Chapter 26

(Verses 1 through 4)  In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah ; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

This seems to refer more to the time of the restoration of Israel in the last days than to their deliverance from either the Assyrians or the Babylonians. However, in whichever time is indicated, there will be this song in Judah . They will declare their city, Jerusalem , strong because of the salvation of the LORD, and not by anything that they have done. God will appoint salvation as their walls and bulwarks. He will have made them a righteous nation; and as such they can enter into the city. Also all those, whose minds are focused upon the LORD will, by Him, be kept in perfect peace, because they trust in Him. So they are commanded to trust in the LORD forever, for in Him is everlasting strength. This is a very comforting message to all, who do trust in Him.

(Verses 5 through 11) For He bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, He layeth it low, even to the ground; He bringeth it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The way of the just is uprightness: Thou , most Upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of Thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for Thee; the desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee. With my soul have I desired Thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek Thee early: for when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Let favor be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. LORD, when Thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of Thine enemies shall devour them.

We are exhorted to trust in the LORD JEHOVAH, because He is the One, Who brings down those, who are exalted; not those He has exalted, but those, who have exalted themselves against Him and His people. He can, and does, completely destroy even the lofty city, any city that raises itself up against Him and His people. He makes it so that “the foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.” Compare this to Malachi, Chapter 4, especially verse 3, “And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.” All of this looks forward to the “new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness,” mentioned by the Apostle Peter in II Peter 3:13. When the prophet speaks of the “poor” and the “needy,” he is speaking of them as they are now, not as they will be then. These, whom the lofty and exalted ones now see as poor and needy, will in that day be highly exalted, not in their own minds, but by the power of the LIVING GOD. They are the just, because they have been justified by their GOD, the LORD JEHOVAH. And their path is uprightness. God, Who is Most Upright, weighs, or considers their path. And they are the ones, who even now wait for the LORD in the way of His judgments. In verses 8 and 9 the prophet speaks in “first person singular;” but he is speaking representatively for all of God’s people. In that great day, when the judgments of the LORD are in the earth, and only then, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Surely the LORD’S people are taught righteousnes by our Lord, even in this day, but there are in the world many wicked today. So it cannot be truly said that “the inhabitants of the world” learn righteousness now. Isaiah clarifies this in verses 10 and 11. Verse 10 says, “Let favor be shewed to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.” The first clause of this sentence is not a prayer that favor be shown to the wicked. Rather, it should be understood as “Although favor be shown to the wicked _ _ _.” The nature of the wicked is such, that if favor were shown to him, and he were placed in the land of uprightness, a land where all others are upright, it would have no effect upon him. He would still deal unjustly, and he would not be able to discern the majesty of the LORD. Therefore, when the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness, there will be no wicked among them. Even when the LORD shall lift up His hand in judgment against them, they will pay it no attention. But when that judgment falls upon them, “they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of Thine enemies shall devour them.” This does not mean that they shall be ashamed, in the sense of repenting of their envy against the people of God, but that they shall be brought to shame, or ruin, because of it. The LORD shall turn even their own fire, or wrath against them, and by it they shall be destroyed. “Yea, the fire of Thine enemies shall devour them.”

(Verses 12 through 15) LORD, Thou wilt ordain peace for us: for Thou also hast wrought all our works in us. O LORD our God, other lords beside Thee have had dominion over us: but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy name. They are dead, they shall not live, they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast Thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, Thou hast increased the nation: Thou art glorified: Thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.

Certainly this looks forward to that great day when all of the LORD’S people shall have been gathered together in His Eternal Presence, and all their enemies have been destroyed. In that day, surely, the LORD will ordain, or appoint, peace for us. Although we may have had many lords, or masters, all the way from other nations that may overcome us and hold us in bondage, to Satan himself, who was indeed our master until the LORD set us free. See Ephesians 2:1-10. But in that day we will be able to say, with the prophet, “They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast Thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.” In that day the LORD will have gathered all His people together, and thus the nation will be increased; and the LORD will be glorified. He had removed, or scattered His people “far unto all the ends of the earth.” But in that day all will be gathered together in His presence. The nation will indeed be increased.

(Verses 16 through 19) LORD, in trouble have they visited Thee, they poured out a prayer when Thy chastening was upon them. Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in Thy sight, O LORD. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants fallen. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

In verses 16 through 18 the prophet tells in a very short manner the sufferings of the LORD’S people during the time of their dispersion. In their troubles they have prayed to the LORD while His chastening was upon them. They have suffered as does a woman in childbirth. Yet with all their suffering, and crying to the LORD, they have wrought no deliverance in the earth, nor have they caused the inhabitants of the world to fall. It appears that all their efforts have been in vain. They have only “brought forth wind.” This, of course describes their condition in the trying times that were shortly to come upon them, and continue even to the present time. But none, who trust in the LORD, is ever to give up hope. For in verse 19 the LORD speaks. Some commentators, who have some expertise in the Hebrew Language tell us that the supplied words, those in italics in verse 19 should be omitted, and that “body” in the Hebrew is actually in the plural, leaving the first sentence of verse 19 to read thus: “Thy dead shall live; My dead bodies shall arise.” Thus to those in the sad state described by the prophet, the LORD promises that even the dead shall arise. Not only shall those whom He thus addresses be raised, but all of His “dead bodies.” That is, just as our Lord Jesus promised, “The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.” So now the LORD calls, “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out her dead.” As we find from a study of other parts of the scriptures, only those who belong to the LORD will sing when they awake. Among the others shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Just as the dew upon the herbs refreshes them, so shall the LORD’S dead be refreshed when they arise. “And the earth shall cast out her dead.” Remember that although Lazarus was bound hand and foot with graveclothes, he came forth at the call of Jesus. So we see that literally “the earth shall cast out the dead.”

(Verses 20 and 21) Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Since He has promised that even His dead shall arise, the LORD now tells His people to enter into their chambers, and shut the doors, which is, of course, to come to Him, trust in His power, and rest in His promise, until His indignation is past. For He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. He will even cause the earth to disclose, or reveal, her blood, the blood that has been shed upon her. And her slain will all be accounted for. They will no longer be hidden.

(Verse 1) In that day the LORD with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Although Leviathan is mentioned in many places in scripture, and is usually considered a sea monster, the mention of him in the present context seems to set him forth as, probably, a representative figure for Satan. For indeed in the day of judgment upon the earth, as set forth in the latter part of the preceding chapter, the LORD will bring Satan to judgment also. In Genesis, chapter three, Satan is represented by the serpent. And in Revelation 12:9 we find, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” This passage seems to refer to him.

(Verses 2 through 6) In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Fury is not in Me: who would set briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with me. He shall cause them of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

God’s promise to Israel , in verses 2 and 3, is that He is keeping a whole vineyard of red wine for her. Wine was in that day considered a necessity, not a luxury. It was the common beverage, as well as being extensively used in sacrifice to the LORD. So a supply of red wine was a wonderful thing to have. The LORD says that He is keeping for Israel a whole vineyard of it. He will Himself take care of this vineyard, watering it “every moment,” and protecting it night and day. Then He declares that fury is not in Him. That is, He has no intention of doing any harm to Israel . His feeling toward them is very tranquil. Then He asks, “Who would set the briers and thorns against Me in battle?” To do so would be a very futile effort. He would go through them, and completely burn them out of His way. On the other hand if any would “take hold of,” or call upon His strength to make peace with Him, he shall be successful. “He shall make peace with Me.” With this promise of the LORD, the prophet says that not only shall they who call upon the strength of the LORD make peace with Him; but also that He will make the descendants of Jacob, the house of Israel, to take root, to blossom, and to bud, and to fill the earth with fruit. That is, there is yet a day of glory for Israel .

(Verses 7 through 11) Hath He smitten him, as He smote those that smote him? Or is he slain according to the slaughter of those that are slain by Him. In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: He stayeth His rough wind in the day of the east wind. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when He maketh all the stones of the altar as chalk stones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof. When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore He that made them will not have mercy on them, and He that formed them will shew them no favor.

Isaiah asks two questions, which, actually amount to only one. They are, “Has the LORD smitten Jacob as He did those who smote Jacob?” Or , he sets it in different words: “Is Jacob slain according to the slaughter of those whom the LORD has slain? “ In some measure this may be a debatable question when it comes forth, “when it shooteth forth.” The proof that this is not so is shown in the fact that in the day of trouble for Jacob, “the day of the east wind,” the LORD will restrain His rough wind. Therefore all of this trouble that shall come upon Jacob is only the fruit necessary to take away his sin. And his iniquity shall be purged by it. This chastisement must continue until all the stones of Jacob’s altar, not the altar to God in Jerusalem, but the altar Jacob has raised to his idols, shall be beaten into small pieces, his groves to idols cut down, and his graven images destroyed. Only then will the iniquity of Jacob be purged. Even the walled city shall be left desolate, and the people driven from their habitations. The whole land shall be left as a wilderness. Since they are at this time a people of no understanding, the LORD will show them no mercy. Only the fact that He holds back His rough wind in that day will spare any of Israel . But, as always the LORD will leave a remnant. It is that remnant of whom He speaks in the next verses.

(Verses 12 and 13) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come who were ready to perish in the land of Assyria , and the outcasts in the land of Egypt , and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem .

After the LORD has finished His chastening of Israel , He will open up the way for them to return from their captivity and dispersion in the land of Assyria and the land of Egypt , and they will be gathered back to the holy mount at Jerusalem . Then shall they worship the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Zion . So there is yet hope for them. The promise of the LORD cannot fail.

(Verses 1 through 4) Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine. Behold, the LORD hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with his hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: and the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer, which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

Isaiah is not here pronouncing a woe upon the drunkards that lie around in the streets in Israel ’s cities and towns, as they do in our cities today. Instead he is speaking of the rulers of Israel , who are held in such great honor by the people. They are the “crown of pride,” who are on the “head of the fat valleys.” They are the ones who are in the positions of honor. Yet their wisdom and counsel are no better than that of drunkards. They can no more discern what is coming upon them than can one who has already passed out from being overcome by wine. In addition to this, they are “on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine.” Although they are in the positions of honor among this people, and are drunkards, so far as their wisdom is concerned, the people also, who set them in such honor, are overcome with wine. In Job 17:10, Job says, to his three friends, “But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.” And this is the condition of Israel at this point. There is not a wise man among them. They are all as drunkards, whom wine has robbed of all their wisdom. So, he calls upon them to take notice that the LORD has a “mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with his hand.” As we look back upon the preceding prophecies, we find that the LORD has already told Israel that He will send an army upon them that will be as an overflowing river, the army of the king of Assyria . He has also spoken of others, whom He will send against them. Here He says that the one He will send is both mighty and strong, and that he will be as “a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing.” In this time of destruction they will be helpless. So these drunkards, who are the crown of pride to Ephraim, shall be overrun and trodden under the feet of this enemy. All their glorious beauty will fade away like a fading flower, and be consumed just as one would devour the first few ripe fruits he might find. These early fruits would not be enough to use for any other purpose than simply to eat them as one finds them. If one tried to save them until the principal crop ripened, they would spoil anyway. So they are immediately consumed.

(Verses 5 and 6) In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of His people, and for a spirit of judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

Here, as in all cases, the LORD will leave Himself a remnant, “the residue of His people.” And to them He will be “for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty.” He will also be “for a spirit of judgment” to those who sit in judgment, or authority, and strength to those who carry on the fight.

(Verses 7 and 8) But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

Although the LORD has promised to spare a residue of His people, and to be to them a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty, as well as strength and a spirit of judgment. Their present condition is not so. Even their priests and prophets have become drunkards, just as have their other leaders. The result is that there is nothing, and no place, that is clean. They all err in vision and judgment. In their present condition they appear completely helpless and hopeless.

(Verses 9 through 13) Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: for with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; lime upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

The two questions in verse 9 are actually one and the same. Among a people, who have all become as drunkards, so far as knowledge and judgment are concerned, to whom will the LORD teach knowledge, and give understanding of His word? In this particular event, “word” might be better understood as “message.” This whole book of prophecy is a message to Israel , Judah , and Jerusalem . But in their drunken stupor, who among them shall understand this message? The answer is, “them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” Nature’s way for the nourishing of babies is, that they be nursed at the breast, and fed milk. Those to whom the LORD will teach knowledge, and the understanding of His message, will be those who are “weaned from,” that is, they no longer are fed on, the milk, and are “drawn from,” taken away from the breasts. In this metaphor, they are the ones whom He will teach by His Spirit, and not by the drunken priests and prophets, who err in both vision and judgment. All these drunken teachers know at all is the literal word of that which they teach. If it is not “precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little,” they are completely lost in confusion. They have no conception of the spiritual import of the law or the prophecies. Isaiah then declares that the LORD will speak to this people with “stammering,” lips, and another tongue. That is a language hard to be understood. No doubt this refers directly to the language of the Assyrians whom He will send against Israel . Yet one wonders if it may reach farther forward than this also. In verse 12 Isaiah says, “To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” Our Lord Jesus came, preaching, and calling the weary and heavy laden to come to Him and rest. Yet the priests and other religious leaders not only would not come to Him themselves, but did everything they could to prevent the coming of anyone else. “They would not hear.” On one occasion Jesus said to them, “And ye will not come unto me that ye might have life.” Some will immediately say that their reason for not coming was that they could not do so; not that they would not. The above quotation is from John 5:40. And it is obvious that in it Jesus made no reference to their ability, but only to their will. However impotent they may have been, this was not under consideration. The fact that they would accept nothing except “precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little,” of the interpretations of their honored rabbis, not the actual word of the LORD, as Jesus pointed out to them, caused them to “go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” Just as they were so bent upon their own way, in Isaiah’s day, that they would not heed the warning of the LORD, so they were in the time of the ministry of Jesus. In both instances it had the same result. In Isaiah’s day the Assyrians came just as the LORD said they would; and in the latter event, the Romans came and destroyed Jerusalem . The word of the LORD is always true. It cannot fail.

(Verses 14 and 17) Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem . Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

The rulers and men in Jerusalem , who were thought to be so wise, were so scornful of Isaiah and the message the LORD had given him, that he called upon them once more to hear the word of the LORD. Since for some time Israel had been trying to play Assyria against Egypt , and Egypt against Assyria , the LORD calls their covenant with either of them a covenant with death and an agreement with hell. They thought that somehow in all this web of lies they had themselves covered, so that the destruction would be kept away from themselves. In verse 17 the LORD says, Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” The “line” and the “plummet” are tools of the building trades. When a line is stretched between two points, and a wall built exactly to that line, the wall will be straight. And a plummet is a pointed object on a line, which, when it hangs by that line from some point above, will establish the line from the point from which it hangs to the point of the plummet itself as absolutely vertical, or “plumb,” as it is usually called. Thus a wall built by the line and the plummet will be straight, both horizontally and vertically. This is the kind of judgment and righteousness that the LORD will establish. And by it “the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. All the covenants and agreements these have made upon their lies will do them no good. Now let us return to verse 16. “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." That this is a prophecy of the Christ, surely no Christian would attempt to deny. The Apostle Peter quotes it in I Peter 2:6.This is a precious stone indeed. And it is a sure foundation. Those who believe in Him, not only those who believe in Him now, but also those who believed in Him when He came, and even those who believed the LORD’S promise that He would lay this stone, have a sure foundation upon which to stand in whatever trials may come. They will not “make haste.” That is, they will not be forced to flee from the danger that shall come; but can comfortably rest in Him.

(Verses 18 through 22) And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that a man can wrap himself in it. For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act. Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

Isaiah warns the people that their covenants and agreements, which he calls, “a covenant with death,” and an “agreement with hell,” will not stand. For this scourge that the LORD will send upon them shall indeed overflow them, and cause them to be trodden down under their enemies. This will even take place in the beginning of this great conflict. Every morning shall bring new devastation, for it will continue day and night, and even understanding the reports will be a vexation. In this time of large beds and heated houses, it might be a little difficult for some to grasp the true significance of “ the bed too short”, and the “cover too narrow.” But those of us who remember earlier days, the likeness is quite graphic. It is difficult to imagine a more uncomfortable situation than trying to sleep during a cold night on a bed that is so short one cannot stretch himself upon it, with, at the same time, a cover too narrow to wrap oneself in. These people have themselves in just such an uncomfortable position. They are, no doubt, trying to rest upon the power of Egypt to protect them from the Assyrians. But they will find that the Egyptians cannot even protect themselves. They think they are covered by their covenant with Egypt . But the Assyrians will surely find out about their efforts to get help from Egypt , and that will leave them completely exposed to the wrath of Assyria . The LORD has already determined a great disaster to come upon the whole earth, at least upon the civilized earth, as they knew it in that day. So it was time for them to lay aside their mockery, and hear, or heed, the message God had sent them. He speaks of His work as “a strange work,” and a “strange act,” because He was going to bring such great destruction upon His own people.

(Verses 23 through 29) Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? Doth he open and break the clods of his ground? When He hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat, and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? For his GOD doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and cummin with a rod. Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

This may seem a strange manner of speaking to the people. The prophet turns from his message concerning what the LORD is about to do, to a lesson in farming. However, this also has a purpose. Isaiah points out to the people the difference they make in their approach to different parts of their farming operations, all the way from planting to harvest; and says that the reason they do this is that the LORD has taught them wisdom concerning these things. Yet they reject His counsel concerning how they ought to live. This reminds one of our Lord’s address to the Pharisees in Luke 12:54:57. There He accuses them of being hypocrites, because they are so wise in the things of nature, and so foolish in the things of God; while, all the time, they claim to be the religious leaders of Israel . As Jesus also told Nicodemus, “If I have told you of earthly things and ye believe not, how shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?” The message of the LORD was passing these people by, without their perceiving it at all. In spite of their unbelief, this warning was given by “the LORD of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” Just as the Apostle Paul tells us about our Lord Jesus, “If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself;” so it was with them. Their faith, or lack of it, would not affect the work of the LORD.

(Verses 1 through 6) Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! Add ye year to year; let them kill the sacrifices. Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto Me as Ariel. And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee. And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with an earthquake, and great noise with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

“Ariel,” which seems to mean “the lion of God,” is another name for Jerusalem . Isaiah calls it “the city where David dwelt,” not “the city of David .” Bethlehem is “the city of David ,” as it is the place where He was born. But Jerusalem is where he dwelt as the king of Israel . So upon Jerusalem the LORD declares a woe. He will send upon it enemies to besiege it. At the time of this prophecy, Jerusalem had still been spared, although many of the cities of Judah and Israel had been conquered by their enemies. When this siege is brought against her, it will be with forts and ramparts, as set up for a great siege. This could apply to the siege of the Assyrians, were it not for the fact that the LORD speaks of “the multitude of thy strangers,” “and the multitude of the terrible ones,” and later of “the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel.” Such expressions as these seem to point far beyond that event to the great battle of Zecharia 14. When it does come this multitude of strangers and terrible ones shall be as chaff that passes away. And all of this shall be “at an instant suddenly.” At that time Jerusalem “shall be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.” Compare this to Zechariah 14:3-5. Surely there shall be a great earthquake when the mount of Olives is cleft in the middle, with half moving to the north, and the other half moving to the south. No doubt there will be great noise. And, although thunder, storm, tempest, and fire, are not there mentioned, they can well be part of the activity. All of this activity will be suddenly, when the feet of the LORD touch down on the mount of Olives.

(Verses 7 and 8) And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision. It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against Zion .

So shall it be when the LORD destroys all those nations that shall come against Jerusalem on that day. The memory of those nations shall be to Jerusalem as only a bad dream. We do sometimes have dreams of being extremely hungry, or thirsty. And in that dream we eat or drink. But when we awake, we find that the food or drink of the dream has done us no lasting good. So shall it be to Jerusalem concerning all these enemies. They will be found to be non-existent.

(Verses 9 through 12) Stay yourselves, and wonder, cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath He covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Here Isaiah explains to Israel what their trouble is. He first calls upon them to, “stay yourselves, and wonder.” That is, stop and consider; take thought on this matter. When you do this, you will cry out. It is such a serious matter that it will cause you to weep and cry out. “They (your leaders) are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.” They are indeed in a serious condition. When one is drunken with wine or other strong drink, he is mentally impaired so that his wisdom has become foolishness; but there is yet hope for him. If we can sober him up, his mind will be able to think clearly again. But this drunkenness is not from the abuse of strong drink. So how can we remedy it. There are thousands of preachers today telling people that all they have to do is to wake up, throw off the evil will of their minds, and God will set them free. All of this sounds good to the natural mind, because it sets man up as the master of his fate. But listen to what Isaiah says is the problem. We certainly must know what the problem is before we can do anything about it. “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath He covered.” Remember that this is the LORD’S work. He, and He alone, can awake these upon whom He has poured out this spirit of deep sleep, or open these eyes which He has closed. And He has covered, or blinded, the prophets, the rulers, and the seers; so that now there is no open vision of what He will do. So far as the people are concerned, the whole matter is like a book that is sealed. If it were given to one who is learned, he could not read it until someone broke the seal and opened the book. If it is given to one who has never learned to read, he cannot read it either. So, until the LORD breaks the seal so that the learned can read it, or teaches the unlearned to read it, there is no hope for anyone to understand the message of the LORD.

(Verses 13 through 17) Wherefore the LORD said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? And who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

The spirit of deep sleep, which the LORD poured out upon this people, together with the closing of their eyes, is upon them to this day. Only when He sees fit to remove it is there any hope for Israel to receive His word. Our Lord Jesus mentioned this very thing while He was on earth. This does not mean that this sleepiness and blindness is upon every Jew. For God always reserves a remnant for Himself, just as He called a few from among the Gentiles during the law dispensation, and as He will after the restoration of Israel. But this “blindness in part,” as the Apostle Paul says it, will not be removed until God’s appointed time. Man can do nothing to hasten, or hinder it. Jesus Himself quoted from verse 13 as He taught the people. He did not repeat the last clause of this verse per se, but he did condemn the Pharisees for teaching the doctrines of man for the commandments of God. In verse 14, the LORD declares that He will perform a work that will be both marvelous, and a wonder, or a sign. That is, it will be something that will give notice of His purpose. That work will be that He will cause the wisdom of their wise men to be destroyed, and the understanding of their prudent men to be hidden. Then He declares a woe upon those who try to hide their counsel, or purpose, from Him. To even try such is to turn things upside down. It is the equivalent of some object made by the potter, standing up and declaring that the potter did not make it; or as if something built by someone should step forth and deny that its builder was wise enough to build it. Certainly such is nothing but foolishness. But that is the status of those who try to hide their purposes from the LORD. Whether verse 17 actually is a prediction of great changes that shall come upon Lebanon , or not, it shows that with God there is no problem in converting Lebanon into a fruitful field, and then, just as readily turning it into a forest. He has all power, so nothing is impossible to Him.

(Verses 18 through 24) And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: that make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought. Therefore thus saith the LORD, Who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face turn pale. But when he seeth his children, the work of Mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the GOD of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

(Verses 1 through 7) Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of Me; and that cover with a covering, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin: that walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked at My mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Egypt be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came from Hanes. They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach. The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them. For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

The LORD declares a woe upon Israel , because they are seeking help from Egypt . Instead of asking the LORD what they ought to do, they have taken it upon themselves to seek counsel and help from the Egyptians, and to put their trust in them. Because that they have gone to the Egyptians for help instead of seeking counsel of the LORD, the strength of Egypt will be their shame, and their confidence in Egypt will be their confusion. Not only can Egypt not help them, but neither will they be profitable to Egypt . There will be no gain on either side. “The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and the fiery flying serpent,” certainly refers to the land of Egypt and the great wilderness between Israel and Egypt . For in Deuteronomy 8:15, Moses reminds Israel that in that wilderness were the fiery serpents. And certainly it was a land of trouble to them. Now the LORD says that it is into that land that they will carry their riches and treasures “upon the shoulders of young asses, and the bunches (humps) of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.” That is, they will give all their treasures and riches to the Egyptians to secure their help. This is bad. But to make matters worse, “the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose.” All of their effort will be of no avail. Therefore the LORD has “cried,” spoken loudly, to them concerning this. And this is the message He has spoken: “Their strength is to sit still.” It would have been much better for them to do nothing, than to give all their treasures and wealth to Egypt , and get nothing in return.

(Verses 8 through 13) Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out of a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

So the LORD commands Isaiah to write all He is about to say “in a table,” or on a tablet, and to note it in a book. This is of enough importance that it is to be established before Israel forever. The message he is to write is “that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD.” They even tell the “seers,” those, who see visions, “See not.” That is, “Quit having these visions.” And they tell their prophets to stop prophesying the truth, “right things,” and just tell them smooth things, things that are pleasing to the ear, even if they are lies. They want their seers and prophets to quit holding the LORD up to them as the One they should obey, and just get out of their way, so that they can do as they please. In this modern day, this seems to be the prevailing attitude among the people. This would be bad enough if it were only among those who make no claim to any knowledge of the LORD. But, just as then, many of those claiming that they love God, and God loves them, are strongly setting forth this attitude. Notice what the LORD says to be the result of this to those. Who despise His word, and trust in oppression and perverseness. “Therefore this iniquity shall be to you a breach, ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.” The picture here is that of a walled city, one with high walls, built for its protection. In this high wall there is developed a weak place that bows out. But nothing is done about it. It is ready to fall at any time, without any notice. That is the condition of those who will not heed the word of the LORD. Not only is that weakened wall likely to fall when the enemy comes against it, but it can even fall of itself, with no outside pressure applied. It is indeed a dangerous situation.

(Verses 14 and 17) And He shall break it as the breaking of the potter’s vessel that is broken in pieces; He shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the burning of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. And ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will be upon horses; therefore shall we flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee; till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

The LORD will not leave the breaking of the weak place in the wall to chance. He will break it Himself. And when He does, there shall not be left a piece of the wall large enough to take fire from the hearth, or to take water out of a pit. He has told Israel that only in returning to Him, and resting in His power can they be saved, or delivered. In trusting in Him, and remaining quiet, they would have strength. But, alas! They would not heed this counsel. Instead, they said that they would have swift horses that would be able to take them to safety. In answer to this the LORD says, “therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.” Their swiftness will be overmatched by that of their pursuers; so surely they shall not escape. They will be so fearful that at the rebuke of one of their enemies, a thousand shall flee, and five enemies will be enough to put them all to flight. They will continue to flee until there will be so few of them left that those who are left will be “as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign (flag) on a hill. In an earlier chapter, the LORD said that He would make a man as precious as the golden wedge of Ophir. It seems that this description would also apply here.

(Verses 18 through 22) And therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem : thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee. And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Ye shall defile also the covering of  thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

“The LORD is a God of judgment,” might sometimes be understood to mean that He is a God, Who brings judgment upon sinners, which, of course He is. But in this particular case it seems to have greater reference to His bringing justification to His people. Therefore, or for this reason, He will “wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and He will be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you.” He has always shown great patience and longsuffering to His people. This He is prepared to do in this case. All who wait for Him are blessed. In verse 19 the prophet says, “For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem : thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee.” Certainly, this looks to the end of the Babylonian captivity when Israel shall return to Jerusalem . But it also seems to point to her final restoration. The prophet says, “Thou shalt weep no more.” And, although it was great joy to them to return from that captivity, they have wept much since then. But when they are restored, there will be no more weeping. The LORD will be forever attentive to their cry. The remainder of this text also seems to apply more to that time than to their return from the Babylonian captivity. First, however, the LORD will give them the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. Yet this will not prevent His fulfilling His promise to them. In that great day, they will be established, and their teachers shall stand before them, and no more be “removed into a corner,” or pushed out of the way. They shall see their teachers. And something new will be added, something very wonderful. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it,’ when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” The message of the LORD shall always be heard by their ears, guiding them in His way. In that day they shall “defile,” or destroy all of their images of gold and silver, and cast them away as filth. They will have no more desire for them. Surely none can claim that this has ever yet come to pass. But the word of the LORD cannot be broken; it shall be as spoken.

(Verses 23 through 26) Then shall He give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of His people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

This prophecy continues to look beyond the return of the Jews from Babylon to their final restoration. In that time the LORD will greatly increase His blessings upon them. He will make them to prosper above anything they have ever had. Verses 23 and 24 describe their prosperity, so far as the increase of the earth is concerned, while verses 25 and 26 seem to show the great joy that they shall have from all the blessings of God. “And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. While it is certainly true that the LORD is able to bring this to pass literally, it seems rather to show the wonderful joy Israel shall have when the LORD destroys all her enemies, and makes the towers that have been raised against her to fall. It will be as if refreshing streams, and even rivers, were on the tops of all high mountains and all high hills. We know that, ordinarily, although streams may flow down the sides of mountains, there are few indeed on the tops of them. Those who climb mountains have to provide their own water supply. So, whether this verse is taken literally or symbolically, the example is the same. In that day the Lord will bless Israel with such joy that even on the high mountain tops they shall find streams of refreshing from Him. They have been in darkness and sorrow so long that in that wonderful time it will seem to them that the moon is as bright as the sun has been, and that the light of day is seven times brighter than it has been. And who is to say that He shall not make it be literally so? This shall be “in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of His people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.”

(Verses 27 and 28) Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with His anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: His lips are full of indignation, and His tongue as a devouring fire: and His breath as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

Here again we have a declaration of trouble to come upon Israel . Verse 27 describes the LORD as One, Who comes with such anger that it drives Him to come even from far away to vent that anger. The weight of that anger is great. His breath, which must be very hot, since “His lips are full of indignation, and His tongue as a devouring fire,” will be as an overflowing stream, and shall reach to the midst of the neck. There will be no escape from it, because “there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.” Notice that although this overflowing stream of the indignation of the LORD shall be very deep, reaching “to the midst of the neck,” they shall not be completely swallowed up by it. The bridle in the jaws of the people is that “spirit of deep sleep” and closed eyes the LORD has put upon them, as mentioned in Chapter 29, verse 10. In addition to being a chastisement upon Israel , it shall be “to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity.” That is, it will cause the nations to be stirred with vanity, or worthless thoughts of their own importance, for which the LORD will punish them also. Compare this with Chapter 10, verses 7 through 19.

(Verses 29 through 31) Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel. And the LORD shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of His arm, with the indignation of His anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.

Now we look beyond the tribulations that shall come, to the casting down of the enemy. Surely this applies to the downfall of the Assyrians. But verse 30 also seems to at least hint at the final great battle. When Israel is delivered from the Assyrians, they shall be given a song, such as they might have when “a holy solemnity,” a solemn worship service unto the LORD, is kept; and such gladness of heart as when one goes up to mount Zion, ‘the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.” It will not be as just an ordinary celebration with singing, dancing, and merry-making; but a very solemn occasion of joy and thanksgiving to the LORD. They will be made to know that their deliverance has come, not by their hands, but by the power and indignation of the LORD. “For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.

(Verses 32 and 33) And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will He fight with it. For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; He hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

In every place where the LORD shall lay the “grounded staff,” or a defeat of his army, upon the Assyrian king, there shall be rejoicing, as signified by the tabrets and harps. The Lord shall fight against that army with “shakings,” or upsets. The LORD will lay unexpected losses upon him. “For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; He hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.” Tophet is a place a little south of Jerusalem , where ancient rites of human sacrifice were carried on by the pagans. As such, this text may be the LORD’S declaration that in that place, He will sacrifice the Assyrian army. Or, as some contend, it may look forward to the casting of the devil himself into the lake of fire, as set forth in Revelation 20. For Satan has usurped the title of king of this world. Whichever interpretation one may give this passage, Tophet was prepared for this very thing long ago. It is not just something that the LORD decided to set up on the spur of the moment, as we so often do about many things.

Chapter 31

(Verses 1 through 5) Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! Yet He also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back His words: but will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out His hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they shall fail together. For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as a lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem ; and defending, also He will deliver it; and passing over, He will preserve it.

This text seems to be very close to self-explanatory. Although Isaiah, as commanded by the LORD, has strongly protested against it, many in Judah are determined to try to get Egypt to help them against Assyria . The LORD pronounces a woe upon those who do so. They, as people usually do, are trusting in the power of Egypt ’s horses, horsemen, and chariots, thinking that they are strong enough to protect them. They have failed to ask the LORD for either guidance in their deliberations or help against their enemies. As so many do today, they have tried to leave Him completely out of the whole matter. But He is also wise. He knows exactly what they are doing. His words have already gone forth against those who do evil, and those who work iniquity; and He will not call back His words. He reminds them that the Egyptians are only men, and not God. Neither are their horses spirit, but are only flesh. Meanwhile He is God; and all He needs to do is to stretch forth His hand, to bring both the one who is helping, and the one who is being helped, to total failure. Just as a young lion is not afraid of the noise made by a multitude of shepherds sent against him, the LORD has no fear, but will “come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.” Just as easily as the birds fly over, the LORD will defend, deliver, and preserve Jerusalem . Why then should they want to try to get help from Egypt ?

(Verses 8 and 9) Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, Whose fire is in Zion , and His furnace in Jerusalem .

This, no doubt, refers to the time when Rabshakeh came against Jerusalem , and was turned back by the angel of the LORD, who slew 185,000 of the Assyrians in one night. Neither a mighty man, nor a mean man, one of low degree, was involved in this matter. The LORD himself defended, delivered, and preserved Jerusalem , just as He promised. Senacherib and all his army went back to Assyria , and Senacherib was soon murdered by his own sons. Jerusalem is the city of God . And although He has many times chastised it, He will yet preserve it.

Chapter 33

(Verse 1) Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! When thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

It may be debatable as to who is here addressed, whether Assyria who took all the treasures of Judah in payment for help to them against their enemies, and did nothing in return, to Egypt who agreed to help Judah, and did not, or to Judah who kept trying to play Assyria against Egypt and Egypt against Assyria. In fact it could very well be to anyone who practices such dealings. The sentence is still the same. There is a woe pronounced upon such. There shall be returned upon him the same evil he has practiced upon others, even if it may be delayed until he has ceased from the practice of such.

(Verses 2 through 6) O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for Thee: be Thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of Thyself the nations were scattered. And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpillar: as the running to and fro of locusts shall He run upon them. The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: He hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of Thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is His treasure.

Here the prophet addresses the LORD, asking that He be gracious unto His people. He declares that they have waited for the LORD, and he asks that He be their “arm,” or strength, and their salvation in time of trouble. When he refers to the noise of the tumult, he is, no doubt, speaking of the time when the Assyrians shall come against Judah with all the noise and tumult that usually accompany war. He speaks of these things as if they had already taken place, although they are the things that are about to come upon them. He can speak thus because God has determined these things to be done, and they are therefore as sure as if they were already done. When this shall come, the people will flee. But when the LORD lifts Himself up for the protection of His people, it will be the nations that are scattered, those who have gathered against Israel and Judah . The LORD’S spoil, or prey, shall be gathered “as the gathering of the caterpillar.” He shall run upon His enemies as locusts come upon a field. They shall suddenly be overrun. When this is done the LORD will be exalted. He dwells not in houses made by man, but on high, that is, in the heavens. In