Isaiah 32:12-20

Listen to Isaiah 32:12-20
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines,
13 and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers— even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry.
14 For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill [a] and the watchtower will become caves forever— the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks—
15 until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest.
16 Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the fertile field.
17 The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.
18 Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.
19 But hail will level the forest, and the city will sink to the depths.
20 Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.

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.

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Footnotes 1

  • [a] Hebrew The Ophel
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially placed into the public domain