Isaiah 34

In this chapter Isaiah pronounces God’s judgment on the nations of the world that are hostile to Him and His people. Throughout history, God’s judgment has been falling on evil nations and empires; but here (1-4) he has in mind, it seems, God’s last judgment at the climax of human history, when heaven and earth themselves will be judged and replaced with a new heaven and new earth (Isaiah 13:9-13; Mark 13:24, 25; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 6:3-14; 21:1). ‘’Stars will fall out of the sky like overripe, rotting fruit in the orchard. And the sky itself will be folded up like a blanket and put away in a closet. All that army of stars, shrivelled to nothing, like leaves and fruit in autumn, dropping and rotting!” The Message.

But following the description of this great universal judgment in the first four verses, Isaiah suddenly switches his attention to one tiny nation, Edom (5-15). However, we have to understand that Edom is representative of all the enemies of God. For the author of Hebrews, Jacob’s brother Esau (Edom) symbolized godlessness (Hebs.12:16); Isaiah shared the same understanding. Edom also symbolizes the persecutor (Obadiah 10-14), the adversary of the church. So we need to understand that (5-15) continues with the theme of God’s judgment on all nations, not just Edom. (The references to ‘’chaos’’ and ‘’desolation’’ in (11) are the ‘’without form’’ and ‘’void’’ of Gn.1:2. They imply here and in Jeremiah 4:23 an undoing of the very work of creation.)

After God’s judgment falls on Edom (that is all nations), people will read ‘’in the scroll’’ what Isaiah has written here. They will realize that his words were true (16, 17). ‘’None of these’’ – that is, the birds and animals mentioned in verses 11-15 – ‘’will be missing’’ (16). The prophecy will come to pass exactly as Isaiah stated it. God will give all these creatures permanent ownership of the land of Edom (17). ‘’Vultures and skunks will police the streets; owls and crows will feel at home there.’’ (11) The Message. God’s Word will never fail; none of His Words will ever fall to the ground. Though heaven and earth may pass away, His mighty Words won’t. Here is a rock-like foundation to stand on and build upon.

We do well to remember the reason for God’s indignation (8). As has been pointed out, God fights against His people if they disobey Him, but He fights for them when His chastening has accomplished its purposes. But we must always remember that God’s vengeance has no malice or bitterness in it. He takes no pleasure in punishing people; instead He wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3, 4.)

Prayer: I may not understand everything in your Word, Lord, but I know it is trustworthy and true, and everything you have promised will come to pass. I thank you that I can count on it because I can count on you.