Judgment on the Whole Earth

Isaiah 24

 

I hope that title awoke you, it is the title given to Isaiah 24.  Shall we begin with the first 3 verses: “Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the slave, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor.  The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word.”

Often someone will state, I looked for the loopholes and this did not leave out anyone, people or nation, so as we go forward ponder on these truths.  Isaiah uses the word “languish,” it’s a time of suffering, weakness, and deterioration; it’s not enjoyable and you may ask, why is this going to happen?  God speaking through Isaiah will tell us why: “The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isaiah 24:5)

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Isaiah tells us about a world with no hope, no joy, few men, and the music will cease.  Those who drink strong drink have no escape for it has become bitter and the cities are broken down and the houses are shut up so no one can enter.  Isaiah is picturing a world where there is no trust and no fellowship with others.  It’s going to be a time of little, and the harvest will not meet the needs of the people.

In verses 16-18b, Isaiah tells about those who sing out but he does not identify them, it may be the remnant of Israel in that they are scattered over all the earth.  Whoever it is, they are celebrating the downfall of the wicked.  Isaiah uses the metaphor of a drunkard to describe the earth, and a hut swaying in the wind.  Both of these will fall down at some point, and the judgment is connected to the people of the earth rebelling against God.

In verse 21 Isaiah sees a time to come, “On that day” points to the future, and God’s judgment will be all-encompassing, because it will not only cover the earth but the heavens.  Verse 22 gives insight and those who God is bringing judgment on will be put into a pit, or a dungeon, and after many days they will be punished.  We who live on the earth have clear examples of the magnitude of God’s creation we have seen and enjoyed, and my mind does not want to visit the fullness of God’s anger and wrath on a people who turned their back on His grace gift of Jesus Christ, His Son.  But after many days they will be punished.

Isaiah gets to see Jesus in this vision from the Father, in verse 23 we have the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord’s filling the temple with His sovereign rule, and the moon and the sun will be pale in comparison to His light.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice