Isa 33:20 | KingComments | STEP | Zion will be seen in glory ( ). It will be a peaceful dwelling place with a lasting security that will never again be endangered ( ). It will be a city where the feasts of the LORD will be held again. The reason for this is that the LORD Himself dwells there ( ). The glory of the city is enhanced by the abundance of waters. However, no hostile warships will sail on those rivers. The LORD is their “judge”, He shall exercise justice over the enemies. He is their “lawgiver”, He gives His law in their hearts. He is their “king”, the Anointed One over Zion Who rules with a fulness of blessing. Finally, He is also their Savior, Who created this glorious state by saving His people from their sins and their enemies ( ). He is their perfect strength. In Him Israel will have his Divine King, Who will grant everything His people need to these people. It is based on a complete redemption. In themselves, the people are weak and incapable of keeping the state of Israel, as if it were a ship, afloat ( ). Yet it will be given to them to divide the spoil of the enemy and the crippled will receive the strength to take plunder. Physical and mental illnesses belong to the past ( ). No inhabitant of Jerusalem will have to deal with them. This is closely related to the forgiveness of their iniquities ( ). This state is not yet present. God wants to teach us, as He will teach Israel, that it is impossible to free ourselves in our own strength. He sends us weakness, that we may learn to be strong in weakness. Jacob had to learn this. When he was made physically powerless ( ), he learned to rely more than ever on the omnipotent power of the LORD. Paul learned to boast in his weaknesses, “so that the power of Christ” could dwell in him ( ). The word ‘dwell’ means ‘spread over like a tabernacle’ or ‘overshadow’. It refers here to the peace and protection that Christ gives to those who know they have no strength of their own to go through trials and therefore seek strength with Him. In our trials and tribulations we learn to know the love of Christ in a way that is impossible without these exercises. Then we will be able to say from experience: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” ( ).

‏ Isaiah 33:20

The Glory of Zion

Zion will be seen in glory (Psa 48:1-14). It will be a peaceful dwelling place with a lasting security that will never again be endangered (Isa 33:20). It will be a city where the feasts of the LORD will be held again. The reason for this is that the LORD Himself dwells there (Isa 33:21). The glory of the city is enhanced by the abundance of waters. However, no hostile warships will sail on those rivers.

The LORD is their “judge”, He shall exercise justice over the enemies. He is their “lawgiver”, He gives His law in their hearts. He is their “king”, the Anointed One over Zion Who rules with a fulness of blessing. Finally, He is also their Savior, Who created this glorious state by saving His people from their sins and their enemies (Isa 33:22). He is their perfect strength. In Him Israel will have his Divine King, Who will grant everything His people need to these people. It is based on a complete redemption.

In themselves, the people are weak and incapable of keeping the state of Israel, as if it were a ship, afloat (Isa 33:23). Yet it will be given to them to divide the spoil of the enemy and the crippled will receive the strength to take plunder. Physical and mental illnesses belong to the past (Isa 33:24). No inhabitant of Jerusalem will have to deal with them. This is closely related to the forgiveness of their iniquities (Psa 103:3).

This state is not yet present. God wants to teach us, as He will teach Israel, that it is impossible to free ourselves in our own strength. He sends us weakness, that we may learn to be strong in weakness. Jacob had to learn this. When he was made physically powerless (Gen 32:25), he learned to rely more than ever on the omnipotent power of the LORD.

Paul learned to boast in his weaknesses, “so that the power of Christ” could dwell in him (2Cor 12:9). The word ‘dwell’ means ‘spread over like a tabernacle’ or ‘overshadow’. It refers here to the peace and protection that Christ gives to those who know they have no strength of their own to go through trials and therefore seek strength with Him. In our trials and tribulations we learn to know the love of Christ in a way that is impossible without these exercises. Then we will be able to say from experience: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom 8:35-37).