Isaiah, Week 5, Days 1-3: Isaiah 24:1-23

Day One

There is a shift in this section nicely summarized by BKC:

"God’s judgment on the nations through the Assyrian invasions (chaps. 13-23) forms a backdrop for the Lord’s eventual judgment on the whole world (Isa_24:1, Isa_24:4). Known as “Isaiah’s apocalypse,” chapters 24-27 describe the earth’s devastation and people’s intense suffering during the coming Tribulation and the blessings to follow in the millennial kingdom."

1. The coming judgement will affect

what and whom--the earth and all its inhabitants
why--judgement for sin
how-profoundly, all will be devastated and stripped

Isa 24:1  Behold, the LORD will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.

It speaks of  a curse which "devours the earth" and its inhabitants, regardless of wealth or rank.The earth will wither (dry up) and become desolate.  Few men will remain.

"The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants."  v5
What defiles the earth?  The people.  How?  They "transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broke the everlasting covenant." v5

2. Who are not guilty? I would say none.  "Its inhabitants suffer for their guilt" v6

Psalm 14:1-3--There is none who does good, not even one.
Isaiah 53:6--All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way.
Romans 1:18-20  "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."  So we are without excuse.

3a.  Is anyone left?  Few men  v 6
b. and c. Isaiah 24:13 in the NLT speaks of a "remnant" left, like gleanings after a grape harvest or after the olive trees have been shaken.

Day Two

1.  The remnant that remains will shout and sing--lifting their voices to praise the Lord.

2.  The voices come from all directions and ends of the earth.  

• Acts 10:34-35: "God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right"
• Romans 1:16  "Saving everyone who believes, the Jew first but also the Gentile."
• Revelation 5:9  "Your blood has ransomed people from every tribe, tongue, and nation."

3. It exhorts me to concern myself with loving and caring for all people throughout the earth, not just people who live near me or who are like me.  God is a God who delights in diversity.

Mark Lawrence, "You Shall Reign Glorious"  Isaiah 24:23

Day Three

1. Those who try to escape will be caught:

Isa 24:18  He who flees at the sound of the terror shall fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. 

2. It specifically mentions "the host of the high ones" and "kings" who will be punished.  MSG: "Carpet rebel powers in the skies"  NLT "gods of the heavens."

3. The moon and the sun will be dimmed/wane/ashamed.

• Joel 2:31  "The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood." 
• Revelation 22:5 "And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."

The light will come from God instead.

4. The Lord will reign (v 24) on Mount Zion.