Isaiah 32: 1 – 20
His Way Or The Highway
1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. 2 A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. 3 The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen. 4 Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. 5 The foolish person will no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful; 6 For the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, to utter error against the LORD, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. 8 But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand. 9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; You complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.10 In a year and some days you will be troubled, you complacent women; For the vintage will fail, the gathering will not come. 11 Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists. 12 People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; 14 Because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks— 15 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. 16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17 The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. 18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, 19 Though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. 20 Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
Memories are a gift of God. As we review our lives we can enjoy those moments of great joy that our Holy Father Blessed us with. Oh, you know, I do not have to list for you those pleasant times that occurred only for you.
Memories can also be painful. Those times were significant heartache came to us. Why can’t we just blot them out of our memories and just have only the good stuff in our thoughts.
The Jewish people had many years to remember the good old days when God’s favor washed over their lives. Because of their sin our Precious Master had to turn His people over to the consequences of their sins. You can imagine the people sitting in a foreign land just sitting around remembering the Holy Land in which they were taken forcibly from.
In the book of Psalms 137 we read of their heartaches, “1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.2 We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. 3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
I find it most interesting that three Jewish gifted song writers, Marvin Hamlisch; Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote a popular song which a Jewish singing star by the name of Barbara Streisand made famous called ‘For the way we were.’
A couple of their impacting lines are;
Memories,
Like the corner of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles, we gave to one another
For the way we were…
Have you yearned for times past. Throughout the Bible we know of the Jews desire to have it the way it was before. Our Lord gave them a taste of great peace and blessings during the times of kings David and Solomon. The people desire was that our Holy Righteous God would again restore the nation again with His Perfect selected Messiah. We will see this desire throughout chapter 32. There will be significant changes that will occur when He comes and takes over.
1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. 2 A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. 3 The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen. 4 Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. 5 The foolish person will no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful
Our Blessed Holy Ruler informs us that when His Messiah takes over it will be governed in righteousness – ‘1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.’
We see our Precious Holy Spirit inform us that our King will offer refuge to all that will come to Him for protection – ‘2 A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.’
When a person comes as he or she is and turns to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are not aware that immediately they begin to see things that they never saw before; the hear things that in the past went in one ear and out the other; their speech changes; and their minds begin to understand things that before were kept from them – ‘3 The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen. 4 Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly.’
Remember back in chapter 5 verse 20 of this book of Isaiah when speaking for our Lord, he said, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter
Well, we read about it again in a new description where people will be recognized as fools for their ungodly works of charity – ‘5 The foolish person will no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful.’ They will no longer be giving these elaborate shows where they are recognized for their giving or cheap skates recognized as good stewards of their money.
We all know that our Holy Adoni Yahweh’s Anointed Son came to earth, yet He was rejected. We eagerly await for His Second Coming where He will Rule for a thousand years. [Come quickly Lord Jesus]
Yet, as you look around since then this world has been a cess pool of evil. Way back through His prophet Isaiah, our Master warned us what it would be like until He Rules.
6 For the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, to utter error against the LORD, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. 8 But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand. 9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; You complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.10 In a year and some days you will be troubled, you complacent women; For the vintage will fail, the gathering will not come. 11 Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists. 12 People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; 14 Because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks.”
Foolish people who are building their foundations our this fallen world will continue to cheat and claw their way to the top. They will not care who they have to step on or destroy in order for them to reach their worldly goals – ‘6 For the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, to utter error against the LORD, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.’
As I just mentioned how our Precious Jehovah Shammah – The Lord Who Is Forever Present – open our eyes and minds to see what is really going on, we are able to recognize the evil persons plans. Please note how we are able to pick up these individuals methods, motives, and manipulation – ‘7 Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice.’
Yet, when you belong to the Lord, His characteristics cause you to do good even to those who keep on doing evil to you – ‘8 But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.’
It is very interesting that the popular television programs have many versions of housewives who supposedly have it all. They are from New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, etc. They are pro sports wives who have all that money can buy. Yet, our Lord is pointing out here – ‘Watch out!’
All there glamour and indifference to what is important in life will be put to an end real quick – ‘9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; You complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.10 In a year and some days you will be troubled, you complacent women; For the vintage will fail, the gathering will not come. 11 Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists. 12 People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; 14 Because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks.’
The impact on their lives will be severe. All the nice clothes, cars, and cash will be gone – ‘11 Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists.’
They won’t be all smiles for the cameras anymore. In fact, they will look like the poor people who they ignored and will be crying out for someone to come to their aid. Their homes will all be in foreclosure - 12 People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; 14 Because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks.”
However, for us who are having difficult and painful lives will look forward to the Prince of Peace Who will come and make things the way we have always longed for. It will begin with the lavish pouring out of our Blessed Holy Spirit.
15 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
The corrupt justice system will be no more. Throughout the land justice will be proper. Everyone will be guided to do the right things and for the right reasons.
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
When our King of kings and Lord of lords comes peoples motives will be transparent. Foolish people will no longer be regarded as role models. Sin will no longer be able to disguise itself and appear good.
Contentment with godliness is great gain. When our Righteous Master takes over then we will find finally perfect rest.
17 The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. 18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, 19 Though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation.
Everything will return to what it was originally created to be. In peace everyone will reside. The owners of animals can freely allow their herds roam freely without fear of anything happening to them.
20 Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
I want to end on chapter 35 of Isaiah which poetically and beautifully describes all that we have reviewed today.
“1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “ Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
