What I Noticed Today (Isaiah 23-27)
Isaiah 23
Isaiah 23 concludes the ten chapters dealing with oracles about battles against the Assyrians. Isaiah prophesies the fall of Tyre. Tyre was an island city that had a well-developed sea trade, including a trading colony at Tarshish.
In verses 1-14, Isaiah describes the coming judgment against Tyre. Cyprus was a large island 75 miles from Tyre and Sidon was a Phoenician seaport. Countries as far away as Egypt would be impacted by the loss of trade with Tyre.
In verses 15-17, Isaiah describes a 70-year period in which the destroyed Tyre will be forgotten. After that time, the Lord will restore Tyre’s trade, but the merchandise and profits will be holy to the Lord, supporting the Lord’s priests.
Isaiah 24
Isaiah 13-23, focused on the Lord’s judgment upon nations using the Assyrians. Isaiah 24-27 focus on God’s eventual judgment on the whole world during what is known as the tribulation period and God’s blessings on the world during Christ’s millennial reign on earth.
In verses 1-13, Isaiah describes a series of opposites, all of whom will face judgment. They illustrate the point that the whole world with everything and everyone in it will face God’s judgment.
In verses 14-16, describes a group who sings out in joy at God’s righteous judgment. Some scholars believe this group could be Israelites scattered around the world.
In verses 17-20, God’s judgment falls upon the world, causing terror. The earth is torn apart by its rebellion never to rise from its transgressions again.
In verses 21-23, Isaiah describes God’s judgment in that day coming upon the hosts of heaven as well as the kings of the earth. The Lord of Hosts will reign as king in Jerusalem. This signifies the beginning of the Lord’s 1,000 years (millennial) reign on earth.
Isaiah 25
Isaiah 25 is a psalm of praise to the Lord for delivering His people during His Millennial reign.
In verses 1-5, Isaiah praises the Lord for His faithful judgment of the righteous and the wicked. The Lord is a stronghold and a refuge for the poor and the oppressed while the ruthless are put down.
In verses 6-12, Isaiah describes the Lord swallowing up death and the restoration and salvation of the remnant of His people. The people of Moab (representing those who reject God) will be judged for their pride and destroyed.
Isaiah 26
Isaiah 26 is a psalm intended to be sung by the redeemed when Messiah establishes His Millennial reign on earth.
In verses 1-6, Isaiah describes the destroyed city of Jerusalem as being restored, now a strong city. The oppressed and the poor who trust in the Lord will trample the wicked.
In verses 7-21, Isaiah describes the certainty that the remnant will be delivered, not because of anything they have done but purely through God’s grace.
In verses 7-9, Isaiah describes the path of the righteous as level because God smooths out their path.
In verses 10-11, Isaiah describes the wicked who do not learn to live righteously even when surrounded by righteousness.
In verses 12-15, Isaiah describes God’s people who will enjoy God’s peace because they honor God.
In verses 16-18, Isaiah describes the Lord’s discipline that will fall on His people, causing distress and pain like a woman in childbirth.
In verse 19, Isaiah describes the dead believers being resurrected and shouting for joy.
In verses 20-21, Isaiah exhorts the remnant to hide until God’s judgment during the tribulation period had passed. During the tribulation period, the Lord will judge the sins of man whether the sins were committed in private or in public.
Isaiah 27
The focus of Isaiah 27 is for God’s protection and care for the nation of Israel and their resulting fruitfulness to the world.
Note: There are three “In that day” sections that divide the chapter, speaking of future events.
In verse 1, God will destroy Leviathan, the great sea serpent with His sword. According to Canaanite mythology, Leviathan was a sea serpent who represented chaos and evil.
In verses 2-6, Isaiah uses a metaphor of a vineyard to describe God and His relationship to His people. God watches over and cares for His vineyard. When thorns grow in the vineyard, He will trample and burn them. In time, the vineyard will bear fruit and fill the whole world.
In verses 7-11, Isaiah describes God judging His people to remove their iniquity and cleanse them by removing their sin. This cleansing will not be complete destruction but will certainly include the removal of idolatry (Asherah poles and incense altars).
In verses 12-13, Isaiah describes the day that the Lord will thresh (judge) the land between the Euphrates and the Wadi of Egypt (the far northern and southern boundaries of the Promised Land). The Lord’s people will be gathered together in Jerusalem, where they will worship the Lord.
