What does Isaiah 24:15 mean?
This passage has described the lives of the survivors of the Lord's judgment in dire terms (Isaiah 24:4–13). Then, it shifts to reveal that some remain who not only sing but also praise the Lord. Isaiah has said that they shout from the west, perhaps meaning that they are gathered in Israel (Isaiah 24:14). Now the prophet calls for those who belong to the Lord in the east and along the coastlands of the sea to join in and give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel.This is a strange picture. The earth is empty and withered and the people are scorched. None of those circumstances have apparently changed. Still, God's people recognize what God has done in judging the sin of the world. They praise Him loudly for it. Together in community. Even under the harshest circumstances, people still respond to God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus. These people find joy in a world where, for most people, gladness has been banished from the earth (Isaiah 24:11).
Such is the power of the saving grace of the Lord God of Israel. This gift from the Lord even transforms the sorrow of sin's judgment into joy: hope in eternity's promise even among the ruined earth.
Isaiah 24:14–16 proves that even during an end-times global catastrophe, God can still reach people with the gospel. While most of surviving humanity is huddled in misery, some sing praise to the Lord. Isaiah, however, grieves that his own generation is spiritually traitorous.
Isaiah describes terrible judgment the Lord will bring on the earth during the final days. The Lord will twist the surface of the earth, scattering the people. All will suffer equally regardless of status, and the earth will be fully emptied. Everything will wither and languish. The Lord will do this because of human sinfulness against Him. Few will survive, and there will be no wine, music, or gladness. The only exception to this will be the singing of those who praise the Lord. Massive earthquakes will destroy the earth, and the Lord will lock up all who stood against Him before beginning His reign as king.
