Isaiah 33:1-24
Q.1. What would Assyria do to Judah? What would happen to the enemy? To whom would a remnant look for relief? When will peace and prosperity return to the nation? – (Isa.33:1-12 c.f. 2 Chron.32:20-22)
God gave a general principle to any who would try to destroy Israel – Woe to you, O destroyer, while you were not destroyed; And he who is treacherous, while others did not deal treacherously with him. As soon as you finish destroying, you will be destroyed (Isa.33:1). Here the reference is to Sennacherib, king of Assyria, who attacked Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah. When Hezekiah turned to God, the nation was miraculously delivered by Him. The story is recorded three times, because of the crucial lessons to be learned (c.f. 2 Kgs.18-17-19:37; 2 Chron.32:1-23; Isa.36:1-37:38; 1 Cor.10:11). The chapter predicted the demise of Judah. However, in stark contrast, a remnant (like King Hezekiah) will cry out to God – O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of distress (Isa.33:2). Isaiah then described a future time when – 5 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. 6 And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure (Isa.33:5-6). This pictures the time of the reign of Christ in His kingdom, and it reminds us that in the midst of judgment, there will be mercy for His own.
Q.2. What would conditions be like when Judah’s future King rules? How was the King described? How would the heart of the people of Judah change? What would life be like? – (Isa.33:13-24)
Isaiah called on the nations near and afar to witness God’s judgment on His people. However, he gave hope to the one – who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity. He who rejects unjust gain and shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil (Isa.33:15 c.f. Isa.33:13-14; Eph.2:17). After the chastisement of the Great Tribulation is complete – Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; They will behold a far-distant land (Isa.33:17). This new land will be free from foreign tongues (Isa.33:19 c.f. Isa.28:11). Not only will Christ be the King in all His beauty – but there the majestic One, the Lord, will be for us … (Isa.33:21). Isaiah was describing the Millennial Kingdom, preceded by the forgiveness of Israel, when they will look upon the One Whom they have pierced – … The people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity (Isa.33:24 c.f. Isa.4:4; Zech.12:10 & 13:1; Rom.11:25-27). Christ will reign and – the Lord is our judge. The Lord is our lawgiver. The Lord is our king; He will save us (Isa.33:22 c.f. Isa.2:2-4; Mic.4:1-3). It will be a time of unprecedented peace, and of celebrations of the appointed feasts (Isa.33:20). All the main cities in Isaiah’s time had rivers and ports. Israel only had the less significant Jordan River (Isa.33:21 c.f. 2 Kgs.5:10-14). However, Zion will be – … a place of rivers and wide canals on which no boat with oars will go, and on which no mighty ship will pass (Isa.33:21 c.f. Ezk.47:5-12). There will be health and prosperity – and no resident will say, I am sick (Isa.33:23-24 c.f. Isa.65:20). It is exciting to think of the transformation Christ will bring.