Isaiah 32 Study Notes

32:9 The prophetic pronouncement now addresses the women in the community of the people of God. They also show pride in human resources rather than in the Lord. They are complacent and overconfident. For an earlier pronouncement against women, see notes at 3:16,17-24,25-4:1.

32:10 It appears that the security of these women is in the abundant produce of the land, but Isaiah pointed out that this prosperity is temporary. In the next year wine (grapes) and crop production (harvest) will fail.

32:11-12 Tearing and removing one’s clothes (strip yourselves bare) and replacing them with sackcloth along with beating one’s breast were mourning customs. The pronouncement suggests the people should move directly into ritual mourning in anticipation of future judgment.

32:13 The land will produce thorns and briers, useless plants, instead of grains and vines. The idea is similar to the curse against Adam in Gn 3:17-18.

32:14 Not only will the fields be desolate and unproductive, but so will the city of Jerusalem. It will be turned into the haunt of wild animals.

32:15 However, because of God (the Spirit from on high) a miraculous transformation will take place in the future. What has been unproductive will produce fruit-bearing trees.