Isaiah 32

Righteous rule

1 See here: A king rules to promote righteousness; rulers govern to promote justice,

2 each like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from a storm, like streams of water in a wasteland, like the shade of a massive cliff in a worn-out land.

3 Then the eyes of those who can see will no longer be blind, the ears of those who can hear will listen,

4 the minds of the rash will know and comprehend, and the tongues of those who stammer will speak fluently and plainly.

5 Then a fool will no longer be called honorable, nor a villain considered respectable.

6 Fools speak folly; their minds devise wickedness, acting irreverently, speaking falsely of the LORD, leaving the hungry empty, and depriving the thirsty of drink.

7 As for the villain, his villainies are evil. He plans schemes to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speak justly.

8 But an honorable person plans honorable things and stands up for what is honorable.

Warnings to the carefree

9 Women of leisure, stand up! Hear my voice! Carefree daughters, listen to my word!

10 In a little over a year, the carefree will shudder, because the grape harvest will fail; the vintage won't arrive.

11 Tremble, all of you who are at ease; shudder, all of you who are secure! Strip yourselves, bare your skin, and tie mourning clothes around your waist,

12 beating your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine,

13 for my people's soil growing barbs and thorns, for all the joyous houses in the jubilant town.

14 The palace will be deserted, the crowded city abandoned. Stronghold and watchtower will become empty fields forever, suited for the pleasure of wild donkeys, and a pasture for flocks—

15 until a spirit from on high is poured out on us, and the desert turns into farmland, and the farmland is considered a forest.

16 Then justice will reside in wild lands, and righteousness will abide in farmlands.

17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace, and the outcome of righteousness, calm and security forever.

18 Then my people will live in a peaceful dwelling, in secure homes, in carefree resting places.

19 Even if the forest falls and the humbled city is laid low,

20 those who sow beside any stream will be happy, sending out ox and donkey to graze.

Isaiah 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

Times of peace and happiness. (1-8) An interval of trouble, yet comfort and blessings in the end. (9-20)

Verses 1-8 Christ our righteous King, and his true disciples, are evidently here intended. The consolations and graces of his Spirit are as rivers of water in this dry land; and as the overhanging rock affords refreshing shade and shelter to the weary traveller in the desert, so his power, truth, and love, yield the believer the only real protection and refreshment in the weary land through which he journeys to heaven. Christ bore the storm himself, to keep it off from us. To him let the trembling sinner flee for refuge; for he alone can protect and refresh us in every trial. See what pains sinners take in sin; they labour at it, their hearts are intent upon it, and with art they work iniquity; but this is our comfort, that they can do no more mischief than God permits. Let us seek to have our hearts more freed from selfishness. The liberal soul devises liberal things concerning God, and desires that He will grant wisdom and prudence, the comforts of his presence, the influence of his Spirit, and in due time the enjoyment of his glory.

Verses 9-20 When there was so much provocation given to the holy God, bad times might be expected. Alas! how many careless ones there are, who support self-indulgence by shameful niggardliness! We deserve to be deprived of the supports of life, when we make them the food of lusts. Let such tremble and be troubled. Blessed times shall be brought in by the pouring out of the Spirit from on high; then, and not till then, there will be good times. The present state of the Jews shall continue until a more abundant pouring out of the Spirit from on high. Peace and quietness shall be found in the way and work of righteousness. True satisfaction is to be had only in true religion. And real holiness is real happiness now, and shall be perfect happiness, that is, perfect holiness for ever. The good seed of the word shall be sown in all places, and be watered by Divine grace; and laborious, patient labourers shall be sent forth into God's husbandry.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or it will hail when the forest falls

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 32

This chapter contains a prophecy of the Messiah; for, however applicable it may be to Hezekiah, as a type of Christ, it only has its full accomplishment in him, and in his times; who is described as a righteous King, and as having just princes ruling under him, Isa 32:1 and as a very great blessing, protection, and comfort to his subjects, Isa 32:2 when follows a prediction of great light and knowledge that should be in his days, Isa 32:3,4 and of the vileness, hypocrisy, and covetousness of the Jews in his times, Isa 32:5-8 and of the destruction of their country, because of their sins, of which they seemed greatly insensible, and were unconcerned about it, and are therefore called upon to lament it, Isa 32:9-14 which should continue until there would be a very great effusion of the Spirit, as should make the world, comparable to a wilderness, fruitful in grace and good works; the consequence of which is great prosperity, peace, and safety, to the saints, Isa 32:15-18 and destruction to their enemies, particularly the city of Rome, Isa 32:19 and the chapter is concluded with the happiness of the Gospel ministration, and the success of it, Isa 32:20.