The opening verses of chapter 33 reflect the excitement and panic that preceded Sennacherib’s approach (verses 7-9) and the prophet’s triumphed faith that the proud Assyrian would suffer defeat (verses 1-6, 10-12). The remainder of the chapter shows the profound effects of this deliverance, and paints a glowing picture of the coming kingdom. Chapters 34 and 35 present a striking contrast between the fearful doom of God’s enemies, symbolized by Edom (34), and the glorious future that awaits God’s redeemed people (35).
- In the picture of the Messiah’s kingdom given in 33:14-24: (a) what are the characteristics of his people, (b) what will the Lord be to them, and (c) what blessings will they enjoy?
- Applied spiritually, what blessings are spoken of in chapter 35 that are available to believers now? In particular, can you discover in verses 8-10 four of five characteristics of the ‘highway’, i.e., the Christian life?
Notes
- 33:18, 19. The things that terrified them before, such as Assyrian officials counting the tribute, will all belong to the past.
- 34:6, 7. God’s judgment of Edom pictured as a sacrifice in Bozrah, an Edomite city.
- 34:16. ‘The scroll of the Lord’: this probably refers to a collection of Isaiah’s previous prophecies. None of them shall fail. The Spirit of God will accomplish in history what the mouth of God’s servant has declared in prophecy. Cf. 55:11; Jer. 1:9, 10.