God summoned, through His prophet, the entire earth, those far and near, to pay attention to what He had done to His people. It has worldwide significance. God’s powerful acts toward Israel in the past will cause the nations to stream to Zion in the future. read more
The people of Zion 33:13-16Isaiah now turned to focus on one aspect of the future hope of the nation: Zion. It will consist of a people and a king. The prophet concentrated on the people first (Isaiah 33:13-16) and then their king (Isaiah 33:17-24). read more
The spectacular demonstration of God’s holiness in Assyria’s defeat would terrify sinners in Zion, those Jews who were unrepentant in Isaiah’s day. They would realize that they could not reside in His holy presence because of their sins."That Yahweh is a devouring fire is understood throughout the OT as a symbol of his holiness. The essence of worship is to recognize the gift of his mercy which makes it possible and even desirable to live in near contact with the Holy One." [Note: Watts, p.... read more
1-12. The deliverance of Jerusalem from the Invader. 13-24. The Consequences of the Interposition of Jehovah for those that dwell in the City.1. The Assyrian is addressed. That spoilest, etc.] may mean, (1) that the Assyrian attacked Judah without provocation, or (2) that he has so far spoiled other nations unchecked.2. Their arm] viz. Jerusalem’s defenders’.3. Disaster overtakes the enemy. People.. nations] refer to the various races subject to Sennacherib and serving in his army.4. As.. upon... read more
(13) Hear, ye that are far off . . .—The fate of Assyria is proclaimed as a warning to other nations, and to Israel itself. For the “sinners in Zion” also there is the furnace of fire of the wrath of God. “Who,” they ask, “can dwell with that consuming fire, those everlasting (œonian?) burnings,” which are one aspect of the righteousness of God? read more
God Is a Consuming Fire Isaiah 33:14-16 This passage contains a question, and the reply to the question, and an assurance over and above the reply. I. Consider the answer here given to the inquiry about dwelling with God. The possession of spiritual life shown to be spiritual life by the external manifestations of walking righteously, and speaking uprightly, and holding aloof from evil is the one thing which enables a man to stand without being consumed in the consuming fire of the presence of... read more
CHAPTER XXIOUR GOD A CONSUMING FIRE701 B.C.Isaiah 33:1-24WE have seen how the sense of forgiveness and the exultant confidence, which fill chapter 33, were brought about within a few months after the sentence of death, that cast so deep a gloom on chapter 22. We have expounded some of the contents of chapter 33, but have not exhausted the chapter; and in particular we have not touched one of Isaiah’s principles, which there finds perhaps its finest expression: the consuming righteousness of... read more
CHAPTER 33 Sixth Woe Against the Assyrian and What Is to Follow 1. The judgment announced (Isaiah 33:1 ) 2. The prayer of the faithful remnant (Isaiah 33:2-6 ) 3. The judgment executed (Isaiah 33:7-13 ) 4. The judge in the midst of Zion (Isaiah 33:14-16 ) 5. The King beheld in His beauty (Isaiah 33:17-23 ) 6. Healing and forgiveness the result of the coming of the King (Isaiah 33:24 ) This is the last mention which is made of the Assyrian apart from the historical chapters. Here... read more
33:13 Ye [that are] {r} far off, hear what I have done; and, ye [that are] near, acknowledge my might.(r) His vengeance will be so great that all the world will talk of it. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 33:14
14. sinners in Zion—false professors of religion among the elect people ( :-). hypocrites—rather, "the profane"; "the abandoned" [HORSLEY]. who, c.—If Jehovah's wrath could thus consume such a host in one night, who could abide it, if continued for ever ( :-)? Fire is a common image for the divine judgments (Isaiah 29:6 Isaiah 30:30). among us—If such awful judgments have fallen on those who knew not the true God, how infinitely worse shall fall on us who, amid religious privileges and... read more