Day #205

Sermon - Audio
Isaiah 31-34 - Audio
Isaiah 31-34 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Isaiah 31-34

Isaiah 31 and 32 treat us to more pictures of God’s rescue and restoration of his people. Chapter 31 begins with a brief word against those who trust in Egypt, but then we head back into restoration and hope.

• 31.8-9: “Young men” are the best soldiers of the army, they are its rock. Fire and furnace refer to the power and anger of God.
• 32.1ff: Compared with those who we find in Isaiah 28.10 (For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”) we know find faithful leaders and teachers. Here Isaiah gives us insight into a godly community. It has leaders and teachers who speak the things of God and who do not put up with fools. The ultimate picture of this becoming true is the arrival of the Messiah.
• 32.9-14: In words the echo the prophet Amos we hear the condemnation of women who care little for the things of God.
• 32.15-20: Isaiah continues his rhythm by speaking of hope after speaking of condemnation of women who will be destroyed because they care not for the things of God.

Isaiah 33 and 34 bring us into a summary picture of God’s judgment. Again the rhythm of judgment and hope goes on--but with an emphasis on judgment.

• 33.1: In typical Isaiah style we are not told who the destroyer is. Most believe it is a reference to Assyria in decline.
• 33.6: The prophet points out that true treasure is the fear of the LORD. Such is treasure because fear is living in obedience to God, honoring him and reverencing him. Such a posture means living so that covenant blessings flow.
• 33.7-9: A picture of failed peace and failed hope.
• 33.13-16: God’s reminder of the kind of life he is looking for in his people.
• 33.17-24: Assyria defeated, God’s people restored. This promise will fully come true when Christ returns.
• 33.23: These words refer to Judah that is weak but will be restored so that even the lame are well provided for and strong.
• 34.1-4: God’s complaint is against all the nations of the earth. Even though these nations are not his people he still demands that they live with justice and righteousness. They fail.
• 34.8: A fourth right is claimed for YHWH, the right to a “vengeance day, a year of retributions.” It is the royal prerogative, even responsibility, to bring retributive justice within his kingdom. “Vengeance,” in the OT is a term used for a judicial act that must be performed to restore a social balanace lost through a violent crime. Vengeance is understood not as satisfying an emotional need but as reestablishing a social and judicial balance (Word Biblical Commentary).
• 34.8-14: A picture of desolation and abandonment.
• 34.14: The Hebrew word “lilith” is translated in the ESV as “night bird”, in the NIV it is “night creatures”, but in the NASB it is “night monster”. Lilith was known as a demonness or a storm demon. Whether Isaiah is using the word this way is debated.