Isaiah 32:12-20

12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines
13 and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers— yes, mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry.
14 The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks,
15 till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.
16 The LORD’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field.
17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
19 Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely,
20 how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.

Isaiah 32:12-20 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References 28

  • 1. Nahum 2:7
  • 2. Isaiah 16:9
  • 3. S Isaiah 5:6; Hosea 10:8
  • 4. S Isaiah 24:11
  • 5. S Isaiah 23:7; Isaiah 22:2
  • 6. S Isaiah 13:22
  • 7. S Isaiah 6:11; S Isaiah 27:10
  • 8. S Isaiah 2:15; Isaiah 34:13
  • 9. S Psalms 104:11
  • 10. S Isaiah 5:17
  • 11. S Isaiah 11:2; S Ezekiel 37:9; Joel 2:28
  • 12. Psalms 107:35; Isaiah 35:1-2
  • 13. Isaiah 29:17
  • 14. S Isaiah 9:7; S Isaiah 28:6
  • 15. Isaiah 35:1,6; Isaiah 42:11
  • 16. S Psalms 48:1; S Isaiah 1:26
  • 17. S Psalms 85:10
  • 18. S Psalms 119:165; S Isaiah 9:7; Romans 14:17; Hebrews 12:11; James 3:18
  • 19. S Isaiah 30:15
  • 20. S Isaiah 2:4
  • 21. S Isaiah 26:1; Isaiah 33:20; Isaiah 37:33; Isaiah 65:21; Isaiah 66:14; Amos 9:14
  • 22. S Joshua 1:13; S Job 11:18; Hosea 2:18-23
  • 23. Isaiah 28:17; Isaiah 30:30
  • 24. S Isaiah 10:19; Zechariah 11:2
  • 25. S Job 40:11; S Isaiah 19:18; Isaiah 24:10; Isaiah 27:10
  • 26. S Ecclesiastes 11:1
  • 27. S Deuteronomy 28:12
  • 28. Job 39:8; S Isaiah 30:24
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