Isaiah 33 JUDGE, LAWGIVER, KING This last “woe” is directed toward Assyria as it relates to the coming invasion of Judah. The immediate circumstances in which Judah was found was called for in this warning from the prophet. It was also a warning to the Jews of what would come in a later time before the Lord Jesus Christ comes to establish His kingdom on earth. The principle of reaping what we sow is true in nations as well as in individuals. Assyria will reap what it sowed, and will reap more than it sowed. God will save His people because He is faithful to His word and the covenant, He made with them, even though they were not faithful to Him. The Assyrian empire was like a bully nation among nations, but they had never run up against a holy God who is just and judges both nations and people with strength and authority. His infinite strength far exceeds any power of any nation, or even all nations put together.
When the danger to the people of Judah was obvious, Isaiah told them they would make their appeal to the Lord to deliver them, and it happened like he said when Hezekiah was king. His humility and God-given knowledge and wisdom, brought the blessing of a short revival under his leadership. Assyria was turned back over-night. In this prophecy against Assyria, a covenant of peace had been made but they broke it. The consequences were such that ultimately nothing remained of Assyria but ashes.
Betrayal and unfaithfulness are characteristics of those who live for themselves without a thought for what pleases God or what He wants for us to do for Him and others. Trustworthiness, integrity and fairness should be characteristics that mark those who know the Lord. It is God’s intention that we should live “holy, righteously and godly in this present world.” Integrity and honesty should be normal characteristics in believers who live for the Lord. Believers are to commit themselves to living by, and acting on, the promises of God, in faith and unreserved trust.
In this prophecy the unbelieving Jews were warned that they too will be afraid when God steps in to deal with those who profess to be the people of God but were not. Hypocrites would suffer the same fate as the Assyrians who would come against them. “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.” They too would suffer the devouring fire and the everlasting burnings even though they were in a place of blessing in Zion. Those who are “sinners in Zion,” will realize they cannot survive in the presence of the Lord’s holiness. Only those who know the Lord and “walk in the light as He is in the light,” can actually live with God.
Believers who live godly lives and follow the Lord will find themselves secure in spite of all that will go on around them. When a child of God is committed to doing His will, the Lord protects and defends that person. In spite of personal weakness and the futility of the help of vain man, God steps in with power and grace to do what we, nor anyone else, can do. Those who know the Lord, do put their trust in Him who is “our salvation” for the past, present and future. When His kingdom comes, righteousness, wisdom and knowledge will shine out to the world from Zion because He who is “the Light of the world,” and in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, will be the Supreme Authority.
The last part of the prophecy in this chapter is a look ahead to the millennium when we will “see the King in His beauty.” The enemies of the Jews in the future, like the Assyrians in the past, will be totally removed. When “the times of the Gentiles” is passed, Zion – Jerusalem will be a peaceful place. It will be a safe and well protected city; not because of some mere man, but because the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will deliver and preserve them. Even though they are helpless in themselves, this security is in the strength of the Lord who is like a battleship guarding His people who have been forgiven of their sins, and granted spiritual healing from their Messiah.
We learn for ourselves that those God allowed to be used in chastening Israel, will find themselves brought into judgment for their own wickedness and unbelief. All the nations of the past, even the recent past, will suffer for their animosity and persecution of the Jews. The same thing will happen in the future to the antichrist and those who follow his leadership. It is incumbent on us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” in the same way the Lord indicated, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
The remnant may be few in number, but in faith through the hard times, they will endure and be saved. They will worship with heartfelt thanksgiving when they see the fulfillment of the promises God made to them as a unique people. The Jews will again see Zion in its glory. Those who are mere professors of faith in the Lord will be afraid when their pretensions are exposed for what they really are. The holiness of God is like the everlasting burnings before which no unbeliever can survive. However, those who have been born again, will gladly submit to the authority and will of God and be forever blessed. The times of reproach and suffering will have “been worth it all, when we see Jesus.” Faithfulness to our Lord and His word will not have been in vain. “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.”