19. Literally, "But it shall hail with coming down of the forest, and in lowness shall the city (Nineveh) be brought low; that is, humbled." The "hail" is Jehovah's wrathful visitation (Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 28:2; Isaiah 28:17). The "forest" is the Assyrian host, dense as the trees of a forest (Isaiah 10:18; Isaiah 10:19; Isaiah 10:33; Isaiah 10:34; Zechariah 11:2). read more
20. While the enemy shall be brought "low," the Jews shall cultivate their land in undisturbed prosperity. all waters—well-watered places (Isaiah 30:25). The Hebrew translation, "beside," ought rather to be translated, "upon" (Ecclesiastes 11:1), where the meaning is, "Cast thy seed upon the waters when the river overflows its banks; the seed will sink into the mud and will spring up when the waters subside, and you will find it after many days in a rich harvest." Before sowing, they send oxen,... read more
An appeal to Judah’s women to repent 32:9-18Isaiah had appealed to the sons of Israel to return to the Lord (Isaiah 31:6), and now he appealed to the women of Israel to rise up in repentance (Isaiah 32:9; cf. Isaiah 3:16-26). Appeal to both sexes stresses the importance of everyone repenting. As in his appeal to the men, the prophet also announced an immediate threat and a more distant disaster. read more
Land once cultivated would become deserted, and their homes, even the palaces, would be left empty. Animals would occupy what humans formerly inhabited (cf. Isaiah 5:17)."The devastation caused by Sennacherib’s wind would be completed by Nebuchadnezzar’s whirlwind." [Note: Grogan, p. 207.] Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C., 115 years after Sennacherib besieged it in 701 B.C. read more
These reversals would not be final, however. God’s Spirit would effect an even greater change later in the future (cf. Psalms 104:30; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Joel 2:28; Zechariah 12:10). Then the wilderness would become fertile, and what was presently considered fertile would become a veritable jungle so full of large plants would it be (cf. Isaiah 30:23-26). The creation will burgeon, the divine curse will be removed, and the damage that sin has caused will be reversed (cf. Isaiah 29:17). read more
Justice and righteousness will be everywhere. The effects of this righteousness will be peace, rest, and security (cf. Isaiah 11:4-9). This will come about because people will be right with God (cf. Isaiah 30:15)."The person who has received the grace of God’s forgiveness is at peace with God. Knowing himself to be at peace with the Sovereign of the universe, it is no longer necessary to project his own turmoil upon those around him (Philippians 3:12-17). Furthermore, the person for whom God’s... read more
God’s people who responded to the appeals in Isaiah 31:6 and Isaiah 32:9 would live free from external threats, not erroneously thinking they were secure (cf. Isaiah 32:9). read more
The forest is a figure of soldiers (Isaiah 10:18; Isaiah 10:33-34) and of the fallen world (Isaiah 2:12-13). The city refers to Jerusalem, but it also represents humankind organized in rebellion against God (Isaiah 24:10). Thus both the near and the far views of God’s actions blend here. God will destroy, the hail representing His devastating intervention in human life, both the Assyrian soldiers soon and the fallen world later (cf. Isaiah 10:34). He would devastate Jerusalem soon and... read more
A summary of coming blasting and blessing 32:19-20The last two verses of this "woe" serve as an epilogue (cf. the prologue, Isaiah 31:1-5). Again there is an abrupt transition from present terror to future tranquillity. Judgment and glory both lay ahead for the Israelites, and it was time for them to choose to return to the Lord. God has revealed the distant future, as well as the immediate future, so people will get right with Him now. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 32:18
18. sure . . . quiet—free from fear of invasion. read more