Isaiah 34 Commentary
The LORD is angry with all the nations; He has condemned them to destruction – the mountains will be red with blood. This is Isaiah’s version of Romans 3:23.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Isaiah has a unique way of painting the consequence of man’s rebellion – death. “He has utterly destroyed them.” Verse 2b.
Isaiah’s vision here has nothing to do with Israel’s punishment by Assyria. Or Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon. Or indeed, Babylon’s defeat by the Medes – all recorded by the prophet. This one seems special as it involves “all the nations”.
It may involve the destruction of physical elements of creation: The sun, the moon, the sky, and the stars.
Of course, the New Testament puts it plainly. We understand the purpose and are happy because we see the LORD creating “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” Revelation 21:1.
The mention of Edom is deliberate. He is Jacob’s brother who missed the blessing of the LORD because of ungodliness. So the world suffers exactly because of ungodliness. The holiness of the LORD burns like a fire, destroying all ungodliness in its wake.
Zion stands alone. It is representing the seed with which the LORD starts life afresh – the second Adam. Isaiah provokes several thoughts by popping up concepts from the distant past. Mixing these thoughts with his own time, he talks about his immediate future as well as the distant future. It is a complex presentation but incredibly beautiful.
Zion isn’t the physical space we can visit or construct. It is the person, the office, the ministry, the kingdom, or the presence of the LORD Himself. We saw the concept of the Son – the Son born to us with the government on his shoulders. We saw Immanuel – the Prince of peace, God Almighty. Then the Branch, or the Holy Seed.
The saint is reminded of a day when the LORD upholds Zion’s cause. Verse 8. It is the day of the LORD. The saint can have joy. Eventually, righteousness wins the day. You don’t want to miss it!
The scripture uses the term “vision”. It speaks of visuals, metaphors to explain realities on the ground. You almost always attach the thought, “Not real”. But the virgin did conceive. The “Son” was born. He actually has the government on His shoulder. Ponder.
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