Isaiah Chapter 24

From The Open Bible Project

24:1 Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty, makes it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters its inhabitants.

• (a) This prophecy is as a conclusion of that which has been threatened to the Jews and other nations from the 13th chapter and therefore by the earth he means those lands which were named before.

24:2 It will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest.

• (b) Because this was a name of dignity it was also applied to them who were not of Aaron’s family, and so signifies also a man of dignity, as in (2 Samuel 8:18; 20:25; 1 Chronicles 18:17) and by these words the prophet signifies a horrible confusion, where there will be neither religion, order nor policy, (Hosea 4:9).

24:3 The earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste; for Yahweh has spoken this word.

24:4 The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.

24:5 The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.

• (c) That is, does not give her fruit for the sin of the people, whom the earth deceived of their nourishment because they deceived God of his honour.

24:6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell therein are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

• (d) Written in the law, as in (Leviticus 26:14; Deuteronomy 28:16) thus the prophets used to apply particularly the menaces and promises which are general in the law.
• (e) With heat and drought, or else that they were consumed with the fire of God’s wrath.

24:7 The new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted sigh.

24:8 The mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases.

24:9 They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.

24:10 The confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that no man may come in.

• (f) Which as it was without order so now should it be brought to desolation and confusion: and this was not only meant of Jerusalem, but of all the other wicked cities.

24:11 There is a crying in the streets because of the wine. All joy is darkened. The mirth of the land is gone.

• (g) Because they did not use God’s benefits correctly their pleasures would fail, and they would fall to mourning.

24:12 The city is left in desolation, and the gate is struck with destruction.

24:13 For it will be so in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.

• (h) He comforts the faithful, declaring that in this great desolation the Lord will assemble his Church which will praise his Name, as in (Isaiah 10:22).

24:14 These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of Yahweh. They cry aloud from the sea.

• (i) From the utmost coasts of the world, where the gospel will be preached as in (Isaiah 24:16).

24:15 Therefore glorify Yahweh in the east, even the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea!

24:16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, "I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!" The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.

• (k) Meaning to God, who will publish his gospel through all the world.
• (l) I am consumed with care, considering the affliction of the Church, both by foreign enemies and domestic. Some read, My secret, my secret: that is, it was revealed to the prophet, that the good would be preserved and the wicked destroyed.

24:17 Fear, the pit, and the snare, are on you who inhabitant the earth.

24:18 It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.

• (m) Meaning that God’s wrath and vengeance would be over and under them, so that they would not escape no more than they did at Noah’s flood.

24:19 The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently.

24:20 The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.

24:21 It shall happen in that day that Yahweh will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth.

• (n) There is no power so high or mighty, but God will visit him with his rods.

24:22 They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited.

• (o) Not with his rods as in (Isaiah 24:21) but will be comforted.

24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory.

• (p) When God restores his Church, the glory of it will so shine, and his ministers (who are called his ancient men) that the sun and the moon will be dark in comparison to it.