Judgment and Promises – Isaiah 24-25

Bible Passage:  Isaiah 24-25

This passage, like a movie scene (…like The Impossible) is horrific, terrible, and difficult to picture because it’s a catastrophe upon the whole earth. However, in the midst of desolation when judgment is upon the earth there is hope because of the promise of salvation. So imagine it like a movie—right now in this moment we are living the beginning of this movie, the climax occurs when judgment strikes and the conclusion… well, let’s read on and find out.

Scene One: Judgment on the earth

This particular verse captured my eye which illustrates judgment on the earth and it goes like this:

“The earth staggers like a drunken man;
it sways like a hut;
its transgression lies heavy upon it,
and it falls, and will not rise again.” (Isaiah 24:20)

In this verse, it’s like the world is unstable and so deep in sin. From Isaiah’s point of view we can see how the world will be like in the last days, and though we know God is merciful; His judgment will be carried out upon everyone and everything.

Scene Two: The good are comforted

While many will suffer, there are those who will find comfort and hope:

“From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise,
of glory to the Righteous One.”
But I say, “I waste away,
I waste away. Woe is me!
For the traitors have betrayed,
With betrayal the traitors have betrayed.”

Since the good are comforted as they give glory to God, I wondered why Isaiah said, “Woe is me!” Why was he in such despair and misery? It took me quite some time to understand how Isaiah was feeling when he said this. Though those who praise God have hope, they are few, and so many will suffer because they are lost in sin. Isaiah would have seen this scene with a heavy heart, to see so many people suffer.

Scene Three: God’s promises for the church

I found this verse to be comforting as I finished reading the chapter:

“It will be said on that day,
‘Behold, this is our God;
we have waited for Him, that He might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for Him;
let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

In the end there will be no more fighting, no more suffering, no more tears, and no more waiting. It will just be the church, the people thanking God, and God fulfilling His promises.

Do you get the picture?

May God guide us so that we can continue playing our part in the bigger picture.