Restoration of Israel
August 7, 2022
Commentary
Isaiah turns from the subject of rebellion to restoration (vv. 18-26). Even though the people had turned from the Lord, he still wanted to be gracious and compassionate to them (vv 18-19). He says that the Lord has given you much sorrow and hurt but will continue to tell you the way you should go (vv. 20-21). He urges them to cast out their “graven images” (v. 22) in order that God might bless them with the “bread of the increase of the earth” (v. 23). He describes the future day when Israel will be restored to her land. Instead of scoffing they will listen to God’s word and put away foolish idols. The land will be restored and prosperous once again (v. 24). Many Bible scholars see the “great slaughter” (vv. 25-26) as a reference to the battle of Armageddon which will occur just before the return of Christ to deliver His people and establish His kingdom (Rev. 19:11-21).
The final theme in this woe is retribution (vv 27-33). He tells how God allows Assyria to discipline Judah with (1) fire, (2) water, the sieve of judgment and the horses bit of destruction but He would not permit them to take Jerusalem (vv. 27-28). Just by a command of anger, God would shatter Assyria with His scepter and rod (vv 29-31). The Assyrian army was destroyed, like a pile of wood in the valley of Hinnon, south of Jerusalem (vv. 32-33). By God’s breath, He would figuratively kindle the fire by which He would consume the Assyrian soldiers.
Application
When the Israelites left God’s path, He would correct them and He wants to do the same for me. However, when I hear His voice of correction, I must be willing to follow it. Next time I go through a difficult time, I need to appreciate what God is doing and learn what He wants to teach me.
Isaiah 30:18– 33 (NET)
18 For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy; he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the Lord is a just God; all who wait for him in faith will be blessed.
19 For people will live in Zion; in Jerusalem you will weep no more. When he hears your cry of despair, he will indeed show you mercy; when he hears it, he will respond to you.
20 The Lord will give you distress to eat and suffering to drink; but your teachers will no longer be hidden; your eyes will see them.
21 You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left.
22 You will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away as if they were a menstrual rag, saying to them, “Get out!”
23 He will water the seed you plant in the ground, and the ground will produce crops in abundance. At that time your cattle will graze in wide pastures.
24 The oxen and donkeys used in plowing will eat seasoned feed winnowed with a shovel and pitchfork.
25 On every high mountain and every high hill there will be streams flowing with water, at the time of great slaughter when the fortified towers collapse.
26 The light of the full moon will be like the sun’s glare, and the sun’s glare will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, when the Lord binds up his people’s fractured bones and heals their severe wound.
27 Look, the name of the Lord comes from a distant place in raging anger and awesome splendor. He speaks angrily, and his word is like destructive fire.
28 His battle cry overwhelms like a flooding river that reaches one’s neck. He shakes the nations in a sieve that isolates the chaff; he puts a bit into the mouth of the nations and leads them to destruction.
29 You will sing as you do in the evening when you are celebrating a festival. You will be happy like one who plays a flute as he goes to the mountain of the Lord, the Rock who shelters Israel.
30 The Lord will give a mighty shout and intervene in power, with furious anger and flaming, destructive fire, with a driving rainstorm and hailstones.
31 Indeed, the Lord’s shout will shatter Assyria; he will beat them with a club.
32 Every blow from his punishing cudgel with which the Lord will beat them will be accompanied by music from the tambourine and harp, and he will attack them with his weapons.
33 For the burial place is already prepared; it has been made deep and wide for the king. The firewood is piled high on it. The Lord’s breath, like a stream flowing with brimstone, will ignite it.
Illustration: Rembrandt’s Famous Painting Slashed
A few years ago, an angry man at the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam took out a knife and slashed the famous painting “Nightwatch” by Rembrandt. A short time later, a distraught, hostile man slipped into St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome with a hammer and began to smash Michelangelo’s beautiful sculpture The Pieta. Two cherished works of art were severely damaged. But what did officials do? Throw them out and forget about them? Absolutely not! Using the best experts, who worked with the utmost care and precision, they made every effort to restore the treasures. By His sovereign grace, God can bring good out of our failures, and even out of our sins. (Source Unknown).