What does Isaiah 24:10 mean?
In the last days of history before Messiah's direct rule on earth, the planet will become nearly lifeless. For one, an apparent drought and heat have caused the plants to wither and stopped the crops from thriving, including the harvest of wine grapes (Isaiah 24:6–9).In another sense, life itself has become secluded, withdrawn, and joyless. Isaiah is comparing life in a city that once pulsed with the energy of many people going about their business, along with music and wine and good times together. Of course, some of those good times may have led to the very sinfulness that brought judgment on the earth. Still, there was noise, connection, and community.
Isaiah pictures survivors keeping to themselves in the ruins of a formerly proud city. The entrance to every house is barred. People clearly don't feel safe interacting together. This could be due to threats of violence or perhaps disease. Everyone lives in a kind of permanent lockdown, at least until the riots begin in the following verse (Isaiah 24:11).
