Chapter 33

1 God’s judgments against the enemies of the church. 13 The privileges of the godly.

1. Woe to thee. This chapter was doubtless inspired by the judgment that befell the hosts of Sennacherib (ch. 37:36). The invaders had ravaged Judah, but the Lord would deliver her from the might of her oppressors. The chapter alternates between strong consolation for the faithful and severe rebukes for the wicked. Isaiah’s prophetic vision beholds also the glorious Messianic age (see on ch. 32:1).

Thou wast not spoiled. Assyria’s wars of aggression against her neighbors had been extensive. She was interested primarily in loot, and sent her armies forth for purposes of plunder. But eventually Assyria would receive payment in kind (see Matt. 7:2; cf. Jer. 50:15, 29; 51:24; Rev. 13:10).

2. Waited for thee. See on ch. 25:8, 9.

Their arm. Many ancient Hebrew manuscripts, the Targums, and the Syriac read “our arm.” Isaiah here asks help for his own people—perhaps especially the defenders of the city. The next phrase, “our salvation,” clearly refers to those with him in Jerusalem.

3. Nations were scattered. This refers to the destruction of the hosts of Sennacherib (see ch. 37:36, 37). On that occasion a great “tumult” (ch. 37:29) struck terror to the hearts of the Assyrians.

4. Your spoil. This refers to the plundering of the Assyrian camp after the annihilation of the invaders and the precipitate flight of the few survivors. As caterpillars and locusts devour everything green, so the Hebrews would, in due time, strip the haughty Assyrians bare.

5. The Lord is exalted. The spectacular annihilation of the Assyrian hosts (ch. 37:36) brought honor and renown to the true God.

He hath filled Zion. The lesson of Sennacherib’s invasion would, presumably, result in a revival throughout the city of Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah.

Judgment. Or, “justice,” that is, among men.

6. The stability. Judah would find its strength and stability, not in armed might, but in God and in loyalty to His revealed will (see Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7).

7. The ambassadors of peace. Hezekiah’s envoys were given such hard terms (2 Kings 18:14–16) as to cause them to “weep bitterly.” When the Hebrew deputies met with the Rabshakeh sent to Jerusalem, they found his terms of surrender so harsh that they returned with “their clothes rent” (2 Kings 18:37).

8. The highways lie waste. The roads of Judah were no longer open for travel. The army of Sennacherib had reduced the country to such straits that men no longer dared travel by the highways.

Cities. Dead Sea scroll 1QIs reads Фedim, “witnesses,” for Фirim, “cities,” the only difference in the consonantal text being between the d and the r (see Vol. I, p. 26; see on Gen. 10:4).

9. The earth mourneth. The entire countryside of Judah was devastated during the course of Assyrian invasion. Other districts of Palestine shared the same sad fate.

10. Now will I rise. The hour of man’s extremity is the hour of God’s opportunity. When it seemed that the situation was hopeless, and that the last vestige of Judean resistance would soon be crushed out by the cruel conqueror, the Lord arose to deliver the remnant in Jerusalem.

11. Conceive chaff. This verse stresses the emptiness and vanity of Assyrian pretensions. For all their effort they would produce only chaff. Their bold schemes would turn to devour the very ones who had given them birth.

12. Burnings of lime. They would be utterly destroyed, as when limestone is reduced to lime, or when thorns are consumed in the fire.

13. Acknowledge my might. In bringing judgment upon Assyria, God taught men everywhere the futility of human wisdom and strength. He frequently permits a situation to reach a point of crisis, that when He intervenes, men may recognize His authority and power.

14. The devouring fire. God is as a consuming fire to the wicked (Heb. 12:29). Only “the pure in heart” shall “see God” (Matt. 5:8) and live. The questions here asked are similar to those of Ps. 15:1; 24:3. Isaiah gives his answer in the following verse.

15. Walketh righteously. Compare the answers given here with those of the psalmist in Ps. 15:2–5; 24:4. To be sure, righteousness is fundamentally a matter of the heart and the mind, but a man must also “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7). Right attitudes will be reflected in right words and deeds.

The gain of oppressions. Assyria had secured its wealth by oppressing weaker nations. But many in Jerusalem and Judah had amassed their fortunes in much the same manner (see on ch. 5:7).

Shaketh his hands. That is, in a gesture indicating refusal to participate in illicit rewards.

Stoppeth his ears. That is, refuses to participate in plots against the lives of innocent persons.

Shutteth his eyes. The Lord is of “purer eyes than to behold evil” (Hab. 1:13). Those who serve Him will not countenance evil in any form.

16. He shall dwell on high. That is, in a place of safety. Ancient cities were built “on high” for protection against invasion. High ground is always advantageous in warfare.

The munitions. Or, “strongholds.” To those who love and serve Him, the Lord offers protection and care during every time of trouble. The promise here given will prove of special comfort to God’s people during the great crisis of the last days, when places of safety will be provided for them out of reach of those bent on their destruction (see Ps. 61:2, 3; 91:1, 2). While the wicked suffer for lack of food and water (see Rev. 16:4–9; cf. GC 626, 628) the saints will have life’s necessities provided them.

17. The king. During the trials and tribulations of the last days the people of God find comfort in the thought that soon Christ will come. They will see Him in His glory (see on ch. 25:8, 9), and the land of promise that they had seen with the eye of faith, as it were “far off” (ch. 33:17), will then become a reality.

18. Shall meditate terror. Delivered from their enemies, God’s people reflect on the fearful scenes through which they have passed. The trials of the past seem as but a dream. This was true when Jerusalem had been delivered from Sennacherib’s hosts, and will again be true of the saints at Christ’s second coming.

The scribe … the receiver. Where were the Assyrian scribes, fixing the amount of tribute to be exacted from each unfortunate victim? Where were the receivers of tribute and the masters of the siege? Now all were gone, and everything was at peace. Similarly, at Christ’s second coming, the faithful will rejoice in deliverance from the hands of those who have so recently sought to slay them.

19. A fierce people. The insolent Assyrian invaders, with their strange tongue and fierce ways, are to be no more. Instead of seeing the Assyrians they would “see the king in his beauty” (v. 17). Compare Ex. 14:13.

20. Look upon Zion. The hostile invaders have gone; every danger has disappeared. The Holy City is now at peace. Compare the description of Joel 3:16–20.

Our solemnities. Literally, “our appointed feasts” (see on Lev. 23:2).

21. Broad rivers and streams. A description of the fertility and beauty of the restored Land of Promise. Here are the “river” and “streams” that “make glad the city of God” (Ps. 46:4). Compare Ezekiel’s river (Eze. 47).

No galley. No enemy ships would sail their streams (see Eze. 47:1; Joel 3:18; Zech. 14:8; Rev. 22:1).

23. Thy tacklings. The figure of v. 21 is continued. The enemy is like a ship whose tackle hangs loose, whose mast totters, and whose sail is useless—a derelict. The hour of victory for the saints is the hour of shame and defeat for their enemies. The “lame,” who usually have no part in military service, become the victors and spoil their enemies.

24. I am sick. There will be no sickness in the earth made new, either of the body or of the soul (see Jer. 31:34). The healing of disease and the forgiveness of sin are mentioned together again in Ps. 103:3; Matt. 9:2, 6. Christ is the healer of man’s physical and spiritual maladies.

Ellen G. White comments

5, 6 FE 353

6     Ed 229; PK 83

13–17CW 113

14   1T 123; 4T 528

14–16GC 626; PK 725; 2T 446

15–17Ed 141

16   DA 122; EW 56, 282; GC 629, 635; MB 111; SR 129, 406; 1T 174

17   CT 209; DA 632; Ev 503; EW 67; ML 347; PK 321; TM 21; 2T 355; 7T 12; 8T 253, 331; 9T 193

20–22Ed 182

21, 22  PK 321

23   MB 62

24   Ed 271; GC 676; PK 729; 9T 286