Year 3, Day 17: Isaiah 33

Those Who Join The Destruction Effort

This chapter in Isaiah begins with a warning against those who are participating in the Assyrian conquest.  There is no doubt that the words “destroyer” apply to the nation of Assyria as they march towards Jerusalem.  If there is any word that aptly applies to Assyria, it is the word destroyer.

However, we also come upon the words “betrayer.”  Some versions translate this as “one who acts treacherously,” which is a translation that I actually prefer given the relatively few times in the Old Testament this word is contextually appropriate for betrayal. Isaiah gives a warning to those who act treacherously. 

It could be that these words apply to the Assyrians; certainly they acted very treacherously towards the Hebrew people.  Again, though, I would not say they betrayed the Hebrew people because in order to betray someone you have to first have their trust.  Furthermore, the Assyrians are coming at God’s beckon!  It is unlikely that the Assyrians are the subject of these verses beyond the first verse.

It could be that Isaiah is talking to the Hebrew people who tried to convince the leaders to make alliances to Egypt and other national powers.  Again, though, I think this is an act of treachery rather than betrayal.  But I think that it is within these Hebrew people that we find the ones to whom Isaiah is delivering a message.  God accuses anyone who leads others away from Him of being a traitor and thus acting treacherously.

Regardless of to whom these words are spoken, what is clear is that God does not approve of treacherous acts.  God will deal with those who live their life according to treacherous plans.

The Faithful Remnant

Then we move into a neat section beginning with verse 2 and running through at least verse 6.  This is a song of the remnant of the faithful.  Even as the Assyrians draw close, there is a portion – however small – that still believes in God.  It may only be Isaiah and His few students, but there is a portion who knows that God is their only refuge.

I find comfort in their words.  As Assyria comes close and the doom of the Hebrew people seems assured, listen to their words.  “Be our arm in the morning, our salvation in a time of trouble.”  “When You lift Yourself up, nations scatter.”  “He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.”  “He will be the stability of Your times.”  “He will be the abundance of wisdom, knowledge, and salvation.”

But my favorite words come in the end of verse 6.  “Fear of the Lord is His treasure.”  The Lord treasures the fear of Him.  Keep in mind that the word “fear” doesn’t mean phobia but rather a mix of fear and awe.  Do you want to make an impression upon God?  Fear Him.  Do you want God to treasure you?  Fear Him.  Do you want God to value your relationship with Him?  Fear Him.  We can do nothing better as human beings than to hold God in reverential awe and fear the righteousness that only He can bring to our lives.  As this verse from Isaiah says, that is what the Lord considers His treasure.

Chaff And Stubble

As we turn to the conclusion of this chapter, there is one image that stuck in my mind.  “You conceive chaff and you give birth to stubble.”  Chaff and stubble are the worthless parts of the harvest.  They are the parts that are discarded.  What is the point that Isaiah is making here?  The plans that we as human beings make are silly.  The Hebrew people thought their alliances with other nations could protect them from Assyria.  They thought their walled town could prevent their destruction.  Their minds gave birth to chaff.  None of their plans could bring about their salvation.  The only salvation that would come their way would be at the hands of the Lord.

But they would be saved by His hand.  Those who walk in righteousness walk with the Lord and they can be saved.  Those who abide in their fear of the Lord will find that the Lord is their strong tower and their shield of defense.

Separating The Remnant From The Rest

As we look to verses 18-19 we have a haunting image of the future.  When the righteous are saved by the hand of the Lord, those who are saved will make a terrible discovery. Terrible meaning serious, not bad.  The discovery that they will make is that those who took stock in humanity will no longer be among them.  Those who lived in insolence towards the Lord will not be there.  Those who stammered and spoke words that were useless will not be present.  In the day of the Lord’s salvation, only the righteous will remain.

That is a grim reality, but it is an honest one.  It is easy to go through life secure in our own salvation.  But it is hard going through life realizing all the people around us who do not have the security of salvation from the Lord.  It is a terrible feeling to look around and see through God’s eyes at just how many people are living in peril with respect to God’s judgment.  The day that the Lord saves will be a glorious day, but it will be a very serious day as well.

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