Isa 33:4 | KingComments | STEP | In Isaiah 28-32 a “woe” is pronounced five times to Israel and Judah ( ). The sixth “woe” is now pronounced to the “destroyer”, which is Assyria, and “he who is treacherous”, which is the antichrist ( ; ). These are the two enemies the remnant faces in the end time, one enemy from the outside and the other enemy from the inside. Again the prophecy from the time of Isaiah also looks forward to the future and eventual overthrow of the anti-Christian powers and to the day of Zion’s deliverance. The judgment on Assyria and the antichrist is based on the principle that a man reaps what he has sown ( ). This is as true for nations as it is for individuals. The final reckoning by the LORD with Assyria and the antichrist is preceded by a time when these enemies will bring God’s people in great distress. In view of their threat, the people will pray and beg for salvation ( ). Isaiah expresses in the first and last line of the voice of the remnant in the great tribulation, the “time of distress”. He identifies himself with them and feels their need as his own. That is why he speaks about “us” and “we” and “our” in these lines. They have not always waited for the LORD, but when they have converted, they wait for Him. Then they live out of grace. In the middle line of Isaiah begs the LORD to be “their strength [literally” “arm”] every morning”. There he is their intercessor and asks the LORD for what they need every day. He asks for His daily support for them, for in that time of great need they are dependent on His strength. Without His strength they are powerless. The prayer “give us this day our daily bread” ( ), will then be actual. The praying attitude of Isaiah is a foreshadowing of the attitude of the believing remnant. The LORD has promised to protect Israel ( ). Therefore, the outcome is certain, not only in the days of Hezekiah, but also in the end time. The hostile nations, the heathen nations, that have gone up against Israel will be scattered by the LORD Who lifts up Himself ( ). The spoil these nations have conquered will be taken away by others ( ).

‏ Isaiah 33:4

The Enemy Is Paid Back

In Isaiah 28-32 a “woe” is pronounced five times to Israel and Judah (Isa 28:1 ; Isa 29:1 ; 15 ; Isa 30:1 ; Isa 31:1). The sixth “woe” is now pronounced to the “destroyer”, which is Assyria, and “he who is treacherous”, which is the antichrist (Isa 33:1; Isa 33:13). These are the two enemies the remnant faces in the end time, one enemy from the outside and the other enemy from the inside.

Again the prophecy from the time of Isaiah also looks forward to the future and eventual overthrow of the anti-Christian powers and to the day of Zion’s deliverance. The judgment on Assyria and the antichrist is based on the principle that a man reaps what he has sown (Gal 6:7-8). This is as true for nations as it is for individuals.

The final reckoning by the LORD with Assyria and the antichrist is preceded by a time when these enemies will bring God’s people in great distress. In view of their threat, the people will pray and beg for salvation (Isa 33:2). Isaiah expresses in the first and last line of Isa 33:2 the voice of the remnant in the great tribulation, the “time of distress”. He identifies himself with them and feels their need as his own. That is why he speaks about “us” and “we” and “our” in these lines. They have not always waited for the LORD, but when they have converted, they wait for Him. Then they live out of grace.

In the middle line of Isa 33:2 Isaiah begs the LORD to be “their strength [literally” “arm”] every morning”. There he is their intercessor and asks the LORD for what they need every day. He asks for His daily support for them, for in that time of great need they are dependent on His strength. Without His strength they are powerless. The prayer “give us this day our daily bread” (Mt 6:11), will then be actual. The praying attitude of Isaiah is a foreshadowing of the attitude of the believing remnant.

The LORD has promised to protect Israel (Isa 31:4-5). Therefore, the outcome is certain, not only in the days of Hezekiah, but also in the end time. The hostile nations, the heathen nations, that have gone up against Israel will be scattered by the LORD Who lifts up Himself (Isa 33:3). The spoil these nations have conquered will be taken away by others (Isa 33:4).