Isaiah 32

The Righteous Kingdom Announced

1 Indeed, a king will reign righteously, and rulers will rule justly.

2 Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the rain, like streams of water in a dry land and the shade of a massive rock in an arid land.

3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.

4 The reckless mind will gain knowledge, and the stammering tongue will speak clearly and fluently.

5 A fool will no longer be called a noble, nor a scoundrel said to be important.

6 For a fool speaks foolishness and his mind plots iniquity. He lives in a godless way and speaks falsely about the Lord. He leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.

7 The scoundrel's weapons are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the needy with lies, and by charging the poor during a judgment.

8 But a noble person plans noble things; he stands up for noble causes.

9 Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Pay attention to what I say, you overconfident daughters.

10 In a little more than a year you overconfident ones will shudder, for the vintage will fail and the harvest will not come.

11 Shudder, you complacent ones; tremble, you overconfident ones! Strip yourselves bare and put [sackcloth] about your waists.

12 Beat your breasts [in mourning] for the delightful fields and the fruitful vines,

13 for the ground of my people growing thorns and briers, indeed, for every joyous house in the joyful city.

14 For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become barren places forever, the joy of wild donkeys, and a pasture for flocks,

15 until the Spirit from heaven is poured out on us. Then the desert will become an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest.

16 Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the orchard.

17 The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

18 Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, and in safe and restful dwellings.

19 But hail will level the forest,^[a] and the city will sink into the depths.

20 Happy are you who sow seed beside abundant waters,^[b] who let ox and donkey range freely.

Isaiah 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

Times of peace and happiness. (1-8) An interval of trouble, yet comfort and blessings in the end. (9-20)

Verses 1-8 Christ our righteous King, and his true disciples, are evidently here intended. The consolations and graces of his Spirit are as rivers of water in this dry land; and as the overhanging rock affords refreshing shade and shelter to the weary traveller in the desert, so his power, truth, and love, yield the believer the only real protection and refreshment in the weary land through which he journeys to heaven. Christ bore the storm himself, to keep it off from us. To him let the trembling sinner flee for refuge; for he alone can protect and refresh us in every trial. See what pains sinners take in sin; they labour at it, their hearts are intent upon it, and with art they work iniquity; but this is our comfort, that they can do no more mischief than God permits. Let us seek to have our hearts more freed from selfishness. The liberal soul devises liberal things concerning God, and desires that He will grant wisdom and prudence, the comforts of his presence, the influence of his Spirit, and in due time the enjoyment of his glory.

Verses 9-20 When there was so much provocation given to the holy God, bad times might be expected. Alas! how many careless ones there are, who support self-indulgence by shameful niggardliness! We deserve to be deprived of the supports of life, when we make them the food of lusts. Let such tremble and be troubled. Blessed times shall be brought in by the pouring out of the Spirit from on high; then, and not till then, there will be good times. The present state of the Jews shall continue until a more abundant pouring out of the Spirit from on high. Peace and quietness shall be found in the way and work of righteousness. True satisfaction is to be had only in true religion. And real holiness is real happiness now, and shall be perfect happiness, that is, perfect holiness for ever. The good seed of the word shall be sown in all places, and be watered by Divine grace; and laborious, patient labourers shall be sent forth into God's husbandry.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hb obscure
• [b]. Nm 24:7

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 32

This chapter contains a prophecy of the Messiah; for, however applicable it may be to Hezekiah, as a type of Christ, it only has its full accomplishment in him, and in his times; who is described as a righteous King, and as having just princes ruling under him, Isa 32:1 and as a very great blessing, protection, and comfort to his subjects, Isa 32:2 when follows a prediction of great light and knowledge that should be in his days, Isa 32:3,4 and of the vileness, hypocrisy, and covetousness of the Jews in his times, Isa 32:5-8 and of the destruction of their country, because of their sins, of which they seemed greatly insensible, and were unconcerned about it, and are therefore called upon to lament it, Isa 32:9-14 which should continue until there would be a very great effusion of the Spirit, as should make the world, comparable to a wilderness, fruitful in grace and good works; the consequence of which is great prosperity, peace, and safety, to the saints, Isa 32:15-18 and destruction to their enemies, particularly the city of Rome, Isa 32:19 and the chapter is concluded with the happiness of the Gospel ministration, and the success of it, Isa 32:20.