Post by Lee on Jun 11, 2014 3:36:06 GMT
A striking series of contrasts is placed before the brethren of the prophets in that section of Isaiah’s writings which ends with chapter 35. Chapter 34 introduces Edom. The prophet turns from the Northern “spoiler” of chapter 33 to the Southern rival and related power of Edom. He had been all along saying, as it were, “Woe to Israel’s enemies—They shall perish, but Israel shall endure.”
Thus, in ch. 23 it was Woe to Tyre. She should fall, and her substance be appropriated by the Lord’s people when they should reign in Zion. So also it was Woe to Ephraim (ch. 28), and even to “Ariel,” the city where David dwelt” (29) till Jacob should turn again to God. Then it was Woe to Egypt, in whom the house of Israel foolishly trusted (30–31). They should fall; but in Israel a King should at last “reign in righteousness, and princes rule in judgment” (35). Then, Woe to the Spoiler of the latter days (33), when the “everlasting burnings” should be kindled. He should become a spoil; but Zion and her children should “abide.” And now it is Woe to Edom (34). It shall be desolate in the “day of vengeance and year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.” But Zion’s wilderness shall blossom abundantly (35), and the ransomed of the Lord at last return in triumph to her.
Written for all time by the Spirit of God in the prophet, these things at once excite our highest admiration and praise, and shed light upon our times, assuring us that the Lord has not forsaken the earth, and encouraging us to wait for His Kingdom in patient well doing.
The opening of this chapter is an emphatic challenge of wide-reaching application, that at once tells us that we must not limit the matter to the times of Isaiah or a century or two later, nor to the few hundred square miles of territory that properly belonged to Edom in his days. “Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken ye people: let the earth hear and all that is therein; the world and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of Yahweh is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies; he hath utterly devoted them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.”
Psalm 49 contains an illustration of a similar proclamation in its opening verses, and the matter of its setting to music is one upon which “all people” sadly need enlightenment. Moses’ song, Deut. 32, is another instance, where, although he at first appeals to the “heavens and earth” of Israel, he at last turns to the nations saying, “Rejoice, O ye nations with his people”; which Paul in Rom. 15 applies to the bringing in of the Gentiles to the Kingdom of God. Isaiah likewise speaks of this in ch. 11, as Paul also shows in Rom. 15. But here in chap. 34 his “message” to Edom covers the preliminary judgments on the nations before the Kingdom of God is established.
Robert Roberts, & Walker, C. C. (1907). The Ministry of the Prophets: Isaiah (497–498
Thus, in ch. 23 it was Woe to Tyre. She should fall, and her substance be appropriated by the Lord’s people when they should reign in Zion. So also it was Woe to Ephraim (ch. 28), and even to “Ariel,” the city where David dwelt” (29) till Jacob should turn again to God. Then it was Woe to Egypt, in whom the house of Israel foolishly trusted (30–31). They should fall; but in Israel a King should at last “reign in righteousness, and princes rule in judgment” (35). Then, Woe to the Spoiler of the latter days (33), when the “everlasting burnings” should be kindled. He should become a spoil; but Zion and her children should “abide.” And now it is Woe to Edom (34). It shall be desolate in the “day of vengeance and year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.” But Zion’s wilderness shall blossom abundantly (35), and the ransomed of the Lord at last return in triumph to her.
Written for all time by the Spirit of God in the prophet, these things at once excite our highest admiration and praise, and shed light upon our times, assuring us that the Lord has not forsaken the earth, and encouraging us to wait for His Kingdom in patient well doing.
The opening of this chapter is an emphatic challenge of wide-reaching application, that at once tells us that we must not limit the matter to the times of Isaiah or a century or two later, nor to the few hundred square miles of territory that properly belonged to Edom in his days. “Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken ye people: let the earth hear and all that is therein; the world and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of Yahweh is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies; he hath utterly devoted them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.”
Psalm 49 contains an illustration of a similar proclamation in its opening verses, and the matter of its setting to music is one upon which “all people” sadly need enlightenment. Moses’ song, Deut. 32, is another instance, where, although he at first appeals to the “heavens and earth” of Israel, he at last turns to the nations saying, “Rejoice, O ye nations with his people”; which Paul in Rom. 15 applies to the bringing in of the Gentiles to the Kingdom of God. Isaiah likewise speaks of this in ch. 11, as Paul also shows in Rom. 15. But here in chap. 34 his “message” to Edom covers the preliminary judgments on the nations before the Kingdom of God is established.
Robert Roberts, & Walker, C. C. (1907). The Ministry of the Prophets: Isaiah (497–498