이사야 Chapter 33

Translation: ESV

1

Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not been destroyed, you traitor, whom none has betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed; and when you have ceased to betray, you will be betrayed.

Key Message

Those who destroy and betray others will ultimately face that very judgment themselves.

▸A woe is proclaimed against the destroyer (Assyria or all betrayers).

A woe is proclaimed against the destroyer (Assyria or all betrayers). This is the principle of 'you reap what you sow.' Those who destroy will ultimately be destroyed, and those who betray will be betrayed. God's justice operates.

Related Verses

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
2

O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

Key Message

Waiting on God's grace and praying before crisis is the essence of faith.

▸A prayer before crisis.

5

The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.

Key Message

The exalted God is simultaneously the one who accomplishes justice and righteousness in society.

▸The LORD's exaltation and his filling Zion with justice and righteousness are praised.

6

And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure.

Key Message

The fear of the LORD is the most precious treasure, the source of all good things.

▸'The fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure'—this is the key of this verse.

10

"Now I will arise," says the LORD, "now I will lift myself up; now I will be exalted."

Key Message

When God's time comes he will surely arise, and that time is set by God.

▸'Now' is repeated three times.

14

The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: 'Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?'

Key Message

Religious affiliation rather than actual righteousness of life is the standard for standing before God.

▸Sinners in Zion ask in fear: who can survive God's consuming fire? This is the background for asking the conditions of the righteous in the next verse.

15

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil,

Key Message

The qualification to stand before God is expressed by righteousness in every area of life.

▸This is the answer to verse 14's question.

16

He will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.

Key Message

Righteous living is accompanied by God's concrete provision and protection.

▸These are the blessings promised to the righteous: dwelling on the heights, fortresses of rocks, bread supplied, sure water.

17

Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar.

Key Message

The greatest blessing promised to the righteous is beholding the beauty of God who is King.

▸The greatest blessing given to the righteous: beholding the king in his beauty.

20

Behold Zion, the city of our appointed feasts! Your eyes will see Jerusalem, an untroubled habitation, an immovable tent, whose stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken.

Key Message

Zion, where God dwells, is the eternal abode of stability.

▸Zion is depicted as an eternal tent.

22

For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Key Message

The LORD is judge, lawgiver, and king—the source of all authority.

▸Three roles of the LORD: judge, lawgiver, king.