Isa 33 | TNotes | STEP | 33:1 This was the sixth threat of woe (see study note on 28:1–33:24). • Although the Hebrew text does not specifically name Assyria as the object of the prophecy in this chapter, Isaiah undoubtedly had Assyria in mind; they were the destroyer most immediately at hand when the prophecy was written. The prophecy applies, however, to any who seek to destroy God’s people; this included, but was not limited to, the Babylonians (see chs 13–14 ). • When you are done betraying: Wicked nations often break political agreements with other nations when these contracts are no longer to their own advantage.

33:1 ^a This was the sixth threat of woe (see study note on 28:1–33:24).

• Although the Hebrew text does not specifically name Assyria as the object of the prophecy in this chapter, Isaiah undoubtedly had Assyria in mind; they were the destroyer most immediately at hand when the prophecy was written. The prophecy applies, however, to any who seek to destroy God’s people; this included, but was not limited to, the Babylonians (see chs 13–14 ^b).

• When you are done betraying: Wicked nations often break political agreements with other nations when these contracts are no longer to their own advantage.
33:2 ^c The godly community prayed for God to be merciful in response to the promise of 30:18 ^d.
33:9 ^e Sharon, Bashan, and Carmel were all fertile areas. Their desolation represents the destruction Assyria had inflicted on Israel.
33:11 ^f In most passages, the Assyrians were turning other nations into worthless dry grass and stubble (see 17:13 ^g; 29:5 ^h; 40:24 ⁱ; 41:2 ^j). Here, ironically, they get a taste of their own medicine.
33:14 ^k The godless were people who lived without regard for God and his law.

• The image of a devouring fire came from God’s judgment of offenders during the wilderness journey (Exod 24:17 ^l; Deut 4:24 ^m). God still expects people to worship him with reverence and awe (Heb 12:29 ⁿ).
33:15 ^o A godly life provides evidence that an individual truly knows God (see Col 3:5-17 ^p; Jas 2:14-18 ^q; 1 Pet 1:14-16 ^r; 1 Jn 1:5-6 ^s).
Summary for Isa 33:17-24: 33:17-24 ^t This vision is about God’s reign in Zion. 33:17 ^u The king is the human representative (32:1 ^v) of the Great King, God himself (33:22 ^w).

• The land belonging to God’s people would appear to be without borders because the foreign enemies had been judged (54:3 ^x).
33:18 ^y Assyrian officers brought great terror to Judah when the Assyrians defeated various cities around Jerusalem (2 Kgs 18:13 ^z).
33:19 ^aa The strange, unknown language was the tongue of Assyria and later of Babylon (see 28:11 ^ab).
33:24 ^ac The people of Israel were the people of Zion (cp. 33:20 ^ad).

• sick ... the Lord will forgive their sins: See 43:25 ^ae.