The “general” consensus concerning Isaiah always mentions the fact that the Book divides itself into two main sections.
Chapters 1-39 … judgment and doom, mostly. Then abruptly, Chapters 40-66 … deliverance and hope and promise!
Much like the Bible consists of two Sections. Books 1-39 (the Old Testament, Genesis through Malachi) which generally speak of judgment and doom. Then Books 40-66 (the New Testament, Matthew through Revelation) which indeed speak of deliverance (salvation) and hope and promise!
But honestly, I have been amazed at the numerous brilliantly optimistic Passages I have found in Isaiah’s first 39 chapters. (And we are so far only through chapter 33! We have 6 more to investigate!)
I am ready to say with renewed vigor, “GOD IS GOOD, EVEN IN THE DARK TIMES!” Even when He disciplines … He does so in love! Or at least reluctantly! As in Isaiah 63:9 … “In all their (Israel’s) affliction He (the Lord) was afflicted.” And as in Job 5:17-18 … “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.” And if you’ll allow me a New Testament verse, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19
Wow!
So, again in the midst of Isaiah’s “Woe” chapters (six of them, Isaiah 29-35) … we find this little “Jewel,” today’s Text …
“Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” Isaiah 33:20-22
The noun “solemnities” translates “moed,” the “feasts” of Israel. Enumerated most clearly in Leviticus 23. The last of which, Tabernacles, is most typical of the Millennium! A time of joy indeed!
Jerusalem is here (in our Text) said to one day become a “quiet(peaceful) habitation,” undisturbed by any enemy! And “habitation” translates “naveh,” a sheepfold literally! (With the Lord Jesus as the Shepherd!)
A “glorious” Lord Jesus!
To remove stakes and untie cords means to break camp, to dismantle one’s tent, indicating life as a “drifter”, a “nomad!” But all that is gone!No more “wandering Jews!”
And Jesus, like a River?
As in John 7:38 … “He that believeth on me (Jesus), as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
But in Jerusalem during the Millennium there will be (heretofore not true) a real River flowing! We are indebted to Zechariah the Prophet for this information: “And it shall be in that day, that LIVING WATERS shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” Zechariah 14:8-9, in that still future Millennial Day! Quite a River!
And no “crooked merchants” or “warring navies” or “even pirates” will sail that River! No “galleys with oars” nor “destroyers!” PEACE, PEACE, PEACE, BECAUSE THE PRINCE OF PEACE HAS COME!
Finally, watch this chain of words describing the Lord …
“For the LORD is our JUDGE, the LORD is our LAWGIVER, the LORD is our KING; he will SAVE us.” Isaiah 33:22
Righteous JUDGE!
Wise LAWGIVER!
Powerful KING!
And loving SAVIOUR!
Wow!
This little Piece of Victory, engulfed in the middle of Isaiah’s “Old Testament” Section!
What a God we serve!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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