Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 34

Verses 1-4

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 34

THE DAY OF THE LORD, VENGEANCE AND REDEMPTION

(Isaiah 34:1 to Isaiah 35:10)

DIVINE INDIGNATION AGAINST HUMAN REBELLION

Throughout this chapter one may observe deep apocalyptic overtones. There is far more involved here than what God is about to accomplish through Assyria or Babylon. Edom has been the perpetual enemy of Israel - his hatred never satisfied by the malicious wickedness that he has practiced against the people of the covenant. It is because of this that Edom is singled out from all the nations as the immediate object of divine vengeance. His destruction is to be as complete and perpetual as that of Babylon. And the validity of Isaiah’s prophecy has been attested by a desolation that has now lasted for twenty-six centuries.

Vs. 1-4: A GENERAL THREAT AGAINST THE NATIONS

1. A summons is sent forth to the whole earth - all nations, peoples and everything therein - to hear the complaint of Jehovah, (vs. 1; comp. Isaiah 41:1; Isaiah 43:9; Psalms 49:1; Deuteronomy 32:1).

2. Isaiah sees the Lord rising in indignation and wrath against all nations and against the (military) host that they have sent to war against Zion, (vs. 2; Isaiah 26:20-21). Details of events leading up to this great battle will be discussed in chapter 63.

3. The destruction of Zion’s enemies is graphically set forth under a number of figures or symbols.

a. The prophet sees a great slaughter, wherein the enemy is destroyed in direct confrontation with Jehovah, (vs. 2-3; Isaiah 24:1-2; Isaiah 30:25; Isaiah 63:6; Isaiah 65:12).

1) So vivid is his description of the slaughter that one can almost smell the stench of decaying bodies, (comp. Isaiah 5:25; Joel 2:20; Amos 4:10).

2) The mountains are pictured as being dissolved by the abundance of blood, (Ezekiel 35:6; Ezekiel 38:22; Revelation 14:17-20).

b. Then he sees the manifestation of God’s wrath upon "the host of heaven" which dissolves, rolls together as a scroll, and fades away as a leaf under the frown of His indignation, (vs. 4).

1) One must not imagine that this refers to the Lord’s being angry with the literal sun, moon, stars, etc. - the heavens that now

"declare the glory of God", (Psalms 19:1-6).

2) It appears, rather, to suggest His judgment upon spiritual rulers of darkness, "principalities and powers, in heavenly places" - demonic forces that have ever inspired, aided and abetted human rebellion against the Most High, (Isaiah 24:23; Matthew 24:29; Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:11-12).

Verses 5-15

Vs. 5-15: EDOM, A SPECIAL ENEMY

1. Edom is Esau, the twin brother of Israel, who, despising his birthright, sold it for a mess of pottage and insisted on living independently- without any reference to God, (Genesis 25:20-34; Genesis 36:8-9; Genesis 36:12; Malachi 1:1-4; Exodus 17:13-16; Deuteronomy 25:17-18; 1 Samuel 15:11-23; 1 Samuel 28:15-18; 2 Samuel 1:2-8; Revelation 3:11).

a. Edom (or Esau) is a type of "the flesh" which is antagonistic

toward God and refuses to submit to His rule, (Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 7:18-25).

b. There is nothing about "the flesh" that God can approve; it can never do anything that will please Him, (Romans 8:5-8).

2. Thus, the sword of the Lord, having dealt with the hosts of rebellion in the heavenlies, is now turned upon the accursed Edom, for judgment, (vs. 5; Jeremiah 49:20-22; Ezekiel 25:12-14; Obadiah 1:4; Obadiah 1:6).

3. Then Isaiah desribes a great "sacrifice" in Bozrah - a slaughter in the land of Edom, (vs. 6-7; comp. Isaiah 63:1-6; Ezekiel 35:3-15).

a. Oxen, bullocks, rams and goats represent the mighty men of Edom - all of whom will fall before the sword of divine majesty which is outraged by their wickedness.

b. The whole land is seen as glutted. with blood and saturated with fat, (Ezekiel 35:6-8).

4. The prophetic explanation, for this manifestation of divine vengeance, is that "the year of recompence for the controversy of Zion" has come, (vs. 8; Ezekiel 35:5-6).

a. In patient and longsuffering mercy God has long suspended His judgment against the enemy of His people.

b. But, when His wrath is full, and the proper time has come, He pours it out, without mercy, upon the head of the proud offender.

5. The results of the judgment that Isaiah sees drawing near are clearly stated, (vs. 9-15).

a. Edom will become a perpetual wasteland: her soil turned to brimstone and her streams to burning pitch - smoke ascending from it, day and night, so that none shall pass through it to the end of the age, (vs. 9-10).

b. Possession of it will pass to pelican and porcupine, owl and raven, wolves and ostriches, desert beasts and howling creatures, shaggy goats and night monsters, screech owls and vultures, (vs. 11-15).

c. Thornbushes will thrive in Edom’s proud palaces; nettles and thistles will overrun the once-impregnable fortresses, (vs. 13).

Verses 16-17

Vs. 16-17: A CLOSING AFFIRMATION OF GOD’S PURPOSE

1. The Lord has recorded His plan in His word; no prophecy thereof shall lack its fulfillment; His counsel shall stand, (vs. 16; Isaiah 30:8; Malachi 3:16; Isaiah 1:20; Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 58:14).

2. As assuredly as He has divided the land of Canaan, by lot, unto His people, so has He appointed Edom to the above-mentioned creatures of the desert, (vs. 17); His word will not fail!