Isaiah 33:9-12

9 The land dries up and wastes away, Lebanon is ashamed and withers; Sharon is like the Arabah, and Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.
10 “Now will I arise,” says the LORD. “Now will I be exalted; now will I be lifted up.
11 You conceive chaff, you give birth to straw; your breath is a fire that consumes you.
12 The peoples will be burned to ashes; like cut thornbushes they will be set ablaze.”

Isaiah 33:9-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 33

This chapter contains an account of God's judgments upon the enemies of his people, and of the peaceable, comfortable, and happy state of the church in the latter day. The judgment denounced, Isa 33:1 a prayer of the church for safety and protection, which it promises itself from what God had heretofore done, Isa 33:2,3 an answer to it, declaring the spoil of the enemy, and the happy times the people of God should enjoy through his appearance for them, Isa 33:4-6 though previous thereunto there would be very distressing ones, Isa 33:7-9 when the Lord resolves to arise and exert his power in the destruction of the people, who should be burnt up like stubble, thorns, and lime, Isa 33:10-12 persons far and near are called upon to take notice of this, Isa 33:13 which would issue in a different manner, in the surprise and terror of hypocrites, and in the safety and plenty of provisions for good men, who are described, Isa 33:14-16 and then follow promises to them, of seeing the King in his beauty, and beholding a distant country of reflecting on past terror with pleasure, being freed from it, and in no danger of a foreign enemy, Isa 33:17-19 and the chapter is concluded with a famous prophecy of the peace, prosperity, and safety of the church, and of the healthfulness of its inhabitants, under the protection of Christ, its King and Lawgiver, its enemies being also an easy prey to it, Isa 33:20-24.

Cross References 14

  • 1. S Isaiah 3:26
  • 2. S 2 Kings 19:23; Isaiah 2:13; Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 37:24; Jeremiah 22:6
  • 3. S Isaiah 15:6; Isaiah 24:4
  • 4. S 1 Chronicles 27:29
  • 5. Micah 7:14
  • 6. 1 Kings 18:19; Isaiah 35:2; Nahum 1:4
  • 7. S ver 3; Psalms 12:5; Isaiah 2:21
  • 8. S Isaiah 5:16
  • 9. Psalms 7:14; Isaiah 59:4; James 1:15
  • 10. S Isaiah 26:18
  • 11. Isaiah 1:31
  • 12. Amos 2:1
  • 13. S Isaiah 5:6
  • 14. S Isaiah 10:17; S Isaiah 27:11
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