Title: God's Sovereign Judgment / Isaiah 34
Content: God's Sovereign Judgment
Isaiah 34
1. The end of the world (1-4)
① God’s judgment has a global character (1)
Isaiah mentions not only 'nations' and 'peoples' but also 'the earth and its fulness', and 'the world and all that comes out of it', that is, the creation world as objects to receive God's counsel. In this way, it shows that God's judgment is broad.
② The fundamental factor of judgment comes from relationship with God (2-4)
The subject of judgment is God, and the standard is based on the relationship with God. As Isaiah says, “The Lord is angry with the nations,” he tells us that all nations that are hostile to God are subject to judgment.
2. The end of Edom (5-15)
① God's judgment on the people of Edom (5-8)
God's judgment on Edom is not an accidental and sudden event, but a predicted event in God's history. The judgment of Edom will be so bloody and horrific that it is described as a slaughter in the slaughterhouse.
Judgment on Edom is God's revenge for Edom who opposes Zion, and it is a day of answering prayers.
② God's judgment on the land of Edom (9-15)
It signifies the utter desolation of the land of Edom. The day of judgment of brimstone and fire will come, and Edom will become a land of beasts.
3. Certainty of Judgment (16-17)
Following the previous paragraph describing the circumstances of the people of Edom and the ultimate judgment upon the land, this paragraph makes it clear that that judgment will be brought about by God. This is to clearly warn of the seriousness and certainty of the judgment.
① Judgment is done according to the word of the Lord (16)
The judgment event that took place in Edom, on the surface, seems to be a natural event in the history of the world, but it is emphasized that it is essentially the realization of the Word of God. The history of this world is the process and result of the realization of God's sovereign will.
② The final appearance of the judgment on Edom (17)
Eventually, the land of Edom will be divided and distributed according to God's judgment.