Isaiah 32-34

Isaiah 32

Now we look  beyond immediate politics to an ideal kingship

“A king will reign in righteousness”

• Likely:
  • Immediate: idealized Davidic kingship, possibly Hezekiah 
  • Ultimate: Messiah 
• Effects of righteous rule:
  • Protection, stability, clarity
  • Moral discernment 
  • Fool no longer honored
  • Scoundrel exposed

Complacent individuals warned: Addressed to “complacent women” (symbolic of ease and false security). There is a coming devastation. There will be agricultural collapse. 

Turning point: “Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high”

• Results:
  • Wilderness → fruitful field
  • Justice, peace, security

Isaiah 33

Assyria addressed

• Maybe : Final Assyrian fight under Sennacherib
• Plunderer will be plundered

Zion rooted in the fear of the LORD and stable. 

God’s judgement on humans

• Envoys weep
• Treaties fail
• FIRE
  • Nations consumed like chaff
  • Breath as fire
  • Burnings of lime 

Who can survive God’s holiness?

• The righteous, ethical, God-fearing

 Zion’s Glorious King and Secure City

• Vision of peace:
  • King in beauty and majestic
  • Broad land
• God’s threefold role:
  • Judge
  • Lawgiver
  • King
• Sin and sickness removed

Isaiah 34

From historical Assyria → universal judgment

Addressed to “All nations”

Judgement affects both earth and heavens

• Heavens rolled up
• Stars fall

Great bloodshed

• Edom  used as representative enemy of God’s people
• Sacrificial imagery:
  • Slaughter, blood, altar language 

Total and Permanent Desolation

• “Day of the LORD’s vengeance”
• Land becomes uninhabitable
• Wild animals dominate
• Irreversible 

“Seek and read from the book of the Lord: Not one of these shall be missing;” THIS WILL HAPPEN LITERALLY

Application

Isaiah 32 shows us what an ideal king will look like. There will be peace and restoration which we will see when Jesus comes again. In chapter 33 we see what will happen as God enacts His perfect judgment and His perfect kingship. There will be destruction to enemies, but also visions of peace and majesty. Lastly, there will be a day where God judges the nations and His justice is completed. He alone is King and Judge.