Isaiah 32 - Printer Friendly

Isaiah begins this chapter by describing a time in Israel's future, perhaps during the Messiah's reign as king on the earth. This version of the kingdom of Israel will be very different from that of Isaiah's time. The key distinction will be the nature and character of the ruling king.

One day, a truly righteous king will rule over Jerusalem. His officials will administer true justice. Rather than hiding from corrupt leaders, the people will turn to moral rulers for comfort and rescue. This description seems to envision the eventual rule of Messiah on earth (Revelation 20:2, 7). As leaders and common people turn to God, their attention will be fixed on understanding the Lord's will. The criminals and degenerates which a society might embrace will lose their undeserved reputation (Isaiah 32:1–2).

The book of Proverbs extensively refers to "fools." Among the traits of a fool (Proverbs 1:32; 12:16; 15:2; 18:2, 6, 7) is an inability to take godly advice or control their own speech. Judah's leaders are foolish because they reject God's advice. Some are more than foolish—they are actively evil. These men plot evil schemes and take advantage of the poor. This is the opposite of the "noble" person who keeps his mind away from sin (Isaiah 32:3–8).

In a sudden change of subject and tone, Isaiah addresses the wealthy women of Israel with a divine warning. These women live in luxury and have no interest in paying attention to Isaiah's prophecies. They're happy with the way things are. But things will rapidly change. In just over a year, these overconfident women will be wracked with fear. Food will become scarce as the Assyrians invade the land and destroy all the fields and crops (Isaiah 32:9–11).

Speaking in dire terms, Isaiah tells these wealthy women to begin to mourn now. The custom in the region for women in mourning was to wear sackcloth around their waists and tear their clothes. Isaiah tells the women to strip off their luxurious clothes and replace them with something suitable for mourning. They should pound their chests for all the brutal suffering to come. The fields will be barren. Jerusalem's buildings will be abandoned (Isaiah 32:12–14).

Eventually, the Lord will pour His spirit on Israel. This may again refer to the future reign of the Messiah on earth (Isaiah 32:1–2). The wilderness will return to fruitful fields and forests will grow. More than material blessings from the Lord, though, are justice and righteousness. These will grow abundant in the land, bringing with them peace, security, and rest. In the short term, judgment is coming like hail that levels everything. But eventually, abundance will return to Israel (Isaiah 32:15–20).

Isaiah 32:1–8 describes a future king and kingdom for Israel. This situation will be extraordinarily different from the kings of Isaiah's time. The coming King and his officials will rule with righteousness and justice, helping their people. All will give attention to the Lord's Word. Fools will not be called noble or scoundrels honorable. Fools are those busy with sin and ungodliness who don't provide food for the hungry. Scoundrels make evil plans and lie to take advantage of the poor. Noble people plan noble things and stand for noble causes.

Isaiah 32:9–20 is addressed to the wealthy, complacent women of Judah. Isaiah warns them that in a little over a year they will be trembling and shuddering. The harvests will be lost, along with the parties to celebrate them. The women should begin to mourn now for the lost fields and vines, for the empty palace and abandoned city. Eventually, though, the Lord's Spirit will be poured out on Israel. Abundant crops and righteousness will return to the land, bringing peace, security, and trust in the Lord. Judgment will come, but so will restoration.

Isaiah describes a future with a better king and kingdom for Israel. That king will rule with righteousness and justice. He and his princes will be protective and helpful to the people. The people will be more attentive to the Lord's will. The foolish and evil will no longer be celebrated. Isaiah tells the wealthy, complacent women of Judah that in about a year they will be shuddering and trembling. The harvests will be lost. They should mourn now for the ruined fields. The palace and city will be abandoned, but eventually the Lord's Spirit will be poured over Israel, returning abundance to the land.