Isaiah 1:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.

NIV: Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: 'Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.

NASB: Therefore the Lord God of armies, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, 'Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries, And avenge Myself on My enemies.

CSB: Therefore the Lord God of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: "Ah, I will get even with my foes; I will take revenge against my enemies.

NLT: Therefore, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, 'I will take revenge on my enemies and pay back my foes!

KJV: Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

NKJV: Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies.

The beginning of the case against Israel's sin and faithlessness have been made by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:4) and by the Lord Himself (Isaiah 1:2). There is more to come, but the Lord has rendered a verdict. He will act against Jerusalem and Judah, making them faithful once more.

In response to the current state of Judah, the Lord declares His plan and resolution. He identifies His enemies and foes as those in Israel who are unfaithful and corrupt, those who are leading the people astray.

Isaiah uses two names for God in this verse: the Lord of hosts and the Mighty One of Israel. God is the commander of "hosts," tens of thousands of warrior angels ready to bring destruction upon His command. Both names are meant to show that God is powerful enough to bring order back to His people by removing those among them who have made themselves His enemy.

Isaiah 1:21–31 focuses on the city of Jerusalem as representative of the people of Judah in Israel. Once faithful to God and known for justice, the city has become a prostitute and a town in which murderers walk free and leaders are friends with thieves. The Lord declares that He will purify the corruption from the city and return it to a place of justice. Those who repent will be redeemed. Those who don't will be broken and consumed. Those who have worshipped false gods will be embarrassed and then destroyed.

After identifying himself as the son of Amoz, Isaiah begins his vision from the Lord with the introduction of God's lawsuit against the people of Israel. His children are living in rebellion against Him. They are saturated in sin and have forsaken the Lord. Their spiritual sickness will lead to their destruction, though a few will be saved. Their offerings are meaningless because of their sinful lifestyles. If they repent now, they will be redeemed. If not, they will be destroyed. The Lord will restore justice to once righteous Jerusalem. All who do not repent will be consumed.

Isaiah 1 begins Isaiah's massive book of prophecy with the Lord presenting a lawsuit against His people Israel in Judah for breach of covenant. They live in rebellion against Him and are saturated in sin. They refuse to treat their spiritual illness and will be decimated by their enemies. Their offerings are meaningless. They must stop doing evil and start doing what is good. The Lord will burn off the corrupt from Jerusalem and return it to a place of justice and righteousness. Those who refuse to repent will be broken and destroyed.

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).

Accessed 5/2/2024 11:41:58 PM