Judgment and Joy

The tone of Isaiah's message changes again. "Look!"  He says, as if to get listeners' attention.   "The name of Jehovah is coming from far away, burning with his anger and with heavy clouds. As for his lips, they have become full of denunciation, and his tongue is like a devouring fire." (Isaiah 30:27)   Thus far, Jehovah has stayed away, allowing the enemies of his people to follow their own course.  Now he draws closer-like a  steadily approaching thunderstorm-to execute  judgment.  "His spirit is like a flooding torrent that reaches clear to the neck, to swing the nations to and fro with a sieve of worthlessness; and a bridle that causes one to wander about will be the jaws of the peoples." (Isaiah 30:28) Enemies of God's people will be encircled by "a flooding torrent," violently shaken "to and fro with a sieve," and reined in with "a bridle."  They will be destroyed. 

Again Isaiah's tone changes as he describes the happy condition of faithful worshipers who will one day return to their land.  "You people will come to have  a song like that in the night that one sanctifies oneself for a festival, and rejoicing  of heart like that of one walking with a flute to enter into the mountain of Jehovah, to the rock of Israel."  (Isaiah 30:29)   True Christians today experience  a similar "rejoicing of heart" as they contemplate the judgment of Satan's world; the protection extended to them by Jehovah, the "Rock of salvation;"  and the Kingdom blessings to come. -Psalm 95:1.

After this expression of gladness, Isaiah returns to the theme of judgment and identifies the object of God's wrath.  "Jehovah will certainly make the dignity of his voice to be heard and will make the descending of his arm to be seen, in the raging of anger and the flame of a devouring fire and cloudburst and rainstorm and hailstones.   For because of the voice of Jehovah Assyria will be struck with terror; and he will strike it even with a staff."  (Isaiah 30:30, 31)  With this graphic design, Isaiah emphasizes the reality of God's judgment of Assyria.  In effect, Assyria stands before God and trembles at the sight of his 'descending arm' of judgment. 

The prophet continues:  "Every swing of his rod of chastisement that Jehovah will cause to settle down upon Assyria  will certainly prove to be with tambourines and with harps; and with bottles of brandishing he will actually fight against them.  For his Topheth is set in order from recent times; it is also prepared for the king himself.  he has made its pile deep.  Fire and wood are in abundance.  The breath of Jehovah, like a torrent of sulphur, is burning against it."  (Isaiah 30:32, 33)  Topheth, in the Valley of Hinnom, is used here as a figurative place burning with fire.  By showing that Assyria will end up there.  Isaiah stresses the sudden destruction that is to come upon that nation. -Compare 2 Kings 23:10.

Although, this judgment message is directed against Assyria, the significance of Isaiah's prophecy goes further.  (Romans 15:4)  Jehovah will again, as it were, come from afar to flood, shake, and bridle all those who oppress his people.  (Ezekiel 38:18-23; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 19:11-21)  May that day come quickly!  Meanwhile, Christians eagerly await the day of deliverance.  They derive strength from reflecting upon the vivid words recorded in Isaiah chapter 30.  These words encourage God's servants to treasure the privilege of prayer, apply themselves to Bible study, and meditate upon the Kingdom blessings to come.  (Psalm 42:1, 2; Proverbs 2:1-6; Romans 12:12)  Thus Isaiah's words help  all of us to keep in expectation of Jehovah.

Next time:  No Help From This World, Chapter Twenty-Four

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000