Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.
The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires, even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Isaiah 24 offers a sobering vision of God's universal judgment on a world steeped in sin. Following the pronouncements against specific nations in Isaiah 13-23, this chapter broadens the scope to encompass the entire earth, revealing a cataclysmic event triggered by humanity's rebellion against God. This prophecy speaks of a future time when the Lord will hold all accountable, a time of destruction and desolation, but also of eventual restoration and the establishment of His kingdom. The key phrase for this chapter is Isaiah 24.
A World Stripped Bare (Isaiah 24:1-6)
The prophecy begins with a stark declaration: the earth will be emptied and laid waste (Isaiah 24:1). This isn't a localized judgment, but a global one, set in motion by God Himself. The earth will be stripped bare and plundered because of humanity’s rebellion against God (Isaiah 24:3). Distinctions of status and privilege will become meaningless; all will face the consequences of their actions. As Isaiah 24:2 states, "And it shall be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor." This emphasizes the impartiality of God's judgment.
The devastation is a direct result of humanity's transgression of God's laws. They have transgressed teachings, overstepped decrees, and broken the permanent covenant (Isaiah 24:5). This "permanent covenant" likely refers to God's universal laws of righteousness, the moral foundation upon which human society is built. By rejecting these laws, humanity pollutes the earth and invites judgment. The land mourns, and the inhabitants languish; the world languishes and fades away; the exalted of the earth languish (Isaiah 24:4).
The consequences are severe. The earth is defiled by its people, leading to a curse that consumes the land. Few will survive the awful judgments of the tribulation (Isaiah 24:6). Those who remain are described as dried out and beaten down, a stark contrast to the prosperity and abundance they once enjoyed. This serves as a powerful reminder that sin has far-reaching consequences, impacting not only individuals but also the environment and the entire fabric of society.
The Silence of Joy (Isaiah 24:7-13)
Isaiah paints a picture of a world where joy and celebration have vanished. The new wine dries up, the vine withers, all the merry-hearted sigh (Isaiah 24:7). The sounds of revelry are replaced by the groans of a sinful humanity under the weight of God's wrath. The city of chaos is broken down; every house is shut up so that no one can enter (Isaiah 24:10). Desolation will be left behind (Isaiah 24:12).
This imagery underscores the devastating impact of sin on human happiness and well-being. When God's judgment falls, the things that once brought pleasure and satisfaction become sources of sorrow and despair. The absence of music, wine, and celebration symbolizes the loss of hope and the pervasiveness of suffering. The few survivors are scattered, like gleanings after a harvest, a poignant reminder of the desolation that has swept across the earth.
A Song in the Darkness (Isaiah 24:14-16)
Amidst the gloom and destruction, a glimmer of hope emerges. Isaiah hears a song rising from the ends of the earth: They raise their voices; they proclaim in the west the majesty of the LORD (Isaiah 24:14). These are the righteous, praising God for His glory and His righteous judgment on sin. They sing because they are spared the wrath of God, which is the best reason of all to sing! And their song has one subject: the Splendor of the Righteous One (Isaiah 24:16).
This unexpected burst of praise highlights the enduring power of faith, even in the darkest of times. Despite the surrounding desolation, these believers recognize God's sovereignty and offer Him their heartfelt worship. Their song is a testament to the fact that God's presence can be found even in the midst of suffering, and that hope can persist even when all seems lost.
However, even Isaiah, a prophet of God, expresses distress at the coming wrath against mankind. This reveals his sensitive soul, reflecting the heart of the Lord who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). This tension between judgment and mercy underscores the complexity of God's character and His desire for all people to turn from their ways and live.
Terror, Pit, and Snare (Isaiah 24:17-20)
The prophecy returns to the theme of judgment, emphasizing the inescapability of God's wrath. Terror and pit and snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth! (Isaiah 24:17). When the Son of God comes in his fiery wrath to execute his justice, it will be futile to run. Whoever flees from the sound of terror will fall into a pit, and whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare (Isaiah 24:18). They will call to the mountains, "Fall on us and hide us… from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Revelation 6:16).
The earth itself is shaken by massive earthquakes, symbolizing the complete and utter destruction that awaits the wicked. The earth is violently broken, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken exceedingly (Isaiah 24:19). The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard and sways like a hut; its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again (Isaiah 24:20). This is an event from which the planet will never recover.
The Lord's Reign (Isaiah 24:21-23)
The final verses of Isaiah 24 offer a glimpse of hope beyond the judgment. The Lord will punish the army of the heights in the heights and the kings of the ground on the ground (Isaiah 24:21). This includes both God's earthly enemies and the heavenly ones too: the angelic forces that rebelled with Satan, will meet their doom. Moreover, the world’s mighty leaders who defy God will be treated as prisoners in the great tribulation (Isaiah 24:22).
After this cleansing, the Lord will establish His reign on earth. Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders (Isaiah 24:23). When Jesus comes to take his rightful throne, there will be no doubt about who is earth’s rightful King. This is a vision of a restored world, where God's justice prevails and His glory shines forth for all to see. This great chorus of voices will be heard in Christ’s millennial kingdom when he returns to judge and rule the earth for a thousand years.
Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.
The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires, even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Isaiah 24 offers a sobering vision of God's universal judgment on a world steeped in sin. Following the pronouncements against specific nations in Isaiah 13-23, this chapter broadens the scope to encompass the entire earth, revealing a cataclysmic event triggered by humanity's rebellion against God. This prophecy speaks of a future time when the Lord will hold all accountable, a time of destruction and desolation, but also of eventual restoration and the establishment of His kingdom. The key phrase for this chapter is Isaiah 24.
A World Stripped Bare (Isaiah 24:1-6)
The prophecy begins with a stark declaration: the earth will be emptied and laid waste (Isaiah 24:1). This isn't a localized judgment, but a global one, set in motion by God Himself. The earth will be stripped bare and plundered because of humanity’s rebellion against God (Isaiah 24:3). Distinctions of status and privilege will become meaningless; all will face the consequences of their actions. As Isaiah 24:2 states, "And it shall be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor." This emphasizes the impartiality of God's judgment.
The devastation is a direct result of humanity's transgression of God's laws. They have transgressed teachings, overstepped decrees, and broken the permanent covenant (Isaiah 24:5). This "permanent covenant" likely refers to God's universal laws of righteousness, the moral foundation upon which human society is built. By rejecting these laws, humanity pollutes the earth and invites judgment. The land mourns, and the inhabitants languish; the world languishes and fades away; the exalted of the earth languish (Isaiah 24:4).
The consequences are severe. The earth is defiled by its people, leading to a curse that consumes the land. Few will survive the awful judgments of the tribulation (Isaiah 24:6). Those who remain are described as dried out and beaten down, a stark contrast to the prosperity and abundance they once enjoyed. This serves as a powerful reminder that sin has far-reaching consequences, impacting not only individuals but also the environment and the entire fabric of society.
The Silence of Joy (Isaiah 24:7-13)
Isaiah paints a picture of a world where joy and celebration have vanished. The new wine dries up, the vine withers, all the merry-hearted sigh (Isaiah 24:7). The sounds of revelry are replaced by the groans of a sinful humanity under the weight of God's wrath. The city of chaos is broken down; every house is shut up so that no one can enter (Isaiah 24:10). Desolation will be left behind (Isaiah 24:12).
This imagery underscores the devastating impact of sin on human happiness and well-being. When God's judgment falls, the things that once brought pleasure and satisfaction become sources of sorrow and despair. The absence of music, wine, and celebration symbolizes the loss of hope and the pervasiveness of suffering. The few survivors are scattered, like gleanings after a harvest, a poignant reminder of the desolation that has swept across the earth.
A Song in the Darkness (Isaiah 24:14-16)
Amidst the gloom and destruction, a glimmer of hope emerges. Isaiah hears a song rising from the ends of the earth: They raise their voices; they proclaim in the west the majesty of the LORD (Isaiah 24:14). These are the righteous, praising God for His glory and His righteous judgment on sin. They sing because they are spared the wrath of God, which is the best reason of all to sing! And their song has one subject: the Splendor of the Righteous One (Isaiah 24:16).
This unexpected burst of praise highlights the enduring power of faith, even in the darkest of times. Despite the surrounding desolation, these believers recognize God's sovereignty and offer Him their heartfelt worship. Their song is a testament to the fact that God's presence can be found even in the midst of suffering, and that hope can persist even when all seems lost.
However, even Isaiah, a prophet of God, expresses distress at the coming wrath against mankind. This reveals his sensitive soul, reflecting the heart of the Lord who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). This tension between judgment and mercy underscores the complexity of God's character and His desire for all people to turn from their ways and live.
Terror, Pit, and Snare (Isaiah 24:17-20)
The prophecy returns to the theme of judgment, emphasizing the inescapability of God's wrath. Terror and pit and snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth! (Isaiah 24:17). When the Son of God comes in his fiery wrath to execute his justice, it will be futile to run. Whoever flees from the sound of terror will fall into a pit, and whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare (Isaiah 24:18). They will call to the mountains, "Fall on us and hide us… from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Revelation 6:16).
The earth itself is shaken by massive earthquakes, symbolizing the complete and utter destruction that awaits the wicked. The earth is violently broken, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken exceedingly (Isaiah 24:19). The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard and sways like a hut; its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again (Isaiah 24:20). This is an event from which the planet will never recover.
The Lord's Reign (Isaiah 24:21-23)
The final verses of Isaiah 24 offer a glimpse of hope beyond the judgment. The Lord will punish the army of the heights in the heights and the kings of the ground on the ground (Isaiah 24:21). This includes both God's earthly enemies and the heavenly ones too: the angelic forces that rebelled with Satan, will meet their doom. Moreover, the world’s mighty leaders who defy God will be treated as prisoners in the great tribulation (Isaiah 24:22).
After this cleansing, the Lord will establish His reign on earth. Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders (Isaiah 24:23). When Jesus comes to take his rightful throne, there will be no doubt about who is earth’s rightful King. This is a vision of a restored world, where God's justice prevails and His glory shines forth for all to see. This great chorus of voices will be heard in Christ’s millennial kingdom when he returns to judge and rule the earth for a thousand years.