Woe to Those Trusting in Military Defense

Isaiah 32:1–20
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This chapter starts out with Isaiah prophesying a time of righteousness and justice. He talks about a king who will reign in this time (vv 1-4). No historical king ever fit this description. The prophet is speaking of a time when godly conditions that shall be “as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” shall prevail. This is a time when the blind shall see, the deaf shall hear, and the ignorant shall understand knowledge. He sees a day when people will not only know the teaching about God, but when morality shall be based upon spiritual knowledge. In Isaiah’s day, as in our own day, the common people admired “the rich and famous,” even these, so-called, “celebrities” deserved no respect. In the kingdom age everyone will recognize an evil man when he sees him, and hypocrites will fool no one at all (vv 5-6).

People throw their idols away, recognizing that they are nothing but man-made objects (vv. 7-8). The prophet turns his attention to the careless women who are at ease in Judah (vv. 9-14). He issues a stern warning to the worldly-minded society of women in Jerusalem. These women should not complacently think that God’s judgment would not come, for devastation was soon to come. This possibly refers to Assyria’s final push into Judah in 701 B.C. The prophet returns to his description of the millennial kingdom and emphasizes the restoration of peace and prosperity (vv. 15-20). He sees a time of complete national conversion for Israel in the future.

Application

Prosperity and luxury often bring false security and will lull me into thinking all is well when disaster is around the corner. If I abandon God’s purpose for my life I will also abandon His help.