God's Blessing

Isaiah 33 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

1 Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not been destroyed,
you traitor, whom none has betrayed!
When you have ceased to destroy,
you will be destroyed;
and when you have finished betraying,
they will betray you.
2 O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.
3 At the tumultuous noise peoples flee;
when you lift yourself up, nations are scattered,
4 And your spoil is gathered; as the caterpillar gathers; as locusts leap, it is leapt upon.
5 The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
6 and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.
7 Behold, their heroes cry in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.
8 The highways lie waste; the traveler ceases. Covenants are broken; cities are despised; there is no regard for man.
9 The land mourns and languishes;
Lebanon is confounded and withers away;
Sharon is like a desert,
and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.
10 “Now I will arise,” says the Lord;
“now I will lift myself up;
now I will be exalted.
11 You conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble; your breath is a fire that will consume you.
12 And the peoples will be as if burned to lime,
like thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire.
13 Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge my might.
14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
trembling has seized the godless:
“Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire?
Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”
15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
who despises the gain of oppressions,
who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe,
who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed
and shuts his eyes from looking on evil,
16 he will dwell on the heights;
his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks;
his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.
17 Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar.
18 Your heart will muse on the terror: “Where is he who counted, where is he who weighed the tribute? Where is he who counted the towers?”
19 You will see no more the insolent people, the people of an obscure speech that you cannot comprehend, stammering in a tongue that you cannot understand.
20 Behold Zion, the city of our appointed feasts!
21 But there the Lord in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars can go, nor majestic ship can pass.
22 For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.
23 Your cords hang loose; they cannot hold the mast firm in its place or keep the sail spread out. Then prey and spoil in abundance will be divided; even the lame will take the prey.
24 And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick”; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.

A-dramatic-scene-of-divine-judgment-and-protection-with-solemn-poses-and-captivating-lighting_icfo

The True Meaning of Isaiah 33

The book of Isaiah was written by the prophet Isaiah, who lived during the reigns of several Judean kings in the 8th century BC. Isaiah was known for his powerful messages of judgment and hope, often delivered in poetic and symbolic language. Isaiah addresses the impending judgment that will come upon Judah and Jerusalem due to their unfaithfulness and disobedience to God in this chapter. However, he also offers a glimpse of the future restoration and redemption that will come through the Messiah. We will see the contrast between the fate of the wicked and the blessings that await the righteous.

Throughout this passage, Isaiah draws upon imagery and themes found in other parts of the Bible, such as the “city of our festivals” (verse 20) which echoes the language of the Psalms (Psalm 48:2). He also speaks of the “King in his beauty” (verse 17), a reference that points forward to the coming Messiah, the true King of Israel.

Isaiah 33:1-6

Isaiah 33:1-6 reveals a prophecy of the impending judgment upon Assyria and a plea for God’s intervention. The section begins with a cry of distress and a call to God for help and mercy. The opening verse, “Woe to you, destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, betrayer, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed,” serves as a warning to the Assyrians who had been ruthless in their destruction and betrayal of others. Here, we see the principle of reaping what one sows, as the Assyrians are being warned that their actions will come back to haunt them.

The next verses describe the anticipation of the righteous for God’s salvation and the lament of those who have experienced oppression at the hands of the Assyrians. They long for God to come and deliver them from the brutality and injustice they have endured. This reflects a common theme throughout the Bible where God is seen as the ultimate deliverer of His people from their enemies. It also emphasizes the importance of turning to God in times of trouble and relying on His strength and justice to prevail.

The passage goes on to describe the fear in the land at the approach of God’s judgment. The prophet paints a vivid picture of how the people will tremble in anticipation of God’s wrath upon the wicked. This imagery serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and power to bring down the arrogant and the oppressors. It is a warning to all who exalt themselves above God and His laws that their downfall is inevitable. The prophet speaks of the stability and security that comes from fearing the Lord in verse 6. He highlights the wisdom and knowledge that will be the key to enduring times of distress. This verse underscores the importance of seeking God’s guidance and living according to His principles in order to find true security and peace. It echoes the sentiment expressed in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Isaiah 33:1-6 serves as a powerful message of hope, warning, and wisdom. It reminds us of the consequences of our actions, the importance of seeking God’s intervention in times of trouble, and the security that comes from fearing the Lord. It encourages us to trust in God’s justice and sovereignty, knowing that He will ultimately bring deliverance to His people and bring down the wicked.

Isaiah 33:7-12

Isaiah speaks of the distress and devastation that will come upon the land and the people due to their sins and rebellion against God in Isaiah 33:7-12. Let’s break this verse down into key sections for a detailed commentary:

  1. “Behold, their brave men cry in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly. Isaiah highlights the lamentation and sorrow of the valiant men and the ambassadors of peace in this section. The fact that even the bravest warriors are reduced to tears signifies the severity of the impending judgment upon the nation. This serves as a reminder that no one is exempt from the consequences of sin. It emphasizes the futility of relying solely on human strength and worldly alliances without acknowledging God’s sovereignty and seeking His guidance.

  2. “The highways lie waste; the traveler ceases. Covenants are broken; cities are despised; there is no regard for man.”
    Here, Isaiah vividly describes the desolation and chaos that will result from the breakdown of society. The highways, usually bustling with travelers, are deserted. Trust and agreements among people are shattered, leading to a lack of respect and care for one another. This breakdown of societal norms and relationships underscores the destructive nature of sin and disobedience to God’s commands. It reinforces the importance of upholding integrity, honoring commitments, and showing compassion towards others as fundamental principles in God’s design for a flourishing community.

  3. “The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is confounded and withers away; Sharon is like a desert, and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves. Isaiah personifies the land in this section, depicting it as experiencing grief and withering. Lebanon, known for its majestic cedar trees, is humbled and fades away. Sharon, a fertile plain, is transformed into a desolate wasteland. Bashan and Carmel, regions known for their abundant vegetation, are stripped bare. This imagery of desolation and destruction serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual decay and judgment that will befall the nation for turning away from God. It echoes the recurring theme throughout the Bible that disobedience leads to devastation, but repentance and turning back to God can bring restoration and renewal.

  4. “Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “now I will lift myself up; now I will be exalted. God declares His intention to act and reveal His power and sovereignty in this final section. Despite the impending judgment and devastation described earlier, there is a glimmer of hope in the promise of God’s intervention. The Lord’s statement conveys a sense of authority, control, and eventual triumph over the chaos and rebellion. It points to the ultimate victory of God’s kingdom over all earthly powers and the restoration that will follow for those who turn to Him in repentance and faith. This declaration echoes similar themes found throughout the Bible, where God’s righteous judgment is coupled with His mercy and grace for those who seek Him. Isaiah 33:7-12 serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin, the importance of faithfulness to God, and the assurance of His ultimate triumph and restoration. It underscores the timeless message of the Bible that obedience to God brings blessings and life, while disobedience leads to destruction and death. The verses in this passage offer a sobering reflection on the need for repentance, humility, and reliance on God’s sovereignty in the face of adversity.

Isaiah 33:13-16

Several key sections can be identified in Isaiah 33:13-16. The first part, verse 13, begins with a call for those who are far off to hear what God has done. This is a reverberation of the theme of God’s power and sovereignty that runs throughout Isaiah. Here, the prophet Isaiah is urging all people to pay attention to the mighty works of God, which serve as a reminder of His authority and control over all things. This call to listen and observe God’s actions is relevant not only in Isaiah’s time but also in the present day, as it encourages believers to be attentive to the ways in which God is at work in their lives and in the world.

Moving on to verse 14, we encounter a reflection on sin and the consequences of turning away from God. The imagery of sinners in Zion trembling and godless ones in fear underscores the biblical theme of the righteous being separated from the wicked. The prophet Isaiah emphasizes the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and the inevitable judgment that awaits those who persist in unrighteousness. This verse serves as a reminder that God is just and will eventually bring judgment upon those who have rebelled against Him. A shift in focus towards describing the qualities of a person who will dwell in safety with God occurs in verse 15. The individual mentioned is one who walks righteously, speaks uprightly, despises gain from extortion, shakes his hands free of bribes, stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from looking on evil. This description paints a picture of someone who is committed to living a life of integrity and righteousness before God and others. The emphasis on ethical behavior and a rejection of sinful practices underscores the importance of personal holiness and obedience to God’s commands.

Finally, verse 16 depicts the blessings and protection that such a righteous person can expect from God. It speaks of dwelling on high, having a secure refuge, and a constant supply of bread and water. This imagery suggests that those who walk in righteousness and integrity will experience God’s provision, protection, and peace in their lives. This promise resonates with other passages in the Bible that highlight God’s faithfulness to those who seek Him wholeheartedly, such as Psalm 23:1-3 where it says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. Isaiah 33:13-16 conveys timeless messages about the importance of paying attention to God’s actions, the consequences of sin, the necessity of righteous living, and the blessings that come from walking in obedience to God. It serves as a call to all believers to pursue a life of holiness, integrity, and trust in God’s provision and protection.

Isaiah 33:17-24

The verses in Isaiah 33:17-24 can be broken down into the following sections: “Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. The prophet Isaiah speaks about a future time when the people will see their king in his splendor and beauty in this section. This could be interpreted as a Messianic prophecy, looking forward to the reign of the promised Messiah. The imagery of viewing a land that stretches afar could symbolize the extent of the Messiah’s reign and the blessings that will come with it. This verse reminds believers that one day they will see the glory and majesty of their King, who will rule with perfection and righteousness.

  1. You will ponder the former terror in your thoughts: ‘Where is that chief officer?’ Where is the one who took the revenue? Where is the officer in charge of the towers?’”

This section reflects on the past fears and worries of the people. There is a sense of relief and wonder as they ponder the disappearance of those who once oppressed them. The mention of the chief officer and the officer in charge of the towers could refer to the oppressive leaders or forces that once caused distress to the people. This could signify a time of liberation and deliverance for the people, where their former oppressors are no longer in power. It serves as a reminder that God is in control and He will bring justice and freedom to His people.

  1. “No longer will you see the arrogant people, the people of an obscure speech that you cannot comprehend, stammering in a language you cannot understand.”

This part of the verse speaks of the removal of arrogant and foreign oppressors who brought confusion and chaos to the people. The mention of people with obscure speech and stammering in a language the Israelites cannot understand could symbolize the confusion and discord that the enemies brought. This can also point to the idea that God will bring an end to the influence of those who defy Him and oppress His people. It signifies a time when the enemies of God’s people will no longer have power over them, and there will be clarity and understanding among the nations.

  1. “Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. The focus shifts to Zion and Jerusalem in this final section, representing the presence of God among His people. The imagery of a peaceful and secure Jerusalem conveys a sense of stability and permanence under God’s protection. This vision of a tent that will not be moved emphasizes God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises and protecting His people. It speaks to the enduring nature of God’s love and presence, and how He establishes His kingdom firmly, never to be overthrown.

The verses in Isaiah 33:17-24 convey a message of hope, deliverance, and security for God’s people. They speak to the assurance of God’s reign through the promise of a righteous King, the defeat of oppressors, the removal of enemies, and the establishment of peace and security in His presence. These themes of restoration and deliverance are consistent throughout the Bible, echoing the overarching narrative of God’s faithfulness, justice, and sovereignty. The imagery used in these verses vividly portrays a future where God’s people will dwell in peace and safety, under the protection and care of their King. This message serves as a timeless reminder of God’s power to bring about redemption and restoration for His people.

After Isaiah 33

The people had turned away from God, and their land was in ruin. But the Lord promised to restore them if they would return to Him. He would be their strength and their salvation. The reverend paused, his voice solemn. “Yet, the journey ahead would not be easy. For as the prophet has shown, the Lord’s judgment is sure, but His mercy is greater still. We will see how the people responded to this call to repentance and the promise of restoration in the next chapter.”