Isaiah 24-25

 Isaiah 24 – 25

“The Little Apocalypse” (Chapters 24 – 27)

Apocalyptic (to reveal, to make known: it is a style of writing that is “fantastic” and full of imagery)

Up to this point, Isaiah has warned God’s people of the coming judgement. He has

also warned of the coming judgment of the nations surrounding the Israelites.

There is hope if they repent. In the future, the greatest of hope is found in Jesus

Christ. “This Immanuel is going to be God in the flesh, and He will establish the kingdom

of David in righteousness and truth (chapters 9-12). In contrast with that

kingdom, man’s kingdoms are going to come to an end - chapters 13-23. They will

not impede the establishment of the Messiah’s kingdom, and, in fact, they will

become members of the Messiah’s kingdom. In the words of Daniel 2:44, that

kingdom will break and crush all other kingdoms and it will carry the glory of the

Lord to the ends of the earth. Having spent eleven chapters, then, systematically calling God’s judgment on the nations around Israel, Isaiah now steps back and looks at the entire world in oneglance, under the eye of the God of heaven.” (Holland, 49)

 Keep these verses in mind when looking at Isaiah 24-27: Daniel 2:44; Haggai 2:6-7; Hebrews 12:26-29

Chapter 24

Judgement on the Earth

V1

I. “Behold” (hinneh) – used 81 times in Isaiah (Shackleford, 261). An

announcement is following.

II. “The earth” – may be the land that is inhabited by Israel and those

surrounding nations or the whole earth. It appears to imply the whole

earth. Why?

III. What God did in judgement to the individual nations because of sin, He

will also do to all nations who rebel against His will.

V2

I. Using opposites, God makes clear that earthly station and rank mean

nothing in judgement.

V3

I. Isaiah uses what is called “infinite absolute” (expresses intensity and/or

certainty) – V3

V4

I. The result of the action by the Lord is described in “prophetic perfects”

(written as though it had already happened, to emphasize certainty)

again.

V5

I. God makes three charges:

A. “transgression of law (torah)” – people refused to live by the divine

revelation.

B. “violated statutes (choq)” – Shackleford states that this refers to the

basic morality prescribed by the Lord (262). There were many

statutes given to help abide by the Law. It should be noted: that

Abraham knew the “statutes” by which one was to live (Gen. 26:5).

C. “broke the everlasting covenant (b’rith ‘olam)” – people had failed to

live in a right relationship with God that they had agreed to.

V6

I. “Therefore” – because of the previous things listed in verse five, the

earth will be cursed. This is a universal principle in the Hebrew. We see

the promise given to the Israelites in Deut. 28: 15-19. What applied to

the Israelites also applied to every nation. The Lord is sovereign overall.

All people are sinners and need salvation.

V7 – 11

I. The party atmosphere would be over. When we turn our backs on God,

there will be a time when we will regret it. Judgement comes for us all.

II. V10 - “City” – isn’t necessarily a particular city, but is a representation of

man’s arrogance and wickedness against the Lord (Young, 2: 75).

III. V10 - “confusion” or “chaos” (thohu) – the same word used in Gen. 1:2

to describe the world before God’s great creation.

V12 – 13

I. Once a gate is breached, there is no escape for the inhabitants.

II. V13 - The reference to olives and grapes symbolizes the remnant. There

would be those who survive.

V14 – 16

I. V14-15 - These verses shift the mood of the text. They refer to the

remnant in verse 13. Rejoicing! Joy! Praise! From the east to the west,

God’s righteousness would be celebrated. We must understand that

there have been and always will be, until Judgement Day, Christians all

over the world.

II. V16 – One more emphatic praise then despair. “Woe to me!” Then after

that, in the Hebrew text, there are only five words with the same root

(bagad) – “plundering through deceit”. Isaiah laments over the

wickedness and the resulting judgement of the world.

V17 – 18

I. “Terror”, “pit”, “snare” are deliberate words; this is no chance

happening. There will be no escape. The world must repent.

V19 – 20

I. A vivid description of the destruction is given. Why? Transgression, or in

a descriptive phrase, rebellion against God.

V21 – 23

I. “In that day” – a time of God’s choosing. All would be punished who had

assumed the Lord’s authority, who had usurped Him. The pagans may

worship the moon and the sun, but God reigns most high and eternal,

and it will be evident to all.

II. V23b – Heb. 12:22-24

He is a righteous Judge. He is an impartial Judge. He is an all-inclusive Judge.

Questions

1. As best we can tell, who will the Lord lay waste to in this chapter?

2. Why is the earth defiled (V5)?

3. Will there be those who repent and will survive?

4. What will the remnant do (V14-16a)?

5. When will the Lord make His judgement? Hint: V21a

Chapter 25

Praise to God

We have already seen a song of praise in Chapter 12 following judgment of the

world power and the establishment of God’s kingdom in Chapters 10 and 11.

Chapter 25 is a hymn. It is intensely personal. Oswalt stated that,” The singer

here was a person steeped in the Scriptures. Numerous similarities to the Psalms

and Prophets can be shown.” (1:459) Isaiah, once he was convicted, was “all in”.

V1

I. Intense personal praise: “O Lord, you are my God.” Ps. 31:14; 40:5;

104:1; Hymnal 76

II. The same root words in Hebrew for “wonderful” and “counsels” or

“wonders” and “plans” (depending on your translation) were found in

9:6 for “Wonderful Counselor”.

III. “Faithfulness and truth” (NKJV) and “perfect faithfulness” (NASB) are

perfect expressions for the totality of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His

plans.

V2

I. Because of God’s judgment, the great palaces of Nineveh, Babylon,

Persepolis, and Rome currently lie in ruin. Man declares his pride and

glory, God humbles man.

V3 – 5

I. The proper response to the realization of God’s infinite power is awe

and reverence.

II. The poor and the needy are mentioned here again. We see God’s

compassion. See Mt. 25:31-40; James 1:27; 2: 1-4, 15-16

V6

I. The Lord receives His people as one would a lavish banquet, meat was

only consumed on special occasions. See 1 Kings 1:9, 19, 25

V7 – 8

I. “Covering” and “Veil” symbolize mourning; it will be completely

removed by God because He will “swallow up death for all time”. 2 Tim.

1:10; 1 Cor. 15:54

II. “Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” Rev. 7:17; 21:4.

III. “The Lord has spoken it” means He has promised and it is assured.

V9

I. “wait” = trust. “We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation”. God is the

source of salvation. God is salvation.

V10 – 12

I. Moab is used to demonstrate God’s judgement on the enemies of His

people. Moab was a constant thorn in the side of Israel. God’s people

can take solace in the fact that God will repay those who torment. Rom.

12:19.

He is the Refuge in the storm. He is the Comforter to the sorrowful. He is the

Savior of the lost.

Questions

6. Is this chapter deeply personal? How do we have good indication of that?

7. Does God show compassion to the poor and needy?

8. Will God take care of His people?

9. Will God swallow up death? How?

10. Will God bring retribution to those who persecute His people?