04 August

Bible In 365 Days                                                           

Isaiah 31-35

Isaiah 31

The prophet again denounces the alliance with Egypt. He declares that the sin of it is a false trust consequent on the chosen people tuning their back on Jehovah. The folly of it is manifest in the fact that all their plotting cannot circumvent Jehovah, who is wise, and will certainly proceed against the workers of iniquity.

He then describes the attitude of Jehovah, first as One in whose power the people are as surely as is the prey in the grasp of the lion, and yet He is determined to protect, to deliver, to preserve Jerusalem. In view of this revelation of the divine attitude the prophet appeals to the people to turn again to Him from whom they had revolted. He anticipates their obedience, and describes how in the day of their return they will cast away their idols. This is their true policy, for when they do this, the Assyrian will fall, not by the sword of man, but by the act of Jehovah.

Isaiah 32

In this message the prophet describes the reign of the coming King, and then suddenly appeals to the women. He describes the reign of the King as establishment of order and creation of refuge and refreshment for all in distress. The beneficent effects of such a reign are restoration of sensibility and a true sense of values, in which men will know violence and call it by its right name, and recognize true nobility. Evidently conscious of how different were the circumstances in which he was exercising his ministry from those described, he appeals to the women. He calls them to abandon their ease and gird themselves with sackcloth before the devastation of the city. This in order to be restored by the outpouring of the Spirit.

This recognition for the second time of the influence of women in the course of this volume is a revelation of the prophet's keen insight and accurate apprehension of one of the most prolific causes of national disaster. A degraded womanhood always creates a dissipated and enervated manhood.

Isaiah 33

This chapter celebrates a great victory, and is prophetic of the method of the final triumph. In the first thirteen verses we have the prophet's appeal, in which there are two movements. In the first he describes the foe, lifts his cry to God, and declares his confidence in God. In the second he makes his appeal, describes the need, and announces the divine answer.

Following this is a graphic description of the effect produced by the consciousness of the presence of God as of a fire. The sinners are afraid. The righteous dwell in safety in the midst of its burning. In the rest of the chapter we have in detail the answer of Jehovah to the appeal of His servant. It is the vision of the King and of the land. The coming of the King will mean the safety of such as put their trust in Him. They will muse on the terror, but it will have departed, and the city will be quiet and full of peace.

The prophet then breaks out into an exceedingly beautiful description of the safety of the city, God-delivered and God-governed. Jehovah will be to it a river of defense. In the midst of it He will administer its affairs in justice. With such a God, all the attempts of the enemy to overcome the city are useless. Everywhere there is healing for the people, both physically and spiritually.

Isaiah 34

This and the following chapter constitute the second part of the final circle of the prophecies of judgment. Terrible indeed is the description of world-wide desolation which this chapter presents. The nations, the people, and the whole earth are summoned to hear. Jehovah declares His indignation, and announces His determination to act in a judgment which will involve the whole earth and the host of heaven.

From this wide outlook, the prophet passes to a description of the judgment of God on Edom, which illustrates the larger truth already declared. In this terrible passage (verses Isaiah 34:5-17) the reason of the divine vengeance is revealed in the statement, "For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, the year of recompense in the controversy of Zion".

Isaiah 35

The message of this chapter stands in close relation to the message of the preceding one, and yet in almost startling contrast to it. That was a picture of desolation. This is one of restoration. As in the former the whole earth was described as having been brought into confusion and emptiness, this great song opens with a description of the restoration of natural order. In all the beauty and glory of His rule men are to see anew "the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of God." This is to be brought about by the coming of God. It is a message of hope to the weak and the feeble. It is the explanation of the fearful vengeance described in the previous chapter. Through that vengeance God moves to this victory.

The glorious issues of the divine activity are then declared, as they will be realized by His own chosen people. There will be an end of all the spiritual dullness of which the prophet has so consistently reminded them. All material defense will be removed, and a highway will be constructed. Finally the ransomed of the Lord will return, and sorrow and sighing will pass away. According to the whole teaching of the Old Testament concerning the purposes of God, this earthly restoration of His people will issue in world-wide blessing.