Scripture Text: Isaiah 24:1-27:13
Memory Verse: “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:” —Isaiah 26:3-4
Introduction:
Isaiah 24-27 gives the details of God’s worldwide judgment, ending with the destruction of His enemies and the restoring of God’s chosen people to their land. Warnings had been given to Israel concerning their destruction by Assyria, and to Judah concerning their destruction by Babylon; but these calamities were small-scale compared to the catastrophic wrath poured out in the end times that would engulf the entire earth. The prophets called this judgment the “Day of the Lord.”
Isaiah makes three declarations that will comfort God’s people in the Day of the Lord. The first of these is that Yahweh will judge His enemies (Isaiah 24:1-23). In that day, the world will be empty, laid waste, and distorted. Its inhabitants will be scattered. Position, power, and wealth will not protect against God’s wrath. Those proud of their wealth and titles will discover they are suddenly poor and powerless. The judgment will fall because people have defiled the world by their sins.
The second declaration made by Isaiah is that the Lord will preserve His people (Isaiah 25:1-12). Three striking images are used. The ruined city (Isaiah 25:1-3). In times of war, people fled to their walled cities for preservation. But the great cities of the world will offer not protection at all when God’s wrath is poured out. (2) The refuge (Isaiah 25:4-5). Through the buffeting of the judgment storm, and the burning dryness of the season of wrath, where can travelers go for refuge? They find a huge rock, and take refuge in it. God is that rock! (Deuteronomy 32:3-4, 30; Psalm 61:1-4). (3) The feast (Isaiah 25:6-12). This will be a feast unmatched by any other. At this feast, death itself is destroyed!
The third declaration tells us that God will restore the nation of Judah (Isaiah 26:1-27:13), and all other nations will seek Him also. The main themes seen here are peace and righteousness. Strong visual images are used, such as the “strong city,” the “level path,” the “woman in travail,” the “life-giving dew,” the “conquered beast,” the “fruitful vineyard,” and the “joyous feast.”
Studying the Word
- Read the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-30. What does Jesus reveal in this illustration about God’s justice and mercy? Compare this to Isaiah 24:1-3.
- The sound of victorious praise in Isaiah 24:14-16a gives way to the prophet’s own agonizing wail in Isaiah 24:16b-23 over the present conditions of God’s wrath poured out on the sinful. Why must we not allow the future promises of deliverance soften our message to the world of God’s impending judgment?
- Does God glory at all in the destruction of the wicked? (Ezekiel 18:21-23; 33:10-11; 2 Peter 3:9)
- Isaiah 26:3-4 is a beautiful, well-known, and much quoted promise. The challenge is “focusing our minds completely upon Christ.” How can this be done? (Joshua 1:8-9; Psalm 1:1-3; 119:11; 119:97-105; Luke 6:46-49; Philippians 4:8)
- Read Isaiah 26:10-11. Without sincere repentance, why is “grace” counterproductive? (Proverbs 26:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; Romans 5:20-6:3; Romans 6:11-14)
- How sure is God’s protective covering? (Isaiah 26:20; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 34:7; 91:4; Jeremiah 15:20)
- God’s Word promises that His people will be as a fruitful vineyard (Isaiah 27:2, 6). But are we to expect that we will never suffer for following Christ? (1 Peter 4:12-13, 16; Matthew 10:38-39; 16:24-26; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Matthew 5:11) Where do we find the strength to endure to the end? (Psalm 23:1-3; Psalm 121:1-8)