Most prophets spoke to/about one group of people, but Isaiah spoke to the whole region. Rather, God spoke to the whole region through Isaiah. That’s not the only thing that sets him apart, Isaiah speaks at length about the fall from grace, but he also has much to say about Israel’s restoration and even the second coming of Christ.
Yesterday we heard Isaiah speaking to countries south of Judah, and then northeast. He has already spoken about Israel north (directly north of Judah) and Tyre is along the coast of the Med, northwest. Phoenica is below Tyre. Essentially, Isaiah is working counterclockwise around the whole area proclaiming disaster.
I hadn’t noticed the comment about Tyre being devastated for 70 years before. And, I didn’t know that 70 was the measure of a kings lifetime. Both of those are interesting. Another interesting point: God allows a wicked city to be revived and prosper, even though He knows it will remain wicked. His rationale is that out of their evil, the city will provide resources for His priests. That doesn’t mean that the city will be redeemed because they are somehow provide for priests, it’s more a statement about God’s ability to bring resources from anywhere at anytime in a demonstration of His power over all things.
Chapter 24 is talking about more than what will happen to Jerusalem because of the Babylonians. Isaiah is speaking here of the end of the age. Let’s take a closer look:
The condition of the earth: there are great fires and earthquakes. The whole earth is “shaken”. Streams dry up and there are no crops…at least no grapevines. This could be because the earthquakes have changed the landscape, or because whatever shakes the earth creates “ripple effects”. I think this passage could be tied to Revelation, where an angel throws a great fiery boulder into the sea, and the streams. I think Isaiah is speaking of the effects of a meteorite striking the earth. Verse 18 says “destruction falls from the heavens like rain”. Or it could be a separate event that occurs during the same time period…but 19 and 20 sound to me like the effects of a meteor strike.
The condition of the people: there is desperation and thievery, since there is no food. Gangs and violence are rampant, there is danger in every street. The devastation effects everyone regardless of spiritual condition, wealth or social standing. Priests are crushed along with the lay people. Kings are fallen to the same level as the poor. But among the violent and evil people there are Christians. What!? How can Christians be here if we are talking about the end of earth? I don’t see how we can believe in a “pre-tribulation rapture” when Isaiah prophesies that the devil is locked away and the earth is all but destroyed…and all the while there are Christians on the earth, praising God.
The spiritual condition: People from all continents are left on the earth praising God. The “gods” of the earth (devil and demons) are locked away in prison and God reigns in Jerusalem from Mount Zion (that’s the temple mount). Needless to say, the Muslim “dome of the rock” will be long gone. i think Isaiah is speaking here of the Millennial reign of Christ. If that’s the case, there are still wicked people left on earth during the millennium. But since the devil is locked away they must be fairly impotent.
Chapter 25 praises God for His display of power against the earth, because it was both fair and righteous. God cleanses the earth of it’s impurity, and crushes those who do evil and oppress others. There is a day coming when all who have rebelled against God and who have persecuted His people will pay for what they have done. I notice a large feast in Jerusalem with choice food, where all people are invited. I wonder, is this the wedding feast of the Lamb? Maybe it’s a metaphor for the larger feast that could occur in heaven with people from all ages of the earth invited. Maybe this one just for those who came through the tribulation. I wonder. It goes on to say that death is gone, and all tears are wiped away. This sounds like heaven…but it’s in Jerusalem. I wonder if the “new heaven and new earth” includes Jerusalem in some new and improved way. The size of the new Jerusalem is enormous (the way it’s measured in Revelation…something like 375 miles long on each side) That’s roughly the size of Montana.
Chapter 26 is mostly a song of praise to God for His goodness. When everything that God does is seen in perspective, it’s always good and it always makes perfect sense.
I find a couple interesting thoughts here: Vs 10: God’s kindness doesn’t make evil people do good. Evil people can remain evil even when surrounded by godly people.
Vs.13 we have been ruled by others, but we have never worshipped them. I like that sentiment.
Vs. 19 those who have died in Christ will live again. Their bodies will rise from the earth! I didn’t know Isaiah talked about this!
Vs 21. The earth will not hide the wicked. This is a testament to Judgement day.
The dragon of the sea is Satan. In Revelation the dragon tries to kill the woman who gives birth to a special child (Jesus). He is locked away in earliest chapters, but he is later released and then sent into the lake of fire.
I’m not sure what to make of verse 4-5. On one hand it seems to be saying that people can repent, but how can that be; after the Millennium? Maybe the focus is shifting back to speaking about the upcoming exile (which is how this chapter ends).
Faithfully,
PR