Isaiah 24:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The earth staggers like a drunken man; it sways like a hut; its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again.

NIV: The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls—never to rise again.

NASB: The earth trembles like a heavy drinker And sways like a hut, For its wrongdoing is heavy upon it, And it will fall, never to rise again.

CSB: The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a hut. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.

NLT: The earth staggers like a drunk. It trembles like a tent in a storm. It falls and will not rise again, for the guilt of its rebellion is very heavy.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again.

With vivid imagery, Isaiah summarizes the end of God's great punishment of the earth (Isaiah 24:6–11). In judgment for humanity's sinfulness (Isaiah 24:5), the Lord caused the earth itself to shatter and split in a series of massive earthquakes (Isaiah 24:19). The chaos of the moving ground is compared to an intoxicated man trying to walk in a straight line.

In Isaiah's time, huts were flimsy and used during the harvest as a temporary shelter (Isaiah 1:8). To modern eyes, they would have looked like tents. These weren't meant to withstand time or sever weather. They would sway in a strong wind before falling over; earth is rattling as if it were just that frail (Isaiah 24:19). Poetically, Isaiah describes mankind's sin like a weight added to such a structure, making it even more unstable. The earthquake would be enough to level the hut—the added weight only makes the collapse that much more terrible.

The people of earth, God's creation, have lived in rebellion throughout their history (Genesis 3:1–6), defying His commands and rejecting His guidance (Romans 3:23). Only those who humbly received the gift of Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:18–19), the only covering for sin (Romans 4:7), will be forgiven (John 3:36). These souls who accept that gift of salvation will be welcomed into a home in eternity which can never be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). That is our great hope (Ephesians 1:7–10). That is the only hope that will survive this moment when the earth falls, never to rise again.

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.

Chapter 24 follows the oracles of Isaiah against the nations in chapters 13–23. However, this prophecy is against the entire earth. Here, we find the description of the judgment of the Lord on all humanity during the last days. God will destroy the world in response to human sinfulness. He will ruin the face of the earth, causing people to scatter. Few will survive. Wine, music, and gladness will disappear. Earthquakes will destroy the earth. The Lord will gather the powers from heaven and earth and lock them up together before beginning His reign on earth.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).