Isaiah 24:1-7

Judgment on the Earth

1 Behold, the LORD 1lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants.
2 And the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the 2creditor like the debtor.
3 The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the LORD has spoken this word.
4 The 3earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the 4exalted of the people of the earth fade away.
5 The earth is also 5polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, 6broke the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore *, a 7curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore *, the 8inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.
7 The 9new wine mourns, The vine decays, All the merry-hearted * sigh.

Isaiah 24:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 24

This chapter contains a prophecy of calamities that should come upon the whole world, and the inhabitants of it, for their sins; of the preservation of a remnant; of the visitation of the kings of the earth; and of the appearance of Christ in his glory and majesty. The miserable condition of the world, and its inhabitants, especially all within the Romish jurisdiction, is set forth by various phrases, Isa 24:1-4 the causes of which are the transgression and mutation of the laws and ordinances of Christ, Isa 24:5 the effects of which are the cursing and burning of the inhabitants, Isa 24:6 cessation of all joy among them, Isa 24:7-9 and the destruction of their chief city, Rome, Isa 24:10-12 then follows a prophecy of a remnant that shall escape, and be brought into a very comfortable condition, and sing for joy, and glorify God in the midst of the earth, and in the uttermost parts of it, Isa 24:13-16 but it is intimated it shall go ill with others for their perfidy and treachery; fear and danger shall attend them everywhere, Isa 24:16-18 yea, in the issue, the world shall be shaken, and moved and removed, and be utterly dissolved, fall and not rise more, Isa 24:19,20 when the kings and great ones of the earth shall be taken prisoners, and punished by the Lord, Isa 24:21,22 and then Christ shall take to himself his great power, and reign with his people gloriously in the New Jerusalem state, Isa 24:23.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Isaiah 2:19; Isaiah 13:13; Isaiah 24:19, 20; Isaiah 30:32; Isaiah 33:9
  • 2. Leviticus 25:36, 37; Deuteronomy 23:19, 20
  • 3. Isaiah 33:9
  • 4. Isaiah 2:12; Isaiah 24:21
  • 5. Genesis 3:17; Numbers 35:33; Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 10:6
  • 6. Isaiah 33:8
  • 7. Joshua 23:15; Isaiah 34:5; Isaiah 43:28; Zechariah 5:3, 4
  • 8. Isaiah 1:31; Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 9:19
  • 9. Isaiah 16:10; Joel 1:10, 12

Footnotes 1

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