Isaiah 33:9

9 The land mourneth, it languisheth; Lebanon is ashamed, is withered; the Sharon is become as a desert, and Bashan and Carmel are stripped.

Isaiah 33:9 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 33:9

The earth mourneth [and] languisheth
All Christendom, being now under the power, dominion, and tyranny of antichrist, and the church's faithful witnesses slain, and a stop put to all Gospel ministrations; and therefore the church must be in a very languishing condition, and great reason for mourning: Lebanon is ashamed, [and] hewn down;
being stripped of its stately cedars; as now the church of Christ, comparable to that goodly mountain Lebanon, will be deprived of its able ministers, which were like tall and spreading Cedars, for their gifts, grace, strength, and usefulness: Sharon is like a wilderness;
such parts, as Great Britain, which have been most fruitful (as Sharon was a very fruitful place) for the Gospel, and Gospel ordinances, in the purity of them, and for professors of religion, being fruitful in grace, and in good works, shall now be like a desert; there being no ministry, no ordinances, nor any, that dare to make an open profession of the true religion: and Bashan and Carmel shake off [their fruits];
before they are ripe, or come to anything; places noted for being fruitful, and pastures for flocks; and denote, as before, such spots in Christendom where the Gospel has most flourished, but now should be like barren heaths, and desert places.

Isaiah 33:9 In-Context

7 Behold, their valiant ones cry without; the messengers of peace weep bitterly.

8 The highways are desolate, the wayfaring man ceaseth. He hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.

9 The land mourneth, it languisheth; Lebanon is ashamed, is withered; the Sharon is become as a desert, and Bashan and Carmel are stripped.

10 Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; now will I be exalted, now will I lift up myself.

11 Ye shall conceive dry grass, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath shall devour you [as] fire.

Footnotes

• [a]. See Note, 1Chron. 27.29
• [b]. The Arabah: see Note b, Josh. 3.16.