Isaiah 33

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:3

At the noise of the tumult the people fled ; rather, the peoples ; i.e. the contingents from many nations which made up the huge army of Sennacherib. The "noise" is that caused by God "lifting up himself" (comp. Psalms 29:3-9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:4

Your spoil shall be gathered . The "spoiling" of Assyria would commence with the discomfiture of the great host. In the historical narrative ( 2 Kings 19:35 ; Isaiah 37:36 ) nothing is said of it; but, beyond a doubt, when the host was to a largo extent destroyed, and the remainder fled, there must have been an enormous booty left behind, which the enemies of the Assyrians would naturally seize. A further spoiling of the fugitives probably followed; and, the prestige of the great king... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:5

The Lord is exalted . His destruction of the Assyrian host is an exaltation of God; i.e. it causes him to be exalted in the thoughts of those who have cognizance of the fact (comp. Exodus 15:14-16 ; Psalms 96:3-10 , etc.). It is an indication to them that he has his dwelling on high, and is the true King of heaven. He hath filled Zion with judgment , etc. (comp. Isaiah 32:15-17 ). The destruction is, in part, the result, in part the cause, of the Jews once more turning to God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:5-6

A wise nation (Church). These verses supply us with three features by which a nation or Church that is possessed of true wisdom will be characterized. I. A PERVADING SENSE OF GOD —of his greatness, his power, his righteousness. "The Lord is exalted; he dwelleth on high; he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness." The result of the deliverance wrought by Jehovah would be the creation of this devout sentiment. The holy nation, the Church after the heart of its Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:6

Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times ; literally, and the stability of thy times shall be ( i.e. consist in) a rich store of salvations , wisdom , and knowledge . The prophet here addresses the people of Judah in the second person, though in the next clause he reverts to the third. Such transitions are common in ancient compositions, and especially characterize the writings of Isaiah. The fear of the Lord is his treasure ; i.e. the wisdom intended is that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:6

The fear of the Lord, Judah's treasure. The best treasure of a nation is a religious spirit. Judaea had been ravaged by the host of the Assyrians under Sennacherib, had had all her "fenced cities" taken ( Isaiah 36:1 ), had been stripped of her most precious treasures in silver and gold by the rapacious king, and was left with an empty treasury, down-trodden vineyards, and fields unsown ( 2 Kings 19:19 ); but her best treasure still remained to her—she was rich in "the fear of the Lord."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:6

The secret of stability for every age. This is presented by showing what would be the secret of stability in the kingdom of Hezekiah, when safety and peace were again restored. The prophet anticipates the removal of the great and serious national evils, which had brought on the people Divine judgments, and rejoices in the prospect that " righteousness would exalt the nation." We may well think that, in thought, he passed on to the times of Messiah, when alone his great hopes could be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:7

Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without . "Their lion-hearts "(Cheyne); "heroes" (Delitzsch). Literally, lions of God (comp. Isaiah 29:1 ). They raise a cry of mourning in the streets, with child-like effusiveness (comp. Herod; 8:99; 9:24). The ambassadors of peace . Hezekiah probably sent several embassies to Sennacherib in the course of the war. One went to Lachish, offering submission, in B.C. 701 ( 2 Kings 18:14 ); another to Nineveh, with tribute and presents, in the same... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:7-12

THE PROPHET ENTERS FURTHER INTO PARTICULARS . Having "sketched the main outlines of his revelation," Isaiah proceeds to "fill in and apply the details" (Cheyne). He first describes the despair and low condition of Judah: the men of war wailing aloud; the ambassadors just returned kern Laehish weeping at the ill success of their embassy; all travelling stopped; the land wasted and made a desert; the Assyrians still ravaging and destroying, despite the peace which had been made ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:7-12

The uprising of Jehovah. I. HIS UPRISING IS A FIGURE OF PROVIDENTIAL INTERPOSITION . There are times when he seems to be still, seated, and looking on, and the course of events to defy his will ( Isaiah 18:4 ). Men cry, "How long, O Lord? Awake, stir thyself up to deliver!" But he knows his own time; he is not a day too soon, nor too late. When the hour of providence has struck, the scene instantly changes. " Now will I rise; now I will lift up myself!" It is not for us... read more

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