Though God’s justice sometimes seems harsh from our perspective, does it result in an eternal joy that is beyond our wildest dreams? Let’s look at Isaiah 33.
What does God prophecy to Assyria who had defeated Israel?
You defeated my people. Now you're in for trouble! You've never been destroyed, but you will be destroyed; you've never been betrayed, but you will be betrayed. When you have finished destroying and betraying, you will be destroyed and betrayed in return. (Isa 33:1 CEV)
As Assyria threatens, do God’s people eventually turn from relying on Egypt, to relying on God alone?
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. At the tumultuous noise peoples flee; when you lift yourself up, nations are scattered, and your spoil is gathered as the caterpillar gathers; as locusts leap, it is leapt upon. (Isa 33:2-4 ESV)
The Lord’s discipline may seem hard by human standards, but does it bring us to humility and an understanding of who He is?
The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. There will be times of security for you—a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure. (Isa 33:5-6 HCSB)
Will brave men and those who made a treaty with Egypt weep and feel ashamed?
“Listen! Their brave men cry out in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly. The highways are deserted; travelers have quit the road. The enemy has broken treaties; he despises their witnesses, and respects no one. The land mourns and wastes away; Lebanon feels ashamed and withers. Sharon is like a desert; Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.” (Isa 33:7-9 ISV)
What will happen to those who relied upon a foreign government rather than God?
Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. (Isa 33:10-12 KJV)
Did God punish the sinners, but allow those who walk uprightly to endure?
“You who are far away, hear what I have done; And you who are near, acknowledge My might.” Sinners in Zion are in dread; Trembling has seized the godless. “Who among us can sojourn with the consuming fire? Who among us can sojourn with continual burning?” He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly; He who rejects greedy gain of oppression, And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the strongholds of the cliffs; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure. (Isa 33:13-16 LSB)
Who will the righteous see? Will it be a great experience in our eternity?
Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; They will see a distant land. Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is one who counts? Where is one who weighs? Where is one who counts the towers?” You will no longer see a fierce people, A people of unintelligible speech which no one comprehends, Of a stammering tongue which no one understands. (Isa 33:17-19 NASB)
Is this a description of a future Jerusalem as a peaceful abode?
Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. (Isa 33:20-22 NIV)
Will sickness and sin one day be removed from Jerusalem?
Your tackle is loosed, They could not strengthen their mast, They could not spread the sail. Then the prey of great plunder is divided; The lame take the prey. And the inhabitant will not say, “I am sick”; The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity. (Isa 33:23-24 NKJV)
Is this also described in Revelation in the new heavens and new earth?
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. (Rev 22:3-5 NLT)
Though God’s justice sometimes seems harsh from our perspective, does it result in an eternal joy that is beyond our wildest dreams? You decide!
