The Judgment of the Lord
Text: Isaiah 24
The description here is not about the specific fate of a nation or period. It expresses a generalization of how God deals with the sinful world (Proverbs 14:34).
The Lord Lays the Earth to Waste - Isaiah 24:1-6
Changes are coming that will depopulate the world. Boundaries will be thrown into confusion, and people will scatter. No class of person will be exempted. All will be equally affected. The earth will be depopulated, and the certainty is fixed because God has decreed it.
Why? The people of the world are withering because of their sins. Three charges are brought:
- They have gone beyond the boundaries of God's laws.
- They altered the statues.
- They broke the everlasting covenant.
As a result, a curse sweeps across the world because they are held guilty. When it is done, few people will be left alive.
The Gloom of the World - Isaiah 24:7-23
The vineyards decay. Harvests are normal joyous occasions, but not now. Laughter fades to sighing. Partying for feasts and weddings stops. Some still drink, but not with singing and celebrating, and beer tastes bitter.
"The city of confusion" is a general representation of all cities on the earth. It is no longer bustling with purpose. The city is decaying, and homes are being boarded up. People are protesting the lack of wine and its poor quality. There isn't any joy to be found. The city is desolate, and the gates are in ruin. There is no security in the city.
Among the people of the earth will be a remnant left like the crops left after a harvest -- just a few people here and there who will glorify God from the west to the east, along the coastlines to the ends of the earth. "Glory to the Righteous One!" is heard. In this devastating time, some people continue to glorify God and are thankful. However, Isaiah is upset. Others are rejoicing, but he cannot. The righteous are in a minority and are in danger. Treachery, terror, and traps still exist for all people. If you try to escape, you'll be caught.
The earth is broken, described similarly to what happened during the flood. Because of sin, the earth is swaying and about to fall. Society is unstable. When it does fall, it won't rise again.
God will punish those in charge: spiritual forces and human rulers (Ephesians 1:20-23). They will be cast into prison. God will reign, and His glory will be before His elders (Revelation 4:3-4). His glory outshines the moon and the sun, leaving them embarrassed.
