Isaiah 33
We have been reading for several chapters now of the judgement that will befall the Southern Kingdom if they do not repent of their ways and trust in the Lord. Assyria is breathing down their necks and they have no where to hide. They have reached out to foreign nations for help, their crutches are gone and Judah is good as buried. In their moment of crisis, we see them cry out to the Lord (we will see this narrated in chapter 37). We will see in this chapter both the promise of their immediate future but also the future long-term reaching to believers today.
Vv. 1-6 Verse one refers to Assyria. Remember, Assyria and Israel were supposed to be in alliance with one another. This relationship was one in which Israel paid Assyria and in return received freedom and protection. But Assyria made it known that they wanted to conquer Israel, causing Hezekiah to void their contract. This accelerated the process of the upcoming battle. We see Judah turn to other nations for help, but those alliances will prove futile. Finally, the only place Judah can look to is God or their destruction. These first six verses reveal a beautiful prayer in a time of need facing unrest and great loss. Judah is calling to the Lord, saying they know that it is he who causes the enemy to flee and can be their salvation.
Vv.7-16 We are given a picture of the fear that comes upon the Assyrians and the kingdoms of the earth as the power of the Lord comes over them. What was once a death sentence for Judah has been reversed and brought to the persecutors. Those who are not producing good fruits are cut off and the thorns of his chosen are burned. Both those near and far should tremble at the sight of the Lord. This includes the sinners of Zion. No sin can be in the presence of the Lord.
Vv. 17-24 We see the promise of salvation poured out on Judah, an escape from the destruction of the Assyrians. The Lord will show his power and majesty by not only removing the enemy but also establishing Jerusalem forever. He also will establish himself as judge, lawmaker, king, and savior in a new covenant where he will rule our hearts forever.
This is such a powerful passage that shows the power that comes from a humble heart and a repentant Spirit. We see that when we as a people allow ourselves to recognize our need for a Savior that God reveals himself in such a powerful way that not only will we experience relief but we ourselves will experience empowerment and revitalization. We see God remove the crutches of Israel one by one until their choice is either to accept or reject the Lord; and when they return their gaze to the one true King, the Lord reaches into their life and breathes into them afresh. He provides protection and peace, restores hope and a future, and establishes relationships with the repentant. No sin is able to stand being in the awe-inspiring, all-consuming fire of the Lord. But those who are righteous are promised a place in his presence.
But whom is truly righteous? At the end of the day, are not all of us sinners? Absolutely. And this is the point of Isaiah 33 that once again hints at a beautiful future where we get to experience the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What Isaiah is speaking of surely brings hope to a desperate situation that Israel is facing. But we know Judah falls. With their fall, the end of this promise does not come. The Lord certainly will establish his people, destroy the enemy, and place himself as judge, lawmaker, king, and savior. This will come to fruition through the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who came to take the sins of man upon himself and giving his own perfection to man that they may take on Christ for their own salvation. It is through Jesus that the church is established as his people for all times, a humble and repentant people seeking out the purposes of God. As his people, we have the promise of hope and a future that is granted by our Creator and guarded by his mighty hand. Praise the Lord for the promise of salvation for all past, present, and future generations and may we aim to be part of the restoration process of bringing all people into relationship with him.