69 lines
15 KiB
HTML
69 lines
15 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script>
|
|
currentBook = 'Isa';
|
|
currentChapter = 32;
|
|
PriorBook = 'Psalms';
|
|
PriorBookURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Psa_1.html';
|
|
PriorChapter = 'Isaiah 31';
|
|
PriorChapterURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Isa_31.html';
|
|
NextBook = 'Daniel';
|
|
NextBookURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Dan_1.html';
|
|
NextChapter = 'Isaiah 33';
|
|
NextChapterURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Isa_33.html';
|
|
Title = 'Study Guide for Isaiah 32';
|
|
</script>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/DG.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<h2><a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'1-');">Isa 32</a> - A King’s Reign of Righteousness</h2>
|
|
<p>A. Blessings from the coming king.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,1);">1</a>) In the aftermath of Jerusalem’s deliverance, a king comes.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. In the previous chapter, God assured that the Assyrians would be judged, and Judah would be delivered. But God didn’t want only to remove the threat; He also wanted to bless Judah was a righteous king, so the promise is made: <b><span class="c3">Behold, a king will reign in righteousness</span></b>.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. However, it is likely that the prophecy of <a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'1-20');">Isa 32-33</a> was given before the time of the prophecy of <a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,'1-31');">Isa 30-31</a>. Both look to the time of the Assyrian invasion of Judah, but <a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,'1-31');">Isa 30-31</a> are set in the time of Hezekiah, as the invasion nears Jerusalem. Most commentators believe that the <b><span class="c3">king</span></b> who <b><span class="c3">will reign in righteousness</span></b> mentioned here was Hezekiah, and since it says that he <b><span class="c3">will reign</span></b>, this prophecy may have been given at the beginning of Isaiah’s prophetic career, during the reign of King Ahaz, the predecessor to King Hezekiah.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. It is possible that the prophecy of <a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'1-20');">Isa 32-33</a> was given during the reign of Hezekiah, and this announcement refers to the latter part of his reign. It is also possible that it was given during the time of Hezekiah, and it prophesies the coming of King Josiah, the great-grandson of the present king of Judah, Hezekiah, who reigned during the Assyrian threat. Josiah was a righteous king (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',22,2);">2Ki 22:2</a>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. Hezekiah certainly fulfills the prophecy that <b><span class="c3">a king will reign in righteousness</span></b>. It is written of him, <i>And he did what was right in the sight of the <span class="c6">Lord</span>, according to all that his father David had done . . . He trusted in the <span class="c6">Lord</span> God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any who were before him. For he held fast to the <span class="c6">Lord</span>; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the <span class="c6">Lord</span> had commanded Moses</i> (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',18,3);">2Ki 18:3</a>, <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',18,'5-6');">5-6</a>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">A king will reign in righteousness</span></b>: Ultimately, Hezekiah is a picture of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. <a onclick="return mV('Jer',23,5);">Jer 23:5</a> announces this about our Messiah: <i>“Behold, the days are coming,” says the <span class="c6">Lord</span>, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.</i></p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. “This seems to have been delivered in the time of Ahaz, and to speak of Hezekiah, and of his righteousness and happy government. But withal, as Hezekiah and his reign was an eminent type of Christ and of his kingdom; so this prophecy looks through Hezekiah unto Christ.” (Poole)</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">And princes will rule with justice</span></b>: It wasn’t enough - it is never enough - to have a righteous king. The king must have helpers, <b><span class="c3">princes</span></b> under him, who will also <b><span class="c3">rule with justice</span></b>. Hezekiah had such loyal <b><span class="c3">princes</span></b>, such as Eliakim, Shebna the scribe, the elders of the priests, and Isaiah himself (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',19,2);">2Ki 19:2</a>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. These weren’t <b><span class="c3">princes</span></b> in the literal sense of being sons of King Hezekiah. The Hebrew word for <b><span class="c3">princes</span></b> can mean any ruler under a king.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. If Hezekiah, the righteous king, points to Jesus, then who are Jesus’ <b><span class="c3">princes</span></b>? His people are His princes! <i>But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light</i> (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,9);">1Pe 2:9</a>). <i>And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',5,10);">Rev 5:10</a>). Many of the seemingly unnecessary trials and pains of this life a wonderful purpose in the world beyond: training us to be princes, faithfully ruling with King Jesus!</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'2-4');">2-4</a>) The blessings of restoration from the king.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen. Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. The spiritual renewal during the reign of Hezekiah was like <b><span class="c3">rivers of water in a dry place</span></b>, like the <b><span class="c3">shadow of a great rock in a weary land</span></b>. By God’s blessing, <b><span class="c3">those who see</span></b> could see better than ever, and <b><span class="c3">those who hear will listen</span></b>.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. The more glorious reign of Jesus is all these things for us as well. He is a shelter from the storm (<b><span class="c3">a cover from the tempest</span></b>), <b><span class="c3">as rivers of water in a dry place</span></b>, and like <b><span class="c3">the shadow of a great rock in a weary land</span></b>.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. “If King Hezekiah were a type of Christ, then this prophecy may refer to his time; but otherwise it seems to have Hezekiah primarily in view. It is evident, however, that in the fullest sense these words cannot be applied to any man; <span class="c6">God</span> alone can do all that is promised here.” (Clarke)</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">The heart of the rash will understand knowledge</span></b>: The spiritual renewal during the reign of Hezekiah promoted trust in God’s Word, and because of that, hearts were changed. God also would bless in miraculous ways (<b><span class="c3">the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly</span></b>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'5-8');">5-8</a>) The blessings of righteousness and integrity from the king.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">The foolish person will no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful; for the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, to utter error against the <span class="c6">Lord</span>, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">The foolish person will no longer be called generous . . . the foolish person will speak foolishness</span></b>: The spiritual renewal during the reign of Hezekiah meant that spiritual reality would be exposed for all to see. No more would there be deception by appearances; if a man were foolish, he would be exposed as foolish.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">Wicked plans</span></b>: “Apart from <a onclick="return mV('Job',17,11);">Job 17:11</a>, has a uniformly bad meaning. It occurs nineteen times of sexual misconduct (<i>e.g.</i> <a onclick="return mV('Lev',18,17);">Lev 18:17</a>). It is planning for one’s own advantage at whatever cost to others.” (Motyer)</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">But a generous man devises generous things</span></b>: Not only would the foolishness of the foolish be exposed, but so would the generosity of the generous. Righteousness and wickedness would each be seen for what they were, and regarded accordingly.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. “Wickedness shall be discovered and punished wheresoever it is, and virtue shall be manifested and rewarded, and all things shall be managed with sincerity and simplicity.” (Poole)</p>
|
|
<p>B. A call to prepare for the coming of the Spirit.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'9-11');">9-11</a>) The women at ease are called to repent.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. In a year and some days you will be troubled, you complacent women; for the vintage will fail, the gathering will not come. Tremble, you women who are at ease; be troubled, you complacent ones; strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. Before the righteous king would come, the people had to prepare themselves. The <b><span class="c3">women who are at ease</span></b> and the <b><span class="c3">complacent daughters</span></b> had to get ready for the righteous king.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">At ease</span></b> is the same word used later in the chapter, where God promises <i>secure dwelling places</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,18);">Isa 32:18</a>). <b><span class="c3">Complacent</span></b> is the same word used in later in the same chapter, where God promises <i>peaceful habitation</i>. “According to Isaiah, there is nothing wrong with feeling secure and undisturbed as long as one’s trust is solidly based on the Lord.” (Wolf)</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. Instead of an indulgent, self-focused life, they would be required to <b><span class="c3">tremble</span></b>, <b><span class="c3">be troubled</span></b>, and put on the clothing of mourning.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'12-14');">12-14</a>) The whole land mourns.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. Because of the Assyrian invasion to come, God would use the tough economic times to wake Judah up. <i>For the vintage will fail, the gathering will not come</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,10);">Isa 32:10</a>). <b><span class="c3">People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine</span></b>. The tough times touched everyone (<b><span class="c3">all the happy homes in the joyous city . . . the palaces will be forsaken</span></b>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,15);">15</a>) The Spirit is poured out upon a humbled people.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high</span></b>: God used the invasion from Assyria, the tough times, and the humble mourning of the people to prepare them for an outpouring of His Spirit.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">Until</span></b>: It was only the <b><span class="c3">Spirit</span></b> of God that could make the difference; the tough times would last <b><span class="c3">until</span></b> the Spirit was poured out.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">Is poured out</span></b>: God wanted to do more than scatter a few drops of His mercy and blessing; He wanted His Spirit to be <b><span class="c3">poured out</span></b> upon His people.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">iii. <b><span class="c3">From on high</span></b>: This is where the true outpouring of the Holy Spirit comes. It doesn’t come from among men, or because of men’s efforts. It comes from heaven, <b><span class="c3">from on high</span></b>.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">The wilderness becomes a fruitful field</span></b>: When the Holy Spirit is poured out, what was barren and desolate before is now full of life and fruitfulness. True fruitfulness comes from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">And the fruitful field is counted as a forest</span></b>: When the Holy Spirit is poured out, what was good before (<b><span class="c3">a fruitful field</span></b>) miraculously becomes even better (<b><span class="c3">a forest</span></b>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',32,'16-20');">16-20</a>) Blessings brought by the Spirit.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Justice . . . righteousness . . . peace . . . quietness and assurance forever</span></b>: When God’s Spirit is poured out among His people, this is what it is like. This means that we shouldn’t be satisfied with what claims to be of the Spirit, but isn’t marked by the fruit of the Spirit. This means that if we lack these things, we can come and ask the <span class="c6">Lord</span> to pour out His Spirit upon us.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings . . . though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation</span></b>: When God’s Spirit is poured out, we live on a principle higher than circumstances. If others feel the pelting <b><span class="c3">hail</span></b>, or are <b><span class="c3">brought low in humiliation</span></b>, it doesn’t matter to those blessed by the poured-out Spirit of God.</p>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/DG_Footer.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|