in alignment with God's ways. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from heeding the commandments of God.