Isaiah 33:1-11

1 Woe to you who destroy, and you weren't destroyed; and deal treacherously, and they didn't deal treacherously with you! When you have ceased to destroy, you shall be destroyed; and when you have made an end of dealing treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with you.

2 Yahweh, be gracious to us; we have waited for you: be our arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

3 At the noise of the thunder the peoples are fled; at the lifting up of yourself the nations are scattered.

4 Your spoil shall be gathered as the caterpillar gathers: as locusts leap shall men leap on it.

5 Yahweh is exalted; for he dwells on high: he has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

6 There shall be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge: the fear of Yahweh is your treasure.

7 Behold, their valiant ones cry outside; the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly.

8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceases: [the enemy] has broken the covenant, he has despised the cities, he doesn't regard man.

9 The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is confounded and withers away; Sharon is like a desert; and Bashan and Carmel shake off [their leaves].

10 Now will I arise, says Yahweh; now will I lift up myself; now will I be exalted.

11 You shall conceive chaff, you shall bring forth stubble: your breath is a fire that shall devour you.

Isaiah 33:1-11 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.