Isaiah 32:1
Chapter 32 interrupts the series of six woes to show a vision of a time of future calm under the reign of a righteous king. Over and over throughout the scriptures we see the failure of man to rule and reign as God would have us. We find ourselves longing for a perfect king; a king who rules and reigns rightly in all integrity; just with no concern of bias. This king Isaiah prophecies about is the messianic king and His government. This future kingdom, the kingdom of God will be ruled by Jesus Christ. Also assisting in the rule of this government are the apostles and the saints. See Luke 22:30; 1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 2:26-27; Revelation 3:21.
Isaiah 32:2-4
Jesus will be a hiding place and a cover to those who trust Him. He is a picture of this great rock (the rock of ages); an overhanging rock providing shelter, protection, a place to hide. But it's not enough to acknowledge the rock; you must trust it. Enter in.
In Isaiah's time the Jews couldn't seem to see what was right before them. Their ears were not willing to listen to the truth. In their heart they couldn't understand. In the coming kingdom the Jews won't have this problem. Then, men will have eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart of understanding. This is a reversal of how things had been. With no eyes, ears or understanding, the word of God was heard as stammering; line upon line, precept upon precept – Is 28:10-11. The stammerers are the former drunkards who will now speak plainly. .
Isaiah 32:5-8
The false evaluations of the leaders in Isaiah's time sound a lot like politics as usual. The leaders weren't generous, they were foolish – those who were supposed to be bountiful were plotting scoundrels. The fool will be revealed for what he is and what he does. The scoundrel will be revealed; a plotter, schemer, to take advantage of the poor. This won't stand in the coming kingdom. In the kingdom, the generous man will have generous plans. These plans will stand.
Isaiah 32:9-11
Many had a false sense of security that came from the self-sufficient rulers and the false prophets offering messages of security and hope. They were ignoring the warnings that were constantly before them, going about life as if all was well. We can see this same thing every day; people going about their lives, their plans as if there were no day of accounting. Isaiah warned that it was a little over a year away. The harvest season would come but they wouldn't experience the harvest. This should have troubled them, concerned them. They should have removed the fine clothes of a happy care-free life and put on sack cloth.
Isaiah 32:12-14
There will be a great mourning when they realize the things they took for granted were now gone. The land will reflect the character of the people; thorns and briers, a picture of sin, emptiness, barrenness. This affluence they were living in was reversed.
- The harvest time brings thorns and briars instead of fruit from the vine.
- happy homes are no more
- the busy city will be emptied
- forts and towers will be brought down
Verse fifteen offers a great hope when it says 'until'. Because there was a coming day when the Spirit of the Lord would be poured out on them and God's blessing will once again become a fruitful field.
Do we abandon Gods purpose for our lives because we become complacent in our comforts and luxury? Are we fat, dumb and happy and ignore God? That's what was going on with these people.
Isaiah 32:15-20
Up to, and through, verse 14 we see the consequences of disobedience and complacency. Then in verse fifteen we turn a corner; man is stuck in this condition of brokenness, no matter how hard he tries. Then, when His spirit is poured out from on high things change. The barren wilderness becomes a fruitful field; the fruitful field becomes a forest. Justice and righteousness will be restored permanently and men will experience true peace. This is the peace and the life we've always longed for and sought after. It is only found in Christ. We see this Eden-like paradise pictured that is consistent with the new heaven and earth of Revelation.
See Joel 2:28, 29 and Ezekiel 36:22-38; Galatians 5:22, 23.
©2018 Doug Ford
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